Rituals (Cainsville 5)

"As I hope you acknowledge the one you played," Gabriel said to her.

"We did nothing--"

"You made the initial deal with the sluagh to ensure my birth. Unlike Ioan, you knew full well who you were dealing with. You granted this sluagh access to Cainsville, which allowed her to return at least once. It's likely she's been monitoring Olivia since she first arrived. Did Grace mention the early incidents suggesting someone had been in her apartment?"

"We thought--"

"I don't care what you thought. Your deal set this all in motion. The sluagh has played both of you, and the one who will suffer for it is Olivia. That is unacceptable. You will find a way to ensure her cure is permanent and protect her from further repercussions. You will work together to accomplish this. If you do not, then there is no chance she will ever help either of you."

Ioan and Ida looked at one another. Then Ioan said, "We'll need more information. As much as you can give."

Gabriel nodded. "Patrick and Veronica will join us to add their expertise. Ioan? If you have someone who can help, the Tylwyth Teg will ensure he is welcome in Cainsville."

"When it comes to matters of policy, procedure, and history, as the eldest in our pack, I'm the expert."

Ida sniffed. "Which served you well--"

"No," Gabriel said. "Ioan is here to help. He is accepting responsibility and holding his tongue. I expect you to do the same. If you cannot, I'm sure we can manage discussions without you."

Ida glowered but only said, "Get Veronica and Patrick."

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

And so the strategy session convened. The best minds of the Cwn Annwn and the Tylwyth Teg joining forces for a shared cause: to save their Matilda. Nearly three hours of talk, which amounted to...absolutely nothing.

Oh, they came up with plans. Or I think they did. I was already exhausted and frustrated, and three hours of discussing the finer points of fae lore--which would have fascinated me a few days earlier--put me to sleep. In the end, it pretty much came down to: We'll solve this.

We'll solve it. We'll protect you. Don't worry about a thing.

Which was not a plan. Certainly not one we were going to rely on. After they left, Gabriel said, "We'll figure something out. The three of us." Which was not a plan, either, but it was honestly the best we could do for now.

Rose brought dinner after that. She'd picked it up at the diner, saying something about burning a roast. We were too distracted to ask for details; she was too distracted to elaborate. It was only as she went to leave, as I asked if she'd join us to eat--and she just kept walking--that I realized what had happened.

"She's been to see Seanna," Gabriel murmured as the front door closed behind her. "Who is obviously no longer under the dryads' influence and has upset her."

"I think she'd be more upset if she saw Seanna under that influence," I said.

Ricky nodded.

When Gabriel looked confused, I said, "It's Seanna without her edge. Without her venom. That's going to remind her of the girl she once knew."

There was a pause. Then Gabriel said, with obvious discomfort, "I should go after Rose, shouldn't I?"

"May I go instead?" I asked. "If you want to, that's fine, but I'd like to talk to her."

Gabriel exhaled with relief. "Certainly."

"You guys eat. Just save me a plate."

--

Rose's car was still in front of my house, and I was halfway to it before I realized she wasn't inside. I spotted her walking home, as if she'd forgotten she'd driven.

I jogged after her. When she heard footsteps, she tensed and turned. Seeing me, she relaxed.

"I thought it was Gabriel," she said.

"He wanted to come, but I convinced him to let me. We need to talk."