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Tamsin drew in a shaking breath. Waller’s words were innocent enough, but she could hear something nasty behind them. With a sick feeling, she realized he was enjoying this.

“Clarissa found the address you asked for, but I wanted to take the opportunity to deliver a warning. When we sent you to Carlyle, we did so with a degree of hesitation. Not because of your credentials, which are impeccable, or your commitment, which is clearly of the highest order.”

“Then why, sir?” Tamsin sat down at the table, her legs suddenly unreliable. The air around the phone buzzed with a dark, stormy energy that said Waller was deadly serious.

“Because Carlyle is dangerous, particularly for you. The address you found led to a name that caught our interest. It also ignited our fears for your safety. There is little we can do for you as a coven from this distance, but at the very least we can arm you with what information we have.”

Tamsin swallowed. The Elders were strict to the point of repression, but they did take their job of protecting the coven to heart. “What information would that be, sir?”

The coven Elder continued. “The owner of those car keys was an extremely powerful solitary practitioner by the name of Henderson. As far as the human authorities know, he is still alive, but no one has heard from him or his wife in months.”

Which was no surprise, since Mordred’s lackey was driving his car. Tamsin swallowed. “Do you believe Henderson had Merlin’s books?”

“Your father believed the books were in that geographical area. That was why he made the trip to Carlyle in the last year of his life.”

Tamsin’s scalp prickled. “He was following the same trail.” She’d known that, but suddenly the fact held fresh significance.

“Yes, he was. And he disappeared in Carlyle, never to be heard from again.”

Tamsin rose to her feet, utterly stunned. “My father died in a car crash! He was on his way home when it happened.”

“Yes, your father died ten years ago.” Waller sounded almost kindly now, all too aware of how their family life had changed. “But there never was a body.”

“Pardon me?”

Waller’s voice sank low, as if trying not to be overheard.

“He is unquestionably dead, make no mistake, but the car accident was a, um, piece of theater created for the benefit of his friends and family. Your father was a man who inspired much loyalty among our people. We were better served by putting a final chapter to his story than by entertaining endless conspiracy theories and romance tales.”

Tamsin was stunned. “I don’t believe this!” She remembered the funeral with painful clarity—the ritual, the burial, the guests in their living room, with her mother weeping upstairs where no one could see. “We deserved the truth.”

“Child, the Elders did what was best. There were a lot of brave Shadowring members who would have tried to find your father if they imagined he still lived. We believed they would die just like he did if they charged off to Carlyle in search of explanations. The same thing would happen now, so think about that before you repeat what I just said. I’m taking you into my confidence and expect you to respect my secrets. ”

“But...if Carlyle is so dangerous, why did you let me come here?”

He chuckled. “Tamsin, we never expected your inquiries to get far enough to put you in danger. We—the Elders, your mother—we know you’re restless. We thought if you tried to find the books and failed you would find it easier to forget being a loremaster and settle down.”

Tamsin’s mouth dropped open. By letting her take this mission, Waller and the rest had been humoring her!

“You exceeded our expectations.” Waller cleared his throat, as if banishing amusement. “Congratulations are in order.”

Tamsin tried to say something—she knew she was expected to be grateful for his compliment—but words failed. Instead, unease crept over her. There was something intensely wrong with everything Waller was saying.

After a long moment, she managed the one question that bothered her most. “Why are you telling me the truth now? About Dad? About what I’m doing here?” In other words, what sort of a game was the all-powerful Chief Elder playing?

“Child,” Waller said kindly, “never mind all that. You underestimate the danger in Carlyle. Come home and tell us what you’ve found out. We’ll take over from there.”

“No,” Tamsin said, dragging the word out of her parched throat, aware she ran the risk of Waller’s wrath. She’d never live with herself if she gave in. “I’m too close to getting the books, and if I don’t act now, they’ll slip out of our hands.”

“Are you sure?” Greed tinged Waller’s voice. He wanted Merlin’s grimoires—but was that enough for him to gamble on her? “How close?”

“A whisker,” she said. “I just need a bit more time.”

“Bring me the books,” Waller said, the air around the phone turning the color of blood. “The coven will be forever grateful. You have my personal guarantee you’ll be our loremaster. I’ll even make you an Elder.”

Tamsin silently started to cry tears of fright, absolutely certain the Chief Elder had just lied to her. Again.