I only wish I could have remained by your side. Although you may miss me, please do not try to find me. I understood the risks and now I travel the Helvegr for my redemption. Perhaps one day we will meet again, free of our present constraints.
Ever yours,
Alvilda
Calder’s tears fell freely. “I swear to you, Becka. I knew nothing of her plans. I would never have asked this of her.”
“You didn’t have to,” Becka replied, her voice quiet. He might not have poisoned Vott and herself, but by his relentless ranting he’d persuaded his lover to do it on his behalf. Becka wanted to hate him for it, but he’d have to live knowing his lover had poisoned his beloved father and scorned sister. Calder was too pathetic to hate. “Your hate did it for you.”
Calder was stricken into silence by her words.
“Are you up to riding with us?” Quinn asked Becka. “We must make every effort to find her before she passes beyond our reach.”
“Ride?” She bit her lip. “I haven’t ridden since I returned to the estate, but sure, I want to come. Wait, do you know where she went?”
Quinn gestured for her to lead the way. Caeda followed them out. She guessed Hamish would be busy with inventorying evidence. Brent, Luce, Shamus, Saige, and Lorelai ran ahead, already committed to the search.
The stables were out back next to the garage, not that Becka had been there in some time. As they walked down the hall, the fae gave them a wide berth. Calder tagged along, much to her confusion.
“May I accompany you?” Calder asked.
“No,” Quinn replied.
“But she knows me,” Calder replied. “I can make sure everything goes smoothly.”
Quinn stopped short, stepping up close to Calder. “It’s non-negotiable. We have a small window of time where we might be able to save her if we can find her before they do.”
Calder’s earnest expression filled with fear. “Whatever do you mean?”
“The phrase she used, ‘travel the Helvegr,’ is one we’ve seen associated with the Shadow-Dwellers and those who cross the road into the underworld to join them,” Quinn replied.
At the mention of Shadow-Dwellers, Becka felt a shiver of fear trickle down her back. That… can’t be good.
“So she’s off to meet some mythic boogeymen? Then there’s time!” Calder replied.
Becka rubbed her temples, so very, very tired of hearing the threat of very real Shadow-Dwellers minimized into mere boogeymen.
“I can assure you, if she does meet these very real persons, that she will not be fine. She will most likely be dead.”
All color drained from Calder’s face.
Chapter 29
Fae Territories - House Apple
Quinn placed a hand on Calder’s shoulder. “Leave this to the professionals. We’ll do our best to bring Alvilda back alive.”
Calder’s jaw clenched and he shrugged off Quinn’s effort to comfort him. “Becka’s not an enforcer nor a guard, yet you are taking her.”
Quinn smiled, but it lacked all warmth. “Becka’s with us because I say she is.”
“Fine.” Calder took a few steps back, and they continued on their way. “I want to talk with Alvilda when you find her,” he called after them.
“Of course you do,” Quinn said under his breath.
Becka walked beside him, relieved Quinn had insisted on her presence. She felt safest by his side. “Do you think she’s gotten far?”
He shook his head. “By all accounts she left on foot this morning.”
Becka quieted as they walked down the great staircase. The house had been disrupted by the investigation, and while fae had perfected the art of watching while looking otherwise preoccupied, none of those lingering in the common areas appeared to bother hiding their interest. Crowds had gathered, voices fell silent as they passed on the stairs and in the foyer. Becka saw fear in their eyes, hate directed at the enforcers, and a bit of distrust when they looked at her.
Nothing about this aided Becka’s ongoing image problem. Perhaps Quinn was right. Perhaps some time away from the house would help? It would give her a chance to earn money for Rowan and prove she had control over her power at the same time. Then she could return as a proven asset.
Assuming I don’t have any more accidents.
The walk to the stables felt like a bizarre fashion show with all eyes on them. The shifters were nowhere in sight, but they or someone must have alerted the stable hands to their arrival, because three horses were prepped and ready to go.
Caeda walked right up to the tallest horse, a dapple-gray stallion, and stepped up into the saddle with ease. Quinn walked up to a black mare and held out his hand to help Becka up.
“Is now the time for me to mention my general dislike of, or at least lack of familiarity with, horses?” Becka asked. What she wouldn’t give for a bike or pair of good running shoes right about now. Too bad she’d thrown on sandals this morning; they wouldn’t do her any favors now.
The stable hand who held the reins frowned.
“Would you prefer to stay here?” Quinn asked.
“No. I’d feel safer with you until all of this is over.”
Becka poked her sandaled foot into the stirrup, grabbed the pommel, and dragged herself up into the saddle the hard way. She flung a leg around the horse’s rump and would have went over if not for Quinn catching her.
“I didn’t realize you had so little experience with horses,” Quinn said.
Becka straightened herself in the saddle. “I haven’t ridden since I’ve been back at House Rowan, and there aren’t exactly horses in the city. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine now that I’m up.” The stable hand handed her the reins, his expression pensive.
Quinn’s look was equally dubious, but he mounted the chestnut horse next to her, and then led them down the road, away from the manor and stable.
“How far could she have gotten on foot?” Becka asked.
“Up to a dozen miles,” Caeda answered.
