If that didn’t work, we’d do things the hard way. I didn’t like killing. The guilt from taking down Ceff’s psycho ex-wife still gave me nightmares. But I’d learned that in the fae world, you couldn’t show weakness. Most of the fae were deadly predators. I just hoped that the knowledge that this creep was feasting on my best friend would help alleviate the guilt, if it came down to using my blades.
A shriek filled the air and I tensed until I recognized the source. I was so focused on my mission that I didn’t hear the fire engines until they were turning onto the narrow street. I slipped my blades back into their wrist sheaths and stepped out of the way just as a horn honked and the truck came barreling down the hill. Heart racing, I continued down the hill, taking to heart the harsh reminder that there were things bigger and more powerful than me in this city that could squash me like a bug.
The breeze shifted as I moved closer to the harbor and I caught the scent of smoke. Something was on fire that was for sure. Normally, I’d be curious, but I didn’t have time to check it out. Protecting the people of Harborsmouth was a job I normally took seriously, but not today. The whole city could burn for all I cared, Jinx needed me. For now, that was all I could think about.
I hurried to the waterfront, passing the shops and cafes without really seeing them. I made a cursory sweep for potential threats and hurried on. I needed to reach the carnival and gain an audience with The Green Lady.
Kaye had looked so weak and frail when I’d left Jinx in her care. How long could the witch maintain the spell circle that kept Jinx safe? What would happen if the circle fell?
I blinked rapidly and broke into a run. I wouldn’t pass for a morning jogger in my jeans and leathers, but who the hell cared? For once, attracting unwanted attention was the least of my worries.
I passed more police and fire engines as I ran, but no one stopped or questioned me. Flames leapt from a nearby building and I tamped down the guilt that rose as I passed. I couldn’t save them all, but I could try to save my friend.
A trashcan a few yards ahead of me burst into flames and I sighed. Shit, this was getting out of hand. What the hell was going on? It was like this part of the city had turned into a warzone.
“The Guild is mobilizing for war.” Kaye’s words niggled at the back of mind. Was this part of the war she was talking about? Here, so soon?
I hadn’t given it much thought at the time, but I realized Kaye had also mentioned the Hunters requesting her help in the war ahead. Did that mean she’d be going away too? I had hoped that my friends would be here to help during the upcoming Summer Solstice, but now I wasn’t so sure. It was starting to look more and more like this was something I’d have to face alone.
Could I survive breaking into a death god’s domain on my own? I’d been training with Jenna these past few months, but I was no Hunter and I was still healing from a nasty wound in my side. Kaye had nullified the lamia poison, but Melusine had left me with scars to remind me that her fangs had punctured my left flank. The wound slowed me down so that even the pesky jincan had given me trouble. If I could barely take care of supernatural lawn pests, how could I possibly hope to successfully sneak through the Otherworld and into Faerie?
I glanced at the fire from the corner of my eye and caught a flicker of movement within the dancing flames. There, grinning from ear to pointy ear was a tiny fire imp. With a flick of my wrist, my blades reached my gloved palms, but the fiend was already gone. I scowled at the mocking flames.
Damn it all to Hell. The city was being plagued by demons.
Chapter 7
I massaged my temples with gloved hands and waited at the railing. I didn’t want to get sidetracked, not with Jinx’s life on the line, but as much as I tried, I couldn’t let my city go to Hell in a hand basket. I just hoped that didn’t make me the worst friend on the planet.
“Tell Ceffyl Dŵr that I require his presence,” I said.
My voice was drowned out by the crash of waves and the ever present echo of sirens, but I needn’t have worried about being heard. Within seconds an equine head emerged from the water. The kelpie whinnied and ducked back below the surface. The creature had heard my summons, now I just had to wait.
“Come on Ceff,” I muttered. “I don’t have all day.”
Ceffyl Dŵr, king of the kelpies, was my lover and official suitor. When we’d fallen for each other, I’d assumed there was no way to make things work between us. I was a half-breed wisp who couldn’t be touched without triggering unwanted visions and he was a kelpie whose people had a reputation for eating humans. But somehow, against all odds, he’d managed to nuzzle past my defenses.
