I kiss him. “Please, do I resemble a high schooler or an undergrad? No one has carded me at a bar in years.”

“No, but you still tickle my fancy,” he says, stroking my chin. “I’ll go up to bed and wait for you there. Don’t be long.”

“I’ll only spend a few minutes chatting and leave. But I better go back another night to run around the gardens with them.”

I put on my puffer jacket, grab my crossbody bag, and start my trek toward the Green under crystal clear skies. The white vapors of my breath surround me as I stroll along the paver walkways, lit by sporadic lampposts. A single student passes by me, sprinting to a dorm entry. The door slams and reverberates off the red-brick buildings. As the newspapers reported, the Bearsden Police Department disbanded the extra units. Even DUB Police have vacated their additional campus patrols. Visiting the Seelie Fae should be a breeze.

When I arrive at Mitchell Hall, nary a soul occupies Main Street, except for the occasional car driving through. I scan the area, unlock the gate, and enter the Celestial Gardens. Shailagh and Aonghas spot me from the right side near the hawthorn tree and rush to me, giggling. I sure hope that’s not a sign they have been mischievous.

“Hi, Aunt Gwyn,” they say. “We’re so happy you’re here.”

Their peachy skin glows under the moonlight as their blond hair dances with the wind. I hug their tiny bodies.

“I am so glad to see you both,” I say, my white breath slithering like snakes in the air. “Thank you so much for entertaining yourselves while we couldn’t visit you. I’m proud of you both.”

Shailagh and Aonghas shrug. “We didn’t have to,” Aonghas says. “We had children to play with us at night. It was so much fun!”

“What?” I ask, blinking. “Who brought children to play here?”

“We don’t know,” Shailagh says. “They never came in with them.”

“How many children were there?” I ask.

“Three.” Aonghas immediately frowns. “But only two of them could play. One was a baby. We rocked him to sleep, then the others ran around the gardens with us.”

“They didn’t talk much,” Shailagh adds. “Or know how to play. We had to teach them.”

“How strange. Well, they won’t come again. The kidnappers returned those children to their parents two nights ago.”

The Seelie Fae giggle. “Aunt Gwyn, they came to play last night.”

“Not the baby, though,” Shailagh says.

Folds form in my brow. “Last night?”

Aonghas nods. “We played tag. But they still don’t talk much.”

“Listen, I can’t stay to play, but I’ll be back sometime this week. Please, let me know if those children come back to visit you. OK?”

“We will. Goodnight, Aunt Gwyn.”

“You, too, Shailagh and Aonghas.”

As I stroll through Central Campus, a wave of unusual magic overcomes me, and my gut pinches worse than before. The sorcery encompasses me, circling my body from every direction. I survey the area—no sign of Seamus Duffy. But he wouldn’t dishonor my request to stay away, would he?

After a few minutes, the strange magic disappears, and I’m left standing in an empty Green, only a cloud of white breath remaining to keep me company. Or is there another lurking close by?

Chapter twentyFreedom Is Overrated

“I say goodbye to you from this position way too often.” Archie leans on the doorjamb with his arms crossed, dressed in a T-shirt and lounge pants. “I enjoy our Sunday mornings lying in bed, cuddling. Even more so on a chilly day.”

“I get the subtle hint, but thank you for not coming out and repeating yourself like a broken record.”

He runs a hand through his hair. “Are you concerned about losing your freedom? Because I wouldn’t stifle you if you moved in. Like anyone could stop you from doing what you want.”

“No, honey,” I say, putting on my shoes. “Even if I lived here, I’d be out the door. I need to visit my best friend.”

A corner of his mouth rises. “Aye. You do. Will you mention what happened last night?”

“I don’t dare tell her about the strange occurrence on the Green. It’ll send her on a downward spiral again. There’s no way to know if the magic residue is connected to the Baby Nabbers. If there was a witch involved, she’s lost her connection to those Unremarkable criminals.”

“There are plenty more lurking in the shadows. If a witch was involved, another group will crop up in no time.” He runs a hand through his locks again, exhaling. “What about the children the Seelie Fae spoke of? Disconcerting, no?”

“Yeah, but who are they? Those kids can’t be the same ones the Baby Nabbers took. Probably some neglectful parent dropping off their kids to mess around while they go drinking. Wouldn’t be the first time parents showed negligent behavior in this town.”

Archie nods. “Or the last, but you should tell Leslie. Could be a concern going forward.”

My phone vibrates—a text from my young boss. “It’s Jeff.”

Jeff: Could you come back after dinner on Monday and watch Aidan?

Me: Sure. Do you have something special planned?

Jeff: I’d like to take Ashley to a Welsh Music performance on Monday evening.

Me: She’ll enjoy the music. Those concerts are always lovely.

Jeff: Thank you! I need to give you a raise for all you have done for her!

Me: You don’t have to repay me for friendly gestures. But I won’t argue with you, either!

“He wants me to go back to Ashley’s apartment after dinner so he can take her to the annual Welsh Music concert.”

Archie cocks his head. “Didn’t you go with Nick Evans to one of those?”

“Yeah, but I only saw part of it, remember? You were practicing your thought intentions.”

He chuckles. “Aye. I recollect now. You showed up at my house dripping wet…everywhere.”

“I was so embarrassed. Two women heard me screaming in the stall.”

“But the intention was successful,” he says, winking.

A titter bubbles out. “It was. What about the interaction I witnessed between Courtney Erickson and Alys Morgan? Should we alert Leslie and Trinity?”

“And tell them what, exactly? Alys came on to me at the Samhain Celebration. I wager she tried to cozy up to John and Courtney caught her in the act. We know she has a jealous streak. I doubt that has changed.”

“Well, he is her husband. She has a right to be annoyed. You may be correct. Alys was sporting an enormous grin of satisfaction, for sure.” I finish tying my shoelaces and slip on my puffer jacket.