Her mouth came open. “Are you kidding me?”
His jaw popped to one side as he shook his head. “No.”
“Are you going to get her and bring her back here?”
“I have to. I’ll need to get Nekai to meet me at the Pelcrum when I bring her back. He’s the only one who’ll be able to bind her magic when she’s once again on the mortal plane.” He tipped his head to the side. “Of course, I could use some help fetching her from the Claustrum. Would you like to come?”
“That place terrifies me as much as it intrigues me.”
“Is that a yes?”
She laughed softly. “That’s a hell yes.” She held up a finger. “Can you give me a second? I want to check on Augie.”
“I’ll wait right here.”
She slipped back into the room. He was sleeping soundly. Despite his cuts and bruises, he’d never looked more handsome. “I’m a lovesick fool,” she whispered to herself. Smiling, she bent and kissed him gently on the mouth. “I love you, Augustine Robelais. Now heal up. I have plans for you.”
The clanking woke Giselle, who until that moment hadn’t realized she’d been sleeping. Without the movement of shadows or a watch, time had lost meaning. Day, night, she had no idea. Around her, the noise level rose. Something was stirring the place into a frenzy.
Then she heard a familiar voice.
“This place is creepy.”
“It does the job,” a male voice answered. She recognized that one, too. The man who’d locked her in here.
She scrambled to her feet and backed away from the bars as he and Harlow approached. “What do you want?”
He studied her. “You. We’ve come to take you back to the mortal plane.”
Surprise coursed through her. “You have?” Thank the goddess. She bit the inside of her cheek to keep herself from crying. She was finally going home. She couldn’t wait to see Ian. “Let’s go then.”
The man twirled his finger through the air. “Turn around and back up to the bars.”
She did as he asked. A moment later, he clamped handcuffs on her. Then he opened the cell and pointed toward the right. “Out.”
She took a few steps forward then stopped. “I don’t know where the hell I’m going. This place is a maze.”
“Walk,” Harlow said. “If you head in the wrong direction, we’ll let you know.”
Giselle started moving again. She kept her eyes focused on the dimly lit path, but as she passed other cells, it was impossible not to glance in. The things that glanced back at her quickly put that to an end. Things with too many teeth and limbs that were inhumanly long and eyes that glowed. Every now and then a whiff of something would pass her nose: flowers, bleach, dung.
Her skin crawled with the urge to be free. Once she was back in the human world and her magic was usable again, she was going to set both of the fools behind her on fire. They deserved it for what they’d done to her. Clinging to that thought, she kept moving until at last the dull light of the fae plane came into view.
Harlow fell into step beside her. “See? That wasn’t so hard.”
Giselle glared at her, but kept her mouth shut.
The man went ahead of them to unlock the massive gate surrounding the place. She shivered, not from being cold, but from utter disgust. “This place is miserable. Gray and windy and dirty and miserable. I’m so glad I’m not fae.”
Harlow leaned in. “I’m glad you’re not fae, too. Now shut up.”
Giselle shook her head. “You have no idea the kind of power I wield.”
“Lot of good it’s doing you now.” Harlow pointed her head toward the gate. “Go.”
Giselle walked through. They’d see once she was back in the human world. Then they’d be sorry.
Harlow followed and the man locked the gate, then pulled out a mirror. He looked up. “Harlow.” His gaze indicated something behind them.
Giselle turned at the same time Harlow did. Two shadowy figures floated toward them. Giselle backed up. “Keep Ava Mae away from me.”
The man laughed. “Harlow, if you’d like a moment with your family, I’ll take Giselle through and deal with handing her over to the police.”
“The police?” Giselle whipped around. “What are you talking about?”
“That would be great, Fenton,” Harlow said. “Thank you.”
“What police?” Giselle repeated.
But Fenton just grabbed her arm and pulled her through the mirror without another word.
