by E.J. Stevens
I wasn’t going to kid myself. The faerie courts may think I’m dead, but that wouldn’t last. As soon as the Moordenaar realize that I am alive, they’ll be back to finish the job.
The only way I’d ever be safe from the faerie assassins was to learn how to control my wisp powers. Then I’d have to go before the faerie courts and prove that I wasn’t a menace—well, no more so than any other law abiding fae.
I just wished that learning how to control my powers was as easy as signing up for a class, but there was no correspondence course for what I needed to learn. The one person who might be able to help me control my powers was my father, and he was still missing. With no other strong leads, I’d have to wait until the summer solstice and use my key to enter the door into the wisp court. Until then, I’d have to keep a low profile.
That was going to be a challenge.
I shrugged into a black hoodie, zipped it, and pulled the hood up over my head. I cast a forlorn look at my leather jacket and shook my head. There was nothing salvageable left. We’d have to throw a funeral for it when Jinx got home. Instead of my favorite leather, I grabbed a denim jacket and tossed it on over the hoodie. I slid on a pair of dark sunglasses and checked my reflection.
I looked like a gangbanger, but at least my eyes and skin were covered. I couldn’t risk anyone on the streets recognizing me, or seeing me glow.
“Should I cut my hair?” I asked.
“Oberon’s eyes, no,” Ceff said, eyes wide. “Why would you do that?”
“You know, to hide my identity,” I said with a shrug.
“You cannot even see your hair with that hood up,” he said. “And I have never seen you in that jacket.”
“True, I do look…different,” I said.
Of course, that could have been due to the goofy grin I couldn’t seem to lose no matter how many times I scrubbed at my face. I’d heard of earth shattering sex—maybe we’d shaken something loose inside my brain.
My phone beeped and I sighed, texting Forneus a quick reply. Texting while wearing gloves sucked. My “be right there” had more misspellings that an ogre’s ransom note—and I should know, I’d had to decipher one while working a kidnapping case last month.
“Okay, time to go,” I said, heading for the door.
“That is the seventh call from Forneus,” Ceff said.
“He’s just worried about Jinx,” I said. I took the stairs two at a time. Was there a spring in my step? Hell yes, even with my injuries I felt better than I had in days. “After that little scene earlier, Arachne doesn’t want to wake Jinx up until we get there. She’s worried she’ll have a pissed off Jinx and an injured demon on her hands.”
“Ah, that makes sense,” he said.
I frowned, slowing my pace.
“Actually, I’m more worried about her trying to wring my neck, not Forneus’,” I said.
“Why would she be angry with you?” he asked.
I swallowed hard, but answered truthfully.
“You know that night I told you about, when we killed Puck and put a stop to the drug dealing and prostitution at Club Nexus?” I asked.
He nodded and I looked away.
“Well, Forneus saved Jinx’s life and from the way their lips were locked, I’d say she was very, very appreciative,” I said.
“Those two finally kissed, and the world did not end?” he joked.
“Nope, but then things went sideways and Forneus saved her life again…but this time Jinx hit her head,” I said. I bit my lip, face flushing.
“What happened?” he asked.
I was walking fast again and we were nearly at The Emporium, so I stopped and met Ceff’s curious gaze.
“I screwed up,” I said. “To save Jinx, Forneus had to take on his fully demonic form and…and I freaked. He was everything I feared. He was a monster, evil incarnate. So, Torn and I hauled Jinx’s ass out of there and when she woke up and couldn’t remember that kiss…”
“You pretended it never happened,” he said.
I sighed, throat feeling tight.
“Yeah, I never told her,” I said.
“You were trying to protect her,” he said.
“But I knew better,” I said. “Deep down, I knew that Forneus genuinely cared about Jinx, but I’d spent my entire life afraid of the monsters that no one else could see. So I pretended that I was doing the right thing, protecting her from a monster, but who am I to judge? I’m not human. I never was. And now I’ve gone and lied to my best friend, because I’m too afraid to see the good in people.”
“She will forgive you,” he said. “Give her time.”
