her. “No. Go ahead. I’ll go hit the bathroom before we leave.”
While she settled in to wait for a drink I wasn’t sure would come, I crossed the shifting sand and stepped back into the hall. The sudden dimness after the full sunlight made me stagger. Strong hands grasped my upper arms until my eyes adjusted, guiding me until my back hit the wall and I steadied.
Rook loomed over me. I waited for the urge to rip him a new one, but it never showed.
I exhaled through my teeth. “We need to talk about how long this mind warp is going to last.”
His hands slid down to my wrists, fingers brushing fingers. “Forever unless you say otherwise.”
“The memories you pulled—” I began.
He shook his head. “That was Bháin’s doing.”
“Okay, the memories Bháin pulled aren’t good ones.” At his puzzled expression, I added, “She’s in there, thinking she’s on the beach where we used to live, waiting to drink with friends she doesn’t have anymore because I killed their daughter. When she snaps out of it, she’ll know it wasn’t real.”
“What do you want me to do?”
Mom deserved to know the truth. She deserved to know what had happened to us both. She was here because of me, and it was wrong for me to make this decision for her, but I had to make the call. I had to be strong enough for both of us.
“She goes on singles cruises sometimes.” I rubbed my forehead. “She would believe that. They board in Galveston. I think that’s half the reason she takes them, just to have an excuse to fly down.”
“Explain the concept to Bháin, and he will do the rest.”
I shifted so I could keep an eye on Mom. “How are we getting home?”
“I will escort you through the tether.” His voice softened. “Then I must return.”
“You got everything you wanted.” An edge of fresh anger crept into my tone.
His gaze held mine. “Not everything.”
“Word is spreading quickly,” Bháin reminded us. “If Thierry wants to cross realms unmolested, she must leave soon.” He leaned against the door, watching my mother while he spoke to me. “There will be those who seek to do you harm, those who you counted as friends before you chose a side.”
“I haven’t picked a side.” I scowled at him. “I’m the freaking interim Black Dog.”
“The Black Dog is impartial. It was understood you relinquished that title when you accepted your new appointment.” He glanced my way. “Whether you like it or not, you’re the Unseelie princess now.”
I set my jaw. Better to keep quiet than provoke him into lobotomizing my mom.
“You can take a vow of neutrality,” Rook said. “You can keep your position with the conclave, for now.”
“Those vows don’t come with an expiration date.” Once spoken, they were binding. The strange thing was, yes, I had Unseelie ties now, but I didn’t feel loyal to them. I felt faithful to myself, to my beliefs.
I guess I was my father’s daughter after all.
Would the conclave let me continue working or scream conflict of interest? How could I support Mom if I couldn’t work, let alone draw those bonus checks? I would have to give up my apartment with Mai and move back home, which would suck for all of us.
How could I leave Mom in a year when I had no idea how or if she could take care of herself? I mean, she could work, but she was settled into early retirement. She had no contacts in our area related to her old job, no prospects. Nothing but me.
“You are a wealthy woman.” Bháin eyed me with bemusement. “Why work at all?”
“I’m not wealthy.” Sweet as that dream was. “I’m just warming the seat of someone who is.”
He cracked a smile at that.
Rook eased between us. “We should discuss your living arrangements.”
“I have an apartment. I had an upstairs neighbor once.” I narrowed my eyes on him. “You kind of remind me of him.”
Rook had the grace to flush. “You must be protected.”
“I will go with her.” Diode’s voice carried down the hall. “If you will grant me amnesty.”
The flatness of Rook’s lips led me to believe an argument was on the way.
I headed him off with a genuine smile for my guardian. “I accept.”
“Thierry...” Rook warned.
“I can take care of myself,” I told him calmly, “but I’ll take Diode as a precaution.”
He trailed his fingertips down my cheek. “I don’t want any harm to come to you.”
“I bet.” I stepped out of