But dating each other didn’t change our personalities or our duties. I continued to live on land and run my private investigation business and Ceff returned to the sea where he ruled over his people. Of course, we managed to find time for each other in our busy schedules and sending him a message via one of the kelpie or selkie sentinels who patrolled the harbor was the best way to get in touch.
Unfortunately, this time I wasn’t looking for a rendezvous with the sexy water fae. I needed his help as the local kelpie king. I just hoped he was within swimming distance. It wasn’t unusual for Ceff to be called off on official business, trade negotiations and border wars with the local water fae were common, but I prayed he’d be nearby.
I fidgeted with my knives as my eyes obsessively watched the water. I’d give it five minutes and then I’d have to book it out of here. Thankfully, I didn’t have to wait that long.
A handsome face pushed its way up through the water, followed by a well muscled chest. Blushing, I looked away as Ceff pulled himself up over the railing and onto the sidewalk. I gave him a moment to shake off, and put on some clothes, before turning around.
My belly tightened with need as I took in the rippling muscles and his wet, tossled hair, but I swallowed my desire. This was no booty call. I pulled my gaze from his low slung jeans and met the dark, green pools of his eyes.
The raw desire I saw there didn’t make this any easier. I took a step back and shook my head.
“I gather this is not a date,” Ceff said, gesturing to my knives.
I sheathed my weapons, but nodded.
“Jinx is in trouble,” I said. “I have to find a way to get her butt out of hot water, but…”
I lifted my arms, indicating the smoke and flames that engulfed much of the waterfront.
“What can I do to assist?” he asked.
Just like that, Ceff had agreed to help. Whoever said chivalry was dead had never met the kelpie king.
“Something, or someone, is setting the city on fire,” I said. “I don’t know how far it’s spread, it may only be here on the waterfront, but I’m pretty sure that fire imps have something to do with it. I saw one of the gleeful little fiends over there.”
Imps were lesser demons and as such weren’t entirely malicious. The tiny creatures were the pixie equivalent of demonic society—irritating, but not too destructive. The problem arose when you encountered fire imps, which were thankfully somewhat rare here in the human world. The little fellas tended to prefer the fiery pits of Hell—to each his own.
Mix the mischievous nature of a brownie with a fire imp’s proclivity toward setting fires and things could quickly get out of hand. Like now.
“And you need someone with the ability to control water to help you put out the flames,” he said.
“Yeah, can you do it?” I asked.
“Of course,” he said.
I owed Ceff, big time, but I didn’t say that. If those of us with fae blood skate too close to a faerie bargain, we’ll be held to the deal. I’d show him my gratitude later, but I wanted it to be on my terms, not part of some supernatural compulsion.
I took a step closer, not quite touching, and whispered in his ear.
“I love you,” I said.
“I know,” he said, eyes twinkling. “And I love you more than the air and sea, Ivy Granger.”
I d
ucked my head and smiled. Damn, Ceff always knew the right thing to say.
“Now go to your friend. My entourage and I will take care of these flames. I will do my best to hold the demons at bay.”
With one last glance, I spun on my heel and sped toward the carnival grounds. The sound of hooves hitting cobblestones filled the air at my back. Ceff’s “entourage” was a battalion of his elite royal guards. With their water magic, they’d make short work of the fires along the harbor. The close proximity to the sea lent power to their kelpie magic. Any fires burning deeper within the city would be more difficult to fight, but I knew that the kelpies would do their best to extinguish the flames…and keep Ceff safe.
After Ceff’s kidnapping last autumn, his elite guard weren’t letting their king out of their sight. Sometimes it meant a lack of privacy, which was a total pain in the ass, but right now, I was more than happy to have them at Ceff’s back. I already had Jinx to worry about. I couldn’t be afraid for his safety as well. I suppose my growing circle of friends were my weak spot, but I wouldn’t trade them for the world.
