The two trees in the Leanansidhe's backyard looked completely dead now. After an awkward exchange following the hug, Sean had excused himself, and Syd had gone back to looking out of the window.
"Thank you," a lilting voice spoke distracting Syd from her thoughts.
Syd turned back to look at the Leanansidhe resting on the bed. A beautiful housewife was not what Syd had been expecting. While the woman was no doubt gorgeous, she didn't look like a seductress. In fact, she looked almost human. Syd continued staring at the woman with cold eyes and said nothing.
"I can see that you don't like me. You don't approve of what I've done. You have such cold eyes," the Leananside said tiredly. "I used to look at humans with eyes like yours. Anger, distrust, disgust but now mostly just envy. I did what I did out of love, but I suppose that's still not much of an excuse for you."
"Would it be for you?" Syd asked with tranquil fury. "Ed… was an idiot, but he was a good person. He didn't deserve what he got… what you did to him."
The Leanansidhe sighed, but she didn't seem to be feeling even slightly guilty. Syd felt her fists clench as she fought the urge to throw a punch.
"It's different for us, Fair Folk, the Fae. Love is far more powerful to us than humans, and once we're hooked we'll do just about anything to get a fix. But you are right, which is why I'm going to let the Tribunal find me. I deserve their judgment, not yours. I should never have let the cauldron influence me; I can see that clearly now." The Leanansidhe looked sincerely sorrowful and possibly even remorseful.
Syd watched her for a few moments. The Leananside seemed to be genuine, but that could be a trick.
"I can see that my boy is fond of you though," the Leanansidhe commented, and Syd felt her body stiffen.
"Anybody would be grateful in that situation. You're reading too much into it," Syd spoke up irritably, feeling her face get hot in embarrassment.
"Ah," the Leanansidhe said as though thinking about something else. "Although… you're a bit different for a human. I can't describe it, but you feel off. No offense," the Leanansidhe amended with a cheeky smile.
Syd could feel her mouth hanging slightly open in surprise but closed it quickly. She had heard a little of Dean and Crowley's conversation. The Leanansidhe may be able to tell her more, but it could just be a ruse to get more information. Eventually, curiosity beat caution into submission, and Syd asked, "How much do you know about souls?"
"Human souls? Not a lot. I don't have much use for them," the Leanansidhe replied before her eyes went wide. "Is that what's wrong with you? Something's wrong with your soul?"
Syd instantly regretted asking and considered waiting outside for Dean to come back.
"Ah! I can see it! You have a bit of angel in you. Wow, how did that happen?" The Leanansidhe's response sounded way too excited for Syd's liking, but it gave her some hope.
"You've seen it before?"
"Oh, no, love. But once you mentioned it, I figured out where to look. Angels are made from a different kind of magic than us, but we know how to look for them."
"So do you have any idea how to fix it?"
"Nope. You're on your own there," the Leanansidhe replied cheerfully. "Killing you may separate the grace but probably not, and I doubt that's something you'd want to try."
"Yeah, no. That's not going to work for me," Syd retorted with deadpan annoyance, looking at her buzzing phone. Sam was calling. "Hello?"
"We lost him. We're on Lampright Street. He must have turned somewhere."
"Do you know anyplace on or near Lampright Street?" Syd asked the Leanansidhe.
The Leanansidhe seemed to think for a moment before hesitantly replying, "His studio is near there. On Park Avenue and Citrus Drive."
Syd quickly relayed the information to Sam.
"Okay. We'll check it out. Stay there and stay safe. We'll be back as soon as we can," Sam said then hung up.
Syd put her phone away and saw the Leanansidhe still staring at her.
"Um, yes?"
"Perhaps I could help if I know more. How did it happen?"
Syd sighed but replied, "I made a deal with an angel. He could touch my soul if he helped me save my friend. Do you know anyone who might be able to help me?"
"Perhaps," the Leanansidhe paused as she heard a knock at the front door. She shook her head for Syd not to get the door before she continued. "There's a leprechaun who claims to have some knowledge of human souls. The last alias he used was 'Wayne Whittaker.' Your hunters will know him; they made a fool out of him years ago," the Leanansidhe said with a cat-like grin. "He should have listened to me. Such a stubborn one."
A man in a black suit appeared in the open window, scaring Syd; he gave Syd a cold brief glance before turning his attention back to the Leanansidhe. "You have been summoned. The Tribunal is waiting for you."
"Very well," the Leanansidhe muttered before carefully rising from the bed.
A door slammed, and soon Sean came running into the room. The Leanansidhe raised her hand and gave him a small smile.
"No more running. I need to do this, love. I'm sorry."
Sean looked at his mother with a look of heartbreak before replying, "Then I'll go with you."
"No. I need you here. The cauldron is still out there. Please, they may need your guidance. Help me right what I did wrong."
The man in the suit spoke up, "Destroying the cauldron before the council has to interfere may help your mother's case as well."
The Leanansidhe kissed her son on the cheek and whispered something to him. Sean stiffened, and his mother gave him a small, sad smile. The man in the suit grabbed her arm, and they disappeared.
Syd watched Sean carefully. His eyes were still wide, but he slowly recovered.
"So where exactly did your boys go?"