Chapter Thirty-one
Olivia materialized in time to pull Harlow into her arms for a hug. She hadn’t expected to see her daughter again so soon. “How are you, cher? How’s my boy?” She kissed Harlow’s cheek. “I’m so happy to see you.”
“We’re both good. He took a little bit of roughing up recently, but he’s on the mend. How are you?” Harlow’s gaze slid sideways to land on Ava Mae. “How’s life on the fae plane, Ava Mae?”
“We’re just fine,” Olivia said. She let go of Harlow and her solid form to wrap an arm around her other daughter’s shoulder. “Ava Mae’s settling in.” She smiled at Harlow. “It’s really good to have company.”
Ava Mae nodded. “Good.” She clung to Olivia’s side.
Harlow’s mouth turned up in a little half smile. “I’m happy to hear that. Do either of you need anything?”
“Just more visits from you and Augie.” Olivia grinned. “More bourbon wouldn’t hurt.”
“Ick,” Ava Mae said, her face scrunching up in disgust.
“I hear that,” Harlow said.
Olivia gestured to the flat rock she often rested on. “Do you have time to sit and talk?”
Harlow nodded. “I have a few minutes.”
Olivia led her daughters over and for a brief but glorious moment was overcome by the emotion of having them both with her. She wiped at her eyes. “Look at that, even ghosts can cry.”
“What’s wrong, Mom?” Harlow’s gaze held the kind of concern Olivia wasn’t sure she’d ever seen before in her daughter’s eyes.
“I just love having you girls here with me. The last time I could reach out and touch both of you, you were babies. And you know that didn’t last long.” She perched on the rock. “This is just real nice.”
Harlow sat on one side of her, Ava Mae on the other. Harlow linked her arm through Olivia’s, who went solid just in time. “I’m going to find a way to get you back on the mortal plane with us, even if it’s just for a visit.”
“That would be wonderful.” Olivia wondered if that would mean leaving Ava Mae behind. How did a mother make that kind of decision? “Tell me again, what happened to Augie?”
“Um…” Harlow rolled her lips in, making a tight line with them. “Short version is he had a disagreement with a woman that resulted in a run-in with some very bad individuals, but that situation is pretty much dealt with.”
“A woman?” Olivia knew she must look judgey, but she wasn’t about to have Augie breaking Harlow’s heart.
Harlow smiled. “Not like that.”
A new concern settled into Olivia’s gut. “His mother?”
“No. A senator, actually.” Harlow made a face. “You think his mother would cause him problems? I thought they weren’t on speaking terms.”
“They’re not as far as I know. That woman…” Olivia shook her head. “She nearly ruined his life. I wouldn’t put much past her.”
Harlow seemed unconvinced. “He’s Guardian of the city—and a good one. She’s got to know that. Got to be proud of him now.”
“I don’t think so.” Olivia sighed.
Ava Mae leaned against her, radiating worry and fear. “Mama.”
“What’s wrong?” Harlow asked. “Ava Mae looks upset.”
“She’s worried that I might be mad at her someday and not want to talk to her.” Olivia glanced at Ava Mae. “Hush, now, child. That’s never going to happen, so don’t you fret.” But as she turned back to her other daughter, distress darkened Harlow’s eyes. It was
clear she loved Augie and plain that any hurt against him was a hurt against her. Olivia patted Harlow’s knee. “It’s all right. Better his mother leaves him alone than interferes.”
Harlow slid off the rock and onto her feet. “It’s not all right.” She kissed Olivia on the cheek. “I’ll be back soon to visit some more, I promise. I just better get home and make sure there’s nothing else I need to take care of with this business with the senator.” She waved at Ava Mae. “Bye.”
Ava Mae lifted her hand. “Bye.”
Olivia watched Harlow pull out her mirror and disappear. Her mother’s instinct told her home wasn’t where her daughter was headed and the thing she had to take care of didn’t involve the senator.
