Page 64 of My Haven
She laughed. “I will.”
“Goodbye, darling,” he said, then the phone beeped.
Genevieve turned her head and caught Arlo staring, open mouthed. “How many units are there?” he asked.
Meryn thought it over for a second. “Six per pillar city, four pillar cities, so twenty-four.”
“He’s buying you twenty-four converted Sprinter vans?” he asked.
She shook her head. “Probably twenty-five. He’ll get me my own.”
“Does he need another kid?” Arlo asked.
Meryn just smiled. “He’s always begging to buy me stuff. So far, I’ve only asked forToast Em’s and a baby blanket for me and Amelia. I bet he’s happy now.”
“Man, I loveToast Em’s,” Arlo agreed.
“Too processed,” Genevieve argued.
“I don’t care ifKryptoniteis in it, they are delicious,” Meryn said. “I got my Auntie eating them too, though she wanted Cord to make a fae version. I’m still waiting to see if it was the preservatives that make it good,” Meryn said.
“Meryn, go back to your dad’s side. Your aunt is the former queen and Amelia, Caiden’s sister is the current queen?” Genevieve asked.
“Yeah. They had the coronation ceremony back in June. Darian, Amelia’s mate declared his sons would be of House Alina, but his daughters would belong to House EirDan, which is my Auntie’s house. That way it doesn’t die out.”
“House means family, right?” Genevieve asked.
“Yeah. Auntie adopted Darian and raised him, so this is his way of ensuring that her line doesn’t end.”
“Earlier, Ryuu said Prince Magnus would also buy you the vans, are you close?”
Meryn smiled. “Magnus is kinda like a dad, a big brother, and best friend all rolled up in one. He’s Beth’s uncle, but we got close when I stayed with them when we went to Noctem Falls.”
“And you said Beth took you under her wing to show you how to navigate politics,” Genevieve said.
“Yup. Said I was too adorably homicidal to leave alone.”
“That was a compliment?” Arlo asked.
“I think so,” Meryn said.
“Be honest with me Meryn, how bad do you think it will get here?” Genevieve asked.
Meryn thought it over for a minute. “Worse than I think the guys are anticipating.”
“Why?”
“We’ve had things happen in the other cities. Bad things. All of those efforts are pointed to an accumulation of something brewing here. If it turns out to be just politics, I’ll be happy, but surprised. The missing element that hasn’t really been focused on is our demon friend,” Meryn said.
“Lord, have mercy! You’re serious, like a real demon?” Arlo asked, turning pale.
“Kinda, not forked tongue or anything. It’s the closest definition to what he is. A couple months ago, when we were in Éire Danu, he said he almost had everything he needed for whatever he has been working on and we haven’t really heard from him since. I think that tower has been siphoning off magic this whole time and that’s what he needed. I think the Witches’ Council has been helping, but we have no way of proving it… yet” Meryn said, twisting the black ring on her finger.
“So why aren’t we investigating the towers?” she asked.
“Because the Witches’ Council has that shit on lock. The general public doesn’t even have access to the castle anymore, that’s where the Witches’ Council convenes. Trust me, I’d love to poke around up there, but I doubt we’d get to the foot of the stairs, much less the tower itself.”
“Right now, you’re focused on the Witches’ Council, because everything seems to be swirling around them?” Genevieve asked.
