“Remains to be seen.” Scowling and clutching his teacup as if it contained the very elixir of life, Telford stepped into the hallway and motioned at Oliver and Libby. “You’ll not call him that.”

Oliver wasn’t certain at first if she’d drop her eyes or roll them. She surprised him entirely by ignoring her brother’s directive altogether and turning her gaze back on Oliver. “You need your rest, or you’ll be no good to her. Don’t neglect your own health.”

“I won’t. I promise. Especially now that Beth’s home—I imagine she’ll take a shift tonight.” Because if his sister thought she was going to blow in like the wind, spend a few minutes with Mamm-wynn, and then vanish again, she was in for a surprise. He’d bar every door and window if he must, but she wasn’t leaving until he had some explanations and their grandmother was back on her feet.

Behind him, he heard Mabena asking how the race had gone, and then the closing of the door. Casek, obviously not shut out, laughed. “You ought to bow out more often, Tremayne. My lads routed yours rather handily.”

Since facing Casek was no worse than the continued glare of Telford, Oliver turned to the newest addition. “I do hope you didn’t gloat in front of Mr. Menna.”

“Saved it for you.” And he was smiling again. Genuinely. No doubt because he was standing so near Mabena, but still. “Besides, it wasn’t Mr. Menna’s fault. Enyon looked fit to fall over.” His gaze flicked to Sheridan and Telford and back again. “Must have been fairies or goblins in Piper’s Hole keeping him up again.” He said it with a straight face.

And with a flash in his eyes that Oliver had no trouble deciphering. It wasn’t fairies or goblins they needed to watch out for in the sea cave—but whoever had attacked them there before could well still be lurking about. He nodded. “I’ll have to pay him a visit later. For now, allow me to show you to the library, Lord Sheridan.” With a bit of luck, Telford would follow, and the rest of them could slip out to the garden, where Beth could join them.

He didn’t intend to wait much longer for the answers he needed.

23

Libby crouched down in the corner of the small library, placing the basket gently upon the floor. She’d yet to really explore this room and would love the chance to do so, sometime when Sheridan—and her stewing brother—weren’t in here. But for now, it seemed like a good place to let Darling out. No open windows or doors for him to fly through. She was a bit nervous that he’d go streaking out of the room and the house and she’d never see him again.