“My affection for you shall remain with me until my deathbed. But I don’t expect you to reciprocate. I understand how much you love Archie. My heart aches knowing you can never return the love I have for you.”

How do I respond to him baring his soul? “I care for you, Seamus, and I sensed you had deeper feelings for me than simple friendship. I need to apologize to you.”

“Whatever for?” he asks with a raise of his eyebrows.

“I shouldn’t have asked you to teach me your cat sith secrets. I took advantage of our friendship, and I’m so sorry.”

A faint smile curls his mouth. “Then I need to offer an additional apology as well. I used your desperation to get closer to you. I strayed from my principles, but it will never happen again.”

“So, what happens now?”

An unfulfilled yearning wets his eyes. “We remain good friends. My objectives have never faltered. I am devoted to your welfare. Nothing will ever change that.”

Part of me aches because I can’t return Seamus’s deep affection. But if there’s one thing in my life I’m sure of, it’s my love for Dr. Archibald Cockburn. My gut tenses up, and I bend over a little, rubbing my abdomen.

“Are you ill, Gwynedd?”

“No. My witch’s intuition signals me this way sometimes—a pinch inside. Or it’s gas,” I say with a chuckle. “I’m not experienced enough to decipher the signs.” I stare at the fairy painting over the fireplace, thinking of Ashley Lewis. “Seamus? I’ve spoken to Archie about this, but I want your opinion.”

“Sounds like a serious matter,” he says, tapping the brass cat head of his cane.

“Let me ask you a question first. I understand your area of expertise is Irish folklore, but what is the possibility of a Tylwyth Teg fairy crossing over?”

“A Tylwyth Teg? Why do you ask?”

“The magic we both observed at the Pumpkin House—the trail I keep picking up on—had a different…flavor is the best description.”

“Yes. That’s a perfect way to label it.”

“I’ve come in contact with the odd magic residue in other places, like the Green, the Celestial Gardens, on the path to the bog in North Basin Creek Park—and in Dr. Lewis’s place. I babysit Aidan on Monday afternoons.”

“The residue in Ashley’s apartment could be—”

“Nuada. Yes. That’s what I believed the first time I encountered it there. Originally, I thought it was PTSD, having not been there since I…”

“Terminated his existence?” he asks. One thing I can say about Seamus. He’s always direct.

I swallow and clear my throat. “Yes. I was sure it was residue from his soul, essence, whatever a fairy has. But I experienced it other times as well. The town has returned to normal since the Baby Nabbers were arrested, but my intuition continues to send me conflicting signals. It’s not strong enough to point me to the source of my fears. I’ve been stumbling along, trying to figure out what it’s telling me. It’s why I came to you. I was worried a rogue witch was helping the kidnappers and wanted to root her out. But now I think those criminals may not have committed the local kidnappings after all. I think a Tylwyth Teg has crossed over from the Otherworld.”

“You think Ashley Lewis is a Welsh fairy? You’ll need more evidence than magic residue in her apartment. The kidnapped children were returned. Is there any evidence they are changelings?”

“The mom of the infant stopped in Mystic Sage one day to shop for holiday gifts. She said her baby hasn’t acted normal since his return. She spoke to the parents of the older two children and found out they have exhibited behavior problems in school. Archie believes trauma explains their emotional difficulties, but Jenny literally said she feels like it’s not her baby. Also, I ran into Ashley at the park on the trail to the bog. Again, I don’t have solid evidence, only my witch’s intuition. But there’s something strange going on there. I’m sure of it.”

He taps his cane on the floor as if the knocking helps him think. “That’s not much to go on, Gwynedd. In addition, the kidnappings ended when the Baby Nabbers were incarcerated.”

“I know, but we have to prepare for the possibility, don’t you think?”

“Did you tell the Bearsden Coven about your theories?”

“No. I’ve shared my suspicions with Archie…and you.”

He smiles again. “I am honored you are willing to share this information with me. What will you do to confirm your speculation?”

“Keep an eye on her, I suppose.” I grab my backpack and stand. “I need to stop by the house and eat lunch.”

Seamus leans on his cane as he stands. “Please, let me prepare a quick meal for you. No strings attached. I promise.”

“Sure. I could help.”

Don’t Stop Believin’ plays on my phone. Archie’s name lights up the screen.

“Answer it,” he says. “I’ll be in the kitchen preparing our lunch.”

“Hi, honey. I’m at Seamus’s house. We had a pleasant talk and came to an understanding.”

“We’ll have to chat about your conversation later.” He speaks so fast, his accent garbles the words. “You need to go to Ronnie’s straight away. The Bearsden Police should be there by now.”

Dread overwhelms me. “Why? What happened?”

“They put Luna down for a nap. When she went to check on her, she was missing.”

“Nooo!” My heart pounds against my rib cage. “It’s not possible. I hid a protection pouch in the nursery window. I made a special one for Luna since my witch’s intuition was bugging me.”

“Gwyn, Ronnie put Luna in the bassinet in their bedroom for her nap. She was taken from there.”

“Fuck. Of course.” I forgot I kept Tyler in our bedroom for the first few weeks. “Oh, my gods. Ronnie and Derek must be devastated.”

“She needs you now. Get to her house as quickly as you can. I’ll meet you there.”

“Please, call me if you arrive first. I’ll drive as fast as I can.” I swipe the red phone icon.

Seamus ambles into the room, an inquisitive expression on his face. “I sense something dreadful has occurred.”

“Someone…or something took Luna.”

“What a dire situation.” His eyebrows arch. “But now you have your evidence.”

I drive as fast as my puny Prius will go and pull up to Ronnie’s house, parking behind a police unit. I jump out of the car. Archie is speaking with Officer Quinn O’Connor.

“Ma’am,” Officer O’Connor says. “You can’t go in there. It’s a crime scene. I was just explaining to Dr. Cockburn.”

“Ronnie is my best friend,” I say, grinding my teeth. “She needs me, so I’m going in there. The only way to stop me is to arrest my ass.”

Officer O’Connor frowns at me. “Wait here.” She walks into the house.

“Keep it up,” Archie says, shaking a finger at me. “And you’ll find yourself cuffed in the backseat of her police car, stubborn woman.”