“I don’t know if I deserve forgiveness,” I said.
And that was the crux of it. How could Jinx forgive me if I couldn’t forgive myself?
“We all deserve second chances,” he said. “And you do see the good in people. You saw the man I wanted to be when I was broken and beaten and at my worst.”
“That was easy,” I said. “You are a good man.”
“You took in Marvin and gave him a family when he looked and smelled like a bloodied garbage heap,” he said. “You gave him a chance when most people would have looked the other way.”
“He was just a kid,” I said.
“You, Ivy Granger, do see the best in people,” he said. “If it took you time to believe in Forneus, then maybe there is a reason for that. Maybe he has not always been worthy of Jinx.”
I thought about what Ceff had said. Forneus had been an irritating, arrogant, manipulative, self serving prick when we first met. It was only more recently that I’d begun to suspect I’d made a mistake in keeping Jinx from him. Maybe Ceff was right.
“Even so,” I said. “I don’t think Jinx will see it that way.”
“There is only one way to find out,” he said.
I took a deep breath and strode up the hill, closing the distance to The Emporium. It was time to face the music.
Chapter 59
Jinx was surprisingly quiet. Instead of raging at me or lashing out at Forneus, she just wrapped her arms around herself and mumbled her thanks when Arachne woke her up.
Before leaving the loft, I’d packed her a change of clothes, figuring the rockabilly fashion maven would feel more comfortable in a strappy dress than the turtleneck she’d worn to cover the marks the incubus had left on her skin. But even a cherry red dress and platform pumps weren’t enough to break her from her funk.
“No thanks,” she said, slowly shaking her head.
I gave her a probing gaze and she hunched into herself. That was so unlike Jinx that I flinched. Jinx was spunky and confident and vibrant and alive.
“Hey, um, Ivy, can you help me with this?” Arachne asked, waving me over to the other side of the kitchen.
“Sure,” I said, keeping one eye on Jinx. When I reached the corner, I looked more closely at Arachne who was twitching like a kid on a sugar high. “What’s up?”
If she’d unleashed another horde of fire imps, she was going to have to find someone else to clean up the mess. I was officially dead, and on vacation.
“Um, it’s just, you know, I think Jinx just needs some time,” she said, tugging at her hair.
“What do you mean?” I asked, heart starting to race. “She’s getting her energy back and healing from the incubus attack right?”
“Yeah, she’s fine, physically,” she said. “It’s just, I had this friend from school who got taken advantage of at a party…and Jinx reminds me of her.”
“Jinx reminds you of your friend?” I asked.
I wasn’t following what Arachne was saying, but that was partly because I was only half listening. Forneus was over trying to talk to Jinx, but she just sat there looking at the floor. There was something seriously wrong with my friend. There were plenty of pointy objects in the kitchen and Jinx hadn’t grabbed a single one.
“By the Goddess, Ivy, look at me,” Arachne said.
I pulled my eyes from Jinx and cocked an eyebrow at the kid.
“It’s not that Jinx and my friend look or dress the same or anything,” she said. “What they have in common is that they were both raped…and all I’m saying is that you need to give her time. She’s not going to heal from this overnight.”
“Jinx wasn’t raped,” I said, shaking my head.
Arachne rolled her eyes.
“It doesn’t matter if it was a full on rape or not,” she said. “And just so you know, Jinx is too fuzzy on the details to know exactly what happened—that’s obvious. But even if that incubus didn’t force sex on her, what he did was still a form of rape. It’s normal for Jinx to feel violated.”
Mab’s bones. Anyone who didn’t think a teenager could be wise or profound had never met one. Arachne was right about Jinx. My best friend had suffered a trauma and I was going to be there for her in any way that she needed me until she was better again.
“Thanks, Arachne,” I said. “I’m an idiot.”
“No you’re not,” she said, blushing. “Just don’t ask her to change her clothes and stuff with people standing around.”
I nodded and walked back over to Jinx and Forneus. Sparky was hamming it up, dancing like a drunk clurichaun, while Forneus tapped out a beat with his sword cane. Jinx even had a small smile on her face.
