“Are you sure it’s safe to visit the Seelie Fae?” Archie asks, leaning on the stair newel in the foyer. “Only two days have passed since the children were returned.”
“Bearsden PD canceled the extra patrols. I should be fine on a Saturday night. Besides, someone has to visit them to make sure they didn’t create a mess in the gardens while the added police units were shutting us out.”
He rubs the whiskers of his goatee. “The ordinance remains, though. How will you handle the curfew?”
“The curfew only applies to children under eighteen. The city council will lift the ordinance at the next meeting, anyway—since the police arrested the Baby Nabbers. Did the news say when they found the kidnapping ring?”
“The Philadelphia Police Department raided an old warehouse in Philly late last night on a tip. Found them with the help of the FBI. They must have dropped the children off at the shelter and returned to their hideout posthaste, hoping to evade capture.”
“Were there children being held captive at the warehouse?” I shove my feet into my sneakers and tie the laces.
“The reporter didn’t say. Not likely. It would have been all over the news.”
I stand and grab my jacket. “I’m sure more will come out as police question the lowlifes.”
“Keep your wits about you. Finding you in the Celestial Gardens in the dead of night during a curfew could raise suspicions.”
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?”
