Page 167 of Home to the Hollow

Her only answer is a disgusted growl followed by what might be a yowl of irritation.

Same, kitty, same.

Week Five

When we get back from the college, my Tíogair goes with Boone to grab food. The docs and I are left in charge of the animals, so we return the SUV to the lot and stand outside of our respective cars for a few to go over what we’ve learned without having to worry about giving away Society secrets in front of our girl.

“I didn’t find the signal anywhere, but I learned that someone outfit all of the dorms specifically for each of the disciplines students are studying. It’s not something I’ve ever seen advertised by State U, so I can’t help but feel it’s significant somehow,” the vet says as he rakes his hand through his hair. “Also, out of all the buildings, the law and arts dorms had the most students still in residence.”

Presley tilts his head. “I only attended med school, and I don’t think I did much of anything besides study and go to class during the semester. I wonder if there’s some kind of enchantment on the professional dorms to keep us working or something.”

“That’s exactly what I was thinking! I was so intent on graduating early with honors that I didn’t take part in the normal college shit. Do you think it’s keeping the supes away from the humans? Hyde was really squirrely in two dorms, and she flatly refused to go intoanyof the study areas with me.”

The serval in question lets out a loud “Mow!”and I stroke my chin. I wouldn’t put it past the Society to put measures in place to prevent lost ones from witnessing supe activity or spells that wring the highest productivity out of their future members. An ensorcellment on that scale would take alotof magic users, though, so it’s more likely to be woven into the fabric of everyday life rather than blanketing the campus.

“It’s possible, but I believe they’d need people to freely accept their control to make the spell less draining for the casters,” I reply. “But what does that have to do with Jolene’s parents’ death, or why she still hasn’t emerged?”

“Every clue seems to lead to a dead end!” Wolfie grumbles. “Neither of you found any evidence of that signal, either, right?”

The doc shakes his head, and I frown. “No. I found a lot ofquestionableresearch notes, and some locked doors I had to finagle to get past—only to find absolutely nothing behind them. Andtrust me, I used every power at my disposal to see if something was being covered up in them.”

They both look at me and I shrug. I can’t admit what I truly am, or who my mother is, so all I can do is give them what little truth I can muster.

“Doyle, there will come a time when we will need to know what kind of support you can offer if Magpie is attacked. You realize you’ll have to come clean eventually, right?” Hamilton pushes his glasses up, looking annoyed that he had to mention it.

No shit, Sherlock, but now isn’t the time. It will only make things worse.

“Boys, you needn’t worry about what I’m packing,” I bob my brows and they both groan. “I’m more than enough to supe to care for our girl appropriately.”

“Jesus Christ on a stripper pole,” his partner grumbles. “It’s not like we’re asking you to whip it all outhere. We just need to buy a vowel.”

The young ones havesolittle patience. It’s amusing, really.

“Fine. Don’t tell us,” Presley sighs. “But Boone is going to be a lot more strident about it.”

“I can handle the three headed doggy; don’t fret.”

“What did you think they were hiding behind all the doors, Doyle? And what kind ofquestionableresearch?”

Frowning, I shake my head. “Something to do with DNA cloning and blood samples. I recognized a symbol on some papers, but it’s not from anything my Tíogair has in her treasure chest. I had the feeling I’d seen it elsewhere, but I can’t put me finger on it. As for the doors, my experience has been that when people lock things away, they don’t want them found.”

“Kind of the purpose of locks, dude, but yeah.”

I roll my eyes at the doctor, sucking in an annoyed breath. “Yes, it is, but locking empty rooms with no equipment, files, or anything worth hiding or stealing is extremely suspicious, wouldn’t you say, Watson?”

They exchange another one of theirlooks,and it smacks me in the face. “Oi! You assholes can mindspeak, and you’re nottellinganyone!”

“Shhhhh!” Wolfie waves his hands, looking around us as if there’s a paparazzo in the fucking bushes. “We don’t want anyone to know.”

Why in the hell would you keep that shit secret?

As if he can hear my thoughts, Hamilton glares. “It’s because it’s part of a mating bond that isn’t complete, and we don’t want people nosing around our business with their fake sympathy.” He pauses, thinking for a moment, and murmurs, “Though I suppose now it’s also a tactical advantage.”

“Too fucking right, it is! I wonder if you’ll be able to do it with our girl… Or if she really has a passel of bloody gits like us as mates, will all of our gifts be shared?”

That’s a terrifying thought onsomany levels, and now I’m going to need to chat with dear old Auntie again. Just fucking great.

“I have no idea.” Presley scratches his chin. “Truthfully, I’ve not heard of a supe with over three mates, and definitely not one with hybrids or species like me. Caladrii don’t mate outside of our kind, but in this case…”

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