Ceff was gathering our things and cocked an eyebrow. His unspoken question was obvious. Everything alright?
I nodded. It would be.
“Okay, everybody ready to hit the road?” I asked. “I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m starving. I’m thinking pizza delivery.”
“Pizzaaaaaaaaaaaa!” Sparky squealed, clapping his hands.
“I do not wish to intrude on your homecoming, but I will walk you home,” Forneus said, holding out a hand to Jinx.
My friend ignored his offer and pulled herself to her feet.
“I’m not in the mood for pizza, but I’d rather not be here when Kaye gets back,” Jinx said.
“That makes two of us,” I said. “Come on. Later Arachne!”
“Bye, take it easy,” she said, giving me a knowing look.
Yeah, this thing with Jinx was going to take time. Good thing I was in hiding. We’d have plenty of time to hang out at the loft between now and the solstice.
When we stepped out onto the sidewalk I tossed Humphrey a smile and a wave. I hesitated a moment then moved to walk beside Ceff, giving Forneus room to slide into step with Jinx. I was here for Jinx, but I was done being overprotective. Look at where that got us.
“May I be so bold as to inquire if you would have dinner with me this evening?” he asked, falling into step beside Jinx. “Or perhaps a drink to celebrate your continued existence on this mortal plane?”
“No,” she said.
Forneus flashed Jinx a pained look, but nodded his head. God, even I felt sorry for him. He’d saved her life, again, the truth of what had happened in the basement of Club Nexus had come out, and he still didn’t get the girl.
“Very well, if that is your wish,” he said.
“I’ve been asleep for days and I still have another dude’s lip marks on my skin,” she said. Forneus’ eyes widened. Jinx wasn’t saying no, just not now. “I’m sure I look like crap. Call me tomorrow.”
That was all the encouragement the demon needed. Titania save us all.
“You are a sight, indeed, a radiant vision,” he said.
“With this bed head?” she asked.
“Angels cry from the heavens with envy over your raven hued locks,” he said.
I wanted to roll my eyes, maybe even throw up a little, but Jinx had perked up, already looking better. If it took a demon to bring my friend back from the brink of death, and keep her safe, then I would keep my trap shut…for now. The guy had earned that much.
Plus, I’d learned my lesson. As much as I felt compelled to protect my friends, I had to respect Jinx’s wishes. If she wanted to date a demon, I wasn’t going to stand in the way. He just better not hurt her, or all bets were off.
I lingered behind, letting the two lovebirds saunter up ahead. Forneus was insisting on escorting Jinx home and though she protested, I could tell her heart wasn’t in it. The two walked side by side, their fingers almost touching.
Yeah, I knew where Jinx’s heart was—it was being carried by the well-dressed demon at her side. She may have forgotten the kiss that she and Forneus had shared back in Club Nexus’ basement, but she had always felt passionately about the guy. It had started as a love hate attraction, but through his actions the demon had found a way to tip the scales in his favor.
I still didn’t completely understand her attraction to the guy, but who was I to judge? I was taking home a demon of my own. Sparky bounced along at my side, singing about pretty eyes and dancing flames with childlike glee. If you’d asked me yesterday if I’d befriend a demon, agree to kill the most powerful witch in the city, or try to pull a fast one on The Green Lady, I’d have said you were crazier than a boo hag who’d lost her favorite skin.
I smiled and shook my head. I guess you never can tell what the future will hold—just another reason to have an open mind and sharpened blades. In Harborsmouth anything can happen.
Epilogue
Ceff barely stirred as I rolled out from under his arm. I stared at the ceiling and let out a lengthy sigh. I couldn’t sleep.
I slid out of bed, shrugged into my robe, and tiptoed out to the kitchen. I pushed aside a pile of empty pizza boxes and found the coffee maker. I could help Jinx clean this place up tomorrow. Maybe she’d want to do one of her obsessive-compulsive spring cleanings. Normally, that would make me cringe, but if scrubbing floors would bring us closer together and help my friend heal then I’d do it in a heartbeat.
