by Erin R Flynn
Geiger cleared his throat as if to say he would take that one. “One for sure, though we possibly believe a great-grandparent on the other side but it hasn’t been confirmed whom. We’ve been looking quietly and carefully but also—”
“We’re always busy,” I drawled, rolling my eyes. “And it’s a sensitive topic for me given the end result so I’m not sure I want to know so much as… Let’s move on.”
Mrs. Vogel nodded. “Of course, but my point—and I say this not to be mean, but tease as we have become somewhat close and I feel at a point where you would accept my teasing of you—is you lack several known fairy qualities. Most notably, your palate.”
“I don’t get it,” I admitted.
“Fairies love spicy foods and Juan told us you do not,” Mrs. Gui informed me, nodding to her sister-in-law—or so I thought she was, but maybe cousin-in-law—it was true.
“Oh, yeah, I’m not a fan of spicy.”
Hudson and Juan shared a look and it was Juan who broke first, both of the large dragons laughing so hard that people blinked to see the princes being so vocal and jovial. Mel joined in and even Craftsman was having a hard time not breaking down.
“Tams, you wouldn’t eat your nachos that were on the same serving tray as mine that had jalapeños,” Mel said in between gasps before starting all over again.
I made a hissing sound. “Demon vegetable. You eat it on pizza like a weirdo in the same kitchen as me.”
“Her eyes teared up when I tried to get her to taste the spicy curry she made,” Juan coughed. “And it was damn good curry. The woman is a curry master.”
“Don’t tell an Asian man that the white girl is a curry master when she uses the damn boxed stuff,” I drawled. “That’s just rude. I make a mean fusion curry. I take the best of Indian and Japanese curry and bring it into one nummy dish… As long as it’s not the spicy crap you crazy people eat.” I focused on Mrs. Vogel. “So fairies like spicy?”
“Yes, they were well known for being adventurous in everything culinary,” she informed me.
Darby snorted but then apologized. “Sorry, I wasn’t picking on you, but it’s just amusing as you don’t even eat raw onions.”
I shrugged when people looked at me. “It’s true. They hurt.”
“You do fit in other ways,” Mrs. Vogel said, her tone a bit wistful. “But it must be how close you had a fairy relative. Your intolerance to caffeine for one.”
“I wouldn’t call it an intolerance,” I argued. “I’ve just never gotten into the coffee addiction. I didn’t like what I tried, and I didn’t force myself like other young idiots. I like Mountain Dew every so often just fine, but a morning run, cool shower, and fresh juice is way better to wake me up.”
“That sounds like a fairy,” Mrs. Diaz quipped.
I snickered. “Irma says I eat way too much processed sugar to ever be Tinker Bell no matter how much I’ve wished it.” There, that was close enough to say what they were getting at without lying. Or at least I hoped.
It seemed to put the topic to rest enough and at least get us back to why we were there… Or so I thought.
“Remember when you thought those were regular chocolate chip cookies, but they were hot chocolate ones?” Mel chuckled.
I groaned and grabbed my stomach on instinct. “I wanted to die. One cookie and I wanted to die. They were delayed so I didn’t feel it until after I stuffed it in my mouth and then nothing could save me. I always smell any evil spices but they’d been painting the hallway so I didn’t. I thought I was going to die.”
“She cried on the bathroom floor asking me to pump her stomach,” Mel tattled.
“I have stories on you too,” I reminded her.
“Love you, kid.”
“Uh-huh,” I grumbled, smiling when people chuckled. At least the tension wasn’t so bad anymore. “I still don’t get how I can help though.” Then I put it together. “The crystals.”
“I thought you shut off your telepathy,” Darby worried.
“I did, just piecing together what I’d been hearing now that it’s not stabbing painful anymore.”
“Yes, this is about the crystals,” Mrs. Vogel confirmed. “High-tiered crystals are as close as any can get to fairy magic and the only thing that can recharge their wards, glamours, and barriers.”
“Well shit,” I hissed, sitting back in my chair and sharing a look with Mel.
