Give Me (Wyrd and Fae #1)(41)

Cade must have decided that she was too nutso for him after all.

He’d given such mixed signals. On the roof he’d pulled away as if she was repulsive to him. At the inn he’d begged her not to go to the Handover, as if he sensed some danger and was truly worried about her. And then he didn’t show up this morning. Men! She should take a break from them for awhile. As she had meant to the first place.

Glimmer Cottage was exactly what she’d had expected. Ancient, falling apart, smelling of old wood and older who-knows-what. A souvenir extravaganza, shelves lined from floor to ceiling with Dumnos Dreamless Tea, Glamour Dust For All Occasions, magic mirrors—gaze into one and see your best self, beautiful and wise.

Actually, she looked pretty good in the magic mirror. Her hair was shinier, blonder. Her gray-blue eyes were more like blue delphiniums. Her lips were fuller, and her complexion was fantastic. How did they do that?

“You don’t need a magic mirror, gorgeous.” Cammy picked up a mirror and checked her own features, then sighed and put it down.

The ceremony wouldn’t suffer for the loss of Lord Tintagos, as far as Lilith could tell. Marion was having a wonderful time. She went giddy making sure the tourists had what they wanted—sweatshirts, candies, magic mirrors. She had just gone upstairs to help the wyrding woman get ready to make her entrance.

The cottage was packed to overflowing. If Tintagos Village had a fire code, it was in abeyance today. People spilled out into the little garden and filled the courtyard. It felt like there was no air in the room, and Lilith was getting a headache.

There was no need to stay. She’d seen Glimmer Cottage, her curiosity was satisfied, and she wasn’t interested in the performance to come. She’d rather explore the woods behind the cottage. The trees had called to her the moment she’d stepped out of Bausiney’s carriage. She laughed to herself. Probably fairies.

“She’s coming!” Marion called down from the rickety stairs. She’d better take care her foot didn’t go through one of the treads. “Take your seats!” At the landing, she caught Lilith’s eye and waved. Drat, that woman moved fast. In two blinks, Marion had her by the arm.

“I thought I’d go outside and make room for someone else,” Lilith said. But there was no getting away now.

Marion took Lilith’s hand and Bella’s and nodded to Cammy. “Come with me, girls. I’ve saved us the best seats.” She dragged them over to a table set with tea and cakes and a big RESERVED sign.

A hush rolled over the room in a wave as attention shifted to the woman on the stairs. She looked like anybody you’d meet on the streets of Tintagos Village. Ordinary, only about ten years older than Marion. She could be your neighbor.

Wyrding woman. The whole thing was ridiculous, couldn’t they see that? But they were spellbound, every one, caught up in playing along.

Great gods. The wyrding woman had reached the bottom of the stairs, her gaze fixed on Lilith. Glittering. Mesmerizing. Lilith wanted to look away, but she couldn’t.

“Oh.” Cammy sounded a little frightened.

“This is real.” Bella sounded shocked.

“Silver and gold find you.”

The wyrding woman’s voice was as normal as any other. This was ridiculous.

“Silver and gold bind you.”

The woman held her hand out to Lilith, palm up. Marion nodded encouragement, in raptures. Everybody seemed to be holding their breath. Oh, what the hell. Why ruin the fun? Lilith gave the wyrding woman her hand.



“Serve not desire, but enhance delight.

All will be well, all will be right.”



“Stop it!” Someone tried to push the front door open, but a woman sitting in front of it blocked the way. “Stop!”

Cade. He gave a big shove just as the woman moved, and he fell into the room, sprawled on the floor. He jumped to his feet, wild-eyed. He looked horrible, like he’d had no sleep. “Stop the Handover!”

The wyrding woman grasped Lilith’s hand and pushed a silver ring over her gold ring, just as Cade lunged for her and pulled her away.

The woman fainted.

Lilith looked at Cade. “It is done.” Someone else had used her mouth to speak the words, like she was a medium at a séance channeling a spirit.

“Beverly, wake up!” Marion grabbed the wyrding woman’s hand and slapped her face. “Beverly!”

“Moo.” Cade dropped Lilith’s arm and stared at the woman on the floor. “Who is that?”

I feel good! The voice that had used Lilith’s mouth was in her head. Great gods, a little fae blood does wonders for a human body.

Beverly. Marion’s sister. The girl in the photograph, years older. That’s who was lying on the floor. She opened her eyes and looked at Lilith. “You have to stop her.”

Cade looked back and forth from Lilith to Beverly.

The voice in Lilith’s head said, He doesn’t know who to save first, poor boy.

Cade and Marion helped Beverly to a chair. As everyone surrounded them, Lilith backed away. She had to have air. She had to get out of here.

This is what falling apart was. Literally. She’d separated into discrete pieces, each dominated by a separate problem.

Cade.

The wyrding woman.

The voice in her head.

And the ring. The wyrding woman’s silver ring had wound itself around her gold ring. How could that be?