Finn ignored her and took a shaded seat under the canopy. Between the Lhiannan Shee constantly pressing him for attention and Sithias’s misery, he was feeling a little irritable himself.
She sat down beside him. “Pretending like I’m not with you…always,” she added, “isn’t going to make me go away.”
“Why do you keep on with this?” Finn was growing tenser by the second. “My heart belongs to someone else. Nothing you could do will ever change that.”
She stared at him with an open look of longing. “It’s in my nature to feed on love. It’s what nourishes me. I suppose this leaves me wanting for the kind of love you feel for her. For eons, I’ve watched mortals and how deeply and completely they love each other. Attachments are foreign to the Fae. We’re free spirits. Yet we envy your depth of emotion. We’re capable of inspiring the greatest of passion in the hearts of mortals, but we lack the very same in our own hearts.”
“I didn’t know you had a heart.”
“We do. We simply use ours differently.” Her olive-toned irises deepened to the cinnamon brown of Fate’s eyes.
Finn looked away. “Don’t. I ordered you not to do that.”
She placed her hand on his. Her skin was soft and cool to the touch. “I’m sorry, it was unintentional. I can’t help myself. She’s all over you–living under your skin, flowing through your blood. She’s all you see when you look at me, and like the chameleon I am, I respond and become what is in my environment.”
Sithias burst from his tent, his arms full of materials for the summoning.
Finn jerked his hand out from under hers.
“What’s this?” Sithias asked as he stood over them.
Finn looked at him. How was he going to explain who she really was? He’d hoped to avoid the subject entirely. A scowl formed on Sithias’s wizened face, and Finn grew increasingly uncomfortable.
The sound of a loud, groaning gurgle invaded their space.
Sithias stood stiff and nervous. “Is that camel walking over here? Tell me it’s stopping. Tell me it isn’t heading straight for me.”
Finn glanced past him. While all the other camels were sitting in single file where they’d left them, Sithias’s camel was on its feet and sauntering over. The Lhiannan Shee jumped to her feet just as the camel stopped behind Sithias and bumped its head against his back.
Sithias squawked and dropped the bundle he was carrying. Bottles, crystals, sage sticks, feathers and candles spilled everywhere. “It’s come to eat me!” he cried.
The camel bleated at him, then went back to chewing its cud lazily.
“I think she likes you,” the Lhiannan Shee said as she grabbed the reins and pulled the camel back to the herd.
“She?” Sithias yelled. “Well, I fear she wants to trample me to death!”
Finn tugged on Sithia’s robe. “Calm down, we have work to do. I need you to focus.”
Sithias plopped down next to him, but his gaze was fixed on the camel. “It’s difficult to concentrate when I’m being stared at with those thickly fringed, droopy limpid eyes.”
“Careful, you’re in danger of sounding in love,” Finn teased.
Sithias gasped with horror. “Never!”
The Lhiannan Shee rejoined them. “Exactly what are we summoning?” she asked as she watched Sithias arrange the ceremonial pieces on the blanket.
“The jann,” Sithias replied. “Out of all the Djinn, they’re the most open-minded about humans, and enemies of the ghul, which I see as a plus. They’re also well known for revealing the occasional oasis to travelers they deem worthy.”
“None of the Djinn are to be trusted,” the Lhiannan Shee warned.
“I fully realize that. The jann have also been known to hide an oasis from humans they dislike. Unfortunately, my options are extremely limited. There may be many different kinds of Djinn to choose from, but the jann are the only ones who’ll be open to helping us. As long as we prove ourselves deserving,” Sithias explained.
“How do we do that?” Finn asked.
Sithias fussed with a crystal, turning it this way and that. “I’m not sure. All I know is, when the jann appear, they take the form of a white camel or a whirlwind. Personally, I’d prefer the latter. I’ve had quite enough dealings with camels, thank you.”
“Fair enough,” Finn said. “But we’ll be needing to do this alone.” He turned to the Lhiannan Shee. “You need to leave.”