“I didn’t know that,” she sighed. “You’re an infinitely bigger target than we’ve realized showing you could do that and so publicly.”
“Yes, she is,” Mr. Gui confirmed. “There has never been a dragon who can create even mid-tiered crystals. Some shifters can, but only witches or warlocks can make high-tiered now that fairies are gone. Very few can do it, which is why they never name themselves and only use powerful brokers that can protect them such as Katrina Calloway if at all.”
“If at all is right,” Professor White chimed in. “And there is another level of danger here, which is why the three most powerful magic allies you have are here.” She nodded when I looked at her, pointing to each of them in turn. “Your headmaster who has shielded you at times. Me who is your dean even if you are undeclared, and Dr. Craftsman who is your species advisor and power assessor.”
“Which fuels the rumors she’s a next level witch we’ve not seen in centuries with very strong fairy blood in her parents,” Mrs. Diaz muttered.
Ahhh, so that was the latest rumor someone was pushing. I didn’t know why but that might bite us in the ass given what else we were up to.
Oh well, nothing was ever easy and there was a pile of problems already on the table. I tapped my fingers on my crossed arms as I stared at my place setting, thinking over what she was trying to tell me. “You’re saying I’d pick a side in this with helping them?”
“Yes, we won’t even deny that,” Mr. Courtenay confirmed. “Word reached our ears that the two dragon Alphas were planning on—what’s the American phrase?”
“Making an offer you couldn’t refuse,” Mr. Vogel supplied. His lips twitched when I snorted. “Yes, well, as you’ve said, you’re young and a female so everyone underestimates you. You’ve also made enemies and upset many, so they planned to take that to their advantage.”
“And you’re not?” I challenged.
“No, we already offered you our protection, Tamsin,” he answered, not looking offended at all. “We’re simply bringing you more. I have not a doubt you would help all of us and I told them this pomp and circumstance wasn’t necessary, but they wanted to show you the proper respect and importance after you’re so used to other elites treating you like trash with an unknown breeding.”
“Well, I like this meeting better now,” I admitted. “It comes off a bit intimidating.” I kept tapping as I studied Mr. Vogel. The dragon’s gaze didn’t waver and I sighed. “Look, I don’t know how to say what I need to so I can make this work in my head. I’m not asking any of you to answer to me as I certainly won’t answer to you.”
“Don’t start being subtle on us now,” Mrs. Vogel teased me.
I nodded a thank you to her. “If we’re picking teams, I’d always pick you guys. We align on a lot. You and I do on even more. Tanesha and I as well, plus I’m tight with your dragon ninjas. I value you as rulers.” I glanced over at Mr. and Mrs. Gui. “I don’t know you guys as well, but I do Juan and his morals speak to your family’s. I also know you’re good people who…” I swallowed loudly.
Darby moved his arm around me. “Are kind and understanding enough to try and get someone like Mason help instead of simply writing him off as many would. You didn’t only do it because he was Juan’s friend, but it was the right thing to do for a troubled person you could help.”
“Yes, thank you,” I rasped, sniffling loudly and clearing my throat. “My point is I know a bit about you and—at least enough to know I would be okay joining your team. Or you my alliance or whatever. Does that make sense?”
“Yes, absolutely,” Mr. Gui agreed
, Mrs. Gui nodding as well. “To say it bluntly, you don’t want to keep horrible people safe when you’re going after corrupt elders and trying to take them down.”
“Basically.”
Mrs. Courtenay held up her hand to her husband, shooting him a look to give her a moment. “You would take offense to her words as she is young and you do not know her, thinking about all in danger instead of hearing her valid concerns. She is not challenging you or your rule, simply making sure her conscience would be clear, and our answer would accomplish that.”
He gave a swift nod, accepting his mate would handle it.
Mrs. Courtenay met my gaze. “Our young daughter was our first born. We plan to make her the first Queen Ruler of any dragon royals instead of being passed over for any male heirs we might have. She will not be mated off for an alliance or forgotten. She will rule with a Prince or King Consort at her side, but she will rule as she is just as capable as any male.”
