Free The Torn Wing by Kiki Hamilton Page A

the next? And the next after that?
    Tiki closed her eyes and fought the urge to squeeze Clara as tight as she could. She would do anything to keep Rieker, Clara and her family safe. Anything.
    LATER THAT NIGHT Tiki lay in bed and stared into the darkness while Larkin’s words replayed over and over in her mind: I suppose that makes me your aunt. Soon there won’t be anything left to save. You’re Finn MacLochlan’s daughter. She shivered with a chill no blanket could ever warm. To think she might be related to that creature— Tiki couldn’t finish the thought. She punched her pillow and rolled on her side, trying to ignore the worry that had become her constant companion. Rieker still hadn’t returned.

Chapter Twelve

    T iki slept in the next morning. She’d laid awake deep into the night thinking about all that she’d learned and what it meant for the future. She awoke to the sound of Clara’s giggles in the hallway. Tinkly notes of laughter were punctuated by loud shush’s from Toots, followed by more giggles.
    She smiled as she listened to the merriment coming through the door. Her smile faded though, as she thought again of Larkin, of the secrets she’d revealed. What was the truth? Tiki didn’t want to admit it, but the faerie had even made her doubt Rieker. They’d barely had time to discuss Larkin’s visit before Rieker had disappeared himself.
    Tiki’s idea that she could just avoid the fey had faded. It seemed apparent now that she was part of whatever grander scheme Larkin had devised. Unable to stay still, Tiki shoved the blankets aside and sat up. If Rieker was right and understanding the meaning of her birthmark would give her some ability to protect her family, then that was what she needed to know.
    As soon as she moved, the door to her bedroom swung open. Clara and Toots came scurrying in, making her suspect they’d been watching through the crack, waiting for her to get up.
    “Tiki,” Clara called. She clutched Doggie in one hand. “Yer finally up. We’ve been waiting forever .”
    “Yeah Teek.” Toots hair was brushed back and his face as clean as she’d ever seen it, making Tiki wonder if Mrs. Bosworth had taken a scrub brush to him. “We thought you might be dead.”
    “Alive and well, as you can see.” Tiki sat back on the bed and patted the covers for them to join her. With giggles of glee Clara and Toots bounded onto the mattress next to her. “What is so important you need to wake me from my beauty sleep?” She squinted toward the door. “And where is Fiona?”
    “Fiona’s got a gent’man caller,” Clara whispered in a hurried rush. “That’s what we’ve been waitin’ to tell you.”
    Tiki’s mouth dropped open. “A what?”
    “He’s a very ‘andsome young man,” Clara said in a voice that was a spot-on imitation of Mrs. Bosworth. “He even brought her a rose.”
    Tiki looked at Toots. “What do you know about this?”
    Toots shrugged, his overly-innocent expression making him look guilty. “His name’s Johnny. He’s a bloke I know from Charing Cross.” He held out his hands to Tiki. “But I swear I don’t know how he met Fi, or how he found out where we live.”
    TIKI WALKED DOWN the stairs with an uneasiness churning in her chest. Where could Fiona have met a young gentleman? She straightened her back as she entered the small parlor, not sure what to expect.
    Fiona was seated in a chair by the fire. Her pale skin glowed with a faint blush and even from the doorway Tiki could see how her eyes sparkled. She was wearing a dress of pale blue that was a lovely contrast to her creamy skin. These last few months had transformed the young girl. A boy’s back was to the door, a mop of tousled dark hair crowning his head. At the sound of Tiki’s arrival he jumped to his feet and turned toward her.
    Tiki blinked in surprise. It was the boy who had stolen her bag in Charing Cross.
    “What are you doing here?” The words exploded out of her