to be at Wager’s by ten. He said he had found out some pretty important information. And we need to figure out how to kill the autumn wight. Until we do so, Marigold will remain under his influence and she’ll be a danger to her family. Could you do some research on that while I’m gone? I’ll set you up an account on my computer—”
“No need. I have my laptop with me.” He shook his head. “Reyas is a bloody, gory god. How he ever got connected with the harvest, I don’t know.”
“Harvesting food isn’t a gentle act. It’s all death, whether it’s a vegetable or a pig. And when you talk about Samhain, the harvest of meat, and the harvest of the dead, it makes sense. Though this whole business of creating land wights to act as scarecrows—that’s just gruesome.” I made myself a thick roast beef sandwich and bit into it. The beef was moist and tender, the bread just chewy enough, and the bite of mustard with the sweet tang of ketchup rested on my tongue. “This was a good idea for breakfast.”
“So, I called Herne and we talked for a while,” Curikan said. “He’s going to help me with my move over to Annwn.”
I froze, staring at my sandwich. Then, slowly, I took a long sip of my mocha and let out a slow breath. “You’ve made up your mind, then?”
He nodded. “I can’t see going back to Connecticut. It’s so built-up and I’m feeling more confined every day. I thought about your mountains here, honey, but Y’Bain seems a better choice.”
I wanted to argue but I knew it was useless, so I didn’t try. “When will you go?”
“Well, once I made up my mind, I called your mother yesterday afternoon and asked her if she’d finish packing up my things. I don’t want to drive all the way back home. She’ll have everything ready to ship through a portal within two weeks. After my visit with you, I’ll go straight to Y’Bain and stake out a homestead.” He raised his macchiato. “I will miss these. But I’m sure I’ll be able to make a good facsimile there.”
I said nothing, just picked up my sandwich again, but even though the flavor was good, I had lost my appetite. I finished what I could, then carried my dish to the kitchen. I stood, hands pressed against the counter as I stared into the sink. I didn’t want my father world-hopping. I wanted him where I could call him, where I could reach out and know he was going to answer.
“Are you all right?” Kipa asked, coming up behind me and placing his hands on my shoulders.
“No,” I said. “I don’t want my father to move. At least not over to Annwn. I want him here, near me. My mother left when I was twelve, and Curikan was all I had. Oh, Phasmoria and I have a good relationship now, but all those years, I mostly just had my father. He took care of me. He taught me to stand on my own two feet. He taught me to be a good person. My mother lives with the Bean Sidhe in the Morrígan’s castle. I can’t reach her that easily. Now, my father’s going away, too.”
“Tell him how you feel,” Kipa said, nuzzling my ear. “Let him know how unhappy the idea makes you.”
I shook my head. “No, I can’t. That wouldn’t be right. He’s got his own life to lead. I do understand why he can’t stay in Connecticut. But why can’t he just move here? There are so many remote areas where he’s not likely to run across anybody on a day-to-day basis, but I could still get in touch with him.” I turned to gaze into Kipa’s eyes. “I know I sound weak, but…”
“You don’t sound weak. You sound…downright human. You love your father, he’s always been there for you, and you don’t want that to change. And that’s understandable. You’re barely of age, given the Ante-Fae’s longevity. Yes, you can take care of yourself—most of the time. But he’s your father, he matters to you, and you don’t want to lose touch with him.” Kipa gathered me in his arms, turning me to face him. “I understand, love.”
I reached up on my tiptoes to kiss him, seeking comfort in his embrace.
“I guess I’d better head over to Wager’s office. I have no idea what traffic’s like this morning,” I whispered, searching Kipa’s eyes.
I wasn’t