Page 30 of Made

“Don’t you dare jog over to Esme’s and betray the confidence I just bestowed. You wouldn’t want to endanger the privilege of sharing secrets, would you?”

My mouth opened wide. “Betray a confidence? I would never!” That was exactly what I’d intended to do, but without the histrionics of calling it a betrayal, for cripes sakes. “I’m on my way to The Hallows,” I lied.

“Hmm-hum. Rita, my love, stay out of their way until they’ve figured things out.”

“You don’t believe me? Gosh, Keir. That stings.”

Not only had I lied, but then I’d tried to make him feel guilty about doubting me. I was bad. I felt my face turning pinkish and willed it to look as porcelain as the skin of a Ming Dynasty empress. Judging by Keir’s expression, it wasn’t working.

“You know,” he said. “I was thinking I could use a short stroll. I’ll walk you over then stop in at the pub for a pint while you’re checking in with your shop.”

I continued to look astonished by his accusation, but inside I was narrowing my eyes at his not-so-subtle machinations. I could’ve called him out on the subterfuge, but we both knew I was a dog. That’s not an insult to all the super fine dogs in the world who’re divine and bound for heaven. It’s a comparison to the low-down, lying, cheating, stealing dogs.Sigh.Like me.

So, I said, “Delightful. Let’s go.”

When I stepped onto the green, which was not green but brown at this time of year, I cast a surreptitious glance toward Esme’s shop door. I wasthinking that maybe, after Keir was settled at the pub with a pint, I’d accidentally happen by Esme’s and just drop in to say hello.

“Off to Molly’s.” Leaning closer as if to pre-punctuate a point, Keir said, “Don’t even think about ducking into Esmerelda’s.” I wilted a little internally. “I’ll know.”

“Does this mean you no longer trust me?”

By the gods. Could I sink any lower?

He had the nerve to chuckle and walk away without another word, leaving me gritting my teeth and thinking,“No, by heaven.He’sthe dog.”

I know. I know. I know. Romantic gossip had made me completely shameless and perhaps a tad cuckoo.Sigh. I needed to get it together. On that thought, I buttoned my coat even though I was just steps away from The Hallows.

On another note, “Keir. Is there some particular reason why Kagan is so different from you and Killian?”

“Not sure what you’re asking.”

“Liar. You know exactly what I’m asking. He’s sullen. All the time. Was he born that way?” Keir sighed deeply and looked away, which meant I was onto something. “What?”

“This is never to go further than the two of us. Can you do that, Rita?”

“Yes,” I said with absolute certainty and every intention of following through. As much as Keir might like to tease me about gossip, when it comes to keeping secrets, I am a Blackhawk Mountain vault.

He stopped walking. I did the same.

“When we were very young, of the three of us, Kagan might’ve been most lighthearted.”

That thought seemed to trigger memories because Keir quieted and paused his story.

“Keir.”

“What?”

“You were saying Kagan was a lighthearted kid. Hard to picture, but go on. Please.”

“Right. I’ll be brief. He heard some fae children talking about their mothers and reasoned that Maeve must be ours. One day he called her that. She slapped him.” Keir scrubbed a palm down his face then continued. “She hit him hard enough to send him flying into a wall and said, ‘Don’tevercall me that. I’m not your mother. You weremade. Not born.’ Afterward, he was different.”

After a pause and some rapid blinking, I said, “That’s awful enough to make my heart hurt. You were there and heard the same thing. Why didn’t it affect you that way?”

Keir shrugged. “Who knows?” With a hint of a smile, he said, “I guess he wanted a mom more than I did? Maybe he’s more sensitive.” I scoffed, but he went on as if I hadn’t made a sound. “Creation is tricky. There are small, medium, and large twists. No matter the experience or talent of the creator, there are always unforeseen consequences.”

“You’re saying that’s why the three of you look identical, but aren’t.”

Keir cocked his head. “You think we look identical?”