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stood still, listening to the footsteps of the family as
they retreated back downstairs. Ignoring the pajamas, she
sank down onto the bed that had been allocated to her.
She breathed.
The cat’s voice in Fenella’s head was not entirely calm, but at
least he was speaking English again. That dog can’t get in here?
Fenella found the strength to whisper wearily, “The door
is closed.”
Maybe there’s a lock?
Fenella dragged herself up. Following the cat’s instructions, she found a metal button on the doorknob. When
she pressed it, something in the door snicked audibly into
place.
Even in her exhausted state, Fenella was vaguely intrigued by this lock, which was nothing like the sort of lock
she knew. She snapped it open and closed it again. Peering, she could see that part of the lock had slipped into the
containing wall. Later on, she thought, she might figure out
exactly how it worked. She had understood completely how
the watermill worked; this interested her in the same way.
Only not now.
Back to the bed.
Aren’t you going to let me out of this cage?
With one hand, Fenella reached out from her prone position. Ryland stepped out of the carrier one cautious paw at
a time. Fenella closed her eyes as he began sniffing suspiciously at the floor.
That dog’s been in here.
“He’s not here now.” Fenella kept her voice low.
We have to get rid of him. I won’t be able to help you if he’s
around.
She didn’t move. “Can’t you make him love you? By being
ever so sweet?”
No! A frantic note returned to the cat’s voice. He smells
Faerie on me. I’m not safe with him around.
“I don’t care.”
Fenella! You need my help!
Why wouldn’t he let her sleep? “Couldn’t you enchant
him, so he thinks he’s friends with you?”
These are not the old days. I can’t just wave my paw. Anyway, my abilities are limited here. My sister told you. All I
can do is give you good advice, and get us back and forth into
Faerie. And, he added bitterly, obey you.
The cat leaped. He landed next to her on the bed with a
thump. Fenella could feel his stare. She opened one eye and
found he was nose to nose with her.
You’re really going to nap?
“Apparently not,” she snapped.
Good, he said tensely. Because we need to get started. First,
you get rid of the dog. Once he’s out of the way and I have free
rein over the house, I can observe everyone here. I’ll figure
out what makes each of them feel safe. Then we can discuss
destroying that safety—
“Stop,” said Fenella.
The cat’s eyes narrowed.
“Listen to me,” said Fenella softly. “You’re not in charge
here. I am. I’ll decide what we’re doing and when. Now, let
me nap. That’s a direct order.”
52

Chapter 6
Fenella had not believed she would sleep. No mat ter how exhausted her body, there were a million jumbled
thoughts in her head. She had planned only to close her
eyes and be silent.
    When she awoke, the shadows of afternoon had moved
across the carpet on the bedroom floor. She could smell
something cooking downstairs, and she could feel the cat
stretched out alongside her legs. He had one silky paw extended across her ankles. She pulled her feet away.
    She rose and stretched. The cat opened his eyes. Before
he could say a word, she grabbed him and stuffed him into
the carrier. “For your own protection,” she told him.
    I hate that dog.
He wrapped his tail around himself.
“I know.”
She put the carrier on a high dresser. Then, with a deep
    breath for courage, she unlocked and opened the door.
She tilted her chin. She went down the stairs and into the
kitchen.
    “Hello.” The word seemed to stick in her throat.
“Hello,” said Soledad.
“Hello,” said Lucy.
They were the only ones there. The direction of Soledad’s
    gaze made Fenella raise a hand to her hair self-consciously.
It had not occurred to her to groom. But both Soledad and
Lucy were smiling.
“Did you have a good sleep?” asked Lucy.
    “Yes.”