Harlow stared up at the enormous white building that loomed behind the stucco wall surrounding the property. This might be a bad idea, but she couldn’t talk herself out of it, because bad idea or not, it seemed like the right thing. Like a thing that needed to be done. Potentially.
Or at least something she felt compelled to do.
She stood on Ursulines Avenue, studying the solid wooden gate in the wall in front of her and remembering the last time she’d been here with Ava Mae inside her and Father Ogun as her guide. She shuddered, happy that was far behind her and hoping that this visit would give her a better memory of this place.
That would require her to figure out a way to locate the woman she needed to see, however. A woman whose name she didn’t even know. A woman whose face Harlow wouldn’t have been able to pick out of a lineup if there was a gun to her head.
She sighed and glanced down the street. Maybe this was a dumb idea. Maybe she should just go home and be with Augie.
No. Running away from things had never served her well in the past and she wasn’t that person anymore. She didn’t want to be that person.
She peered through the narrow crack where the gate met the wall. A few nuns were walking in the garden. She focused on a spot in the far corner, one well shadowed by the trees, and used her mirror to travel there.
The grounds were beautiful, the place neat and quiet and peaceful. A half circle of statues surrounded the end of the walkway in the middle of the garden. In front of her was a small, slightly shabby building. She hugged the back wall of it, trying to get her bearings. Judging by the steam and smell of soap coming out of the high transom windows, it was a laundry.
Footsteps came toward her. Saying a little prayer that she wasn’t about to get thrown out of a convent, she crouched down and peered around the corner. A woman walked toward the building pushing a large rolling laundry cart.
Harlow waited until she heard the door open and close, then stood up. The laundry woman had to know people, right? She was in charge of underwear. That had to put her on a first-name basis with anyone who lived here.
Harlow mustered a confidence she didn’t feel and made her way to the door. Only a screen stood between her and the woman inside, who sang softly to herself as she sorted bedsheets.
Heart thumping, Harlow opened the door and stepped inside. “Excuse me? Could you help me?”
The woman turned. “What’s that?”
Harlow knew those eyes. Those stormy sea eyes. “I, uh… I’m trying to find someone.”
“You’ll have to see the sisters up front.” The woman’s gaze narrowed. “But the convent’s closed to visitors at this hour. You best come back tomorrow.”
Harlow lifted her chin slightly and decided to test her theory. “Do you know Augustine Robelais?”
The flash of recognition in the woman’s eyes lasted less than a second. “No.”
Harlow nodded. So that’s how she wanted to play it. “I’d heard his mother lived here and I had a message for her. Something important about her son.”
The woman crossed her arms. “What’s that?”
Harlow put her hand on the door handle. “Sorry, I can’t tell anyone but her.” If the woman couldn’t at least admit to being his mother, she didn’t deserve any more of Harlow’s—or Augustine’s—time.
The woman’s mouth bent. “I’m his mother. What’s he done now?”
With her admittance, Harlow’s nerves disappeared. “Let’s see, since becoming Guardian, he’s saved the city on numerous occasions, saved countless lives, mine included, and stopped corruption in its tracks. And he’s only been on the job a few weeks.”
His mother snorted. “If you’re trying to impress me—”
“No, I’m not. Truthfully, I’m not sure why I felt so compelled to talk to you, but I thought you should know that no matter what you think of your son, he is an amazing man. He’s caring and thoughtful and fearless and the best person I know.”
One side of his mother’s mouth bunched up in a bitter smile. “And I suppose you’re in love with him. You’re fae, too, aren’t you?”
“As a matter of fact, I am. On both counts.” Defiance rose up in Harlow. “You know what else? I’m going to marry your son and we’re going to have all kinds of fae babies.” She closed her mouth quickly, unsure where that last bit had come from, but not entirely upset she’d said it.
“You really think he’s all those things?”
“I do.”
After a long pause, the woman picked up a piece of laundry. “If you think I’m coming to the wedding, I… don’t know. Maybe. Maybe not.”
