The Cursed Key

by Miranda Brock

  After taking advantage of a red light to gulp a drink, I said, “So, this guy we’re seeing will be able to help?”

  “I hope so.” Kael glared at the slow truck in front of us. “We need to get the key back before the guy who took it gets too far.”

  There wasn’t much I could say to that other than, “Sorry,” and I’d already apologized enough. So I leaned my head against the window and stared at the city as we passed it by.

  The nearer we got to New Haven, the closer the buildings out the window stood to each other. Streetlights flashed by like the energy waiting beneath my skin.

  Without turning to look at Kael, I asked, “Do you know what’s happening to me?”

  “I don’t.” His voice was rough. “Whatever it is, though, makes you dangerous. The key seems to have tainted you.”

  I looked at him then, with a tilting up of my chin. “I’m not dangerous.”

  Kael smirked. “Right, because safe women threaten men with knives and shoot energy from their hands.”

  Wow. Humor and sarcasm. Who would have guessed?

  I didn’t agree with him about the key tainting me. True, the visions had started when I had plucked the key from beneath the earth, but a growing certainty inside me told me the relic wasn’t the reason. It was almost as if the key had unlocked something inside me that was already there. The power felt unnervingly familiar.

  I leaned against the door as a trio of giggling teenage girls made their way down a sidewalk.

  What was it that the dark, ancient man had said to me? That my memory was nothing more than dust? He had spoken of how I didn’t know who I was anymore.

  I glanced at Kael, who was still glaring at every vehicle unfortunate enough to get in front of us. Did he know more than he was letting on? He was an agent in that PITO organization, which I gathered was like the FBI or CIA, but for supernaturals. Why would he be assigned to watch the key if he didn’t know much about it?

  A part of me was irritated that I should know more about it, and my thoughts looped back to the thief’s words again.

  Shifting my legs around my bag to a more comfortable position, I contemplated telling Kael what the man had said to me. He was a stranger, after all, and you couldn’t just tell people you didn’t know that some evil-seeming man indicated you’d met before. Not only met, but maybe had known things, been someone else, and forgotten it all.

  I didn’t trust Kael. That would be foolish. However, I didn’t distrust him to the point that I felt the need to keep my mouth shut. After all, he hadn’t really done anything to harm me except eat my food, drive my car like he was trying to win the Monaco Grand Prix, and annoy me to the point my thoughts resulted to violence.

  Caution, meet wind.

  “The creeper who took the key said I’ve forgotten who I was.”

  At a stoplight, Kael breaked shorter than necessary, and my hands flew out to brace against the dashboard. I met his wide eyes with an annoyed glare.

  Kael was peering at me like I’d grown horns or something. “He what?”

  I shrugged. “He said things like ‘your memory is dust’ and ‘you don’t know who you are any longer.’ Things like that.” I hesitated to say any more, but if I was spilling, I may as well do it thoroughly. “He also said I would not win this time.”

  Whatever that meant. Win what, exactly?

  Kael’s nostrils flared. Was he angry or trying to smell something? Could he do that in this form?

  The car behind us honked loudly. The light had turned green. Kael shook his head.

  “Perfect. Another task to add to the list.” His voice was dripping with annoyance, but tight lines at the corner of his eye spoke of something worse.

  I didn’t like that I was apparently a “task” now, like some riddle to be figured out. Crossing my arms, I turned my attention back to the window. We were in the downtown area of the city of New Haven now. The buildings lining the street were a clash of old world feel and modern advances. They had some good restaurants in this area. It had been ages since I’d had the time to come here and enjoy the nightlife. I was married to relics and research these days.

  There was one building I was certain hadn’t been there the last time I had visited. Well, the building had been there, but the makeover was certainly new. The red brick had been painted a pristine white, and the brickwork over the lower arched windows was now a rich gold. The windows above were flashing with a riot of lights from within. A mass of people lined the sidewalk in the front, waiting to be let in. There were even cars outside being tucked away in an adjacent garage by valet.

