But it's not my business. The Far Darrig can deal with the investigators now, and Aislinn won't have to worry about them again. And I have dinner and a movie with Aislinn to look forward to.
Except I can't leave work on time because I didn't drive my truck here, and my phone overheats so I can't call Aislinn, and I can't remember her number. Bad luck again.
I finally recall Ada's digits and she comes to get me, with my nephew Dallas in the back of the car. He's turned backwards in the infant carseat so I can't see him, but I can hear little coos and noises coming from back there. I reach back and find his hand. "Hey, lil man." He squeezes my finger and makes some more baby noise.
"Where you wanna go?" asks Ada.
"Can you drive me to Aislinn's?"
"Sure, long as you agree to give me the scoop on you two. How you guys doing?"
"Just great." But the way I say it, it doesn't sound great.
"Uh-oh. What's up?"
"There's just some things she does, I wish she wouldn't. It's not good for her."
Ada glances at me. "She into drugs? Alcohol? You know you shouldn't be around somebody like that. Remember Uncle Jed was an alcoholic— it runs in the family. Who knows if you've got the gene for it."
"Ada, there's no alcoholic gene."
"Oh, yes there is. You take one drink, and bam! Hooked for life."
"Isn't it Mom and Dad's job to scare me away from booze?"
She shrugs. "I've always been your second mom, baby bro."
"No, Aislinn's not doin' drugs or drinking. She's just— likes doing all this other stuff that I don't like. I think it's dangerous. No need for it, you know?"
"Like a thrill-seeking thing?"
"Yeah, kinda."
Ada's quiet for a second. "Do you want to keep this relationship going with her, or not?"
"Hell yes."
"Language! Baby!" she says.
"What?"
"Watch your language around Dallas."
"Dude can't even talk yet, girl! Stop freakin' out!"
"And what you gonna say to Mom when your baby nephew's first word is 'hell'?"
"You don't make sense, Ade."
"Whatever— anyway, if you wanna stay with Aislinn, sounds like you need to spice it up. Like what kind of dates you guys been on?"
"We do mostly lunch, TV, some workouts in the basement, movies."
She gives me a look. "Oh, no. You can't just watch TV and movies and eat and work out! Not with a girl like that! You gotta show her a good time!"
"I don't have money for good times."
"Doesn't have to cost much, you just gotta get creative. Take her wall-climbing, do a trampoline park, take a hike somewhere you never been. Drive up to Sliding Rock and slide down it. What about that big skateboarding contest comin' up? Deke's been all over that. Take her to that this Saturday."
I've been a boring boyfriend. Other than the beach trip with my parents and the Asheville thing, all Aislinn and I do is sit around and eat, watch TV, and make out. Meanwhile she's going to pixie parties and dealing with leprechaun bodies on the side.
I got to make dating me more interesting.
We're at Aislinn's place, so I hop out of the car. "Thanks, Ade."
She smiles. "Go get her, Z."
15
ELECTRICITY
Aislinn
For a couple of days, I don't hear anything from Kieran. When I text him to ask how he is, he just answers with a bland, straight-mouthed emoji. Not a good sign. He needs something to shake him out of his funk, and I could use a little excitement myself.
The pixie party was awesome, and our trip to see the kelpies was the best time I've had, maybe ever. There's got to be something Fae going on this weekend— some event the Far Darrig can take me to. Maybe it will help both of us. I can enjoy another night of dancing and discovering Fae culture; and he can work on forgetting what's he's done to the leprechauns. At the very least, it could be a distraction for him.
I text him. "Where are you right now?"
"Loft," he texts back.
"Coming over," I text.
I'm there a minute after the text shows as sent.
He's in the far corner of the loft, where he keeps the weight set; and he's wearing nothing but some silky-looking workout shorts. His torso and arms glisten with sweat. He whips a towel off a nearby chair and dabs the back of his neck.
"A little advance notice would be nice," he says.
