But wait! I was way too warm and comfy. A split second later, I pushed him away and threw up a psychic block.
Beck staggered backward, clutching his belly. His eyes were wide with shock. “What the heck was that for?” he croaked.
Furious, I put my hands on my hips and yelled, “Why do you think? You used the damn dazer on me. Did you forget I could block you?”
Still rubbing his belly, Beck glanced over at Sammie and Luella.
Sammie was practically jumping up and down with her need to know.
Luella mumbled, “Too much information. Gotta go.” She shuffled off without a backward glance.
I told Sammie. “Beck has a cool little trick he likes to use.” I paused and glared at him before continuing. “Word of warning, Sammie. If he touches you and looks into your eyes, he can read your emotions and change them to whatever he wants. Comes in real handy if you’re a girl and he’s looking to hook up.”
Sammie’s eyes went wide with disbelief. “No way.”
“Hey!” Beck protested. “It’s not just about me. I use the dazer to help people. Have you forgotten I healed you?”
He was so trying to manipulate me. It wasn’t working. “No, I haven’t forgotten. But I don’t need healing today. So, why did you use it?”
The dark pupils in Beck’s eyes grew larger. I’d seen that phenomenon before and knew what it meant. He took a step toward me and reached out a hand.
“No touching,” I warned.
Beck flushed and his arm dropped to his side. “Yeah, sorry about that. It’s just when I saw you, I was having a hard time controlling . . . well, you know.”
I nodded. He was talking about his dual nature. Good old Incubus Papa had left his mark on Beck and his twin sister, Nicole. His mother, devoutly Catholic and a writer of Christian fiction, had done her best to temper his nature. Bottom line: you can take the boy out of the lust demon, but you can’t take the lust demon out of the the boy. Part of me felt sorry for him. The other part was still mad.
I shook a finger in his face. “No more hugging. Got it?”
Beck grinned. “Got it.” He lifted up his shirt to examine his belly. A dark red mark just below his ribs was purpling into a bruise. “Man, you really nailed me. You’re way stronger than you used to be.”
“And don’t you forget it.”
Sammie snickered. “Guess I won’t have to nark you out to Junior after all.”
I narrowed my eyes at her. “Hey, I thought we were friends.”
“Just kidding. Chill.”
Beck said, “Don’t you want to know why I’m here?”
“To use your dazer?”
He shook his head. “No, not that. I drove by your place. There’s a black Escalade parked in the driveway. A weird-looking dude with long blond hair is standing next to it watching the cars go by.”
Sammie and I exchanged a glance. She murmured, “Teagan.”
“That’s not all,” Beck said.
I sighed. “Of course it isn’t.”
“A big bird kept circling around. Looked like a hawk. Every time it got close to the car, the blond guy threw a rock at it.” He arched a brow in question. “I’m guessing this is somehow significant to you. Seems like I remember you hanging around with some faery kid who could turn into a bird.”
“Ryker,” I muttered, pursing my lips in disgust. Geez, when it rains, it pours. “Guess I’d better get on home before some freakin’ faery war breaks out. Thanks, Beck. For the information, I mean, not the other.”
He shrugged. “No problem, see you tomorrow night.”
Sammie and I walked to the parking lot. She bounced around me like a satellite orbiting the sun. “I’m going with you ’cause I’ve already met Teagan and actually, you need me ’cause sometimes you get confused. Teagan’s tricky, ya know. He might use faery magic on you.”
I flapped a hand at her. Sammie could be annoying. Especially when she was right. “Yeah, yeah, whatever.”
“Besides, I want to meet this Ryker dude. He’s hot . . . right?”
“If you like birds.”
“But why would Teagan throw rocks at him?”
I continued walking toward the car. “Teagan and Ryker are from different factions in Boundless. Both of them want something. Probably from me.”
Sammie perked up at the mention of Boundless. “You’re talking about faeryland . . . right?”
I nodded.
“Cool,” she said. “Next time you go, take me with you.”
I unlocked the car. “Boundless isn’t what you think, Sammie. It’s not filled with happy little faeries flitting around with magic wands.” An involuntary shudder shook my body. “The dark fae are too horrible to describe. They’re living nightmares, evil looking and evil acting.”