  This was apparently our destination. I craned my neck up as we neared to read the vertical sign of neon brilliance shining against the side of the building in gold and silver.

  Pinnacle.

  My stomach tightened as Kael parked along the sidewalk. There could be answers inside. I just wasn’t sure I was ready to know them.

  Chapter 12

  I scooped my bag from beside my feet and settled the strap over my shoulder. Before I could open the car door and head for the strange club, Kael’s hand landed on my shoulder. I shrugged his hand away and turned to him.

  “This place could be dangerous for you.” Kael was leaning close, his odd citrus-and-rain scent swirling around me. It was almost as if he brought the rainforest with him. “Let me do the talking in here.”

  Sniffing, I eased away from him. “Don’t tell me what to do.”

  Besides, I was perfectly capable of taking care of myself.

  His amber eyes narrowed. “This is serious. You don’t know what we’re walking into. Just follow my lead.”

  I rolled my eyes and opened my door. Kael rounded the front of the car, spoke quietly to the valet, and took me by the elbow. He was nearly at the front door by the time I got over the shock of his man-handling and wrenched my elbow from his grip. He didn’t seem to notice my glare slicing him apart as he walked up to the person letting people in. The man looked us up and down and promptly told us to go to the back of the line.

  Kael was unfazed. “I’m here to see Renathe.”

  The man’s eyebrows rose a fraction. He leaned over and spoke quietly to another Pinnacle employee who was trying to explain to an irritated trio of young women that the wait wouldn’t be much longer. Their voices were too hushed for me to hear what they were saying, but Kael’s shoulders loosened slightly.

  The man Kael had first spoken to turned back to him. “This way.”

  We followed, the complaints of the women at the front of the line growing louder as we passed.

  The doors swung open, and we stepped into what appeared to be some sort of waiting room. I could hear the thundering bass from music behind another pair of double doors. We were deposited next to a man behind a podium. After a few words, the first man left.

  This man was dressed sharply, reminding me that we were not. My jeans and olive jacket would stick out like a sore thumb. “You’re here to speak to Renathe?”

  “Yes.” Kael’s word was hard and clipped. Was he always a grouch?

  “Is he expecting you?” The man’s voice was laced with confidence and a little bit of skepticism. He knew this Renathe guy wasn’t expecting us.

  Kael must have picked up on the man’s tone as well. He reached back into his jeans’ pocket and snagged his wallet. He flipped it open and showed the man something. “He’ll see me.”

  Being nosy, I craned my neck to try to spy what Kael had showed the man. I couldn’t catch a glimpse before he was stuffing his wallet back into his pocket. It was really unfair that a man could wear jeans so well. I was fairly confident I didn’t look as good in my own jeans. At that moment, I realized I was staring at his ass and forced my eyes upward.

  The man behind the podium picked up a small phone and muttered into it. After a moment, he set the phone down with a click. “He is too busy to see you tonight. You are more than welcome to call his office and make an appointment next week.”

  Kael stepped
closer to the podium, his body nearly brushing against it. His hands curled into fists at his side. I couldn’t see his face, but I had the impression that he was about to throw the podium out of his way.

  “Tell him this is urgent business.” Kael glanced over his shoulder at me, then back to the man. “Tell Renathe I have brought a magic-touched woman he would be interested in meeting.”

  I scowled as the man stared at me curiously. He once again picked up the phone, this time relaying the information Kael had given him.

  “Yes, sir,” he said. He hung up the phone. “This way, please.”

  I was beginning to sense a trend.

  Kael and I followed him through the double doors and into the club. It was huge, the center taken up by a large dance floor. Tables and chairs lined the walls, and a long bar stretched along the left side. The colors of the outside jarred with the palette within.

  Where the exterior was white and gold, inside was a riot of blues, pinks, and purples. The thumping pulse of the music echoed in my chest. An array of lights flashed through the massive space, their rainbow shards falling on the dancing crowd.

  We made our way through the throng. It was dark, save for the lights. The air was heavy with a mix of perfumes and the occasional tang of sweat. I peered around as I followed Kael’s wide back and did a double-take when I passed someone who appeared to have small horns on their forehead.

