Finn nodded. “I see your point. I’ve already made the mistake of working with Edgar once. I won’t do it again.”
I glanced around at the bodies. “We have more problems now, and I might need to speed up my plans. First, I’ll send Neva back to Earth to find a witch for Ivy as Maddox requested. If there is anyone to save your sister, she’ll find them. You’ll just have to hope the elf succeeds before I do.”
My magic blocker was gone. The Renegades knew who I was and could out me to the king at any time. Yet, I still wanted to screw with him and test his alliances before I faced him. If I was going to be fighting on his territory, I wasn’t stupid enough to go in blind.
Edgar just might need to be a focus as well. Ending him could be cathartic, especially after him just showing up like he held any power over me.
Focusing on my own thoughts, I considered my plan and how it might need to change with the new information. My next step would be getting inside the castle, not just the marketplace. But first, I needed to follow through on getting Neva to Earth. Just like on Earth, I needed to remember how to treat my allies. I just needed to picture Maddox like I did the bouncer Gregory. It was all about give and take while keeping my guard up.
Finn was still watching me as I’d been lost in my thoughts. His jaw was rigid, but the twinge I adored wasn’t present. “How soon before you move on King Zephyr?” he asked, again surprising me because I thought his question would have been about Ivy.
“Well, there are a couple of things to do first. The first being that we need to burn these bodies. I don’t know how Edgar survived my attack before, but I want to make sure none of these assholes get up and walk away.”
Finn eyed the head of a fae with disgust that was only a foot from where he stood. “Word has it, he traded his life source to another supernatural that can bring him back from the dead. But I’ve never heard who he did that with or why. Rumors vary from witch to mermaid queen.”
I laughed hard. “Mermaids? Really? Childhood stories are what that rumor is.”
“And that’s what the humans say about us, too,” Finn countered.
“You really believe there are mermaids living beneath these islands?” I asked. I might not have been centuries old, but I’d never met another fae who had ever seen the mythical creature.
He shrugged. “All I’m saying is it wouldn’t surprise me if the rumors held some truth, and whoever is keeping Edgar alive could be a problem.”
That, he was right about.
“Come on. Let’s clean up our mess.” I sent a stream of power toward the head and fried it until it exploded, bits landing on Finn’s leg.
“That was rude,” he growled at me, but I could see a spark of mischief in his eyes and enjoyed that he wasn’t looking at me with disgust after I’d killed someone for once. The real him, anyway. I already knew the darker sides of him liked me just fine.
Maybe this all wouldn’t be so bad if we could get along. As partners and nothing more that involved emotion.
Then, he picked up a scoop of mud and threw it at my face. “Payback sucks, doesn’t it?” His light chuckle was all I could hear as I wiped the sludge from my eyes.
“Oh, you’re going to pay for that.” The chase was on, and the bodies were forgotten about for just a short time until I’d burnt another hole through his pants, this time on the opposite ass cheek.
He tugged at his jeans. “Seriously? Again?”
I shrugged. “That other side looked jealous.”
Finn smiled, big and natural. The action did odd things to my chest that I didn’t like. It was one thing to want him physically and enjoy the passion his disdain for me created, but it was a whole different scenario to throw real attraction between us that held depth.
I had to step away. I had to focus on the task at hand. I couldn’t let Finn be a distraction.
“We should probably get these bodies taken care of and Neva off to Earth,” I said, bursting the bubble we’d been in for a few minutes.
His smile fell, and I pushed the guilt down, letting my darkness drown it out. “Yeah, I guess we should.” He disappeared, and I kicked the head nearest to me.
Damn, why did I care? Caring was for the weak, and I was nothing of the sort.
Finn reappeared with a wagon, then began tossing bodies into it. I helped him silently, that awkwardness between us once again present.
His movements were jerky, and I knew he was pissed at me, but that was better for both of us.
Once we’d loaded them all up, I followed Finn to a clearing behind his bunker and helped him dump the fae onto the ground. I did the honors of lighting the fire, knowing it would make him uncomfortable, then intensified the flames with magic until there was nothing left but ash.
“Let’s see someone bring these assholes back to life,” I snickered.
Finn just grunted. “I’m going to shower where the workers clean up. You can use the bathroom in the house.” Then, he disappeared.
Yep, we were right back to where we started, and I should have been happy about that, but I wasn’t. Not even one bit.
Chapter 18
After we were magically cleaned up from the fight and the bodies were taken care of, I went back inside to tell Neva what I needed her to do. I’d made a deal with Maddox and, if I was being honest, having Neva gone for a while might help me sort some of my shit out.
She had been enjoying calling me out lately, and with the mess inside my head at the moment, I didn’t need her trying to force me to process anything more than killing King Zephyr. Well, now I also had Edgar to consider.
There was just too damn much at risk for me to be having some major life crisis. For the time being, I just had to remember that I was a survivor. If people didn’t like what life had turned me into, then I had no cares to give them.
The me I currently was would be the only way to save the rest of them.
Hopefully Neva, Finn, and Ivy would soon realize that.
I walked into the house and found Neva and Ivy on the couch, faces stricken, clearly afraid of something.