Sammie remained silent until we pulled out onto Peacock Flats Road. Finally she said, “It just gets to me, ya know?”
I shot her a quick glance. Her lower lip quivered. A tear dripped off the end of her nose. I drove into the parking lot of Fred’s Seed and Feed and stopped the car. “What’s going on? First you’re stoked about meeting Ryker and now you’re all bummed out.”
Sammie pulled her knees to her chest and curled up against the door, a little bundle of misery. She said, “At least you know what you are, where you belong. Look at all the cool things you’ve done. You saved my life. You’ve been to Boundless. I barely remember my mother, and I don’t have a clue about my dad. If Kizzy hadn’t taken me in, I’d still be living on the streets.”
I nodded. For six months, we’d been trying to uncover Sammie’s past, but every road led to a dead end. I reached over, grabbed her hand and squeezed. “Not knowing about my dad drove me nuts too. I had to blackmail my mom into telling me. Not that he’s a prize, but at least I got some answers.”
Sammie said, “I don’t even have a birth certificate. Maybe I hatched out of an egg.”
A sudden visual of naked baby Sammie popping out of an egg, complete with spiky black, purple and pink hair, made me bust out laughing. “Yep, your mama probably sat on it for nine months.”
Her lips curved into a weak smile. Yes!
“About me saving your life?” I continued. “We saved each others’ lives. Trust me, the answers you’re looking for aren’t in Boundless.”
“But Teagan said I have fae blood, so maybe the answers are in Boundless.”
“Come on, Sammie. Think about it. What’s your plan? Pop into Boundless and yell, ‘Hey, who am I?’ It’s dangerous there. Who knows what might happen to you. And, you might not be able to come back. It’s already June and you know what that means. The summer solstice. I can’t do it alone. We’re partners . . . right?”
Even though the summer solstice was drawing nearer, we didn’t talk about it much, Sammie and me. Remember semi-normalcy?
Sammie sighed. “Yeah, of course I do.”
I said, “That’s why we can’t waste time going to Boundless.”
Sammie’s bright, curious gaze told me she’d recovered sufficiently, so I drove out of the parking lot and pointed the car toward home.
Sammie turned her head toward the window and mumbled, “Still think I should go there.”
I pinched my lips together to hold the words back. We drove the rest of the way in silence. When we pulled into Uncle Sid’s driveway, I spotted the black Escalade parked next to the trailer. Teagan, arms folded across his chest, leaned against one door. Uncle Sid’s prize bull, Blaster, was up against the fence, bellowing and pawing the ground in bovine fury. Blaster didn’t like faeries. The object of his anger was perched atop the weed-covered cistern, a portal to the faery world of Boundless. It was Ryker in his oh-so-studly human form, twirling a russet hawk feather between his thumb and finger. He watched me with an unblinking gaze as I parked my car next to the barn.
I turned to Sammie and grinned. “You wanted to meet Ryker? Today’s your lucky day.”
Chapter Three
SAMMIE AND I climbed out of the car. I looke
d back and forth between Teagan and Ryker. Which faery should I talk to first? It was such a strange thought I almost laughed.
Sammie had no such problem. She headed straight for Ryker. I trailed behind. We edged around the Escalade. The tinted windows were shut tight. The motor was running. I heard the air conditioning running. Geez, if whoever was inside was fae, it seemed like he/she/it could figure out a way to stay cool using magic instead of gasoline.
As we passed by, Teagan saluted and flashed his jagged, toothy grin. “Little miss and wee faery. Brian Cassidy requests the pleasure of your company.”
Sammie said, “Tell him to take a number,” and walked right past him.
I paused. “Who’s Brian Cassidy?”
Teagan scowled. “Your uncle, that’s who, older brother to your grandfather, Kyle Cassidy. He needs to speak to you about an important matter.”
“Older brother to my grandfather?” I repeated. “Wow, he must be at least a hundred years old.”
Teagan smirked, “You are mistaken by several hundred years, but no matter.”
“We’ll be back in a minute,” I said, hurrying after Sammie.