  They weren’t the only unusual beings I captured a glance of, either. Pinnacle was ripe with people sporting pointed ears or revealing fangs in their laughter. Even someone with glowing violet eyes.

  I shook my head. It had to be a trick of the light.

  “Wait here.” The man had led us to the bar. “Someone will be down to collect you.”

  The pulsing crowd swallowed him. Kael took a seat, and I sat beside him, swiveling to fully lance him with a glare.

  “Why did you tell that guy I was ‘magic-touched’?” Shouldn’t it be some sort of secret or something? I didn’t see why it was necessary.

  Kael was momentarily spared answering by the woman behind the bar. I’d never actually seen a woman with a mohawk in person. Hers was bright pink. She eyed Kael with open appraisal.

  “What can I get you?” she asked him with a smile.

  True to his nature, Kael gave her a short, “Nothing.”

  The woman glanced at me, and before I could ask for a shot of bourbon, Kael cut me off.

  “We don’t need anything,” he continued. “We’re only waiting for someone.”

  Clearly unhappy that we were uselessly taking up space at her bar, she strode down to the next people on sharply clicking heels.

  I wasn’t letting Kael off the hook. “Why did you tell him that? You made me sound like some rare possession.”

  Kael grabbed a handful of pretzels from a black bowl nearby. He crunched on a few before answering. “If there is one thing Renathe cannot resist, it’s unusual women.”

  “I’m not an unusual woman.”

  Kael shrugged. “I didn’t say it was a bad thing.”

  A tall man stepped up beside us. He looked about to bust out of the snazzy black suit he was wearing.

  Kael gave him a nod. “It’s been a while, Steve.” The man did not look like a Steve. More like a Hank, or a Brutus.

  “Kael.” My companion’s grumpiness was catching, apparently. The man named Steve walked away, a clear sign to follow.

  We entered a glass-fronted elevator on the far side of the room. I stared out at the crowd as we ascended, trying to find anyone else who looked out of place, but it was impossible through the darkness and moving, colorful lights.

  The elevator halted at the top floor, six stories up, and the doors slid open. A brightly lit hallway stretched before us, carpeted in dark purple. Annoyingly, Kael stepped quickly so he was in front of me. I burned a hole in his wide, and definitely not attractive, back as we traveled the length of the hallway.

  Finally, Steve stopped in front of a door on the right. He stuck in his head to announce us and then backed out of our way. Kael nodded at him as he passed.

  I smiled and said, “Thanks, Hank.”

  He looked at me strangely and then shut the door behind me. Kael didn’t comment on my name switch for the man. He was peering across the room.

  After the vibrancy of the rest of the club, I had expected the same here. Instead, it looked much like my study. Rich, wood floors and classy beige walls with dark trim. Comfy but angular furniture scattered the space. Near the windows facing out toward the city was a large desk, behind which stood who I assumed was Renathe.

  The man rounded the desk and closed the distance. “Kael. It’s been a while.”

  Kael’s shoulders were stiff, arms crossed. I had gathered Renathe was some sort of acquaintance of Kael’s. Kael didn’t, however, seem very pleased to be here.

  “Renathe.” His tone was cold, hard. Whoever this Renathe guy was, it was clear Kael disliked him.

  Renathe turned his attention to me. Now that he was closer, I was able to get a better look at him. He seemed to be in his upper twenties, though there was something odd about him. It was almost as if he were older than what his face told. Maybe it was his eyes. They were an unusual shade of teal shot through with silver, and somehow ageless. His dark blond hair was messy, in a purposeful sort of way. The shaggy layers fell around his ears... ears that I just realized were tapered. Were they prosthetic?

  The top couple of buttons on his light blue shirt were undone, and he wasn’t wearing a jacket. His shirt wasn’t even tucked in. He looked like a playboy, a conclusion that was made all the more firm by the dazzling grin he sent my way.

  “And who is this?” he asked.