“You would have our full support on that,” Mrs. Vogel whispered, not hiding her shock. “Well done.”
“Thank you,” Mr. Courtenay accepted. “It is our hope we make the progress that is needed as European supes are a bit ahead of some of the other areas.” He glanced at me then. “And we also wish to help with your havens no matter your answer today.”
“It’s true,” Mrs. Vogel confirmed. “All the queens here have spoken with me on how to help and where you are at, offering resources, aid, and whatever you need to make sure an unheard of project like this does not fail as it’s needed.”
“Wow, cool,” I whispered. “Glad to hear it.”
“I didn’t know you outlawed dust collectors in South America,” Tanesha said, focusing on Mr. Diaz. She dipped her head and explained. “He was thinking of things that would be aligned with your beliefs as they know the least about you of any here. That was the one that stood out to me first from the list as we both loathe the dust collectors now.”
“Why?” Mrs. Courtenay asked, glancing between us. “We need to hide any fae plants and trees.”
“We found from the fae dogs that hang out at my estate and now the one who Tanesha befriended that they chase the fae dogs and a lot of times out of protected and safe areas,” I explained. Tanesha went further and filled them in on what else we’d learned.
“We’re outlawing it as well after learning this,” Mr. Vogel informed the others. “And we’ve spoken with other leaders. Chasing around and mistreating any fair folk cannot be allowed. Others agree.”
“We do,” Mrs. Diaz threw in. “We have an aide whose sole job is to check on any household that has hobgoblins working for them to make sure they are treated well and as normal employees. Their circumstances lead to their mistreatment too often as they cannot simply quit.”
“Yeah, it’s a bit horrifying from what I’ve heard,” I admitted. “I knew I had to help. I don’t think I could have had a chance at making it as a supe without Mel and the hobgoblins at school. Darby tutoring me and helping me down the road. Others as well but—anyone who can be mean to a hobgoblin is just dirt.”
“They are,” Mr. Diaz agreed with a sneer. “We are powerful to protect those who need it, not bully those smaller and weaker.”
“Oh, you might get along very well with them,” Tanesha chuckled, giving me an amused look. “He wants to go after cartels and sex traffickers in South America more like they used to, but the constant threats have made them need to pull back their people. Yeah, you align with everyone here that you’d invite them to a movie night, Tamsin, not just be on your team.”
Well, that was nice to hear and soothed my soul. “Okay then, I’ll help.”
The relief and tension in the room instantly decreased and I felt like I could breathe easier. Yeah, I was pretty sure the dragons felt the same.
21
“Now is the time you start listing your price and demands, darling, as you literally have what no one else can give us,” Mrs. Courtenay said, giving me a wink that she knew I wasn’t doing it for money.
“Wait, I don’t think we’re there yet,” I admitted, giving Mel a worried look. I decided to start with something good when she sighed. “First, we did something with the crystals.” I gestured over my shoulder to Zack.
He snorted. “We is a stretch. I helped make the application of your brilliance plausible.” He moved around the table and showed me he had one. “With your permission?” He shrugged when I raised an eyebrow. “I wanted to speak with Professor White on what she thought it would take to get this on a four-wheel-drive vehicle versus a bike like we’ve got now.”
“Smart.” I nodded I was fine with it.
“What is this?” Mr. Vogel asked after Zack handed it over. We explained to all of them as he took it apart, inspecting the crystal and what was on it before passing it along.
“This is a fairy rune,” Mr. Diaz gasped.
“No, it is not,” Professor White corrected. “It’s an old, powerful barrier rune most could never think to just pull out on a whim. I was amazed Tamsin knew it.”
I blinked at her and then slowly focused on Geiger.
He cleared his throat and showed a charm he wore under his shirt and tie. “Before he was called back to Faerie, my partner showed me that barrier and gave me the power to always be able to protect myself until his return. I knew it wasn’t a fairy rune, but one founded by a fairy and powerful. I knew she had the magic to make it happen and it would keep her safe as she has many, many dangers.”