Maybe it wasn’t such a dilemma after all. Think about it. The choice was between my decrepit faery uncle with an agenda, and a hot-looking faery dude, also with an agenda. The only problem was, they were probably at odds with each other and I was the common denominator. I reminded myself to proceed with caution. Faeries were tricky. They promised you the moon and stars, but it could cost you an arm and a leg. Really.
Ryker tucked the hawk feather behind one ear and sprang to his feet. His pale blue gaze swept over Sammie and then lingered on me. He reached out a hand. “Princess Avalon. It’s been too long. Boundless is not the same without you.”
In Boundless, I’m called Princess Avalon. It’s something to do with the moonstone, the prophecy and the magical Isle of Avalon. Avalon means apple and I live smack dab in the middle of an apple orchard. It all makes sense in a weird, convoluted way.
“Hey, Ryker.” I greeted him, clasping his hand in both of mine. No more hugging. Too dangerous. “Remember you’re in Boundland now, and I’m just plain Allie.”
Ryker’s brows drew together in a ferocious frown. “You will always be Avalon to me, no matter where you dwell.”
Sammie winked at me. “Princess Avalon, huh? You never said.”
I released Ryker’s hand and took a step back. “Ryker, this is Sammie Sullivan.”
He studied Sammie, more carefully this time, and then ran a finger across her spiky hair. Sammie’s gaze never left his face. Hmm, the old Ryker charm was working well.
“No, I don’t think so,” he declared.
I said, “What do you mean, you don’t think so. Are you saying she doesn’t know her own name?”
“Apparently she does not know her true name, for she is Feather Goblinwand, not this Sullivan person.”
Sammie finally blinked. “Say what? Feather who?”
Ryker walked around her, examining her from every angle. “Yes, yes, I know I’m right. Your grandmother, Trillium, has been searching for you.” He paused and frowned again. “Of course, Trillium has been in disfavor for years.”
Sammie gasped and clapped a hand over her mouth.
I said, “Trillium? Sammie, isn’t that the name of the woman who went to your stepdad’s place and asked for you?”
Sammie nodded, still unable to speak.
I clapped my hands in excitement. “This is so cool. We’ve been trying to find out about Sammie’s family. Now, here you are and you can tell her everything.”
Ryker’s blue-eyed gaze turned crafty. “I’m afraid that is not in my job description. But, if the two of you accompany me to Boundless, all will be revealed.”
And, there it was. The price we had to pay for information. Exasperated, I snapped, “You know I can’t risk it. Luminata is unpredictable. She might decide to keep me there.”
“Hold it,” Sammie said. “I thought Phaedra was the bad queen and Luminata was the good one.”
Ryker said, “Yes, Luminata is known in Boundless as the Good Queen. She rules the Seelie Court.”
“And Phaedra?” Sammie asked.
Ryker’s mouth curved downward in a look of disgust. “Phaedra is dark fae, thus hardly worth mentioning.”
“Except that she almost killed you,” I reminded him.
“While I was trying to save you!”
“Yes, and I’ve thanked you about a bajillion times. You can’t deny Phaedra has power.”
Ryker ignored me and turned back to Sammie. “Phaedra is known as the Dark Queen. Her power comes from the dark side of the moon.”
Sammie said, “So if Luminata is the good queen, why would she make Allie stay in Boundless?”
Ryker huffed, “Have I said one word about Allie staying in Boundless? Of course, I haven’t. I am merely the person who has been sent to summon her.”
I told Sammie, “Luminata wants me in her court. In order to save Ryker’s life, I made a deal with her. I promised I’d return in eight years. But I’m afraid if I go there now, she won’t hold up her end of the bargain. Remember what I said about faeries being tricky?”
“Your suspicions cut me to the core,” Ryker said. “Clearly, eight years have not passed. But if the two of you accompany me to Boundless, I will forget you insulted my integrity.”
Sammie rolled her eyes. “Is this guy for real?”
“Yeah, he’s working his way up the faery ladder to prince-hood,” I said.
Ryker drew himself up and glared, his eyes taking on the fierceness of a hawk, his alternate form in Boundless. “The two of you mock me. I’ll have you know Luminata has already declared me a prince of the Seelie Court. When we wed, you will be my princess.”