“What happened?” I asked, taking a seat in my chair.
Neva was holding Ivy’s hand and met my stare. “We saw the fight.”
“And?”
“You killed all those fae,” Ivy muttered. Gone was the strong fae I thought I could get along with. In her place was someone who acted as if they hadn’t been standing up for exactly who I was during that fight.
My eyes rolled. “And if I hadn’t, they would have killed the people you love most, then taken the two of you. Would you have preferred that?”
She glared at me, finally showing some of the backbone I was used to. “Of course not. I just don’t know how you can sit there and show no remorse for what you just did.”
I leaned forward, answering honestly. “Because having remorse wouldn’t have allowed me to keep all of you safe.”
Her eyes widened as power radiated from every pore of my skin. I wasn’t even trying to hide the darkness swirling within me at that point. The adrenaline of the kills was wearing off, and I didn’t have the patience to deal with guilt being thrown at me.
Neva patted Ivy’s hand as we both fumed, then gave me her full attention. “What are you going to do now?”
“Well, funny you should ask. I need you to make sure I have everything I could possibly need for the task of killing the king, and then I’m taking you back to Earth. I need you to find a witch for Ivy. Start with Beatrix and see where you get.”
“You want me to leave you here alone?” Neva sounded like I was a child who needed to be watched.
“I survived on my own just fine before you arrived. I think I can handle the next week or so. I don’t imagine it will take you long to find someone. Offer them anything but the apartment and Black Widow. I want this whole situation over as quick as possible.”
She nodded, and I could already see her mind racing, thinking of all the things she’d have to do. Neva turned to Ivy. “I’ll c
ome see you before I leave. Just remember what I said. You’re safe here. Lucinda won’t let anyone hurt you.”
Ivy glanced between the two of us and nodded. Her earlier feelings toward me seemed to have been dealt with, which made things easier for me. I didn’t want to dislike everyone that was around me. I just wanted them to leave me alone.
Neva left to her pocket realm once again, and Ivy slowly stood. She nodded before waltzing back to her room. Maybe that was her way of apologizing for the minor freak-out over the dead bodies? I wasn’t sure, but I didn’t stress about it.
Instead, I stayed in the chair, closing my eyes and letting my magic ease the tightened muscles in my neck.
My inner voice was trying to break through my moment alone, but I refused to give it the power. Though, it was growing stronger by the day. Hell, maybe even the hour. While I used to enjoy the darker thoughts and often allowed them to bring me comfort with my decisions, this new pushy aspect of whatever lie within me wasn’t something I was willing to put up with for long. I needed to figure out a way to squelch it soon, before it also became a distraction I couldn’t afford.
After killing so many fae, the power inside of me was stronger than it had been in a while. I knew there was something wrong with that fact, but it was like the adrenaline rush was a refuel to my system. It allowed me to thrive and do whatever was necessary.
King Easton Zephyr had muddled with my mind for too long, and it had taken every bit of strength to beat him out of my head. Though memories still assaulted me on occasion, I’d come a long way and would never go back to being weak again. Not even to the darker side of my magic.
Killing the king would be the closure I needed. I would take it, and then shit could go back to normal. I’d go back to LA and forget this world once again.
Then, Finn walked in and my stomach fluttered at the sight of the late afternoon sun filtering in behind him, casting shadows that reminded me of myself.
Gods, if only he wasn’t so opposed to the darkness that swirled within him.
My head shook. No, not even then. I couldn’t get tangled with him. I needed to do my job and get the hell away from this place.
“Where is everyone?” Finn asked.
“Neva is getting the last of the items I’ll need from her elf pocket realm, and Ivy’s in her room.”
Just as Finn went to shut the door, Maddox came in behind him. His eyes met mine, and I knew he had news I was either going to love or hate.
“What is it?” I asked.
“The king has issued a call to all capable fighters to join his army in hunting down the Renegades. He is blaming your little poisoning episode on them and is vowing vengeance as a way to keep the peace.”
I raised a brow. “Is it working?”
Maddox’s head shook. “No. At least, not on this island. Families don’t like being torn apart by force.”
“So, are we expected to go as well?” Finn asked.
“No. If you can provide much-needed resources to West Island, then you’re exempt. So, we will need to gather whatever food we’re willing to give up and bring it there with promises of more to come. Otherwise, they’ll come for us if we don’t deliver.”
I laughed. The king was such an idiot. My plan was working even better than I predicted. Maybe he could even take care of my problem with Edgar for me. Except, I remembered what Finn had said. The fae couldn’t die. Or he could, but he’d just come right back.
I pictured cutting him into pieces, burning them, and scattering him across the oceans. I wondered if his powerful friend could put him back together again then.
“So, we’re headed to the castle?” I asked with glee. I could put phase two into motion earlier than planned if I could sneak back in with them under a different identity.
Finn glared at me. “You’re not going anywhere with us. We don’t need the trouble you’ll cause.”
“Maddox can glamor me,” I said.
“And what about your magic? Beatrix’s spell isn’t working anymore, and there’s no way you can keep that amount of darkness pushed down long enough to stay under the radar. The guards will pick you out of a crowd within minutes, even if they don’t know who you are,” Finn replied, and he wasn’t wrong.
