by K. M. Shea
I felt too giddy to eat, but no one else seemed to have my scruples. A couple fairies, dryads, selkies, a centaur, and two leprechauns broke into the refreshments.
“To Kadri and Asahi!” a leprechaun shouted before taking his first swig of wine.
“To Kadri and Asahi!” the centaur echoed, taking an apple.
“To Kadri and Asahi!” a selkie said as she cut into the salmon.
Everyone, before taking their first bite or drink of the celebration banquet, said “To Kadri and Asahi!” as more gawkers from the library moved in on our location.
They must have been able to recognize it as an elf engagement celebration, because the new arrivals also toasted Kadri and Asahi before snagging refreshments.
People—people Asahi and Kadri didn’t even know—lined up to congratulate and compliment the engaged couple.
“Is this a success?” I asked Corn, who was nibbling on kale.
“By elf engagement celebrations? Certainly. They will have a second one with their family, likely sometime next week,” Corn said.
“Oh,” I said.
“During that celebration they will reenact the proposal so all members of the family may witness it,” Corn said.
“That’s pretty cool,” I said. “Wait, does that mean I have to dress up like this again?”
“And carry some of the food into the feast, yes,” Corn said.
I scrunched up my face. “Goodie,” I said.
“You’ll only have to do it once a year. Once they are married the celebrations will be condensed into one feast per year,” Corn said, drinking some of the cider I had also brought.
“What do you mean, per year?” I suspiciously asked.
“Aren’t you Kadri’s marriage trustee?”
“Yes.”
“Did she not explain it? As marriage trustee you are the sole witness and pillar to their marriage. Whenever they celebrate it, your presence will be desired and exalted.”
“It’s that special of a position?” I asked.
Corn nodded. “When you stand as marriage trustee you essentially make a public statement that you believe in their love, and you will stand witness to it as long as you survive.”
“Oh,” I said. It was pretty hard not to feel even more honored after that. Out of everyone they knew, Kadri wanted me to stand up for them. “Well, they’re good kids,” I said.
“I would be prepared for that as well,” Corn advised before starting for the happy couple.
“Yeah,” I agreed before the advice sunk into my skull. “WHAT?”
Corn was too far away to hear my question. She approached Asahi and Kadri and bowed to them before speaking.
They listened to her with beaming smiles before they looked at each other and nodded.
The exchange took away my apprehension for the future. I peeled back my tapestry robe and watched the pair embrace.
Asahi and Kadri looked at each other with…with so much more than just love. Their eyes expressed hope for the future, unending loyalty, and fathomless endearment. Their love was more than just an emotion, it was something you could feel when you saw them. They weren’t going to let anyone get between them.
Although I was filled with joy and well wishes for them, a small part of me wondered if anyone would ever look at me the way they looked at each other.
Day six of my MBRC imprisonment I spent catching up on homework. Someone had a desk hauled into the library in my room, so I had my books piled up there and various snacks and treats from the MBRC cafeteria sitting on an end table within arm’s reach.
I was just finishing my pre-calculus homework when there was a knock on my door. “It’s open,” I said, glancing at the clock.
Harrison—fully healed since I had all but made him seek unicorn medical attention on Monday—stuck his head into my room.
“It’s the Pooka, Miss Fae.”
“Oh,” I said, a little surprised. “Send him in.”
Harrison disappeared, and the door swung open to admit Devin.
“Hello,” Devin said.
“Hey. Welcome to captivity,” I joked as I reached for a bear claw. “Want a donut? The cafeteria staff feel really bad for me so they whipped up a fresh batch this afternoon.”
“I’m fine, thanks,” Devin said, plopping down in an armchair next to me.
“M’kay. Do you want…well I have a cappuccino, but I could send down for coffee or tea if you want. They do room service.’
“I’m fine,” Devin repeated, propping his feet up on a footstool. “You seem like you are holding up.”
