She grinned and nodded.

  The cemetery was an ancient place, full of crumbling headstones covered in lichen. We searched the rows at the back and found my father’s headstone quickly. It was a simple affair—just a name and a date.

  “He died when I was ten,” I murmured. That was a lot of years during which he could have visited me.

  Mac gripped my shoulder, and I leaned into her. I’d seemed to need a lot of hand holding in these last couple days, but I cut myself some slack.

  I frowned, searching the headstone for clues…but what the hell was I going to find here? Nothing. Not on this gravestone, at least.

  I pulled the necklace from around my neck and looked at it. The metal was tarnished and old, the locket dented at the back. It was a twisted knot design, pretty in a simple way.

  My gaze landed on the headstone next to my father’s, and I spotted the same design at the top of the slab. The name underneath was Dierdre Mackay, and it looked like she’d lived before my father. There was overlap, though, enough that she might be his mother or aunt.

  I knelt in front of her headstone and ran my fingertips over the letters. I was more drawn to this grave than I was to my father’s, though I had no idea why.

  The twisted knot carving caught my attention again, and I realized that the center of the knot was a particularly deep indention. It was the exact size as the locket in my hand, so I raised the little piece of metal and pushed it into the hole.

  Magic sparked, and I gasped.

  Mac knelt by my side, and we watched as light swirled in front of the headstone. A moment later, it coalesced to form the shadowy figure of an older woman—seventy, at least, with silver hair and finely lined skin.

  I stared at her, caught by surprise.

  “Well?” she asked. “Why have you awakened me? Who are you?”

  “Um, I’m Eve. I mean, Verity…Mackay.” I used my given name and my father’s last name, just in case it would help her recognize me.

  Her eyes widened. “No!”

  “I am.”

  Her face softened. “Well, I’ll be. I’m your Great-Aunt Dierdre. I used to look after your father when he was a lad.”

  “Really?” Even though I didn’t love my father—how could I, when I’d never met him?—I still liked hearing the stories of my family.

  “Indeed. A troublesome lad he was. I knew he had a little daughter, just as I knew he didn’t visit.” She tutted. “A shame, that.”

  “You knew about me?”

  She nodded. “For a short while, I did. Died before I could visit, though.”

  My heart clutched. “Definitely a shame.”

  “Why are you here, lass?”

  “I need to know what I am. Apparently, I’m a type of shifter that should be extinct. Or something. We don’t have all the info yet. But I was hoping my father might know. Maybe he was one of them.”

  “Something special?” She shook her head. “No, not him. Average as they came. Wolf shifter, medium size and strength. It’s your mother you’ll be wanting to look into, lass.”

  “No, she was a regular wolf shifter. I knew her all the way up until I was fifteen. I’d have noticed if she was something different.”

  “Would you?”

  I hesitated. No, maybe I wouldn’t have. I’d been fifteen. Absorbed in my own life until my mother was taken too soon. “Wouldn’t she have told me?”

  Great-Aunt Dierdre looked at the locket that I’d pressed into her headstone. “I’d say that locket was her way of telling you.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Tom gave that to your mother, that much I know. It’s a family heirloom, it is. And your mother knew I would allow you to contact me.”

  “You knew her?”

  “A bit. She grew up here, too, you know. I’d liked her since she was a girl. Knew her well enough to know she was too good for the likes of your father.”

  “Really?” She’d only ever said she’d grown up in a small village, pushing me off when I’d asked for details. It wasn’t to my credit that I’d never pressed for more information, but I’d thought I had all the time in the world.

  The ghost nodded. “She lived at the edge of the village in a small house with her parents. Did so until she ran off with my nephew. Never came back. Clever girl.”

  “She joined the pack in Guild City.”

  “Good for her.” She nodded approvingly. “If you want information about what you are—why you’re special—then that’s where you need to look.”

  “Do I have family still alive on her side?” I knew I didn’t even as I asked. My mother had told me so. She wouldn’t lie about that, at least.

  Dierdre shook her head. “Poor thing didn’t. She was an orphan, taken in by an old man and woman who died long ago. I think that’s why she sent you to me when you wanted answers.”

  She sent you to me.

  My mother really had. It had taken time and the right kind of questions, but I’d found my way here because of the locket she’d given Liora.

  “Go to the little house near the forest on the east side of town, near the sea. You’ll find what you’re seeking there.”

  “Thank you so much.”

  “I’d give you a hug if I could, but alas….” She raised her ghostly arms.

  “It’s enough just to see you.” I looked down at the grave. “You’re…happy here?”

  She laughed. “Of course. I don’t spend all my time in the dirt, you know.”

  “Good.” I stood, and Mac joined me.

  Great-Aunt Dierdre waved me off, then disappeared. I took the locket back and put it around my neck, then turned to Mac. Before I could ask if she wanted to head over to my mother’s old home, my mobile vibrated again.

  I pulled it out and read the text from Lachlan:

  * * *

  Found one of their men. Planning to question him. Do you have any truth serum?

  * * *

  I looked at the leather cuff around my wrist. The slender vial of potions sparkled in the late afternoon light. There was just one truth potion left.

  “What is it?” Mac asked.

