Her return has made me realize I've been doing my own brand of running. Maybe it's time for me to stop, but I've been doing it so long, I'm not sure how.
"I'm not chained to my story."
Uninterested in a philosophical conversation for once, I ignore his comment and lead them back into the main part of my bookshop and over to the fireplace where I have a couple chairs and a couch set up. Hatter and Bo take the couch, snuggling into each other like they can't bear to be apart.
It's good to see her happy and in love again after Fitz.
After taking one of the chairs, I sip my coffee and consider Dantès. "What's your grievance against Pan and Philip?"
He stares down at his mug, his grip tightening around it. "Pan...he took someone from me. Someone I loved. I'll give you the details if you need them, but suffice it to say, I've wanted his blood on my blade for a long time. Joining with you gives me my best chance since he seems so determined to lure you into his game."
Fae villains and their penchant for kidnapping. How cliché of them.
"What about Philip?"
His expression relaxes the slightest bit. "He hired me many years ago to help him with a problem. I didn't care for the job. I got Aurora to safety and made sure he ended up in prison."
I gasp, remembering. "That was you?" Philip went hard after Aurora many years ago. Someone stopped him and basically dropped him in our laps. I'd never the slightest clue it was Dantès.
He nods. "He belongs in prison and I will make sure he goes right back there."
"Why keep it a secret?" Bo asks.
The Count shrugs. "If everyone knew I turned against my employer, I'd never be hired again."
"Of course." My voice is cold, but I don't really blame or judge him. It was the logical choice, and ultimately he did the right thing.
He doesn't seem to care whether we judge him or not, he sits there calmly sipping his coffee. I look over at Bo, a question on my face. She shrugs, leaving the choice to me.
My job is nothing but difficult decisions. "Fine. You can assist. Do you have a place to stay?"
A slow, sensual smile stretches across his face. "Are you offering me a place to stay?"
I clear my throat, struggling not to shift in my seat. "No. But I'd be willing to make a call to a local hotel that’s friendly to Fae."
His smile changes to a mischievous grin. "Thank you, but I have a place."
I'm still a bit reluctant to discuss our plans with him. Bo keeps her mouth closed tight as well. Another awkward silence thickens the air around us until I'm about to choke on it. I just want to be alone for five minutes. Five minutes to allow myself to break apart before I have to put myself back together like Humpty Dumpty and deal with this mess.
But falling apart is a luxury I do not have. Not yet. Not until the princes are back where they belong.
Dantès stands, setting his cup on the table in front of him. "I see it's time for me to head there." He shakes his head at Hatter's guilty expression. "Don't, Hat. They're both playing this smart. I'll start looking in the morning and I'll call or come if I find anything. I hope you'll do the same." He hands a card to me with only a number printed on it.
I take it with a nod. "I'll walk you out."
We leave Hatter and Bo whispering to each other. I'm not sure if it's romantic or if she's plotting against me. Knowing Bo as I do, it's probably both.
Before I can press my hand against the door to unlock the ward, Dantès grabs my hand. "Be careful. They'll be coming after you."
I yank my hand away. "I can take care of myself."
"Of that, I don't doubt. Just make sure you leave some for the rest of us. Thank you for accepting what little help I can offer."
Warmth spreads through my chest at the experience of someone not demanding I stay safe because of my title or because they love me. I've never wanted to be wrapped in wool and suffocated. I've never wanted to be safe.
I want to live.
"Philip is all yours. You'll have to share Pan, though. We all have a stake in seeing him dead for the next hundred years."
"And Grimm willing, dead again for another hundred after that."
I laugh as I release the ward and flip the four locks on the door. "See you tomorrow, Dantès."
"Call me Edmond. It's good to see you again." He flashes a roguish smile, but I refuse to be charmed.
"Don't make me regret it."
He sobers. "You won't. I vow it."
I believe him.
I return to Hatter and Bo after locking back up. "All right, Hatter. Spill."
Chapter 7
I curl up in the chair, fighting my exhaustion.
"He is completely trustworthy. He would never work for the likes of Pan or the princes. He never goes back on his word unless it's the right thing to do like he did with Aurora. I've known him a century, and we've stayed in touch."
"Why has he never joined the FTA?" Bo asks.
Hatter runs a hand through his blue hair. "He views himself as a lone ranger type. He was written as one. He likes it that way and embraces that part of his story. But he's the most honorable man I know, and he's damn good in a fight. We can use all the help we can get."
I consider silently for a moment. Hatter may act the fool at times, but he's remarkably clever. And except in the case of his fellow Wonderland characters, a good judge of character. We all have blind spots for those we care about. I just really hope Dantès isn't one of his.
Bo wrinkles her nose. "I still don't trust him."
Hatter blows out an indulgent sigh and shakes his head at Bo. "That's because you don't know him. And you're so worried about Belle, you don't want to take any chances."
I purse my lips before speaking, fairly certain of my words. "I believe him. He's never broken faith with me before. Other than turning down my recruitment endeavors."
A fond smile lights up Hatter's face. "He's not a joiner. The fact that he's willing to do this much instead of going after them on his own says a lot."
"What exactly does it say?"