"I told you I was coming over. I thought we were friends."
"Friends have boundaries."
His body is becoming a real distraction, so I walk over to the window. The city stretches out below me, pretty little streets and cute shops and towering buildings and rooftop gardens, all under a blazing blue sky. "This view never gets old."
"That's why I live here."
"So you get your money from the leprechauns? Bank robberies?"
"Partly. I own some real estate, too."
My eyes widen. "Really?"
"Yes, Aislinn, I have a career. Otherwise I'd go insane from boredom. This way, I have income, I can control my hours, and I have something to occupy me when I want to be productive."
"You've got this whole immortality thing locked down," I say, tracing the window ledge with my fingers.
He sighs. "I used to travel more. I'm getting the itch to do that again."
When he says that, I feel a pang of something. It doesn't make me happy, the idea of him traveling, being gone for long periods of time to who knows where.
But I only say, "You getting restless?"
He looks at me, continuing to wipe sweat from his chest and abs. I try to keep my eyes on his face. "What did you want to see me about?" he asks.
"It was fun, last weekend. The pixie thing. I was wondering if they're doing it again this weekend."
"No, it's more of a once a month thing."
"Too bad."
He pulls on a T-shirt. "You're disappointed."
"I just had so much fun. Letting loose, using my powers to have a good time; meeting all of them. After the first part with the doorman, it was really, really good."
"They liked you." He smiles. "But then, who wouldn't?"
"So there's nothing like that this weekend? No Fae gatherings of any kind."
He closes his eyes and sighs. "There is one thing on Saturday night. But I don't think it would be good for you."
"What? Why not?"
"It's a bigger party. More Fae, with different kinds of powers. They come from states all around for this festival."
"So there's dancing."
"Yes."
"Then what are we waiting for?"
His straight black brows are drawn with concern. "Dark Fae come to this gathering too, Aislinn, not just pixies. You'll need to be more careful."
"Okay, I can be careful."
"I'm serious. No taking powers, no wandering off on your own. If we do this, you can't get carried away and forget my warning."
"You sound like a grandpa."
Of all my insults, this is the kind he hates the most— the kind that darkens his face and makes him look like the dangerous Far Darrig, trickster and Curse-Maker. That's why I love saying it occasionally— seeing him like that makes my breath quicken and my heart beat a little faster.
"Nevertheless, you have to listen to me," he says, frowning deeper, with that spark of anger in his eyes.
"I'll be ready at nine. You can pick me up at my apartment, in your car. Gentlemen don't make their lady friends transport to unfamiliar places full of dark Fae." I'm already feeling excited, hyper, ready for another night of magic. And this one promises to be more intense than the last.
On Saturday, I start getting ready early. I have back-to-back activities tonight— watching a skateboarding contest with Zane and the gang, and then going to the Fae party with Kieran. Time to do some major preparation.
First I shower, then weave my hair into a long red braid. A pair of shorts with a loose babydoll shirt, cool enough
for the skate park but swishy for dancing. Earrings that will twinkle without annoying me too much when I dance. Comfortable ballet flats, new ones with thicker soles— they'll probably be worn to shreds by the end of the night. Makeup that should last for hours.
Then I pack a small purse with a long strap that I can sling around my body. In it I put blotting tissues, lipstick, money, my phone. A stick of gum. A couple of pain reliever pills in case of a headache or sore feet.
I think I'm ready.
Zane picks me up in his Ford. "Dang girl, you look hot!" He seems pumped, energized. "Ready to ride?"
When we reach the skate park, Zane and I join our group on some bleachers near the big half-pipe. Laurel is fanning herself, looking unhappy.
"Whose brilliant idea was this?" she says. "Sittin' in the blazing sun, watching some fools roll around on bent-up boards."
"I think it's cool," says Carmen.
Laurel rolls her eyes. "You think everything is cool, Carmen. Hush."
