Shadows of the Redwood - By Gillian Summers Page 0,9

a cascade of red curls that tumbled over her shoulder. Keelie walked behind Grandmother’s chair and gripped its back, enjoying a brief vision of tearing out those red curls by the roots.

Risa’s smile was as fake as the Lord Mayor’s accent. “I’m here with my own business this year. Your family has been so successful with its woodworking, and father and I hope that our herbal remedies will be as popular. We’re honored to begin with the Juliet City Shakespeare Festival.” She batted her eyes at the mayor, who grinned in appreciation.

Fabulous. Keelie would have to stock up on aspirin.

The Lord Mayor beamed at them. “We’re very excited to have Lady Risa selling her wares at our festival, and it’s so wonderful that all of you are friends already.”

Keelie never thought she’d admit this, but she was actually going to miss Elia.

“Thank you for your time.” Risa gave the Lord Mayor a megawatt elf-charm smile. As she glided past Sean, Risa stopped and put a hand on his arm. “Thank you for your help.”

Keelie’s face burned. She stared at Sean, willing him to look at her. She didn’t care if she seemed rude. Sean glanced over at her, then turned to Risa. “Your business will be a success, I know it.”

“Lord Sean, we’re going to be needing your help, along with the other jousters, to unload the furniture into our shop.” Grandmother stared pointedly at him.

“Yes, milady.” Sean bowed to Grandmother and headed toward the door. “See you later, Keelie.”

Risa wrinkled her nose and frowned, but then her expression smoothed and her smile returned, a little forced this time.

Keelie wished she could stare at people and cats and make them do as she willed, a talent her Grandmother wielded

effortlessly.

When Risa left, the Lord Mayor turned to them, sighing. “She’s quite a lovely woman.”

“Do you have our registration information?” Grandmother glared disapprovingly at him. Keelie had been on the receiving end of that look before and knew its scorching effect.

The festival director shook his head as if clearing it. “Yes. Yes. I do.”

He strode over to a filing cabinet and pulled open a drawer, retrieving a brown envelope. “Here we go—Heartwood.”

The Lord Mayor handed the envelope over to Grandmother. “We’re very excited to have you at our festival. I understand you’ll be staying in the forest instead of at the players’ village.”

In the forest?

Keelie looked at Grandmother, who made a sideways chopping motion with her hand. Later. Okay, she’d wait, but it had better be for a good reason. All the Faire folk stayed in the players’ village, including Sir Davey when he arrived in his massive RV. Keelie had been looking forward to a hot shower and morning lattes and muffins in his luxurious digs. Instead, it sounded like they might be camping.

Grandmother smiled regally and inclined her head slightly. Keelie realized that Grandmother looked younger as she spoke to the director. She turned her head and looked at Grandmother from the corner of her eyes, which Dad had taught her was the way to see through elven charm, the glamour they cast to fool humans. Same old Grandmother, stern and elegant. Keelie looked at her straight on, and saw that she seemed younger and taller, and her chest was perkier. The old sneak was using elf charm on the director.

The Lord Mayor bowed, and Keelie followed Grandmother outside. She almost knocked down a slender man, in a red and green harlequin suit, carrying a jester hat under his arm. As the door pushed him back, the bells on his hat jangled, making Keelie shiver at the discordant sound. He grinned like a slithery snake, creeping Keelie out. She felt itchy, as if she’d broken out in a rash underneath her skin. The jester bowed and waited until they were outside, then he slipped in.

There was no sign of Sean or Risa anywhere around. Keelie opened the folded festival map and propped it on the rail fence next to the cottage, scratching at her arm as she located Heartwood.

“Risa was impertinent,” Grandmother huffed. “She seemed to think Sean would agree to her advances.”

“I thought you were all in favor of them getting together? Being full-blooded elves and all.” Keelie kept her eyes on the map, but started walking toward the Heartwood shop. Grandmother trailed behind her.

“Don’t be smart, Keliel. You know that I was wrong, and I apologized. You and Sean have feelings for each other.” Grandmother walked briskly at Keelie’s side.

Grandmother was imagining things. Keelie had never heard an