Hatter's smile disappears and I've never seen him look so serious. "That he's willing to do anything to get them."
"Are we really going to tell him everything? The timing of this is incredibly suspect. For your information, that is why I don't trust him." Bo glares at Hatter.
Hatter pulls her into his side. "I invited him, you frustrating creature."
She shoves away from him, outrage in every line of her body. "What? Why didn't you tell me?"
Hatter leans back, no sign of her temper bothering him. "You don't inform me before you invite Goose to stay with us for a long weekend. Why should I tell you? And I reserved him a hotel anyway."
Bo spits in fury, but I'm relieved. Hatter's announcement takes away the rest of my lingering doubts. "I'm going to leave you two to it. I'm going to shower and wash this day off me. You know where everything is, help yourself."
"I'll read the leaves tonight." Hatter glances towards the window. "Or, this morning."
A glow already streams through the curtains. The night ends, but I need at least two hours of rest. And so do they. "Get some rest first. If we're exhausted, we'll make foolish mistakes."
"We'll at least wait up for Jackie to let her in." Bo casts a sidelong glance at Hatter that has little to do with waiting for Jackie.
"Good. Thank you. Hopefully soon, Red and Jackie will have a lead for us to follow and we can wrap this up in a day or two."
None of us believe a word out of my mouth. But we pretend we do.
I leave them making eyes at each other and escape to my bedroom, heading straight for the shower.
Finally alone, I close my eyes beneath the scalding spray as it works at the tension in my shoulders and back. I suck in a deep breath and hold it before blowing it back out as I make a mental list of everything I need to deal with tomorrow that doesn't even begin to cover the actual investigation.
I'm so tired of politics. When I first took the job as Hea
d, I didn't realize it would be like this. Dealing with every Fae's drama and trying to keep the peace between them and humans. Having the Premiers constantly looking over my shoulder, critiquing my every decision. I didn't realize I'd be locked up again, this time by my own bloody hand.
When Bo left the first time, I started to realize what I'd gotten myself into. Our partnership and friendship made everything bearable and kept me from feeling lonely. I loved her human family like they were my own. I still get a slice of pain through the chest every time I think about my nieces and nephews.
After I lost them and then her again, I withdrew further into my books and my lists and stopped going out into the field because I didn't have time and didn't have Bo there to need someone to guard her back.
And now she has Hatter to guard her back. And Red and Jackie guard each other. While I'm stuck with my beloved books and phone calls and endless emails and relic cataloging.
I miss the girl I used to be. Wide-eyed and desperate for adventure and excitement. Until the Beast. After my escape from him, I'd had enough excitement and was happy being a researcher. But then I got a taste of being a Librarian and I was good at it.
So good, they made me Head.
Retiring and moving to Basque Country to await Arthur and Camelot's return is mighty tempting, but I will not let the Beast lock me up again. I'm done being a prisoner for anyone. Even myself.
Rage washes over me in red waves and I welcome it. I need it. I'm not that wide-eyed girl anymore. He and my father made sure of that.
Chapter 8
The scent of bacon lures me from my bed. Sleep remained a reluctant friend over the past few hours. The slightest noise sent me shooting up, panic fluttering in my chest, certain he was here. Even the arsenal under my pillow didn't help.
The logical part of me understands I need rest and food if I want to be able to keep going. If I don't, I'll start making careless mistakes. But the scared and angry part of me is in the driver's seat right now.
Maybe I can relax if we have an actual lead to follow.
My closet opens as I approach it, choosing my usual slim-fit black slacks and white button-up shirt and skinny black tie. Bo calls it my nutty professor look. She finds it boring and keeps trying to put me in bright colors, but I don't have ability to pull off the outrageous things she wears. Nor do I want to. I like my simple outfits.
I slide my feet into my five inch stilettos and slick my hair back in a high ponytail. The closet door opens farther so I can check the mirror. I'm too exhausted to bother attempting to hide the circles under my bloodshot eyes. I step away and the closet closes back up.
Bo has made a complete mess in the kitchen. Every available space on my counter-tops are covered with food and flour and eggshells.
I gasp, horrified at the egg yolk running down my cabinets. I'm not a clean freak, but this is insanity. "What have you done?"
She flips a slice of bacon. "I'm making you a delicious breakfast. Be grateful."
"I'm not cleaning this." I slide onto the bar stool at my island after brushing flour from it.
"Neither am I. That's what Hatter's for." She winks over her shoulder.
I chuckle. "Did you make this much of a mess on purpose? I've seen you at work, you keep a very clean kitchen."
"Maybe."
"Still pissed about the Count?"
"Maybe."
I shake my head. "You know that's ridiculous, right?"
"Maybe."
My growling stomach cuts off my next words.
Bo grins at me and passes me a plate. "Get something in that stomach to quiet it down."
My mouth waters as I look down at the perfect, thick French toast with strawberries and freshly whipped cream. My hips will not thank her for this.
Jackie and Red come in and Bo hands them plates as well.
Red frowns at her plate. "That's all the bacon I get? You know I'm a wolf, right? I need a lot of meat."
Bo swats her spatula towards Red's nose. "Stop growling. I'm cooking more, be patient."
