Four
I exit the faerie paths in front of the tree that conceals Ryn’s home. It looks like any other tree in this part of the forest, but when I lean forward and gently blow air against the bark, gold dust rises to reveal a door knocker shaped like a mermaid. Stamping down my nerves—and telling myself I’m ridiculous for feeling nervous in the first place—I grab the mermaid’s tail and knock. Then I stand there, biting my lip and twisting my hands together. And right at that moment, I remember Ryn saying something about being with a girl tonight.
Crap it. This could get embarrassing. I reach hastily for my stylus, preparing to leave as quickly as I—
“Vi?” Light spills out of the open doorway on the tree, revealing Ryn’s mother Zinnia standing there. “What a nice surprise.” Her grin is wide