That reminded me of a point I wanted to make clear. “Oh, right, I heard dragons weren’t so cool with the LBGTQ community and—”
“Not anymore,” Mrs. Diaz cut in. “As long as one is not the last of a bloodline, but surrogates can be found. Transgender is a bit more… Precarious in our society as the gods know us and our fate. However, even with as sexist as our society is, our assigned roles based on sex is not as set as humans.” She gestured to the guards as if to show how many women were just as badass.
Precarious I could live with and I saw from Tanesha that they all felt the same, like it wasn’t bad, just made them uncomfortable like they didn’t know what to do with the topic. Maybe they’d never met someone who was transgender. Probably. I found knowing people in all walks opened the mind better than anything else could.
“Why tell us of your invention?” Mr. Gui asked after everyone took a look at it.
“Because one of her first thoughts was it would be perfect for knight dragons who couldn’t always shift and take off,” Ray explained. “Or use their magic as easily as witches and warlocks.”
“So, I will have the demand of wanting to work with your weapons guru,” I admitted to the Vogels but really the Rothchilds. “One of the books Calloway found for my pile of summer reading is all about fairy weapons, and one ancient fairy could make blades with barriers built in.”
“And if you could affix the crystal with that rune—genius,” Mr. Courtenay praised. “Truly, genius. You are a wonder.”
“I have my moments.” I glanced at Mel again and she just sighed. “But I also start trouble. You guys also have a lot of your own and we want to start a war.”
“We don’t,” Mel corrected.
“We do, you just worry—”
“Tams, you could get killed,” she agonized.
“Worth it,” I promised.
“No, it’s not,” Geiger cut in, his eyes flashing panic before he schooled it. “What are you two up to now?”
“Yes, it’s worth it,” I snapped.
“Tell us,” he begged. “Let us help.”
I sighed and glanced at all the royals in turn. “What do you know about the supe black market?”
They shared confused looks, but Mrs. Gui answered. “Not much. There is one but there has always been one of some form. Mostly information and thieves who steal magical items.”
“That’s changed,” I warned, holding up my finger before glancing at Edelman, White, and Craftsman. “Time to decide if you’re all in or you mig
ht want to step out of the room.”
“Why?” White demanded, her eyes going wide.
“Oh dear gods,” Tanesha whispered, getting the answer from Mel’s mind.
I sighed. So much for waiting then. “Ainsworth is one of the main heads of the black market. It’s why he wanted/wants me so badly.” I met Edelman’s freaked out gaze. “You warned me that if the bad guys had found me they would use me as a battery and get all they could out of me or whatever. Yeah, that’s exactly what Ainsworth wants and has done.”
“That’s a monumental accusation, Ms. Vale.”
“And I don’t make it lightly,” I promised. “We can show you what we have, but you can’t exactly verify all our sources.” I smirked at Tanesha. “Well, you can.”
She smiled at me. “Ahh, giving you that glamour charm was just setting you up to get into trouble.”
“Hey, I bought it,” I threw right back, several people snorting.
The truth was more complicated. One of the witnesses was Chief. After Ainsworth came after me, I’d been using my pack to spy on him and his people to get an idea of where he was vulnerable… Only to stumble right into huge heaping piles of his dirt right off the bat.
More than that, the people who had come to scope out the Townsend estate were Ainsworth’s working for the black market wanting fairy everything to sell and use. He didn’t know it was mine now, but yeah, we traced it back to him fast. There was more, lots more, but it was all really, really bad.
“He tried to hack us and unfortunately for him our computer hacker is better,” Mel told them. “After we learned the council wasn’t going to do anything about Ainsworth sending an aide to shred Tamsin’s mental shields to find out what she is in the hopes of getting her under his control, her location to get the fae dust as his, and much more, I’ve been working with Claudia on what we found.”
“Your hacker is good,” Claudia confirmed. “And part of what they found is why I pushed for this meeting to happen sooner rather than later. They are all offering you their protection, Tamsin. It wouldn’t be you against the Witches and Warlock Council, but you versus Ainsworth, and when you show many how dirty he is, they won’t help him just like the vampires dumped Harbour.