Her parents had suddenly developed an interest in her life, which was highly unusual considering they’d all but dumped her on her aunt and uncle’s doorstep when she had become what her mother used to refer to as an “irrepressible toddler.” It had not taken Cecilia long to translate that as meaning she, even at a very young age, refused to hold to her parents’ severe outlook toward the world. Lightbearers, according to her parents, should be wholly exclusive. They should not intermingle with any other beings, not even the fae, from whom they had been born, a thousand years ago. When Cecilia discovered she could slip in and out of the coterie without anyone else the wiser, she also discovered humans, and discovered that her parents were ridiculous for believing the way they did. There was absolutely nothing wrong with humans. Even shifters—some shifters—were worthy of the friendship of lightbearers. Olivia and Tanner had proven that point quite well. Cecilia liked Tanner’s mother and Lisa, too, and she adored Lisa’s little ones, especially young Sofia, who idolized Cecilia and liked to spend time with her at every available opportunity.