  Kael didn’t seem too keen to give out my name, so I elbowed past him and did so myself. “I’m Olivia. Olivia Perez.”

  “Perez,” Renathe mused. “South American?”

  “My grandparents moved here from Brazil.”

  “A pleasure to meet you, Olivia.” He took my hand and pressed his lips lightly to my skin. Oh yeah, he was definitely turning on the charm. He straightened, a curious glint in his eyes. “I am Renathe, of the Seelie Court.”

  Whatever that meant.

  He smiled. “However, my friends call me Ren. Come, have a seat and we will see what your sullen friend has to say.”

  I allowed myself another glance around the room as we walked toward a pair of chairs in front of the desk. Though there were a couple of framed portraits on the walls, many of the photos were of classic cars. There were even a couple on the desk, I noticed, as we settled into the chairs.

  “Seelie Court?” I said. “I’ve never heard of it.”

  Kael’s sigh was heavy with exasperation, as if I should have known of the place. “He’s a fae.”

  He said fae like it was a dirty word.

  “Fae?” I looked at Ren. “Like a fairy?”

  Ren chuckled, the sound ringing like bells. “Somewhat, though I left my wings in my other jacket.” His eyes were dancing. He was kidding, right? “Not all fae have wings, Olivia. Some have horns, or fangs and claws.” His gaze ran over me, as if he were trying to see beneath my skin. “Some have magic.”

  What was he implying, exactly?

  “I’m not a…a fae.” The words felt strange on my tongue.

  Ren waved a hand. “Of course you aren’t, darling. Not a fae.”

  His tone implied he knew more than he was telling.

  I took the bait. “Do you know what I am, then?”

  Kael broke into the conversation. “We didn’t come here to—”

  The fae held up a slim finger. Kael grew silent with an annoyed huff. Wow. Ren would have to teach me that trick.

  “May I have your hand?” he asked me.

  I held my hand out, and he took it, flipping it palm up. He traced a cold finger down the lines etched in my skin. “The magic writhing inside of you—have you always had it?”

  I swallowed. It was disconcerting how casual his questi
on seemed. Was it normal for him to meet women possessed with magic? “No, I haven’t. Only a few days.”

  “Hmm. Now that is unusual.”

  My heart thrummed faster. “Why do you say that?”

  Kael shifted restlessly beside me. He was leaning forward now, too, as though waiting for an answer just as much as myself.

  Ren’s finger still tickled across my palm. “Because I have never felt a power so ancient.”

  I pulled my hand away, fighting down the power scratching beneath my skin to be released. An ancient power?

  “It does make me curious, how did a human come to find herself possessed with such magic?”

  I glanced at Kael. Should I tell Ren?

  When Kael read the question on my face and nodded, I told Ren about the dig in the tangled rainforest of the Vale do Javari and what I had found there. My hands grew clammy as I spoke of the visions.

  Kael twisted toward me, clearly surprised I hadn’t spoken of them to him. I barely knew him. I didn’t even know why I was speaking of the visions now except Ren seemed like someone who could help me figure out what was happening to me. I told him about burying the key, and the dark, ancient man who had taken the relic.

  I finished my tale, and Kael said, “So, do you have any information you can give us?”

  Ren pursed his lips, then leaned forward, propping his crossed arms on the surface of his desk. “Yes, I do have information for you. However...” A sly smile quirked at his lips. “...it’s going to cost you.”

  Chapter 13

  The fae pinned his vibrant teal gaze on me, and my skin crawled. What, exactly, was it going to cost?

  Kael spoke before I could think to open my mouth. “No. No, absolutely not. No deal.”

  Ren sent him a slight grin before raising an eyebrow at me. “Is that a no, Olivia?”

  I didn’t like the amusement coating his tone. Irritated, I frowned at Kael. “You don’t speak for me.”

  Twisting so he was facing me, Kael grabbed my arm. He pulled me so close to him our faces were nearly touching, stealing my breath and making my heart skip a beat; I hadn’t anticipated how being so close to him would make me feel warm all over.