I just hoped that Jinx hadn’t been targeted in an attempt to get to me. I’d been struggling to come to terms with her marks and psychic assault, and the thing I kept coming back to was motivation. Was she attacked because she was a weak human or because she was my vassal? Vassals were supposed to be protected, and to the fae world I was royalty.
As Will-o’-the-Wisp’s daughter, I was a princess, but as I was quickly learning, being a faerie princess wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. For every handful of fae who respected my role as leader of the wisps, there were at least ten more who’d gladly slit my throat. The fae had a long history of backstabbing and political infighting that made the Byzantine Empire look like bumbling preschoolers.
If I found out that someone had gone after Jinx as an indirect attack on me or my theoretical throne, I’d bring their ass to Mag Mell—a land where death resulted in immediate resurrection—so I could kill them over, and over, and over again.
A grin tugged at the corners of my mouth. I may even invite Torn along for the ride. The cat sidhe lord would appreciate that particular trip to the Otherworld. Cats do enjoy toying with their prey, after all.
Chapter 8
With a supernatural fire brigade fighting the flames at my back, I approached the main carnival gates at a dead run. The carnival, the domain of the The Green Lady, was on the old amusement park grounds that straddled a pier that thrust the gaudy vaudeville acts, circus sideshows, and rusting rides out into the harbor.
I shoved my twenty bucks at a pimple-faced kid with an overbite, yelled for him to keep the change, and vaulted over the turnstile. The carnival was a maze of tents, gaming booths, food vendors, and amusement rides. It would be easy to get lost, but I’d been here before, during the each uisge attack on the city—and that night wasn’t one I was apt to forget.
I hurried past the carousel where I’d faced down a very different kind of horse, and hurried to the heart of the carnival.
Of course, the heart of the carnival was where I’d find the glaistig, her pavilion nestled in a ring of smaller tents advertizing peculiar physiology and feats of strength. Fae with no other place to go had found a home in the carnival’s freak shows. The Green Lady provided a haven for faeries who could not glamour their true form, an affliction that struck close to home.
The carnival may be a safe haven, but it felt like a prison. I’d spent more than one sleepless night picturing myself on a stage where humans came to gawk at the strange, glowing girl. Unfortunately, that nightmare would become a reality if I couldn’t find my father and learn how to control my wisp abilities.
Surprised, I blinked away traitorous tears as I ran. This path had been strewn with the torn and bloodied bodies of human parents and their children, as well as brave carnival fae, the last time I was here. I shook my head, dispelling the ghosts my subconscious had conjured. I was already walking a fine line with my emotions. I was anxious about Jinx and, as much as I hated to admit weakness, thinking about the night of the each uisge attack could push me over the edge. I needed to focus or I wouldn’t be doing anyone any good.
I took a deep breath and slowed my pace to match the families milling about me. If I started glowing in front of humans, the faerie council would have my head on a platter and if The Green Lady discovered my particular malady she’d try to keep me here for my own “protection.” A blade or a leash, I wasn’t sure which was worse.
I checked my warped reflection in a funhouse mirror and felt my muscles tighten. I wasn’t glowing, thank Mab, but I did have a tail. Make that two.
I pretended to fix my hair as I surveyed the area at my back. Apparently, my hasty entrance had gained the attention of the carnival fae. That was fine by me. This wasn’t a stealth mission.
I needed an audience with The Green Lady and I needed it yesterday. The fae liked to stand on ceremony, but this was no time for red tape and lengthy traditions. Jinx was counting on me. And honestly? I sucked at diplomacy anyway.
Of course, that didn’t mean I was stupid. I kept my blades out of sight and held my hands at my sides as I turned to face my escort.
“Hey, Delilah, who’s the new guy?” I asked, tilting my head toward a scruffy nagual with amber eyes and, judging by the pelt worn across his shoulders, a bad case of mange. “He doesn’t seem like your type.”
The succubus dropped from her perch and sashayed across the sawdust strewn path. The nagual frowned, keeping his weapon trained on me, but he wasn’t the one I was worried about. When I’d visited the carnival in the past, there’d been a faerie bard who’d stuck to Delilah like snot on a boggle’s finger.
