Page 45 of Fae Devoted
“I don’t blame you.”
“He’s—”
“Mine.”Almost.
Johnnie made the declaration right before Jacob opened the door and slid in next to her. He frowned at her unopened snackand swiped it to peel away the wrapper. Then he handed it back and waited.
Tearing off a corner of the gooey bar, she met Amanda’s gaze in the rearview mirror with an I-told-ya-so smile, then popped the piece into her mouth and chewed.
“We don’t haveany idea where the Anwyll child is, and no one recognized the woman accompanying her.” Angelica Russo’s manicured peach fingernails drummed on her desktop, a plethora of rings adorning every knuckle, including her thumb. Bright lipstick and dramatic eye makeup an antithesis to the brown hair scraped into an austere bun.
“Did she appear to be mistreated?” Johnnie sat on the edge of the upholstered couch, fear for a child she’d never met cramping her stomach. Charlotte’s mother, her home, friends, and extended family had been ripped away from her violently. Poor little thing must be confused and scared.
“The witnesses thought the human was her mother, or possibly a nanny. The witchling didn’t play with the other children, but she smiled and laughed as the young woman pushed her on the swings. No one noted anything unusual. At least, nothing that raised a red flag for the other parents.”
Johnnie released a huge breath and sagged in her seat beside Jacob.
“My people will continue to look, but no one’s seen them since the incident at the park.”
“Who knows Charlotte started the fire?” Johnnie was afraid a careless word spoken into the wrong ear might wind up setting the Fae on the witchling’s trail. DuPont wouldn’t have toldJeremiah about the fire if Olivia’s Anwyllintuitionhadn’t felt it was the right thing to do. And without proof, she refused to believe Jacob’s twin was acting on the Sídhe’s behalf. But then why did he want to find Charlotte, and what was the connection between them? Johnnie wished she knew.
“With Julien’s permission, I informed the head of the county’s Guard, Lieutenant Hennessy, and the nearest Colony’s designated guardian, pointing out the need for their utmost discretion. I assume the patriarch informed King Alexander after receiving the initial report of the fire, but my House rank isn’t high enough to be privy to all his decisions.” The vampire clasped her hands in front of her, the gems adorning her fingers and gold dangling from her ears glinting under the room’s fluorescent lighting. “Julien ordered me to answer your questions and to utilize our resources to aid you in the search for the witchling. Which I will do to the best of my ability, but I admit, I’m curious. What does the Anwyll child mean to two shifters?”
Jacob leaned forward and braced his elbows on his knees. “We’ve never met Charlotte, but there’s someone looking for her that I need to speak with.”
“Find the witchling, and you’ll find the one you seek.” Angelica inclined her head, keen intelligence in her brown eyes. “Is this…person an outcast with a scar on his right cheek?”
Johnnie narrowed her gaze on the vampire. DuPont promised not to reveal Jeremiah’s involvement.
“You’ve seen him?” Jacob held his casual position, hands hanging loose from limp wrists between spread thighs.
Unless Mater Russo was a skilled actress in her past, Johnnie didn’t think the vampire could have faked her non-reaction when Jeremiah’s double stroll into her office.
“Not personally, but there are several Dádhe who are members of the city Guard, and a pack-less, Ferwyn male witha permanent disfigurement garners the magical community’s notice. Especially when he’s asking about a children’s playground fire.”
Jacob sat back, crossing his left ankle over his right, hands resting on his stomach. “Is he still in town?”
Johnnie tried to mimic his nonchalance, folding her arms and scooting deeper into the sofa’s cushions. A useless pretense since a vampire fledgling could hear how fast her heart was beating.
Would they be seeing Jeremiah before the night was over? Did finding Jacob’s brother mean the possibility of confronting the Elven Lord or more of his assassins? Holy sh—
“My sources say the outcast left sometime last night.”
A wisp of something resembling frustration touched the bond. Or maybe it was disappointment? The Dance hadn’t progressed far enough for her to tell. The mating link would be a good deal stronger with a second Mark, then instead of guessing, Johnnie would know what Jacob was feeling.
She smothered a heavy sigh.
And if wishes were horses…beggars would ride.
She risked a peek to her right. No one would know anything was amiss by Jacob’s outward appearance. His broad body was relaxed, and his expression showed mild interest.
“Any idea where he was headed?” he asked in a steady voice.
“No, but one of my people got the make, model, and plate number of the vehicle the male was driving.” Angelica held out a Post-it note. “I had my hotel staff prepare two rooms if you wish to stay the night and get a fresh start in the morning.”
Jacob rose to accept the information, squared the paper in half, and stuck it in his shirt. “We’re leaving right after this meeting.”
“Of course.” The corners of the mater’s coral-painted mouth turned down. “Though if you wouldn’t mind, I wonder if youcould confirm my suspicions that it was something more than wild magic that—”
