“Why didn’t you wake me? Cassidy says there were Fae about? I was so hard asleep I didn’t even sense them. Did they hurt you?”

“Not exactly. But… I think there’s something going on with one of them and McKale.”

My mom sucked in a shocked breath. “No.”

“Freaky Fae girl,” Cassidy brooded. “What did she say to you? I couldn’t hear but I could tell it was something bitchy.”

Mom glared at her and Cassidy amended. “I mean something not nice. I wanted to run after you, but Rock held me back—”

“Rock was there?” Mom asked.

“Yeah, he was hiding, though.” Cass looked at me. “I’m sorry I didn’t come right away. I really wanted to, but Rock made me wait until the Fae left.”

I shook my head. “It’s okay. It was smart of him not to let you draw attention to yourself.”

Even Mom agreed. “What else happened?”

The last thing I wanted to do was rile up my mom and sister. I wouldn’t tell them about how Khalistah called me “large,” but they did need to know the basics of what was going on, and what I was up against if I was going to attempt to build a healthy relationship with McKale.

“She asked if McKale really intended to bind with me and he said he had to do his duty for the clan.”

Cassidy’s eyebrows flew together. “He called you a duty? Ouch.”

“That’s what this is, Cass,” I reminded her. “It’s a duty for both of us.”

“Yeah, but look at you. He should be happy and honored that he gets to bind with a hottie like you. I’d just hoped… you know.”

We were all quiet. My parents’ marriage had been arranged, but they’d met first as teens and got to know each other through letters. What started as a duty became a joy they both shared.

“This is dangerous territory, girls,” Mom said. “Where the Fae are involved, one can never be too cautious. Tomorrow we will sit down with Brogan and McKale, and have a family discussion. McKale is only human, no matter how ancient his magical blood may be. The touch of a Fae manipulates the human mind. A single kiss from her could make McKale obsess. If a human fully gives themselves to a Fae, they are lost to anything but that Faerie. They become mindless slaves. We need to find out what we’re dealing with.”

I trembled inside remembering how McKale reacted to such a small touch from her.

“I don’t think he’s, like, done anything with her,” I said. “I don’t know. He seemed pretty normal until she showed up.”

“Yeah, and then he couldn’t take his eyes off her,” Cassidy added.

“Faeries can be mesmerizing,” Mom said. “But don’t jump to any conclusions yet. Let’s hope they’ve done nothing more than share simple touches, though even those are dangerous.” She sighed. “They’re capable of ruining our lives with no thought or remorse, so do not say a word to the Fair Folk unless you are politely responding. Use great care. Especially you, Cassidy.”

“But—”

“No buts!” Mom’s voice boomed and her face was fierce. “You don’t tangle with them, child. Ever. I don’t care if they anger you. Bite your tongue off if you have to. Understand?”

“Fine, okay, but McKale better get his act together because I will give him a piece of my mind.”

“I’ll handle McKale,” I said.

Cassidy crossed her arms and gave me a “yeah right” glare that I ignored.

“Get some sleep, girls. We’ll deal with this in the morning.”

She stood and kissed the tops of our heads, waiting for us to climb under the covers before blowing out the flame and leaving. Cass rustled around, getting comfortable.

“What did Rock say when you were in the woods together?” I whispered.

“He was warning me to stay away from the Fae.”

“That’s it? Did he say anything about that Fae girl and McKale?”

“No. Nothing. He told me that his clan wasn’t even supposed to be seen by them. I asked him what his clan did that was so bad and he said the Clourichaun have always liked to have too much fun, and the Fae are overly sensitive about their rules being broken.”

“Hm. That’s probably true, but I’m sure there’s a lot more to it.”

“Yeah.” We were both quiet for a while before she asked, “You don’t think Freaky Fae Girl is going to be a problem, do you?”

I did, but I didn’t want to admit it. “I don’t know what to think. I’m trying not to worry anymore until I talk to McKale tomorrow.”

“When will you give him all of his presents and stuff?”

Ugh. The bin.

“I don’t know. I can’t think about that yet. Let’s just go to sleep.”

It didn’t take long for Cassidy to doze off. I lay there for a while trying not to think about the Freaky Fae Girl. I liked Cass’s name for her. The FFG. It was nice and ugly.

No matter which way I looked at the situation, something very unsettling was going on.

I thought about the bin of gifts. At this point it would be completely awkward and uncomfortable to give it to him. He couldn’t possibly appreciate them yet. I would give McKale the presents if and when we earned each other’s trust.

I could tell it was really early when I woke. Our room was still dark and my head throbbed with tiredness. But now that I was awake I couldn’t fall back asleep. I struggled out of the bed and slipped on shorts, flip-flops, and a pullover hoodie. The fresh morning air might do me some good.