I brushed sugar from my bear claw off my face. “It’s not so bad here. There are lots of different places I can visit, and the food is good. I get bored at night when there’s nothing to do, but during the day I can hang out with my friends. I actually worked at the help desk with Toby for a few hours today.”
“How many questions did you average?”
“One every minute.”
“That’s unusually long for Toby.”
“Yeah, we were catching up too. Did you know his sister had her fifth baby?”
“No, I can’t say I did. What a fortuitous event.”
“Yep,” I said, sipping my cappuccino. “Devin, what are you doing here?” I finally asked when the Pooka sat there like a lump.
“I’m assuring myself you are well. You look better than last time,” he said.
I shrugged. “It wasn’t as scary. In fact the whole episode felt a little ridiculous, probably because I didn’t see the fighting.”
“Perhaps,” Devin said. He studied my face, as if looking for something. “I have an invitation for you,” Devin said, withdrawing a letter from inside his black shirt.
“For what?”
“A private meeting of MBRC staff,” Devin said. “They’re finally going on the offense against Krad Temero.”
“Why? I thought all he’s done is terrorize me?”
“He does seem to have a special hatred for you, but his men destroyed a mermaid stronghold in Lake Michigan this week. Earlier today he collapsed an underground tunnel system the MBRC uses for shipping purposes. He’s becoming more of a problem than a pest,” Devin said.
“In other words, Moonspell decided it’s finally worth his time and effort to do something.”
Devin smiled—the first one he gave me since entering the room. “Yes.”
“Good,” I said.
“We can have the meeting because of the cooperation of that dark elf you negotiated with.”
“Ethan?”
“I believe that is the name he is using, yes. He has given a lot of useful information.”
“Awesome. Although I can’t take too much credit. Fran—my best friend, you’ve met her before—is the one who changed him.”
“I hear you want to get him released and rehabilitated.”
“I do.”
“That won’t happen unless you stay at the MBRC,” Devin said.
“Aysel told me as much, but I’m hoping Asahi will take him on after I go.”
“It’s too dangerous to have the MBRC Administrator’s offspring in charge of a deserter dark elf,” Devin said.
“I hadn’t thought of it that way,” I admitted, sliding away from my desk. “I’ll be glad when this is all over.”
“So you’re going to go with a normal life, then?” Devin asked.
“I don’t know. Probably,” I said, rubbing my eyes. “You don’t mind?”
Devin shrugged. “Just because you don’t work at the MBRC doesn’t mean I cannot barge in on your life.”
I laughed, but Devin frowned and dug his MM out of the pocket of his jeans. “What?” he said when he answered it.
I could hear a male voice speak, but the volume was too low for me to understand what was being said.
“Now?” Devin asked.
The caller responded.
“Fine. I’ll be there soon,” he said before swiping the MM off and returning it to his pocket.
&nbs
p; “The Fairy Council?” I guessed.
“Yes,” Devin said, rocking to his feet. “They are the biggest bunch of worriers I have ever run across. They think the world is on the brink of destruction every day,” he said, groaning as he stretched his arms and shoulders. “They’re holding a conference call with the Administrator, and require my presence.”
“Good luck,” I said, watching the handsome fairy shifter as he brushed his clothes off. Sometimes I still found it unbelievable that Devin—the most flirtatious guy in the MBRC community—was given a seat on the powerful and highly honored Fairy Council.
“Thanks,” Devin said. He walked over to my chair and leaned down so he could kiss me on the top of my head. “I’m glad you are safe, Morgan,” he said, curving one arm around my shoulders and using his other hand to tuck a strand of my hair out of my face.
“Yeah,” I said, finding it suddenly hard to swallow. “Thanks. You better go get to work.”
“You enjoy killing moments and dreams, don’t you,” he said, his voice playful as he tugged on my hair. “Why can’t you just accept my affection quietly without ruining it?”
“Because I can’t be bought off like other females,” I grinned.