Despite the succubus’ feeding methods, the bard seemed to have genuine feelings for her. I figured if Delilah was here, the trigger-happy bard wasn’t far behind. And that guy? He had incredible skills with a bow. Even Jenna would have been impressed.
As it turned out I didn’t have long to wait. The bard stepped out from behind the funhouse mirror, a haughty look of amusement on his breathtakingly handsome face. Like I said, the faerie had skills. I’d been within inches of him and hadn’t known he was there. I was impressed, not that I was about to advertize that fact.
I scowled and lifted my gloved hands to the air.
“About time you guys showed up,” I said. “I need an audience with The Green Lady, stat.”
“Our Ladyship does not take orders from you, wisp princess,” he said.
So, the carnival fae knew about my new royal status. Apparently, word gets around. Good to know.
“No, but you take orders from her and I’m sure she’d like to see me,” I said. I took a deep breath and met his gaze. “I owe her a bargain.”
“Last I heard, you owed her more than the fulfillment of one bargain, princess,” he said, a twitch of his lips letting me know he thought this was amusing.
“Whatever,” I muttered. “Just take me to The Green Lady and let her decide if she wants to see me or not.”
The bard gestured and the nagual took the lead, heading toward The Green Lady’s pavilion. I took my place behind the shifter on this crazy, freak show train and tried to ignore Delilah’s purr of pleasure at my side and the bard’s arrows at my back.
I focused on the nagual, startled when I noticed the furry tail sticking out of his deerskin pants. That might explain why he had joined the carnival fae. Shapeshifters who can’t fully hold their human or animal form are a risk to the secrecy that fae society holds so dear. I guess he wouldn’t have had much choice coming here, but it had to be hard for someone who’s half wild animal to be penned up in an amusement park. Judging by his mangy pelt, I didn’t think the carnival life was agreeing with him.
I pulled my eyes from the pendulous tail and winced. Delilah matched my stomping footsteps with her rolling gait, doing her utmost to sway her hips right up to her elbows. The succubus caught my eye with a wink, tongue darting out to suggestively lick her lips.
Mab’s bloody bones, I didn’t want to encourage the succubus, but this might be my only chance to pick her brain. I smiled, trying not to reach for my blades. Jinx was going to owe me, big time.
“So, um, Delilah,” I said, clearing my throat. “I hope this doesn’t sound rude, but could you describe your, um, feeding process? I’m…curious.”
“Ah, come find out for yourssself, wisssp princesss,” she said, hands moving up and down her body to show me what was on offer.
I took one step to the side, putting more space between us, but kept the smile plastered on my face. It was all I could do not to run.
“No thanks,” I said. “I don’t need a demonstration. A description will do me just fine.”
Delilah pouted artfully, but I just shook my head.
“I take away energy and in return I give pleasssure,” she said.
The way she put it, a succubus feeding sounded like an equal exchange, but I was pretty sure that wasn’t the case.
“What happens to the other person when you’re done feeding?” I asked.
“They die,” she said.
Her eyes dilated and I wished I hadn’t asked.
“That is enough,” the bard said, placing his bow between me and the succubus. “Save your questions for Our Lady. Now move.”
I took a hurried step before he could nudge me forward. I didn’t want to risk that bow touching my skin. If that happened, I’d probably end up a gibbering mess on the sawdust strewn pavement.
I flicked my eyes to Delilah and tried to smile. She mouthed “later” with her pouty, bee-stung lips and I nodded. If I found out that The Green Lady was harboring the incubus who’d fed on Jinx, I may need Delilah’s help. As a succubus and a carnival fae herself, Delilah might be able to convince the guy to release his hold on Jinx, maybe.
It was a long shot. Being nice to Delilah wasn’t without its own risks. I didn’t need a hungry succubus on my hands. Encouraging a succubus was playing with fire and, like the city outside, I didn’t want to go down in flames.