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suspected it was just a bug. Nonetheless, she said they were going to take him to a specialist in Fayetteville in the morning to run a few more tests. Drevek looked up wearily as Sara walked over to me. Billy, who was still invisible to mortal eyes, moved closer to the changeling and followed them inside.
    When the front door closed, Doug said goodnight and drove home, staring at Cassandra as he made his way to his Jeep. She watched him leave and turned to me, smiling. She appeared to be no older than twenty-five. Looks can be deceiving.
    “You’re awfully pretty to be a caretaker.” I stared at her without blinking.
    “Yes, it wasn’t a role I asked for, but I could never refuse Zarkus.”
    “Were you working for Zarkus the night I saw you on the island.”
    “I haven’t been on the island in years.” She feigned shock, but I wasn’t convinced. The Unseelie lie as easily as they breathe.
    “Maggie,” Ozara said. She took the form of a white owl and perched on the stone wall. “Cassandra was not on the island. I think you’re mistaken. So much happened that night—it was dark.”
    I studied Cassandra’s face for a moment and considered the possibility that I could be mistaken. I wasn’t. Still, I had no intention of challenging Ozara.
    “Oh, I’m so sorry. My mistake,” I said. “You look so much like a Fae I saw that night.”
    “Yes, well, we can take any form we want.”
    “Yes, I am aware.” I barely managed to keep the snide tone out of my voice, though I felt it to my core.
    “I do look forward to working with you, Maggie. And if it isn’t too impertinent of me to say, I’m very sorry about your brother. Changelings, humph, such terrible business.” She frowned.
    Once again, I knew I recognized her. The frown, while less vicious than I remembered, was exactly as I’d seen it on the island. Then a terrible possibility struck me. Either this Fae was on the island and Ozara was lying about it, or Ozara was simply in the dark. That seemed even more dangerous. Of course, I admitted, I could be mistaken. Cassandra could be identical to the Fae I encountered on the island. Either way, I played along.
    In an apparent attempt to allay my fears, Ozara said, “Cassandra, forgive me for being blunt. This poor family has already been through so much at the hands of your clan. I will not allow any further victimization. You must follow the rules of the accord. I will hold you personally accountable for any deviation, regardless of how slight.”
    “I understand the rules, and surely you understand the attacks were not the work of the Unseelie Clan, but rather a few rogues who claimed allegiance.” Her voice was silky, and while she showed deference to Ozara, she clearly wasn’t afraid of her. “Were there not two or three Seelie complicit as well?”
    “I must apologize. Something I said led you to believe that I wanted your opinion. I do not. I want your obedience. Do you understand me, Cassandra?” Ozara said with metered authority.
    Cassandra turned her head and faced the snowy owl. “You have my word—I will bring no harm to the O’Shea family or any of your other human pets.” She glanced back and cast a cruel smile toward me—the same one I saw on the island.

FOUR
    SECOND GUESSING

    After telling me that she was in the process of restoring the Seoladán, Cassandra, in an oddly pleasant voice, invited me to visit before she darted up the hill in a wake of dead leaves. It still seemed bizarre that Ozara and the Council would trust an Unseelie to do anything with the Seoladán —the single most important attribute of the Weald. I’d feel a lot more comfortable with a Seelie keeping tabs on the Fae gateway to our world.
    When Cassandra and Ozara departed, Sara and Billy followed me to the basement where we sat outside Mitch’s room. They took turns trying to convince me that Cassandra wasn’t on the island with me that night.
    “Maggie, I don’t doubt that you saw an Unseelie in that