I laughed. “She is. But she’s such a huge part of Timber Ridge, we need to bother her as little as possible.”
“I think she sounds sensible,” Lord Linus said. “Fines would be an excellent way to generate revenue—just don’t tell Leila, or she’ll start getting ideas.” He slapped the car door. “Well then, let’s get moving! Alpha Greyson, Pip, please lead the way!”
Solstice must have understood him, because he started walking, jolting us into motion as he meandered around the car so he stood in front of it.
Another brush of the night mares’ magic, and another stone archway with a metal gate grew in front of us.
I scrunched up my face as I pictured the little road and parking lot just off the park—it gave you a perfect view of the playground, and most of downtown. “Got it,” I said. “I’m thinking of our location.”
“As am I,” Greyson said.
Solstice clip-clopped into the gate—surrounding us with another gorgeous swirl of night—and then we popped out in the harsh afternoon sunlight, stepping onto the smooth pavement of the little parking lot.
A pack of children were playing on the playground equipment—one nearly toppled off the slide when he spun around to look at us—and their parents sitting on the park benches nearby stood up as Lord Linus started to edge Greyson’s car through the portal.
“Hey there!” I waved to them and used my very recognizable Timber Ridge Welcome Center voice—most of the kids had trooped through the center at one point or another out of sheer curiosity about the werewolves or on a school fieldtrip. “Sorry for the disruption, we’ll be out of here in a minute!”
Solstice flicked his tail as Linus revved the car’s engine and pulled all the way out of the portal, parking it in an empty spot.
Eclipse pranced through, and Chrysanthe curiously peered down main street as she clung to the unicorn’s back.
“It’s a unicorn!”
“Unicorns!” the kids shouted.
Greyson slipped off Solstice’s back, and I scrambled down after him, glancing back at the parents who had corralled their kids to keep them from running at us.
Linus slipped out of the car and nudged the door shut. “It sounds like we should head out before we cause any more of a ruckus,” Linus said. “Next time we visit we shall attempt to make a more discreet entrance.” He waved to the kids, then hopped up on Solstice’s back with ease given his fae height advantage.
“Yes,” Chrysanthe agreed, though I wasn’t sure she’d actually heard a word Lord Linus said—she was too busy gawking at City Hall. “A ruckus.”
“Thanks for the ride,” I said. “It’s really, really nice to not have to drive all the way back here.” I glanced at the city as the smell of hot blacktop mingled with the pungent scent of pine.
Linus tossed Greyson the car keys, then waved off my comment. “Of course! Next time you come to Magiford, text Chase and one of us shall come fetch you,” he said.
“We couldn’t possibly impose on the Night Queen in such a way,” Greyson started.
“Nonsense! She offered you an alliance, and as her official fae advisor I’m well aware you signed it this morning,” Linus said with a gleam in his eye. “Besides, Chase is now part of the Night Court, and for all practical purposes you are his family. His family is naturally important to the Night Court, then, as well. So, until next time!” He gave Greyson a jaunty salute, then nudged Solstice in the direction of the still active gate. “Come along, Lady Chrysanthe. We must be going.”
“Already?” Lady Chrysanthe asked.
“Fret not, I have a plan,” Lord Linus said before he and Solstice disappeared through the gate.
“Farewell, Alpha Greyson, Pip.” Lady Chrysanthe waved to us as Eclipse headed into the portal, and moments later she, too, was gone.
The portal collapsed, then faded as the magic propping it up dissipated.
As soon as it was gone, Greyson let his arm drop over my shoulders, and he surprised me by resting a little of his weight on me.
Chapter 15
Pip
I thought he was playing a trick on me, so I scowled up at him, but my frown faded when I saw he had his eyes closed.
“Are you okay?” I slid my arm behind his back in a feeble attempt to offer more support.
“I’m fine.” Greyson opened his golden eyes and stared at the ground. “The rapid changes are…difficult to handle.”
“Ahhh, I bet.”