Betrayals (Cainsville 4)

"As a pragmatist and a realist, I must admit he is correct. Our skills did not hold their value well. Take the leprechauns, for example."

"There are leprechauns?"

"Irish fae known for making trouble. Related to bocan, but with far more press, which we are very happy to let them have. They've gotten a little bitter about theirs. If you ever meet one, be sure to offer him some Lucky Charms. They love that."

"Do they grant wishes? That's the lore, right? Three wishes if you catch one?"

"Sadly, no."

"Pot of gold?"

"One gold coin. Which in past times meant you could feed a family of twelve for a year. These days? What's an ounce of gold? A few hundred dollars?"

"Sixteen hundred," Gabriel said. "It's doubled in the past four years and quadrupled in the last twenty." When I looked his way, he shrugged and said, "I have investments."

"Well, consider me behind the times, then," Patrick said. "Perhaps I should go round up a few leprechauns myself."

"Your point," I said, "is that the value of a single gold coin has dropped drastically over time. Which is an example of how the value of the fae and samhail relationship has fallen. Those who remain in it do so out of obligation and charity."

Patrick made a face. "Unfortunately, yes. Which is a hard blow for fae, and the reason most no longer avail themselves of samhail services."

"Those who do still accept the help are like the lamiae. Where need outweighs pride. Similar to those in the human world who accept charity. And maybe also those who consider it their due."

"Correct. Rumor has it that a few fae subtypes have virtually enslaved samhail families, insisting that they continue aiding them or they will reap punishment instead of benefits. An interesting side note, but unconnected to the current case."

"Unconnected to lamiae, you mean," I said.

"Yes. Their only negative power is the draining of energy during intercourse. Which most men would not find such a terrible fate, but given that the lamiae require variety--to avoid draining a particular victim--sexual slavery would be rather counterproductive." He paused. "Though it might make an interesting story. Not quite my usual fare, but there is a market for--"

"And we'll stop there," I said. "Moving on to deals with Cwn Annwn. Ciro apparently had one. That was his motivation for killing lamiae."

Patrick went still. When he spoke, it was with care. "I am not fond of the Cwn Annwn, Liv, but as someone who considers himself well versed in both lore and fact, there is nothing in my understanding of the Hunt to suggest..." He trailed off, and I could see him struggling, the troublemaking bocan and the scholar.

"It wasn't actually the Cwn Annwn," I said. "Not officially, at least."

He nodded in obvious relief at not having to defend the other team. Then he said, "Officially?"

"It's a rogue Cwn Annwn. We're still trying to get his story. Apparently, he told Ciro that the lamiae murdered his wife, but if he killed four of them, he could bring her back. He invoked my parents' case, saying I'd died of my illness and the Cwn Annwn brought me back."

"The Cwn Annwn personally had nothing to do with--"

"Yes, I know. They invoked some higher power, which is neither god nor demon, and let's not even go there again, because my head is still spinning from the last conversation."

"Because there's too much mortal blood in you. It constricts your imagination."

"Or, possibly, you just aren't very good at explaining things."

"I can't explain what your mind cannot--"

Gabriel cleared his throat.

"Back on subject," I said. "This rogue Huntsman twisted my parents' case, and lied about the lamiae killing Lucy--Ciro's wife. He convinced Ciro to murder lamiae in a ritualistic way, presumably because my mother also used a ritual, though we now know she was only copying the first deaths. Also, Ciro had no clue who Ricky was, which proves that part was a setup. This rogue made it look as if Ricky was involved in Lucy's death, but it wasn't exactly a bang-up framing job."

"Just enough to get Ricky involved," Patrick mused. "To get your attention. All of you."

"Maybe? The point is that we have all these connections, but they aren't fitting together. Cwn Annwn, my parents, rituals, Ricky, deals...They all link to one or another, but there's no through line. Feel free to tell me it's a failure of my puny human imagination and you have the solution."

"I'll think about it."