In fact, a house cleaning was a good idea. We needed to clear out the rest of our anti-demon charms. I’d disengaged the door wards and shoved the more deadly charms into our junk drawer, but that wouldn’t keep curious hands safe—and Sparky sure was curious. I bent over to peek at his tiny form sleeping in a dog bed beside the couch.
I smiled at his squeaky snores. Jinx always wanted a dog, hence the dog bed that usually was the perch for a stuffed bulldog one of her ex-boyfriends had given her. Now the plush toy was gone and Sparky was snuggled under a blanket, his floppy ears hanging over the sides of the bed. I had a feeling the little guy was here to stay.
Sparky wasn’t the only demon that might be spending more time here at the loft. Forneus had been good to his word and didn’t intrude on our homecoming, but I knew he’d be visiting soon enough. Whether I approved of it or not, there was no denying the attraction between him and Jinx.
Yeah, getting rid of our anti-demon charms was definitely on my to-do list.
I put on a pot of coffee and turned to the remains of my leather jacket. A trip to a clurichaun tailor for a new one was also on my list. The sight of my poor jacket brought tears to my eyes. We’d been though a lot together, that jacket and I.
I sighed and grabbed the jacket, setting it on the counter. I might as well empty out the pockets before tossing it out and sending it to the big jacket heaven in the sky.
As quietly as I could, I dumped charms and weapons onto the counter. Turning the jacket inside out, I noticed a crinkle of paper where something had slid down inside the lining. I reached into the inner pocket, my gloved fingers retrieving something small and square. I pulled it out and held it up to the light.
It was Jenna’s note, the one that Jonathan had slipped to me at the Hunters’ Guild headquarters. So much had happened since my trip to Master Janus’ office, I’d forgotten all about it.
I unfolded the envelope, only to find a blank piece of paper inside. What the heck? I held the note up to the light, turning it over in my hands. Had Jenna written a message in invisible ink?
The coffee maker beeped and I got up to pour a cup. Maybe I’d be able to figure things out with a clearer head. I set the full cup on the counter and it sloshed onto
the paper.
“Damn,” I muttered, grabbing a towel.
I wiped up the coffee spill, but paused. There were coffee stains on the paper, giving me an idea. If someone wanted to send me a message that only I could read, how would they do it?
Coffee isn’t the only thing that leaves stains behind. Strong emotions leave their marks on items as well.
I took a deep breath and tugged off my glove.
“I hope I’m right about this,” I said.
I reached out and placed my bare hand on the paper. The room tilted and I gasped at the pain, but it was coming from my other hand. The hand was calloused from the constant use of a sword and blood dripped from a gash in my palm. I looked away from the blood and up into a familiar set of eyes.
Jenna’s face stared back at me from a bathroom mirror.
“Hey, Ivy,” she said. “I hope this works. Otherwise, I just slashed open my hand for nothing.”
Jenna’s wry grin made my heart race, or maybe that was her heart racing. Inside a vision, it’s often hard to tell the difference.
I felt metal scrape on bone and knew the nausea was all Jenna’s. She knew how my visions worked and she was using pain to leave a strong enough imprint on the paper, a psychic message that only I could read.
Clever girl.
“They’re sending me away tomorrow,” she said. “I don’t have much time, but there’s something you need to know.”
Sweat beaded on her lip, and a sad smile tugged at her lips.
“There’s a war coming, Ivy,” she said. “And the fae and the undead will be at the center of it. The Guild is already gearing up for the coming war…I think my being sent away has something to do with that, but they hold their secrets close. I shouldn’t even be telling you any of this.”
She looked down at her bloodied hand, then up again.
“But you need to prepare,” she said. “I don’t know when the war will begin, but I may know where. I overheard Master Janus arguing when I came to his office earlier. I never saw the other person, but a man’s voice was demanding aggressive training for all young Hunters. He claimed that the first battle of the coming war would take place in Harborsmouth.”