Anger flashed across her bronzed face, but fear flickered in her eyes. “No, you need me here for this. I can’t leave you to the mercy of the Djinn.”
Finn fumed silently. He wanted to tell Sithias she was Fae and that her very presence during the summoning would unleash some sort of attack upon them. She’d told him straight out the Fae and Djinn were deadly enemies. But he didn’t want Sithias to know he’d made a pact with a creature whose only agenda was to seduce him so she could completely consume his life force energy.
Sithias watched the stare-down, his head turning from Finn and then to ‘Alya’ and back again, blowing his disguise as an old blind man.
Finn punched his fist into the sand. “Enough with the charades. Sithias, it’s time you knew Alya here is an energy-sucking faery. She’s part of the Feadh-Ree Triad, the only Fae who can open the gate through the fiery divide.”
“I knew there was something going on between you two.” Sithias blinked with an obvious jumble of thoughts going through his head. “And here I thought it was sexual tension.”
Finn didn’t bother to confirm there was that too.
“Why send her away when we’re just going to have to call her back after we’re shown where to find the divide?” Sithias asked.
“Fae and Djinn don’t see eye to eye.” Finn narrowed his gaze on the Lhiannan Shee. “You knew the Djinn would deny us help if you stayed during the summoning.”
She didn’t answer.
“Didn’t you?” he pressed. He laughed bitterly. “You want to keep me from crossing the divide. Why didn’t I see that before?” He shook his head. “You almost had me. I damn near fell for it.”
The Lhiannan Shee sat very still.
“Leave, and don’t come back,” Finn commanded her. “I’ll call the Triad when I’m ready and not before. Only then will you get your payment.”
The Lhiannan Shee reached out to him, her expression pleading before she was forced to fade from sight in the blink of an eye.
It was the first time Finn knew her to be truly gone. Until this moment, he hadn’t realized how much comfort he’d taken in her presence, whether seen or unseen. When he’d been at his lowest, starving and dejected, and in need of the strength to hold on, he’d clung to what the Lhiannan Shee had given him, a real-life vision of Fate, in the flesh. He hadn’t known how much he needed that until this moment. Panic fired through his nervous system and anxiety gripped hold. How would he fare without the crutch of being able to call forth the vision he needed to keep going.
Something broke inside and his spirit fractured. A sudden, terrible chill spread over his skin, icing deep into his bones.
The journey wasn’t over yet. What if things got so bad he lost his way? What if he needed the Lhiannan Shee to be Fate for him, because one moment of inspiration meant the difference between life or death?
“You will, sir,” Sithias said. “You have me now. I’ll keep you safe from the Djinn, and especially from that succubus.”
“What?” Finn shivered as he stared at Sithias with confusion. “Do you read minds now too?”
Sithias looked at him with deep concern. “No. I thought you were talking to me at first, but it’s clear you were speaking your thoughts aloud. This is not a good sign. That vampire has her hooks in you. Look at you, wild-eyed and trembling like you’re stuck in a snowstorm rather than this desert.” He wrung his hands together. “Oh dear, I believe you’ve become spiritually dependent on this evil creature and you’re now suffering from the sudden withdrawal of her presence.”
37
Pinky Swear
“THAT’S EVERYTHING. THE WHOLE story,” Fate told Gerdie as she smoothed her fingers over the fading snakebite on her arm. She really should talk to Farouk about bottling the rescue potion he’d used to neutralize the Gorgon’s poison in her system. So many people back on Earth could benefit from its miraculous healing properties.
Gerdie squirmed with discomfort, slid off the chair and paced back and forth in the sitting area of Fate’s bedchamber. She stopped and looked at Fate. “Do you believe her?”
Fate was quiet a moment. “I do.”
“What about what she did to you?”
“As much as I hate what Brune did, I can understand why now. She was being driven by her oath as much as I am. I can’t really blame her for doing what she needed to do.”
“Do you know how long I’ve lived with thinkin’ Brune got Oma burned at the stake, and left me all alone, struggling for survival for hundreds of years? I can’t just let that go because Brune twisted the story around to make herself look innocent.”
