Read Online Motor City Witch by Cindy Spencer Pape - Free Book Online Page B

twenty-one noble houses of the Seelie Court. Aidan was one of those, Meagan another. From among the twenty-one, a ruler was elected, who usually maintained his or her office for life. For the first time in millennia, though, another faction had nearly gained enough votes in the council to unseat a ruler, a plot which Meagan and Ric had foiled a few months earlier.
    “Yes.” Baldric didn’t hesitate. “One of Willow’s teenage grandsons, though his parents fear the lad simply ran away. Lady Northwood’s husband is also missing. The assumption is that he ran off with one of his human employees, who is also unaccounted for. Why?”
    If they thought he’d taken off with a human, that meant the missing man was probably abducted Overhill, if he had been at all. “Was the boy Underhill or in the mortal realm?” Aidan squeezed the bridge of his nose.
    “Overhill.” The older Fae practically spat the words. Baldric had little use for the mortal realm. “New York. Why?”
    Much as he hated to reveal his own uncertainty, it wouldn’t do to leave the queen’s people uninformed. “Because tonight, a child who may or may not be my heir was taken from her mother’s home.” The Fae didn’t really have a concept of legitimate or otherwise when it came to children. For elven nobles, the title always went to the oldest offspring of the oldest offspring, male or female, regardless of legitimacy, or who or even what the other parent was. If Dina was Aidan’s daughter, she was his heir, despite her half-human state, or her mother’s opinion on the subject.
    “Bugger it,” Baldric grunted. “I’ll inform Her Majesty and start contacting the other houses and warning them. Let me know if you hear anything more.” He hung up before Aidan could say another word.
    Next, Aidan dialed the New York portal house, where he spoke with Lord Willow’s son, Clive, who was understandably frantic as well. When Aidan explained the situation, the poor man didn’t seem to know whether to be relieved or even more concerned.
    As Aidan was assuring Clive that he’d be in touch if he learned anything, a wall sconce flashed on above another concealed door—this one leading to the portal linking the Grosse Pointe house with the Faerie Court.
    “Finn,” he called to the guard out in the library. “Someone’s activated the portal.”
    The younger elf moved into the office at the same time as Wallis stepped into the library. Both were armed with automatic weapons, though Wallis said, “It’s probably Toby.”
    “Most likely.” With the other two covering him, Aidan opened the door into the small, windowless room that housed the portal. The space appeared empty except for an archway filled with a silver mist. As they watched, two figures stepped through the arch, hand-in-hand.
    “We came as soon as we could.” Meagan released her husband’s hand to come hug Aidan. “Is Elise okay?”
    Aidan scowled at Ric over Meagan’s coppery head. “I thought I told you two to stay in Paris.”
    “As if.” Meagan punched Aidan in the arm.
    Ric snorted. “Let’s see—a ten-minute trip to the Paris portal, in one and out the other in the palace, and we’re here. Did you really think we wouldn’t?”
    Aidan shrugged. He’d hoped. Having Ric at his side would help him breathe easier, but he didn’t like the idea that Meagan might be at risk if it was about the council.
    “Look, if somebody’s targeting mixed couples on the council, I was already at risk.” Meagan’s tone was even and reasonable. She let go of Aidan and stepped back to Ric, who automatically tucked his arm around her waist. The adoration in the bard’s eyes further reassured Aidan that his cousin had married the right Fae. “At least here, I’ll be surrounded by people who know me, instead of a hotel staff.”
    “Your telepathy skills have gotten better, cousin.” Aidan shook his head. Meagan had only recently gained access to her Fae powers, but she was learning to