“Morgan, when was the last time you ever saw me kiss someone on their head?” Devin said.
I was silent, thinking about it. “Well, I haven’t, but it doesn’t matter. I’ve seen you hanging on lots of other females.”
Devin scrunched his eyes shut and briefly hugged me just as tightly as Madeline does. “It’s a good thing you’re adorable,” he said. “Or I might take offense to that.”
“You’re supposed to take offense to it. That was the general idea of the comment.”
“Take care. I’ll swing by to escort you to Moonspell’s precious meeting tomorrow,” Devin said, kissing my forehead before he backed away so I couldn’t take a swing at him.
“Don’t bother. Harrison and I can find it on our own,” I called after the flirt.
“Until then, I will suffer without your presence,” Devin said, winking at me.
“You’re ridiculous!” I called after him when he slipped out the door.
“As are you, my darling,” Devin said, firmly shutting the door.
“Flirt,” I grumbled under my breath before reaching for another donut. “Who needs him anyway?”
14
Forming a Plan
“This emergency meeting has been called for the express purpose of discussing Krad Temero and his actions,” Administrator Moonspell said. “It is a closed door meeting with invitations extended only to those who are directly involved in the matter, and those who are responsible for running the MBRC.”
The Administrator’s voice echoed in the large room—we were in the biggest board room available to accommodate Blood Binder—the dragon who represented magical creatures on the board. He was quite big, even for a dragon. Normally he was about the size of an airplane, but today he let Dante—the wizard representative—put a shrinking spell on him so he was only as big as a greyhound bus.
“In what way are the Chicago goblins directly involved in the matter?” Luka Farka, the vampire representative, said as he studied Hunter with narrowed eyes.
“It’s well known that Morgan Fae is a dear friend and close associate of mine. Of course her security is a top priority for Weller Goblin Enterprises,” Hunter said, knitting his hands together. He was the picture of innocence as he leaned across the square table formation we were seated around to address Luka.
“The Chicago goblins are the main users of the MBRC tunnel that collapsed,” I guessed.
“That too,” Hunter agreed.
“If the investigation is over, may we begin?” Elros Gloriath, one of two elf representatives, said, rolling his eyes at Luka.
“Krad Temero must be captured or taken care of,” Blood Binder said. He heated the room with his breath when he spoke, and his deep baritone voice made the floor rumble. “Or it appears he will set up a permanent headquarters in Chicago.”
“How could we ever hope to beat him?” the fairy representative asked, worriedly brushing her dragonfly wings with her spindly fingers. “Our defense department is competent, but we’ve been forced to hire mercenary groups for additional protection and Krad has still attacked us.”
“Capturing him would be difficult, if not impossible, if we attempt it when he is already attacking us,” Ranulf, the werewolf representative, said.
“You insinuate that we must attack him if we wish to be successful,” said the second elf representative, a pretty female named Gywndyn.
“Yes,” Ranulf said.
“We would need more troops,” Dante said, wringing his hands. “We can recruit volunteers of course, but we can’t afford to hire more mercenaries.”
“Why not?” the dryad representative asked.
“Because the Shadow Shifters are the best, and they’re already bleeding us dry,” Ranulf said.
Dante nodded in agreement.
“It seems unfortunate that we should be forced to drain our savings to rid the magical community of a problem that has plagued many besides us for decades,” Luka said, tracing the rim of his glass of tomato juice with his pointer finger.
Administrator Moonspell sat with Aysel at his elbow. Aysel whispered something into his father’s ear, and the Administrator nodded. “I agree,” he said, dragging his eyes to Devin—who wasn’t sitting at all but was strolling around in the shadowy perimeter of the room. “If we have a day and hour for a planned strike, could the Fairy Council lend us troops?”
The MBRC board members turned to stare at Devin.
The Pooka shrugged. “They might.”
“Would you bring our request forward to the council if we write it up?” Administrator Moonspell asked.