“Maybe so, but all the hatred you’ve been carrying around is hurting you, Gerdie.”
“Feels better than bein’ sad all the time,” Gerdie muttered.
Fate sat down and curled her feet into the softness of the couch. “You weren’t there when she told me. It was shocking. Suddenly, the hard cold Brune we both know was gone, and someone who was sincere and sorry stood in her place. I know you don’t want to hear this, but her side of the story sounds like it could be every bit as true as yours.”
“Brune always was the best liar in the world.”
“But what if she’s actually telling the truth? Don’t you want the chance to set things right between you two? Especially since Farouk said she might not survive past another day.”
Gerdie’s tight little shoulders relaxed and her expression softened. “She did save you.”
Fate nodded. “She could’ve done nothing and let us both die in that awful cave.” She looked at the ceiling and sighed. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I don’t think Brune’s the evil witch I always thought she was.”
“Maybe I’ll go see her later,” Gerdie mumbled.
“I think that’s best.”
The chair lowered so Gerdie could climb back on. She tucked her knees under her chin, while tugging the hem of her dress down over her legs. “I suppose now that Brune’s out of commission, you’ve lost your proxy. I’m real sorry. I know how much you wanted to find Finn.”
“I was never going to make Brune my proxy.”
Gerdie brows knitted with confusion. “You’re thinking of summoning the next girl? I’m not even sure there is one. I’m pretty sure the Inkwell line ends with you.”
“Where is it written that we have to choose someone from our family?”
Gerdie thought about it a minute. “Hmm, you could be right. I didn’t see anything that said otherwise when I was lookin’ through the Guardian Handbook.”
“Exactly.”
“Then who?”
“Jessie. She’s perfect. She’s proven herself to be a natural-born warrior. She’s brave and smart. And most of all, I can trust her.”
Gerdie nodded slowly. “Sounds like it might just work. Have you asked her yet?”
“Last night. She’s all in.”
“When do you leave?”
“Tomorrow after we use the Gorgon’s head to turn the scavenger into a pile of abstract art.”
Gerdie smiled. “So it’s all worked out then.”
Fate’s heart fluttered with nervous energy. “Almost. Now comes the hardest part.”
“Telling Eustace about Finn.”
“You guessed it, and let’s just say, I’d rather face the Gorgons again than tell Eustace I’m in love with my imaginary boyfriend and leaving to go find him. Awkward doesn’t even begin to describe what that’s going to be like.”
A knock on the door set Fate’s nerves on edge.
“That’s my cue to leave.” Gerdie hopped out of the chair.
Fate rose from the comfort of the sofa and blankets. She stared at the door, unable to move toward it.
“You’re pastier than Sithias ever was, and that’s sayin’ something.” Gerdie walked over to the door, reached for the handle and stopped. “Just remember, he’s your dad. There’s nothin’ you can say that’ll make him stop lovin’ you.”
She opened the door and Eustace stepped in. “Leaving already?” He smiled fondly at the tiny adult standing before him.
“Yup. Apparently, I’ve got decades of resentment I have to deal with. Plus, you two have some catchin’ up to do of your own.”
Eustace nodded knowingly and closed the door behind her. Hesitating a moment, he finally turned around, struggling to maintain a neutral expression as he walked to the middle of the room. He bent and kissed Fate on the forehead. “How are you? I understand the Gorgon’s lair was no picnic.”
All of Fate’s reservations fell away and a flood of emotions rushed to the surface. Eustace had always been her pillar of strength and nothing would ever change that. Sniffing back a tear, she stepped in for a hug. Eustace gathered her in his arms and squeezed back. “How bad was it?”
She rested her head against his chest with a weary sigh. “Horrible beyond words.”
He guided her back to her pile of pillows and blankets. “Have a seat and tell me all about it.”
She plopped down into the soft cloud of warmth and drew the covers to her shoulders. “No way, you’ll ground me for an eternity if I tell you all the ugly details.”
