Cuan’s mouth quirked. “Well, it was that or my only pair of trousers. This was well before I’d joined Maeve’s court. I was a feral, ragged little thing. Motley helped me. I had to repay him somehow.”
“There you are, then. As long as Motley has something to remember us by, he won’t forget.” She thought of the odd way the raven shifter had seemed to be able to pull her memories out of the token she’d given him. “He’ll probably remember things better than we can, in fact.”
“You may be right there.” Cuan looked thoughtful. “I was but a youth when I first encountered Motley, yet he…he was exactly as he appears now. The years do not seem to touch him. Perhaps he will remember us long after we ourselves have passed into shadow and story.”
“Are all raven shifters so long lived?”
Cuan shook his head. “Motley is unique. In many ways. But what he is, and where he came from, and how he came to be as he is…must all remain a mystery. I can only hope that one day he finds his own memories, somehow.”
It wasn’t far from the police station to Cathy’s house. Tamsin pulled up outside, switching off the engine. Cuan, who hadn’t been here before, gazed curiously around as she led him up the path to the front door.
“Mistress Cathy’s lands seem to be growing somewhat unkempt,” he murmured in an undertone, gesturing at the straggly lawn. “You said that she had no man to assist her with such manual tasks. Would she be offended if I offered to scythe her meadows for her sometime?”
“If you turn up on her doorstep with a scythe, she’s likely to be more alarmed than offended,” Tamsin said, smothering a laugh. “It’s a good idea in principle, though. Cathy never asks for help, but she could use a hand around the place. I’ll teach you to work a lawnmower.”
She knocked. Cathy opened the door, looking considerably neater then she usually did. Instead of her usual single-mom uniform of practical jeans and baggy tops, she wore a dark green dress that flattered her curves. Her brown hair was sleek and smooth, twisted in an elegant knot. Still, no amount of concealer could completely disguise the tired shadows under her eyes.
“Hey girl!” Tamsin stepped back, giving her friend an appreciative once-over. “Looking good! All ready for the speed dating event?”
Cathy tugged self-consciously at her low neckline. “You don’t think it’s too much? Daisy insisted that I buy this dress, but I feel silly. Maybe I should change.”
“Absolutely not,” Cuan said firmly. “On behalf of my entire gender, I forbid it. You are radiant, Mistress Cathy. Warriors shall swoon at your feet, heart-struck with longing.”
Cathy flushed, but her eyes sparkled with embarrassed pleasure. “I don’t think there will be many warriors there. I’m just hoping for a nice middle-aged accountant.” She sighed. “One who doesn’t mind that I’ve got a kid.”
Cuan’s forehead wrinkled. “Surely your child only makes you even more desirable, to any right-thinking male?”
Cathy gave him a look. “You’ve clearly never met my son.”
“Speaking of which,” Tamsin interjected. “Is it okay if Cuan sticks around and babysits with me tonight?”
Cathy gave Cuan another, even more incredulous look. “You want to help babysit?”
Cuan bowed. “It would be my very great honor. If you would permit it.”
“You’d be doing me a huge favor, actually. Kevin doesn’t really have many strong male role models in his life.” Cathy sighed, her shoulders dropping. “I do the best that I can, but, well…he’s twelve, going on seventeen, apparently. The last thing he wants these days is a mom. Just a silent live-in housekeeper who dispenses snacks and cash on demand.”
Tamsin gave her friend a brief, sympathetic hug. “You’re doing a great job, Cathy. It’s just a difficult age. Once his hormones stop running riot, I’m sure he’ll settle down again. He was always such a sweet kid.”
“He was,” Cathy said wistfully. “Now, though…sometimes I look at him, and I can’t see my baby at all anymore. Guess that’s just what happens, when kids grow up.”
She turned, gesturing them to follow her. “Come on in and make yourselves at home. Kevin! Can you turn off the PlayStation for a second, please?”
The sounds of simulated warfare coming from the front room did not diminish. In fact, they got louder. Tamsin saw Cathy stifle a pained sigh.
“Kevin,” Cathy said, more firmly. “Come say hello to Tamsin and Cuan. They’ll be looking after you while I’m gone.”
A sullen grunt was the only response. Kevin slouched on the couch, surrounded by a litter of empty candy wrappers, clutching a game controller. A half-eaten bag of M&Ms was scattered across the floor. He really did look like the worst stereotype of a teenager.
“Kevin!” Cathy stepped in front of the TV screen. “You’re being-”
“Shut up!” Kevin snarled. Tamsin was honestly shocked by the complete lack of respect, or even basic politeness, in his tone. “Don’t tell me what to do, you stupid bi-”
Behind her, Cuan made a low, rumbling growl.
Kevin glanced up at them at last—and his face went utterly white. He leaped to his feet, scattering snacks.
“Y-you,” the boy stammered. “Y-you’re—”