Damn you, Beatrix. I should have asked for multiple vials. Though, I hadn’t anticipated coming to Fae Islands when I’d made the deal. I’d thought I was going to be ditching the fae and be done with it. That plan had obviously gone to shit.
Maddox was avoiding eye contact and getting fidgety. He knew something and wasn’t speaking up, but that didn’t work for me. I took a step toward him. “Spill it, fairy.”
He snarled. “I’m not a damn fairy.”
I sighed. “I’m sorry. All-powerful glamoring fae, can you change my magical presence as well?”
Finn gaped at me. “Did you just apologize?”
“Well, not earnestly, but the words count for something, right?”
They both groaned, but Maddox still replied, “I might be able to do something, but I can’t promise it won’t affect you in other ways. This isn’t something I’m comfortable doing.”
I waved my hand. “Yeah, yeah. I’m not worried about it. As soon as Neva gets back, I’ll get her through the portal, and then she can teleport herself back to LA. Unless things have changed, I don’t believe others can come and go without a fae escort?”
Finn nodded. “But you won’t be able to do it unless Maddox can change you first. You only got through undetected because you had no magical or even human presence. If you go through the forcefield, they’ll know you’re here this time. Honestly, I’m surprised you made it through the first time. I’ll take her like before.”
I shrugged. “Fine by me. I’ll stay here and go through the items Neva has for me, and then Maddox can do his thing on me.”
Ivy pushed past me, glaring at Maddox. “What is this thing you’re doing on her?”
There was the strong version of her I preferred. No longer did she seem afraid.
Maddox stepped toward her. “That’s not what it sounded like. I need to disguise Lucinda, so we can go to the castle.”
She held her glare, hands on her hips, and her foot tapping. “When do you plan on doing this?” she finally asked.
Finn glanced at the time. “A delivery at night would be suspicious. We’re actually probably better waiting until morning.”
Disappointment rushed through me.
Go without them. You don’t need them.
Gods, shut the hell up.
And now I was talking to myself. Damn, I needed to get away, and not just from them.
“If they’re so desperate for supplies, wouldn’t a night delivery be appreciated?” I asked, hoping to change his mind. I would need Finn to get back in. I couldn’t use Maribel again so soon, given that she was supposed to be from so far away and only visit occasionally. Plus, if the guards had been smart, they’d have combed through every bit of evidence for the day and made me as one of their suspects. Sure, they might let me into the castle again as Maribel, but I doubted I’d be coming back out if I tried.
“She has a point,” Maddox said.
Finn shot him a shut-the-hell-up glare. “We’re not rushing into this. We leave tomorrow. Tonight, we get Neva back to Earth and prepare what we need for the delivery.” Then, he turned his scowl on me.
I held my hands up. “Don’t send your wrath my way. I said nothing.”
“But you were thinking it. If you leave again without us, you’ll be on your own the moment you do. And by that, I mean you won’t be welcome back here.” Finn’s face didn’t soften whatsoever.
“Okay, Mr. Pissypants. Don’t have an aneurism over it. I’ll be right here all night long.” Okay, that was a lie, but I’d be on the farm. I needed to at least go for a walk and get some space after learning about Edgar. I needed to not underestimate him.
Neva showed up then, another trunk beside her. “What happened?”
I tossed a smile her w
ay from my chair. “Oh, nothing. We were just talking.”
She grimaced but didn’t say anything more about the tension in the room. “Is it time?”
“It’s perfect timing,” Finn murmured. “I’m taking you to the border. Lucinda mentioned before that once we’re on the other side of it, you can find your way to wherever you’re going?”
“Of course.” She smiled, and her politeness grated on my nerves. “How am I supposed to reach you when I’ve found help?”
Finn went to the side table and pulled out a pen and paper. Once he was done writing on it, he handed the note to Neva. “This is my email. Just send the word ready and I’ll meet you the following day at dawn in Sri Lanka.”
She took the paper, reading the script before tucking it into her front pocket. “Very well.” She turned to me. “Do you need anything else, Ms. Lucinda?”
“I need a lot of things, none of which you can provide for me, unfortunately.”
Neva nodded, likely reading between my words, because she seemed to enjoy that so much. Then, she surprised the hell out of me by darting into my personal space and awkwardly hugging me.
My brain didn’t even have enough time to register the gesture before she was already on her way to do the same to Ivy, but without the awkwardness. My heart stirred, but I didn’t have time to ponder my own feelings. That was for after I was done on Fae Islands and back home in LA.
Finn walked past me and guided Neva from the house. “Let’s get you on your way if you’re ready.”
Neva faced me one more time. “Stay safe, Lucy.”
Damn her.
“Yeah. You, too,” I grumbled.
Chapter 19
The following morning, Maddox showed up with three crates of plumcots, some interesting fruit hybrid I’d never heard of. I also hadn’t ever tasted one and gladly stole a couple while we waited on Finn. Sweet juice trailed down my chin with the first bite, and I decided I would definitely be checking out Maddox’s farm when this was all over.
Dark Fae Cursed (Broken Court Book 1) Page 14