  I showed her the message, then typed out a response saying that we’d be there soon. I looked up at Mac. “Slight change in plans?”

  She nodded. “Definitely. I’ve got a transport charm.”

  “Excellent.” As Mac pulled the charm from her pocket, I felt the heat of someone’s gaze upon me. It prickled the back of my neck, like a prey instinct going into overdrive.

  Heart pounding, I looked toward the forest.

  There, a shadowy figure stood.

  The Maker.

  He was watching me.

  A chill raced down my spine.

  “Mac,” I whispered. “In the forest.”

  She looked up. “I don’t see anything.”

  “It’s the Maker.”

  “Fates, let’s get the hell out of here.” She chucked the transport charm to the ground. As we stepped into the silvery smoke, I felt the burn of the Maker’s gaze.

  He’s orchestrating this.

  13

  Lachlan

  * * *

  “What is he planning?” I demanded.

  The man blinked up at me. We’d stashed him in the dungeon, and Eve had brought a truth potion ten minutes ago. She’d looked shaken when she’d arrived, but she’d refused to answer my questions, stating that it was more important to interview the man I’d caught.

  I disagreed, but there was no convincing her.

  She stood to my right now, staring down at the man we’d tied to the chair.

  “You might as well spit it out,” she said. “The truth potion will force you to speak eventually.”

  His face twisted in a grimace, and he snapped, “You bitch—”

  “Watch yourself,” I barked.

  Eve put a hand on my arm and smiled sweetly at the man. “It’s fine. I am a bitch. And bitches get shit done. Like making you talk.” She leaned close and growled, “What is he planning?”

  Finally, the man answered. “He’s seeking three Moon Stones for a ritual.”

  “Three?” Eve straightened. “How many does he have?”

  “Two.”

  So we hadn’t missed one. Thank fates. “Why does he want them?” she pressed.

  “A ritual.”

  “What kind of ritual?” I asked.

  “I don’t know.”

  I looked at Eve for confirmation, and she said, “Truth. One more question, maybe.”

  “Where has he hidden them?” I asked. “Specifically.”

  “His headquarters,” said the man, “which I don’t know the location of.”

  “I doubt that.”

  “You nabbed a guy low on the totem pole, gov. I don’t know where he keeps them.”

  Eve nodded, confirming the truth of his statement.

  Damn it.

  “Why is he so interested in me?” she asked the man.

  “Not saying nothin’.” He gave her a mulish look, his jaw set.

  “Truth potion has worn off.” Eve spun away from him and left the cell. I followed her, locking the door behind me before turning to her. She looked up at me and said, “I have more truth potion brewing, but it will take time.”

  “We’ve got some information, at least. He’s not there yet.” I watched her, noting how drawn she looked, her face pale and her eyes shadowed. “What’s wrong, Eve?”

  “I’m fine.”

  “You’re really not.” It wasn’t wise to care or to seek more information, but I couldn’t help it. Mate bond or no mate bond, I cared about her. Worried about her.

  She drew in a slow breath and looked to the side. “My father is dead.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “He died when I was ten.”

  My heart ached for her, an unfamiliar feeling that made me want to rub my chest. I resisted. “You’re hurt because that means he could have visited you.”

  “Wouldn’t it have been better if he’d been dead all along?” She grimaced. “For me, obviously, not for him.”

  “Yes. From that perspective, yes.” I wanted to take her into my arms. Comfort her.

  I shouldn’t.

  But I also couldn’t help myself. The pain in her eyes made something break inside me.

  I hugged her close, trying to absorb her pain with my body. It was a worthless attempt—impossible, of course—but it didn’t stop me.

  Briefly, she stiffened, but only for a moment. Within seconds, she had melted against me, burying her face against my chest.

  Holding her felt as natural as breathing, as right as waking in the morning. How was I supposed to resist this thing between us?

  I had to, and I knew it. The Dark Moon curse was proof enough of that.

  “Eve.” Her voice was torn from my throat. “What am I going to do about you?”

  She gave a ragged sigh and pulled back, stepping away so that we were no longer touching. The loss burned like fire streaking down to my soul.

  “Nothing.” She dragged her palm across her cheeks, wiping away the dampness. “There’s nothing you can do except ignore me. As I need to ignore you.”

  “But—”

  “No buts. We both have our reasons. Compelling ones. You, the Dark Moon curse. And me—” She broke off, looking away.

  “You what?”

  “Nothing. Nothing at all.” She smiled at me, but it was hollow. “Suffice it to say this is dangerous for us. Mates or not, there are reasons we can’t be together. Reasons we can’t afford to ignore.”

  I searched her face, not liking her answer. “What aren’t you telling me?”

  “Nothing.” She turned and started up the stairs. “I need to visit my mother’s childhood home.”

  I followed her. “Why? What did you find out?”

  She spoke without looking back. “Whatever I am—it didn’t come from my father, like I thought. My mother had more secrets than I realized. And she had a very roundabout way of sharing them.”

  “Why not be direct?”

  She reached the top of the stairs and turned to face me. “I don’t know. Maybe she thought I was too young to handle it. Maybe there was a scenario where I never needed to know.”

