Page 23 of Crown of Wings and Whispers

“Go,” she hissed.

I shook my head. “You can’t let him touch them!”

“My sisters know better.”

Griffon was at a loss. “What is going on? Who is Hank?”

“Hercloch realta.”

He winced as if he’d been smacked on the nose by a newspaper, but he recovered quickly. “You have one? Of course you have one.”

“She must go.”

He shook his head. “Not without me.”

“No.” Archer stepped close and blocked Bridie out of the conversation. “If he comes back and ye’re both gone, he’ll smell a conspiracy. Same if I take her. She must go alone. We’ll say she was overwrought by the excitement and left. He’ll never be able to find a Fae named Lucy Morgan.”

Griffon scoffed. “You just want to split us up—”

“No. Archer’s right,” I said. “If you come with me, he’ll punish you, maybe hurt your mother to do it. I can go alone. I’ll be fine.” I reached behind my head and unclasped the necklace. It was almost a relief to have it off, and I wasn’t about to take it with me. I put it in Archer’s hands, then added the bracelet and earrings.

Griffon watched the corner of the room, knowing Orion would be back. He finally agreed to let me go alone.

“She’ll never jump,” Archer said, then dug in his pocket and pulled out a key. “She’ll have to take my car. It’s the black one.”

“What do you mean, jump?”

Griffon ignored the question and pulled me close. He kissed me hard and fast, then pressed his forehead to mind. “Listen to me. When you cross off the property, you’ll find yourself in town. Leave the car behind, just in case. Do not call Wickham!”

“I promise. But how will I find my way back?”

“You can’t. Besides, Orion will be watching for you.” He walked me toward the door. “You remember where I delivered you back to the big Highlander?”

I nodded.

“I’ll come to you there when the coast is clear. Ditch the dress as soon as you can.”

Blath suddenly appeared beside us and handed me a duffle. “Your things.”

I thanked her and she blushed and ran away.

Griffon grabbed my arm. “Trust me, love.You must drive off the property. No matter what you see, follow the road and go. Trust me. You will end up in Tenby.” He kissed me again.

Archer pushed us apart and hissed, “Let her go.” He dragged me to the door and winked. “There’s money in the glove box. Take it all. You might be on your own for a while. Just…be careful.”

“You’re a softy!”

“And ye’re a pain in my arse.” He swatted my butt as I stepped away.

* * *

The lightson the porch lit the way as I ran for the three cars parked on the side of the house. I’d driven in the UK enough to be used to it now. Thankfully, the engine was quiet, and no one came running as I pulled along the house and headed out between the black shadows of large trees. Just on the other side of them, however, I hit the brakes.

Twenty feet ahead of me, the ground fell away with nothing but the ocean waiting on the other side, a blue, starless sky above it.

No matter what you see, Griffon had said.

I jumped out of the car and ran to the edge, assuming a switchback road would take me to the little town. But I was wrong. A hundred feet straight down, the ocean slammed and splashed at the feet of the massive cliff I was standing on, angry white waves in the darkness. I could easily imagine a woman’s mangled body down there, on the rocks, dressed for Mardi Gras.

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