Laurel can be uptight sometimes— it comes with being a super-smart planner and organizer type; but she's not usually this grouchy. I scoot next to her and squeeze her arm. "You okay?"
She stares at me for a second, then stands abruptly. "Aislinn and I are goin' to buy drinks. Save our spots, or not."
She takes my elbow and shuttles me off the bleachers, through the crowd to the line of people waiting by one of the food trucks.
"You really wanna know?" she asks. "If I'm okay?" Her eyes are very bright, like tears are just about to come.
"Yes. What's wrong?"
"Mike. Bastard cheated on me."
"No way. Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry! What the heck is wrong with him?"
She shakes her head. "I don't know."
"He's crazy. Nobody cheats on somebody as gorgeous and cool as you."
"Yeah, well— I guess they do."
"Okay, so what do we do? Go after the chick? Wreck her manicure? Rip out her weave? Does she— does she have a weave?"
Laurel bursts into laughter. "Girl, you're too much. But your heart's in the right place. Tell you what I want to do— I want a girls' day. You know, coffee, shopping, dinner, movie— the works. Maybe some dancing. Help me forget about that loser."
"You got it. When do you want to go?"
"I'll check my work schedule and text you."
"Sounds perfect."
She puts her arm around me. "You know, I feel better already, just telling someone. Don't tell the others yet, though. I'm not ready for all the pity stares."
"You got it."
When we come back with the drinks, I set out to make the next few hours as fun as possible for Lauren. It helps that the contest is a lot more exciting than I thought it would be. The skateboarders zoom past us, swooping up and down the half-pipe, jumping and swiveling, and skimming back again. They catch the air, flying so high sometimes that I'm afraid they'll crack their heads or break their necks. I find myself clutching Zane's arm so tightly that my fingers leave marks when I take my hand away.
"Sorry," I say. "This is just so suspenseful."
He grins like I just pinned a medal on him. "I'm glad it's exciting for you."
"Yeah, it's like, you're sure they're gonna fall, and then they catch themselves at the last second and whip around and they're off again! So cool. They must practice for hours."
"Takes a lot of practice to get really good at anything," says Zane.
Julio is shaking his head. "It's not for me, man. Too much work. You know, what if you go and put in all that time, and then you're like, 'Aw man, I really don't like doin' this after all.' Then you just wasted a whole bunch of your life, man! Better to do a little bit of everything."
After a couple of hours, the contest starts to drag. The new skateboarders are doing the same things everyone else has done. Even an amazing feat, when you see it performed often enough, becomes stale. Plus, I'm hot. Sweating. At this rate, I'm going to reek and be all clammy and gross for the Fae party later.
At least the sun is starting to set now, and it's beginning to cool off just a little. I check my phone. 8:45. I only have fifteen minutes till Kieran shows up at my apartment.
"Soooo," says Julio, stretching. "You guys wanna go get a milkshake?"
"Hell, yes!" groans Laurel. "I am so done with this wonderful activity ya'll cooked up."
"I'm going to skip the milkshakes," I say. "I'll just head home."
Zane looks confused, and a little hurt. "Did you have fun, though?"
"Oh, yes. This was cool, and different. A nice change of pace. I'm just— not feeling great right now."
"Sure, yeah. I got a late shift at work, so I'll text you later, see how you're doing."
"Don't worry about me— I'll probably be sleeping anyway."
My insides are cringing at the lies.
"How are you getting home, girl?" Laurel asks.
"I'll drive you," Zane offers.
If he does, he'll see Kieran in the apartment parking lot, waiting for me.
"No, no, I've already got Arden coming to pick me up," I tell him quickly. Another lie. I suck as a person.
"See you tomorrow then." He kisses me— a sweet, warm kiss, but it doesn't affect me the way it normally does. I feel the lies and the growing distance between us like a physical barrier.
"Tomorrow."
I walk away from them all, through the skate park, to the parking area, and then I step between two vans to transport. I have just enough time for a bathroom break and a quick spritz of perfume before Kieran knocks at the door of the apartment.