  I wasn’t sure I agreed with those reasons, but it wasn’t my place to say. “I’ll come with you.”

  “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

  “I don’t care. I’m coming with you.”

  She huffed and turned around. “Whatever. I’m not going to waste time trying to dissuade you.”

  It was good enough for me. “I’ll tell Kenneth what we’ve learned so that he can add it to his research. I have him trying to decipher the carvings on the Shetland standing stones.”

  “Excellent. Will you ask him to share that information with Seraphia? I think they could help each other.”

  Guild City’s librarian would be the perfect partner for Kenneth’s research. Not only was she intelligent, but she also had ready access to the largest library in Guild City. “I will.”

  “I’m going to swing by your kitchens to pick up some food, then I’ll meet you in the courtyard.”

  I nodded, watching her turn the corner and stride away. I couldn’t help but marvel at her as she walked off. No matter what life threw at her, Eve kept her chin up and kept moving forward.

  Whatever she was—whatever we would find at her mother’s old house—it was going to be something the likes of which the world had never seen.

  I was sure of it.

  Eve

  * * *

  I tried to keep my breathing steady as I walked toward the kitchens.

  What the hell was I going to do about Lachlan? That embrace had nearly broken me.

  It was one thing to want to jump his bones all the time—who wouldn’t want that? But it was an entirely different thing to have such tender moments. Those were the kinds of thing that made one fall in love. How could he be so…understanding? Kind? Insightful?

  It wasn’t fair.

  It certainly wasn't something my defenses could resist.

  I rubbed my chest absently, vowing to maintain my distance, no matter what. He had the Dark Moon curse to contend with, and I had the damned seer’s prophecy about my death to consider. She hadn’t been clear about how I would die if I pursued the bond with him, but she’d been clear it would happen.

  It was one of the few things that could actually frighten me, and I wasn’t going to ignore it.

  As I approached the kitchens, my stomach grumbled. Fortunately, they were empty when I entered.

  Excellent. I’d be able to raid the larder and be on my way without any conversation.

  A rustling noise from the pantry caught my attention, and I stiffened. Someone was here? No. I would sense another person, feel their magic. Quietly, I crept toward the pantry. I had a feeling I knew who was in there, and I knew I wasn't going to like it.

  When I peered around the edge, I spotted chaos. Packages of food were scattered everywhere, and a fluffy raccoon tail was sticking out of a massive crate full of snack bars wrapped in colorful packaging.

  “Ralph.” My tone was that of an annoyed parent, and when Ralph’s little head popped up out of the crate, the guilt in his eyes told me he recognized it. “What are you doing?”

  Did you know there’s not a single chocolate bar in this whole place?

  “I think your previous thefts have led the cook to hide them.”

  A cunning look glinted in his eyes. I see.

  “You will not go on a hunt for them, I swear to fate, or I will string you up by your ankles and let the birds laugh at you.”

  He looked at me, a scandalized expression on his face. You wouldn’t.

  “Try me.” I crossed my arms. “It’s one thing to raid the larders at our tower. It’s entirely another to do it at the Shifters Guild.”

  It’s kind of your guild, too.

  “Not in a way that means you can do this.”

  He harrumphed.

  “Put it all back. It’s not like you want any of this, anyway.”

  I don’t. It’s all healthy and gross.

  “Exactly.” Thank fates he was magical and I didn’t have to worry about a proper diet for him. If he were a normal raccoon, we’d be in the veterinary ER with cardiac arrest every other day.

  As he began to put the snacks back, I grabbed a few energy bars, then snagged a couple of apples from the kitchen counter. It wasn’t exciting, but it would have to do. I didn't want to spare even a minute if we were almost there.

  The sound of tiny, padded footsteps made me turn. Ralph stopped in front of me and held up a single chocolate bar in offering. You look like you’ve had a hard day.

  “I have.” I stared at the chocolate. “But where did you find it?”

  Cook isn’t as clever as she thinks.

  “Nothing stops you.” I sighed, then took the chocolate bar. I could use it. “Thank you.”

  He nodded. Shout if you need me.

  “Always.” I ruffled his little head, then left the kitchen. He was a menace, but I was lucky to have him.

  A few minutes later, I found Lachlan in the courtyard. Full dark had fallen, but the streetlamps had turned on and picked up the slack. I tossed Lachlan an apple and an energy bar, but no way was I sharing my chocolate.

  I wasn’t in love with him yet.

  He caught the items deftly. “Thank you.”

  I nodded. “Have you got a transport charm we can use?”

  This was one of the other reasons I hadn’t fought him about coming with me. I knew it was pointless, but I also needed a ride.

  “I do.”

  “Great.” I shoved my energy bar in my pocket and held out my hand for the stone. He gave it to me, and I raised it, about to throw. “Ready?”

  He nodded.

  I chucked the stone to the ground. When the silver cloud poofed up, I reached for his hand. He gripped my palm, and warm shivers raced through my body.

  Ignore them, idiot.

  With a deep breath, I imagined my destination and stepped into the cloud, bringing him with me. The ether sucked us in and spun us through space, then spat us out at the edge of my mother’s village.

 

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