She gave a bitter laugh. "They don't need a reason to deny us. It's their sanctuary. They don't allow foreign fae. I hoped they'd make an exception. I was willing to repay them, of course, but they wouldn't even meet with me."
"I know you're Greek, and Cainsville is primarily Tylwyth Teg, which is Welsh. Those from the British Isles are the ones identified as fae in human folklore. Lamiae are not. Yet you are fae."
"That depends on who you ask. The Cainsville elders say that if I was true fae, I'd be immolated if I stepped through Aunika's warded door. I wouldn't. I'd still be burned, though. I am fae."
"Evolution from a common source," Ricky said. "Evolution, however, alters the genetic structure. A fae from Greece or from Russia won't have the same genetic makeup as one from the British Isles. Celtic fae are the ones with the deathly allergy to cold-forged iron."
"Which doesn't mean non-Celtic fae are inferior," I said. "Only that they don't have the same genetic makeup. But since Celtic fae are the defining type in folklore, they see themselves as the superior subtype."
Melanie smiled. "Exactly. Thank you. In the old country, we consider ourselves fae. It was only when we immigrated to the new world--where Celtic fae had already settled--that we were..." She struggled for a word.
"Reclassified. Okay, so Cainsville is for Tylwyth Teg. Which explains why the place is so damned white. As for the rest of you, if you didn't build your own secret towns three hundred years ago, that's not their fault. The fact that you weren't here early enough to settle a town? Also not their problem."
"That sums it up nicely."
"But you still need a place to stay, and if Cainsville wouldn't let Pepper in, even with her condition, they won't let you in. How many are we talking about, anyway?"
"There are three more I'm looking after and another one I'm trying to find shelter for, but she's...stubborn."
"We need to figure out what to do with you guys. Find a safe place. I'll work on that."
"Stopping the killer would do that," Gabriel said.
I nodded. "You're right, of course. Catch the killer and the problem is solved." I snuck a look at Pepper, who was gawping at Gabriel like he was the second coming. The lost and broken child. Catching a killer wouldn't solve her problem.
I pulled my gaze away and said, "Gabriel? Can you drive them wherever they need to go? R
icky and I have an appointment." We had to talk to Ioan about the hound. I knew that would be important to Ricky.
Gabriel took out his phone and texted me...making it obvious to all that he was conveying a message he didn't want them to hear.
Cainsville?
I texted back. Ioan. I'll explain later. But yes, then Cainsville. With you, if that's okay.
He read my message, and I waited for a nod. But he kept his gaze on that text, his frown growing.
Then he texted back, You want to ask for sanctuary for them in Cainsville. That puts you in a precarious position.
I replied, Discuss first?
He exhaled, relieved that he didn't need to fight me on this. Which told me exactly how deep the schism between us had become, our relationship fractured to the point where he could not rely on me to seek his counsel.
"Text me later," I said. "We'll meet up."
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Ioan ushered us into his office, told his assistant to hold all calls, and shut the door.
"I want to know more about the hounds," Ricky said before we were even seated.
Ioan stopped partway to his desk. He glanced at me. Then at Ricky. And he struggled. God, how he struggled. I couldn't ask questions about the Cwn Annwn without violating our agreement. Ricky could. While Ioan could--and should--refuse to answer, this was what he'd been waiting for--Ricky taking an interest in his ancestry and his future.
"The hounds..." Ioan said carefully.
"I saw an abused hound in Chicago, and I want to understand how the hell that happens."
Outrage simmered behind Ricky's eyes, and seeing that, Ioan lost the battle. Neither Ricky's interest nor outrage was feigned. Ioan looked on Ricky, saw Arawn, and could deny him nothing.