Motor City Witch by Cindy Spencer Pape

horses from there.”
    “Thanks.” Aidan rubbed his hands through his hair, making it stick out sideways. “As I recall, there’s a small wood not too far from Bald Tor. If Ric can arrange horses, Toby can lead a group from the hunting lodge to the henge. They may not expect a wolf, so Greg might have more mobility than any of the rest of you. Wallis, you’ll come with Elise and me as far as Edinburgh. Ric and Meagan, you can be our ears at the palace.”
    Part of Elise thought she should object to him taking charge, but everything he’d said made too much sense—including putting Ric and Meagan under the direct eyes of the queen and her guards, rather than leaving Meagan here on a computer.
    Ric stood. “We’ll leave now, get things set up with Her Majesty and meet the rest of you there.”
    “Take a couple guards,” Aidan added. “Remember, you’re likely to be a target as well.”
    Ric nodded and helped Meagan to her feet. “We’ll start by contacting the Willows.”
    Meagan leaned over to kiss Elise on the cheek as she darted a look at her cousin. “Hang in there, honey. We’re going to get her back. Without sacrificing Aidan to do it.” She left the room on her husband’s arm. Elise watched them go, wishing their happiness didn’t serve to underscore her own misery.
    “Elise, can you manage without anything from your house?” Did Aidan’s expression gentle when he looked at her? How could he be so kind after all that had gone wrong between them?
    “My passport’s in my safe, if we’re going to Scotland. Otherwise, I’m fine.”
    “We’re not going in any official capacity, but if you want it, we’ll have George and Jase run it over. There’s no reason for them to wait at your place now that we’ve been contacted. Greg, what about you?”
    “Have George stop and pick up mine along the way, in case we get stuck on this side of a portal. Afterward, he and Jase should get some sleep before they open the bar tonight.” Greg paused and thought for a moment. “Unless you need some extra wolves? The club will be okay without George or Lana for a night or two. And Jase may be human, but he can handle a gun and hand-to-hand. I’ve seen him sparring with George—he’s not half bad. Apparently he did a stint in the military before he became an artist.”
    Elise nodded. “He was born in Jamaica, but went to high school here. Going into the Navy helped him get his citizenship.”
    “Couldn’t hurt,” Aidan agreed. “We could use both the fangs and the firepower. Some of the higher-tech weapons don’t work Underhill, but simple revolvers and rifles do fine. Get them over here and Wallis can bring you through the portal, along with Toby and Elise. Meet me at my apartment. I’m going to head through now and start getting things set up.”
    Elise took one look at his pale, drawn-out features and shook her head. “Not by yourself, you’re not. Des and Greg can follow with the others, but I’m coming with you.”

Chapter Five
    Over five years had passed since the one and only time Elise had crossed the portal into Faerie, Elfhame, or Underhill. She remembered stepping through the archway into the silvery mist and the slight sensation of falling that followed before finding her feet firmly on the marble floor of the octagonal portal hall in the Faerie palace. Now, still holding Aidan’s arm, she stepped out into the room and blinked at the two guards who flanked the wood-inlaid double doors opposite the portal. Smooth marble walls and fluted pillars soared up to a plasterwork ceiling that was a bit overdone in Elise’s artistic opinion. Too much gilt, too many clashing colors in the tapestries that covered the walls. Baroque had never been her favorite style.
    “Lord Green Oak,” one of the guards said, as both of them bowed. Their swords didn’t even clank on the floor or pillars, attesting to the men being used to wearing their weapons.
    The other said, “Welcome.” They cast faintly