He looked as if he was about to argue the point, then he smiled in agreement. “You’re right. It’s probably best you leave me with my illusions concerning your safety. Especially after the alarming state Brune returned in.” He sat down opposite her, regarding her with a curious glint in his smoky gray eyes. “I will say, I couldn’t be more proud of you, Doodles. You’re strength is…astonishing.”
“Thanks, Dad. That means everything to me.” She fell quiet, growing nervous again. How was she supposed to bring Finn into the conversation? Eustace had barely adjusted to her role as Keep Guardian. Would throwing a boyfriend in the mix be too much for him?
“What is it? I can tell something’s eating at you.”
“Well, there’s one thing I haven’t mentioned since I got back from the Book of Fables. I’ve…been waiting for the right time to tell you, but everything’s been so chaotic.”
“I know. We’ve all had to roll with the punches. What is it?” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Whatever it is, you can tell me. Nothing’s going to change between us.”
Fate sat straight and rigid. “You promise?”
“I promise.” He reached his hand out. “Pinky swear.”
Fate intertwined her pinky finger with his. “Remember, pinky swear is the most solemn of promises. Break it and you’ll have to swallow thousands of needles.”
“Yes, and so I’ve heard since you were six-years-old.”
“All right then.” She gave his pinky a good shake. Letting go, she flopped back against the pillows and started wringing the blanket in her fists. A flurry of words buzzed in her head as she fought to put together the perfect sentence. “Do you remember the boy I used to write about?” she said at last.
“Finn McKeen, of course.”
She lifted her gaze from the blanket she was mangling and looked at Eustace. “What would you say if I told you I actually met him for real?”
Eustace stared at her blankly. “I’d say…how could that be?”
Fate relaxed a little. This part he would at least understand and believe. “When Brune summoned me to the bookstore, she used the Orb with a certain sort of…love spell.” She continued to explain the details and Eustace listened without interrupting. She watched for the tiniest sign of distress on her father’s face, but he remained calm, merely staring back with his head bent, his eyes displaying interest behind his scholarly glasses.
“My, that’
s astounding,” he said after she was done relating how Finn had come into existence. “I knew the Orb had extraordinary powers of creation, but to produce a sentient being made of actual flesh and bone…well that’s far beyond anything I could’ve guessed possible.”
Fate fidgeted with the pillows behind her back, wanting desperately to avoid this next part. She gave up on trying to get comfortable. Nothing about this was comfortable. “I could hardly believe it at first. In fact, I didn’t. It was all too impossible. He was exactly as I imagined him.” She smiled without meaning to. “Better actually.”
It was Eustace’s turn to fidget uncomfortably. “I take it you got to know him rather well.”
Fate nodded. “I did. He traveled through all the fables with me.”
Eustace cleared his throat and tugged at his tie. “Exactly how familiar did you two get with each other?”
Leave it to her dad to get straight to the point. Fate’s face grew hot and she suddenly wished the ground would open up and swallow her. She bunched the blanket under her chin, wanting to duck and hide behind it. But she didn’t. She wasn’t a child anymore. “We fell in love.”
The room fell horribly silent, and when she gulped, the tiny noise sounded like it was booming through a stereo.
“Ah, I see.” Eustace removed his glasses and turned his attention to cleaning the lenses on his sweater vest.
“Nothing happened beyond a kiss,” Fate blurted out. She couldn’t allow his fears to take his imagination to places that would embarrass them both.
“Oh, thank god.” He put his glasses back on and settled into the chair looking greatly relieved. “So, this young man is your first love. Or should I say second, since you’d already fallen for him when you first imagined him?”
“Pretty much.” Fate smiled shyly.
“Tell me about him.”
Fate relaxed her grip on the blanket and nestled against the pillows. She described Finn’s caring nature and his knowledge of Druidic magic. She explained how the Elder Race runes enhanced his abilities, not only to that of super human strength and speed, but also his power over the elements. When she came to the part about how Finn had become possessed by Mugloth’s darkness, she chose her words carefully and tempered the story. After all, this was her overly protective father. Certain details would forever taint his opinion of Finn and she couldn’t have that.
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