Harlow’s jaw unhinged. That felt like progress. Of a kind. “All right then.” She was going to have to have a long talk with Augie when she got home.
His mother folded the dish towel in her hands and set it aside. “I saw the news. The statement the senator made. Then that video that came out after it—”
“I made that.”
“That senator was going to kill him.”
“Yes, she was.”
His mother raised her head to look Harlow in the eyes. “I’m not saying I want to move in and have all my Sunday dinners with him, but maybe it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world to get to know the man he’s become.”
Harlow nodded. “I’ll let him know. But that’s all I’m doing. It’s his decision what happens next.”
“I understand.” She turned and went back to her laundry.
Harlow stood there for a moment, trying to process everything that had just happened. Finally, she opened her mirror and slipped home.
“You smell like soap,” Augustine whispered, opening his eyes to slits.
Harlow smiled down at him, teeth gleaming in the room’s ambient light. “How are you feeling?”
“Actually… not awful. Better now that you’re here. How are you feeling?”
She sat on the bed beside him. “Really good. Better now that I’m here with you.” She took his hand and clasped it between her own. “Fenton turned Giselle over to the cops and she’s confessed to the murders in the garden. Nekai zapped her with one of his weaver spells so that any magic she tries to use will backfire onto her. Apparently she found that out the hard way when she tried to immobilize Fenton.”
Augustine grinned. “Nice.”
She lifted one hand to gently touch his cheek. “There’s talk that Senator Pellimento is going to be impeached. There’s a whole subcommittee being formed to look into her secret dealings.”
He frowned. “How long have I been out?”
“A little over a day.”
“That explains why I’m feeling better.”
She pretended to be injured. “I thought that was because of me.”
“It is.” He tugged her hands toward him and kissed her knuckles. “What else have I missed? Anything else major?”
“Sort of.”
Her funny little smile intrigued him, but not as much as when she dropped his hand, stood up and started taking off her shirt. “What are you—oh.”
Gleaming on her chest, right above the lacy cup of her deep red bra, sat a silver fleur-de-lis. The skin around the brand was still pink. “I hope you don’t mind that I did this without you but I wanted to make it official. Are you mad?”
&n
bsp; “No.” He shook his head. “I can’t believe you did it.”
“Did you think I would chicken out?”
“No, I just… it’s a brand.” The Harlow who’d first walked into this house and his life was gone, replaced by a warrior woman who took his breath away.
“And it hurt like a mother.” She started unbuttoning her pants.
His brows lifted. “Did you get another one I don’t know about?”
“No.” Her smiled was wicked. She dropped her pants to reveal matching underwear. Then she pulled back the covers and slid into bed beside him. “Although if you want to look for one, I’m not going to stop you.”
He turned on his side to stare at her, ignoring the slight ache in his ribs. Harlow was in bed with him. “I don’t even know who you are anymore.”
“Some people might think I’m your fiancée.”
“My what?”
“It’s a long story.” She leaned up and kissed him, hard. He reached to cup the back of her head and pull her in close. She broke away after only a few seconds. “We can talk about that later, Guardian Robelais.”
“Oh, we will, Lieutenant Goodwin.” He bent to kiss her again, his hands traveling over the glorious expanse of her skin. “Much later.”
Acknowledgments
Here are a few of the people I need to thank for helping make this book happen: My whip-smart agent, Elaine. My editor, Susan, and the publishing team at Orbit. The fabulous Writer’s Camp chicas—Leigh, Laura, Rocki. And the virtual camp members—Louisa, Amanda C., Amanda B., Julie and Kristen C. You are all such inspirations to me!
Then there’s my House of Pain Street Team, one of the best groups of readers and cheerleaders an author could ask for. And last but not least, my readers! I love you guys!
A special nod to Damon Stentz for the Louisiana legal info.
I am also blessed with a wonderful family who give me their continuous support and an amazing husband who not only makes me laugh until I cry (often without meaning to) but is the best partner I could have ever hoped for to share this journey with.
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