I open it, and there he is, looking effortlessly, sinfully handsome in a silvery-gray T-shirt that matches his eyes."Ready to go?"
"So ready. Are you feeling up to it?"
He shrugs. "Physically I'm fine. Magically, I've still got nothing. Let's hope I don't need to use any spells."
We drive in silence this time. He seems distracted, like he's thinking of something else— or maybe he's still depressed. Driving with his left hand, he leaves the right one relaxed on the console between us, a few inches from my fingers. I think about moving my hand, just a little bit, till it touches his. But what would that mean? That would be crossing a line, right?
"Did you tell Zane about tonight?" he asks, breaking the fragile quiet.
"No."
"Hm."
We're out in the country now, driving along a narrow road bordered by woods, with no street lights. He parks at the edge of the road, near the tree line.
"So where is this party?" I ask.
"Just through that belt of trees. Come on." He takes my hand, helping me across the ditch and through the band of trees. I can tell that many people have already been here tonight— broken twigs and bent boughs make their path obvious.
Kieran's warm hand tightens around my fingers, sending a pulse through me. "One more warning about tonight. Well, two more."
I roll my eyes, even though he can't see it in the dark. "Give it a rest, Kieran."
"Listen!" He stops me, pulls me to face him. We're inches apart in the dark. "When we went to the pixie gathering, you were affected by their magic, and you didn't have to use as much of your own. There won't be as many other pixies in this group. There will be a few, just to keep the dances going— but you'll probably find yourself using more power. And remember, you tend to get— silly— when you overuse magic."
"Silly? I'm very offended. I'm never silly."
"Please take it seriously, Aislinn. And while we're here, stay right with me. Don't drift away."
"Why? So you can bring down my mood?"
"So I can protect you."
His tone tells me how serious he is. He really thinks he might have to protect me from something. Maybe this party wasn't such a great idea after all.
But as we get closer, I can hear the music, and my pixie instincts take over. I dance forward, pulling him with me.
Instead of a tall, stately house with a magnificent ballroom, this party takes place in an open fiel
d, which stretches away into the darkness on every side till it reaches the black tree line. In the center of the field, like a jewel set in black velvet, is the stage, shining and changing color every few seconds. All around the stage swarms a crowd of people— of Fae.
Dotted around the field are a few stands of portable lights, and these shine stark white on tables of food and barrels of drinks. We move nearer to the main stage, and I'm mesmerized by the spasmodic, blazing, quivering stage lights that shoot out over the field and the dark crowd, turning whole swaths of faces green or red or blue.
"Stay with me," Kieran says again.
"Don't worry," I say. "If we get separated, I'll use my pixie sense to find you again."
"Just remember to watch your magic use," he says. "I don't want you losing your mind from it."
"That's why you're here, to pull me out if I get too far in."
"Oh, that's why I'm here?"
"That, and you're excellent arm candy."
That low chuckle of his. I wish I could hear it every single day.
We walk through the grass, closer to the music and the jostling crowd of Fae.
"What about fire ants?" I ask, looking down. In this area of the South, there's no lovely picnic-worthy field where fire ants aren't lying in wait inside their red sandy mounds, ready to swarm over somebody's feet and inject a week's worth of painful venom.
"They spray for ants before the party," he says. "Not even the Fae like to deal with those things."
We're at the edge of the crowd now— the surging, jumping mass of people, hands high, bodies moving, glowsticks and glow-in-the-dark paint making them all look alien and kind of insane.
"Are they all Fae?" I ask.
He shakes his head. "Some of them are probably human, here with a Fae consort."
"So I could bring Zane to something like this?"
He looks at me, his eyes luminous silver in the dark. "Would he want to come?"
Actually, I can't imagine Zane here. Maybe in a few years, in a club with regular humans, but not out here, where most of the beings next to you are magical ones. He would be so freaked out.
Druid (Secrets of the Fae Book 2) Page 11