I interrupt before Red starts flashing her fangs. "Were you able to track them at all last night?"
Red plops down on the stool beside me with a sigh. "No. I kept catching the scent and then losing it. I went in circles. A few of my pack are still searching."
"It's probably whatever relic they're using. The fact that you were able to keep catching it tells me the relic isn't as powerful as I feared. They can't travel long distances."
"I'll try again after Bo feeds me more bacon." Red shoves her last piece into her mouth.
We laugh, but she's dead serious. She usually is.
"My animals brought me a sprig of lavender. I have no idea why, so don't ask. I wish they could talk like in so many of the movies." Bo bangs the spatula with more force than necessary on the edge of the skillet.
Jackie pushes her empty plate to the middle of the island. "I questioned all the guards in the prison and the people who lived around the crime scene. Witness accounts vary, as usual, but I was able to figure out Pan wasn't alone. He had help before he broke them out of prison. A white female. Some said brown hair, some said blond, one said red."
Perfect. So much good news I can hardly contain my glee.
With half my food finished, I can't put it off anymore and turn on my phone, wincing before it even lights up. The notifications come so quickly they trip over themselves and I'm worried my phone will freeze.
The others grimace with sympathy. It'll take me half the day to answer all of these. Better start now, so I can get down to the Library and begin my research.
My stomach drops at the first message.
"We have a problem." My fork clatters to the table, and the food in my mouth turns cold and hard.
"Fae Prison Break" and "Escaped Dragon" are the day's headlines.
"What?" Bo leaves her sizzling bacon and comes to read over my shoulder, Jackie and Red lean in as well.
I force the congealing lump of food down my throat. "Shit."
"Succinct."
I tap at my phone until I bring up the news feeds. "It's all over the networks."
"Paris? Or farther?" Bo asks.
I pinch the bridge of my nose, another headache forming, as I swipe through the articles. "All across Europe so far. I'm sure the other countries will pick it up. People are panicking, terrified of the scary Fae villains coming for them."
"Did they release the names of the prisoners?" Jackie asks.
Bo curses as her bacon smokes, hurrying to yank it off the burner.
I continue scrolling through the feeds, reminding myself not to read the comments. That's a rabbit hole I refuse to go down. "No. People wouldn't take it as seriously if they found out three of the escapees were their favorite princes."
"Or they'd be furious we've kept it a secret for so long." Bo opens a new pack of bacon after she trashes the burned pieces.
"Perhaps we shouldn't have."
She glances over her shoulder. "It wasn't your decision. It was the Premiers who made that choice."
I suck on a tooth and tilt my head. "I don't think they were necessarily wrong. The more we keep out of public knowledge, the less we end up splattered across tabloids." And our stories' popularity is what keeps us alive.
Jackie shrugs. "We've been around long enough, most people are used to us. They don't care what we do. They don't know what we look like, because few of us look the way our creators intended us."
A harsh sigh bursts from my lungs. "This is going to bring back their interest. And not in the nosy, gossipy way." I wince as my inbox and voicemail keep chiming and rub the back of my neck.
Hatter enters, blue hair wet from his shower. "What's going on? Bo, you burned the bacon?"
I toss the phone to him.
His eyes widen. "Shit."
"That's what I said." I scowl at the table.
He hands my phone back. "I'll start the tea and see what we can learn from that."
"While you do that, I'm
going to grab the morning's paper. Might as well torture myself a little more with all the information before I start calling everyone back."
"Stop worrying about everything and finish your food."
I look down at what's left on my plate with regret. I've let it grow cold and the cream has become a puddle, making the bread soggy. "Sorry, Bo. I don't think I can."
Her eyes narrow in offense, but I slip from the kitchen before she can complain, coffee cup in hand. We couldn't have one day to try to wrap this mess up before the humans took up arms over it? Dantès wasn't kidding about the leak. And if Goldy doesn't find the source, I will. And I won't be nice about it. She's going to be the first person I contact.
My shop is still and quiet as I reach the bottom of the stairs. I'm always closed on Mondays, so at least that won't be an issue today. The Library, I'll keep on lockdown as well until I have time to go down there and start my research. I double check those wards before heading to the shop door. They're still glowing and sparkling with strength. Without my presence, no one can get in and survive. Except Bo and Red. Red, since she's technically the Head of the Paris Library, Bo because she insisted.
The Green Fairy is helpful from time to time. When I blackmail him. Or, when Red does.
Something red catches my eye outside on the stoop as I unlock the door and open it. I slip outside, cringing as the bell announces my exit. I check up and down the street first, on the lookout for anything suspicious.
Finding only a few people making their way to work, I look down.
My stoop is covered in crimson roses.
Chapter 9
My breaths puff short and fast through my clenched teeth. I scramble back inside, slam the door, and throw the locks. My heart thuds in my chest and my shop tilts. Knees weak, I lean against the door. Breathe. Breathe, Belle.
Memories rattle around my brain. Memories of teeth and blood and fear. I'm free. I'm free.
"Belle?" Bo's voice is a tether bringing me back to the present.
Charm (Black Sheep of Faery Book 3) Page 3