Page 101 of Fangs and Fudge

“Calm yourself, Miles,” Cross said smoothly. “No one here is your enemy.”

He plucked the jar from Shepard’s grasp.

“Can you tell me why this poor creature was at Everly’s home?” Cross asked.

Vena tugged me out from behind Cross so I could see Miles’ now-calm expression as he glanced at the fairy.

“I sent her to Everly’s.”

“Why?” Cross asked.

“Shepard said he’d spent the night there to keep Everly and Vena safe. I figured he’d spend the night at their place again.”

“Why are you interested in where Shepard sleeps?”

“Shepard has the ring my master wants.”

Vena made a choked sound and covered her mouth with her hand. I rubbed her arm to soothe her.

“So you sent the fairy to steal Shepard’s ring?” Cross asked. “Why not steal it yourself?”

“I’m too slow to steal from a werewolf.”

“So was the fairy,” Shepard said, crossing his arms. “Why does your master want my ring?”

“Speak the truth,” Cross said.

“I don’t know. The master only told me to find a way to steal the rings.”

“Rings?” Cross asked.

Miles nodded. “Master already knows about yours. He told me to ignore it and focus on Shepard’s.”

“What do you know about these rings?” Shepard asked.

“I know my master wants them.”

Cross and Shepard shared a look. I barely noticed as a memory teased my mind.

“Is that why you were asking your dad about the rings last night?” I asked.

“Yes. I know there are four rings, not two. I know that my grandparents found a book that referenced them. The map I found connects the rings to the book.” His gaze shifted to his sister. “Where did you hide the book and the map, Vena? I want to give them to my master. He needs them.”

“Why does he need the rings?” Cross asked.

“I don’t know. He didn’t tell me.”

“Is there anything else your master told you to do?”

“No.”

“Go to the couch and sleep, Miles. You will hear nothing while you rest.”

Miles nodded, went to the couch, and fell asleep.

Vena broke down and started crying. I wrapped her in my arms.

“Hey, it’ll be okay.”

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