Chapter 35
“THERE’S JUST ONE problem,” I said, feeling stupid for bringing it up since the misdirection plan was my idea in the first place, but I’d forgotten a very important detail in the midst of everything else I’d learned this morning. “Caius knows I can lie.”
Silence.
“That changes everything.” Soren scowled, shaking his head. “We need to think of something else. It’s too dangerous.”
“We can still work with it,” Gwen disagreed. “If you were to tell the lie to one of us, perhaps say that the Grimhollow clan is on the warpath to avenge your family, we can say we ‘heard’ they’re outraged and coming here to address the offense.”
“We’d need to make sure it didn’t come directly from us,” Julian said, then grinned. “But if we told the right fae, the rumors would spread as deep as the Elder Tree’s roots!”
“Ooh, I know the perfect fae to start with.” Lore rubbed her hands together, cackling. If she weren’t on my side, I’d have been worried.
Even Peregrin nodded, standing to clear the table like it was decided. “Gossip spreads the fastest when it’s not true. All we need to decide is what Brynn will tell us.”
We all looked to Soren.
He didn’t immediately agree, frowning at the table, deep in thought. But when he nodded, we breathed out a collective sigh of relief. “As long as Brynn avoids the toddy wobbles—and the rest of you as well, as a precaution—I believe it may work.”
As we hashed out the important details, an idea struck me.
I tried to wait for a break in conversation, but they kept talking over one another until I finally rolled my eyes and reached out to touch Soren’s arm.
“I have an idea,” I told him quietly, but of course, the others overheard. They fell silent.
“Go ahead,” Soren said patiently.
“What if I told a lie in front of a toddy wobble?” When they collectively frowned, I added, “You know, on purpose.”
“You want Caius to know you’re lying?” Lore asked, wrinkling her nose. “I don’t get it.”
“No. Well, yes, but not exactly . . .” I took a deep breath, not sure how to explain.
But Soren understood right away. “If Brynn were to say she doesn’t believe her mother will come, that would be a lie. Which, in turn, would convince a toddy to report to Caius that she does believe her mother is coming.”
“Exactly,” I said. “I . . . think. I mean, I’m 95 percent sure she’d come for us if she knew. Is that enough for a toddy to smell it?”
“Absolutely.” Julian slapped the table with confidence.
Soren agreed. “They don’t have any way of knowing your personal uncertainties. A lie is a lie, so as long as you say it near them, they’ll smell it.”
“Okay, great.” I gave them a weak smile. “And you’re all really willing to help me?”
“Why would we make this plan if we weren’t going to enact it?” Gwen spread her hands wide like it was obvious.
But Lore overrode her, putting a hand on my arm with a gentle smile. “Of course.”
Peregrin gave me a smile and a nod from the kitchen.
And Julian told me, more serious than I’d ever seen him, “I prioritize helping humans whenever possible. This would be one of those times.”
When I risked looking over to Soren, he said simply, “Yes, Brynn. We will all help you.”
“Than—that’s . . . I’m . . .” I caught myself before saying “thank you,” but the words hovered, trying to force their way out, and nothing else felt quite good enough. So I just said it anyway with tears in my eyes. “Thank you.”
Soren grumbled under his breath, drowned out by the others telling me not to say that, but I just smiled.
Now we were even.
He’d trusted me enough to say it. This was my way of showing him I felt the same.
Clearing my throat, I raised my voice to interrupt them.
“By the way, have I told you yet that my mother’s family, the Grimhollow clan, are on their way here to deal with Caius, who’s taken her human family captive without telling her?
I’m pretty sure they’re pissed off and plan to do something about it. ”
Lore giggled, Peregrin’s eyes crinkled as he smiled at her, and Gwen slapped her hands on the table. “That’s our cue.”