I sighed. “One more time. Not gonna happen.”
Sammie narrowed her eyes at me. “Does Junior know about this?”
“I just said, it’s not gonna happen.”
Ryker was fighting a losing battle, and he knew it. He stared over the top of my head at the Escalade. “Here’s a small hint. There is turmoil in Boundless and the instigator is Brian Cassidy, an uncle of yours, I believe.”
“Is that why Teagan was throwing rocks at you?”
Ryker puffed out his chest. “When I changed to human form, he ceased harassing me. Perhaps you noticed.”
Sammie and I exchanged a glance and tried not to laugh. “Perhaps,” I said. “So why was he harassing you in the first place?” I figured if I kept him talking, I’d find out what Luminata wanted without risking the journey.
“You’ll have to ask him,” Ryker said.
“Why is Luminata summoning me?”
“She did not tell me. She wishes to speak to you personally.”
Sammie finally recovered her power of speech. “Hey, maybe I could go instead of Allie. I’d be like, ya know, a go-between.”
Ryker folded his arms across his chest and smiled down at Sammie, “As much as I’d like to accommodate you, Feather Goblinwand, my queen specifically requested the presence of Princess Avalon. Perhaps I’ll take you another time.”
“Bummer,” Sammie muttered, glaring at me.
I said, “You wouldn’t be so hot to go if you saw the dark fae creeping around in Boundless. They’d probably eat you for breakfast and spit out your bones.”
Ryker recoiled as if I’d slapped him. “You think I cannot keep the child safe?”
Sammie stamped her foot. “Who are you calling a child?”
Ryker and Sammie locked gazes, neither willing to blink.
Sammie was the same age as me, but on the smallish side. With her pixy-like features, she looked much younger.
I finally got tired of the stare-down. “You two are ridiculous. I’m going to talk to Uncle Brian.” I spun on my heel and walked toward Cassidy’s car.
At my approach, Teagan stepped away from the car and announced, “Your uncle is displeased with you.”
“So, what else is new?”
“You prefer the red-tailed hawk, an obviously inferior being, to your illustrious uncle?”
“Oh, please. Uncle Brian’s a faery. Therefore, he’s probably every bit as sneaky as Ryker and Luminata.”
Teagan cocked his head to one side. “Perhaps you’ve forgotten your uncle sent me, the best Transmuter in the faery realm, to save you and the wee faery from those who would do you harm.”
I pursed my lips in disgust. Did someone forget to tell me today was Let’s Make Allie Feel Like Crap Day?
“No, of course I haven’t forgotten, and I’m very grateful to you both. But, I also owe Luminata. She saved Ryker’s life. After he saved mine. So, tell me, Teagan, who do I pay off first? Luminata or Uncle Brian?”
Teagan stroked his chin and pondered my question. Really, it was a stupid question. I knew what his answer would be. Teagan and Brian Cassidy were Tuatha de Danaan and considered themselves a cut above your average faery. Apparently, the fact that my father and I were descended from the Tuatha and immune to iron made us highly desirable.
Teagan’s words were no surprise. “Little miss, you would still be locked away were it not for the Tuatha.”
I jutted my chin in defiance. “Since I had one of Ryker’s feathers, I believe he had a hand in that too. Look, you cooperated with Ryker once. Why can’t you do it again?”
While Teagan struggled to find the right answer, I reached for the car door.
The door swung open before I touched it; kind of strange since the person/faery/Uncle Brian was way across the big bench seat against the opposite door. Apparently magic comes in handy when you don’t want to exert yourself.
Brian Cassidy was, pardon the expression, the most beautiful man I’d ever seen. Dressed in a leather jacket and pressed jeans, his wavy golden hair tumbled across his shoulder and framed a face with features so perfect he could have been on the cover of GQ. He looked pretty good for a guy hundreds of years old.
The interior of the car was frigid, raising goose bumps on my arms. Brian Cassidy acknowledged my presence with a regal nod and extended his right hand. “Nineteen times nineteen is but a few weeks away. Do you have a plan?”
Midnight Moon (The Unbidden Magic Series) Page 2