“As truthfully as possible, within reason,” Cormack replied. “We need to be open with him, explain that my mother was clearly a loon and was working against the council, but be wary about sharing our business. As far as they’re concerned, we have no further interest in this because we believe that part of the problem ended with the gate being turned off.”
“What about Emmet, though?” I asked, my mind wandering to the dream. “Won’t they wonder if we’re going to try a rescue mission?”
“No. As far as they’re concerned, that’s never happened in the history of the gate.”
“But ... I went across.”
“Yes, but it wasn’t reported to the home office.” Cormack hesitated before continuing. “I happened to leave that little detail out of my report. I didn’t want them to know what you risked to get Aisling back, and even more than that, I didn’t want to tell them about the god.”
That made sense and yet I remained leery. “What if they somehow know anyway?”
“Then we’ll have to play it by ear. For now, we need to act friendly to Grimaldi but tell him nothing of substance.”
“So, situation normal,” Aisling commented, her eyes drifting to a wide-eyed Lily. “Man, she looks high from all that sugar you gave her. You know she’s going to melt down when we get to the doctor’s office, right? It’s going to be entirely your fault.”
“And yet I don’t feel even a little bit guilty.” Cormack kissed the baby’s head. “Grandpas are supposed to spoil their granddaughters. It’s a law or something.”
Aisling rolled her eyes. “Yeah, yeah, yeah.”
“Are the rest of us supposed to go about our days normally?” I queried, dragging the conversation back on track.
“Yes,” Cormack confirmed. “We need to be careful not to draw attention to ourselves. That’s all we can do right now.”
I happened to agree. That didn’t mean I was happy with the turn of events. I wanted to move forward, not tread water. When was that going to happen?
Eight
Cormack accompanied me to Belle Isle once we were finished with breakfast. He appeared reluctant to relinquish Lily to her parents, making me believe he was fixating on the baby rather than his own emotions where his mother was concerned — but the Grimlocks rarely took it well when you tried to psychoanalyze them. I turned conversation to the Winters family during the drive.
“What do you think of them?”
He shrugged as he navigated the heavy downtown traffic. “I like Sami.”
I didn’t bother hiding my smile. “You like Sami because she reminds you of Aisling. They even have the same dark hair.”
“Yes, but Sami is impish. Aisling was downright manipulative when she wanted to be.”
“You don’t sound upset about that realization.”
“I’m not. I raised a strong girl who manages to do the right thing even when she has to be led to the finish line kicking and screaming. Aisling might’ve been spoiled but she turned out fine.”
“Might’ve been spoiled?”
He smirked. “Just a little.”
“Uh-huh.” I stared out the window, at the buildings we were speeding by. “Are you worried about Lily’s shots?”
“No.”
That didn’t sound right to me. “Really? I almost thought you were going to willingly go with Aisling and Griffin to the doctor’s appointment.”
“No way. Lily is going to be furious after those shots. That means she’s going to come directly to me when I see her again this evening because she’ll blame her parents for the pain. I’ll be her favorite.”
“Ah.” I should’ve seen that coming. “At least you have a plan in place.”
“Yup. I like being the favorite.”
A trait he had also passed on to his children. “Speaking of plans ... how do you think Grimaldi will approach us?”
Cormack turned serious. “I’m not sure. We were always amiable to one another in the office but we were hardly close friends. I have to wonder, looking back, if that was because he was afraid I might sniff out his true intentions.”
That was an interesting thought. “He would have to know you couldn’t be enticed to switch sides.”
“In theory, but I have to wonder how closely he was working with my parents. They might’ve told him I could be bought. They were desperate enough to say anything in the end. He might think I’m approachable.”
That seemed unlikely to me. “How will you play him?”
“I will be professional and oblivious. If he tries enticing me — which wouldn’t be smart on a first meeting — I’ll listen and make a decision then. My guess is that he will be observing more than anything else today ... and what he’ll be most interested in observing is you.”
I was taken aback. “Me?”
He chuckled at my surprised reaction. “Of course he’ll be interested in you, Izzy. You’re the gatekeeper.”
“Yeah, but ... I have no power.”
“That’s the most absurd thing I’ve ever heard. You’re the most powerful being I’ve ever met.”
“I didn’t mean magical power — and, before it’s all said and done, I’m thinking Zoe is going to blow me out of the water, but that’s neither here nor there. I’m talking about political power. You’re the one with the reach when it comes to the reaper council.”
“I have status,” he agreed. “You’re much more important than you realize, though.”
“Because I’m the gatekeeper?”
“Because your parents died when something came through the gate, an attack you somehow survived. Because you’re magically gifted and have fought off a steady stream of attacks in just a few months. You do realize it’s likely Grimaldi was behind all those attacks, right?”
I hadn’t really considered it. “Do you think he’s the one in charge?”
Cormack hesitated and then held out a single hand so he could maintain control of the steering wheel. “I think it’s possible. I also think we’ve only scratched the surface on those involved. We have to be very careful. Don’t trust any of them.”
“Oh, I won’t.” I was grim. “I’m not exactly the trusting sort.”
He made a derisive sound deep in his throat. “Oh, you make me laugh.