“Sure. But it’s not numbers or even skill that is going to bag Krad.”
Administrator Moonspell raised his eyebrows. “How, then, do you suggest we attack if you find our chance of success so low?”
“Bait him,” Devin said, tipping his head so his full moon eyes almost glowed in the dark. “The curse that was placed on him is more effective than it would seem.”
“Its purpose was to limit his power,” Aysel said, unable to keep his mouth shut at the chance to be a know-it-all. “We have firsthand accounts that prove he still has most of his magic,” he said, glancing at me.
“Yes,” Devin agreed. “But I wasn’t thinking of his magic when I said the curse works. If Krad keeps his head on his shoulders he will be impossible to beat. But if he loses his cool, we can more easily handle him.”
Blood Binder shifted, his scales scratching the stone floor. “You mean he can be goaded into throwing a temper tantrum?”
“Exactly,” Devin said.
“With all due respect, Councilman, that is impossible,” Elros scoffed. “Krad Temero is a mad genius. Curse or not, he would never behave so, so childishly!”
“But he already has,” Hunter said.
“What?” Elros said.
Hunter studied me for a moment before he smiled at Devin. “Why don’t you tell them, Councilmember? You are the one who shared the intelligence with me.”
Devin briefly frowned at the Chicago Goblin King. “Krad has shown us he is perfectly willing to be involved in a screaming match with Morgan—something he wouldn’t have done before he was imprisoned in a child’s body,” he said.
“A screaming match?” Luka repeated as he swiveled to face me. “How did that happen?”
I squirmed uncomfortably in my chair.
“Morgan,” Aysel said.
“I insulted his name,” I said.
“…you what,” Luka said.
“And I told him he was a pervert.”
“Was that before or after you nearly hit him with the cast-iron skillet?” Hunter asked, his shoulders shaking with silent laughter.
“After, I think,” I said.
The MBRC board stared at me.
Feeling the n
eed to defend myself, I added, “I would have gotten away if the brat hadn’t jumped on my back.”
“I apologize for my private doubts, Councilman,” Luka said to Devin. “It appears the curse has indeed inhibited him.”
“Aye,” Ranulf said.
“Devin always has such good points,” the fairy giggled. “Ouch,” she said when the dryad representative kicked her under the table.
“Remember your cousin and the way he dumped her,” the dryad advised the frowning fairy.
“Very well. Krad Temero can be goaded. How do we achieve the state?” Elros said.
“Perhaps we could have our soldiers employ a mocking method?” Dante said.
“If they fail to rouse his temper, you can be certain we will never find an opening to attack Krad again,” Ranulf said.
“Which brings up another point—how do we attack Krad? We have the location of several of his bases thanks to the dark elf informant, but do not know which one he will be in at any given time,” Luka said.
“We could have pixies follow him,” the dryad said.
“Pixies are already assigned to him,” Gywndyn said, her lips creased unhappily. “He evades them with great cunning.”
“Then perhaps we should assign someone better suited to tracking to him,” Luka said.
The fairy representative narrowed her eyes at him. “The pixies are the best we have.”
“I think not,” Elros said. “Or they wouldn’t lose him so consistently.”
“Take that back!” the fairy representative said, standing up from her chair.
“I would consider it if they showed any skill at all in their assigned task,” Elros said.
“Why you—,”
“Enough!” Blood Binder said. “Fighting gets us nowhere. Our enemy is Krad, not each other. If you cannot say anything constructive, think.”
The board was silent.
Administrator Moonspell drummed his fingers on the table and frowned at me. “The easiest solution is to dangle Morgan Fae before him,” he finally said.
I opened my mouth to tell Moonspell what he could do with his idea, but Hunter beat me to it.
“Absolutely not,” Hunter said.
“Why not? Clearly Krad has her shadowed. He will undoubtedly make an appearance if we use her,” Administrator Moonspell said.