The Returned Read Online Free

much care. She just liked the idea of someone watching out for Fiona. And it was apparently the definition of unobtrusive, because neither she nor Edward ever saw anyone.
    â€œR eally?” Dante asked, glancing at the speakerphone.
    â€œI know,” Edward said. “But Caitlin wants Fiona to have a chance to know her grandparents. I’m not hopeful, but—”
    â€œShe’s a very special little girl,” Dante said. “And there’s something about becoming a grandparent that changes you. Don’t get me wrong, being a parent changes you too, but there’s something about grandkids.”
    There was silence on the other end of the phone, and Dante wondered if he’d said too much. Edward was anything but obtuse.
    â€œWe’ll be discreet, of course,” Dante said, quickly changing the topic. “They’ll never know we’re watching.”
    â€œI’m not worried about that,” Edward said, obviously grateful for the change. “She still might end up with the Heckels. I’m sure she’d have more fun with Carleigh than my parents, but just about anything is more fun than—”
    â€œWould it be intruding if I ask where you and Caitlin are going?”
    â€œNew Orleans,” Edward said.
    â€œLouisiana?” Dante asked. His eyes drifted to the map on his office wall. It showed the three regions of the Rogue Court in North America. There were only a few places where the court didn’t have free rein. The largest was the state of Louisiana.
    â€œNo, the one in Canada,” Edward said.
    Dante laughed quietly.
    â€œYou remember Henry from my wedding, right?”
    â€œI do,” Dante said. “I liked him.”
    â€œHe and his wife, Hannah, live there. She’s a professor at Tulane, and he’s got a medical practice. He’s been after me to visit him for years. Seemed like a good way to kill two birds with one stone.”
    â€œProbably shouldn’t word it that way around Caitlin.”
    â€œGood idea,” Edward said.
    Dante’s mind began spinning. “I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time,” he said, his tone more abrupt than he intended. “Just let me know where Fiona will be staying, and we’ll make sure she’s well protected.”
    â€œUm, is there something—?”
    â€œYes, I’m sorry,” Dante said. “I just have some things going on I need to handle.”
    â€œOh. Well, I’ll let you get back to it.”
    â€œThanks.”
    â€œNo prob—”
    Dante hung up the phone and immediately dialed Brigid, magister of the Middle Region. She answered on the second ring.
    â€œWell, this is a nice surprise, Regent,” she said.
    â€œI need your help,” he said, his eyes focused on the map—and the symbol of the First House of the Cruinnigh that sat over Louisiana.
    â€œOf course.”

 
    CHAPTER TWO
    W raith scanned the street from the alleyway. It was litter strewn and lined with buildings with boarded-up windows. The neighborhood was a poor one, filled with desperate souls who had few options and others who had moved in to prey on those people. Few cared, and fewer still did anything about it.
    A pretty, young girl came around a far corner and into view. She was average height but slender, like most street kids. Unlike most street kids though, she was a fifty, or changeling; half mortal, half faerie. Wraith looked past the glamour that hid the girl’s true appearance from mortals. Her pale skin had a faint blue tint to it, particularly around her eyes and along her cheekbones. Her eyes were solid blue, the color of the deepest ocean, and her hair was a mix of blue and green shades.
    â€œThat’s her,” Wraith said.
    â€œThe nixie?” Con asked from behind her.
    Wraith nodded and turned to her friends. “Her name is River. She’s been the property of the Purple Death for a year or so