Chapter 191: Missing Child
Sunlight streamed in the kitchen windows, almost blinding me as I swirled my spoon through the mess of nuts and oatmeal Gram set in front of me. Galleytrot sat at my side, tongue out, eyes eager. I finally slid the bowl to the edge of the table and let him have it.
Not much of an appetite.
Gram glared, grabbed a wooden spoon thick with her concoction and filled a new bowl, dropping it in front of me with so much force I had to wipe splatter from the back of my hand.
"Eat," she commanded.
She looked like some fairy tale evil old witch ready to punish me with her glopped up spoon, faded pink paisley apron splotched with bits of food.
I giggled. I couldn't help it. My amusement won me a wink and a grin before she pointed at the bowl.
"I said eat."
Okay then. The first bite told me I'd be sharing what remained with my faithful Fey dog. He'd already licked the first one clean and was staring at me with the most rapt attention. While Gram's back was turned, I shoveled half of mine into his, smiling and pretending to chew when she spun around to face me.
She knew what I was up to. I knew she knew. But it didn't matter. Playing these little games with Gram was too much fun.
I wish the joy lasted. But the moment was shattered by the sound of a car door slamming, hasty footsteps and pounding on our kitchen door.
Gram hung back, letting me get it. I understood. If it were one of the Dumonts, she'd blow her cover doing something as mundane as answering the door.
I caught sight of blonde hair and anxious eyes as I unlocked and turned the handle. Mrs. Hammond, Mia's adopted mom, practically shoved her way through the moment I did.
"Is she here?" The woman looked the most disheveled I'd ever seen her, even when I'd gone to visit Mia in the hospital when the spirit of the Sidhe princess Cydia overwhelmed my friend. Desperation warred with terrible fear. "I can't find her!"
"Mrs. Hammond." I grasped her hands, feeling her trembling through our contact. "What are you talking about?"
"Constance!" The woman wept then, as if speaking the name opened a floodgate of emotion she was unable to control. It took me a moment to understand who she meant.
"Pain? Mia, I mean?" So many names. No wonder my friend was so screwed up.
Mrs. Hammond gulped, nodding, unable to speak. I felt Mom beside me, replacing me, her arms embracing the small woman before she led her to the table. Gram deposited a cup of steaming coffee before the shaking Mrs. Hammond. She gripped it in both hands, a lifeline to reality.
"I've searched everywhere." Mrs. Hammond hiccupped through her tears. Sadness drew her skin downward, making her look old and tired. "She didn't come home last night, isn't answering her cell phone or texts." She snuffled as Mom stroked her arm, a soft touch of magic easing the woman's panic.
"I'm sure she's fine," Mom said, voice low and soothing. "Dorothy, there are things you need to know about your daughter."
I stared at Mom, startled. First off, I didn't even know she'd met Mia's mother, let alone well enough to use her first name. Mom tended to avoid normal people, preferring the family. But I supposed it made sense. Mia was one of us now. Mom had to do some research and that meant getting to know Mrs. Hammond.
But second, and more disconcerting, was the thought Mom might tell her everything. Surely not?
Mrs. Hammond stiffened immediately, one hand grabbing Mom's. "You know where she is, don't you?"
Mom nodded. "I'm afraid I do." She sighed. "You're aware Mia has been searching for her birth family?"
Mrs. Hammond's entire body seemed to sag, collapsing in on itself, her face crumpling even as Mom fed her more magical support. Her mouth gaped open, body very still as she struggled to speak.
Mom rubbed her hand between her own. "Dorothy," Mom said, "they are here."
Mrs. Hammond sobbed once, a deep, tearing sound before falling quiet again.
"I'm so sorry," Mom went on. "I should have contacted you last night when I found out." A frown pinched her forehead. "But I was certain Mia would tell you herself."
Mrs. Hammond shook her head violently, though whether to deny Mia's new family or the fact she hadn't told her anything was beyond me.
"Where is she?" Each word was grating, ripped from the woman's already raw throat.
Mom glanced at me, real worry in her eyes before returning her attention to Mrs. Hammond. "I'll make sure she goes home immediately."
I shuddered. Of course we couldn't tell her. I had no idea what the Dumonts would do to Mrs. Hammond if she showed up.
But it was too late. Gears ground in her head, I could see it on the woman's face. "The old hotel," she said, even as Mom's power pushed against her, trying to hold her back, calm her. I could almost see the threads of blue magic winding around and around the poor woman, but her grief and fear was just too strong. She broke free before Mom could clamp down on her any harder, sliding her chair back, standing. "The people who've taken over the hotel. I'm right, aren't I? Everyone in town is talking about them."
Mom stood herself, reached for Mrs. Hammond again, but the woman was backing toward the door. I tried to stop her as she flinched from me. My magic was ready, but even as I let it out Mom was there to cap it and hold me back.
Mrs. Hammond left without another word. The three of us stood there in the sunny kitchen, silent and anxious as the tension in the room rose higher and higher.
"You can't go after her," Gram said.
Mom nodded, terrible sadness in her face. "I know," she whispered. Didn't move. We all knew why. How could Mom interfere? Putting herself between Mrs. Hammond and Odette could be the very thing to spark the next stage of the horrible old woman's plan.
"Miriam." Gram sighed. "Be careful."
Mom shook herself, turned to my grandmother. "I will. But it's already too late, I think."
"For what?" I felt a surge of panic as Mom squeezed my hand on her way past, snagging a wrap from a peg on the wall.
"Dorothy's heart is broken," Mom said, "and things are only going to get worse for her, not better." She left, the door sighing shut behind her.
***
