Berry snorted, making the two guys next to him jump. That amused him to no end, and by the glint in his eyes, he’d found his new favorite game for the ride. I pitied Waylon and Jason.
“I was on a hunt and found him in the forest.” I chuckled and lifted my left hand. “He nearly bit my hand off. Then I almost tore his head off trying to pry him off me. We’ve been together since.”
“Why do I feel like you mean something completely different when you say hunt.”
I blanked out my expression, burying the answer he looked for deep within me. “Because it is.”
“Tell me?”
“No. Just know that it’s another way that the fae entertained themselves. They do enjoy their hunts.” I leaned against the door, letting the cool air comfort me. No one responded to me. They didn’t need to know that criminal fae would have their magic stripped from them, then they’d be released into the woods and we’d be expected to hunt them down and kill them. I never made a kill, though I caught up to my fair share of them. Since finding Berriar, he made it easier, doing the deed for me. The other times, I backed off, often getting punished for letting them get away.
In the end, they’d still be found and killed. At least it wasn’t by my hands. That was blood I managed to keep off my hands. Couldn’t say that with the other games, and the wars. Fuck, the wars.
“Josie?” Foster snapped out
I jumped and glared at him for scaring me like that. “What?”
“I kept calling you, but you didn’t answer me.”
“Oh.” I waved off his concern. “I was lost in my thoughts, that’s all.”
He frowned, his grip on the steering wheel tightening. The drive was silent after that, the low music in the background our only companion.
We stopped once when they heard my stomach growling. Fast food was not something I missed while living in Faerie, it was still greasy and made me feel sick. Before we got back on the road, I had asked Foster if I could drive, and he laughed in my face, jumped into the driver’s seat, and completely ignored my request.
It was when we were outside Boston when Foster hit me with a question I never expected or thought about.
“Madeline is currently in Boston,” he said slowly.
That got my attention as I whipped my head around to gape at him. My little Addie was near?
“Do you want to contact her while we’re here?”
“No!” My response was instantaneous. “No. She doesn’t need to know I’m around.”
“Your disappearance destroyed her.”
“And my reappearance would only do the same.”
“Why?” Jason asked, speaking for the first time in a while. He’d been relentless in making sure I knew he was ignoring me. “You didn’t want us to know, and you don’t want your own sister to know either? That’s fucked up.”
I clenched my teeth until my jaw ached.
“What happened that day?” Waylon asked.
More questions from all three of them were tossed my way. The questions had obviously been building up since we’d met and this had become their excuse to let them out. It came at me from all around.
“Enough,” I snapped out, my magic reacting, hitting the guys. It was more like a shove to make my displeasure known. It still took them by surprise.
“Shit.” Foster swerved. Cars honked until he was back in his lane. “What the fuck?”
I swallowed and blinked past the shock. “That shouldn’t have happened.”
“But it did,” Jason said.
My shoulders slumped in defeat and wariness. At least no one pressed for more information. My loss of control turned into a blessing in disguise.
If my disappearance were as bad as they hinted, it’d kill Addie to see me back. I didn’t want my baby sister going through that again. It sounded like she managed to make some kind of life for herself. I didn’t want to upend that knowing I couldn’t stay here. It wasn’t fair to her.
Fuck, it wasn’t even fair that I was doing that with the guys.
Foster’s hand landed on my thigh, and he squeezed it. I grabbed his hand in a tight grip, drawing as much comfort as I could from the simple touch. It soothed me, made me feel like I wasn’t falling apart. But I had a feeling it wouldn’t be enough.
Chapter Fourteen
Boston University was a massive campus. It took a while for Foster to find which area to park so we were the closest to the office.
“Wait here,” Foster said and hopped out. The other two got out too, stretching outside. Foster went to the back of the truck and dug around. The back end thudded before he returned with a bag. “Here.”
“What is this?”
I unzipped the bag and pulled out a vest, but it wasn’t quite right for a human to wear. Frowning, I held it up until I read the words. “S-Service dog?”
“I don’t know how you haven’t gotten into trouble yet,” Foster began, managing to look sheepish.
What is that? Berriar asked.
“You want me to leash Berry?”
That thing is not going on me.
“You can get into a lot of trouble without it. And a lot of places won’t let him through the door, especially with his size. He makes people uncomfortable.”
Berry stuck his head between the seats so we could see him. His teeth were bared. Then I will eat them. Prey should be eaten.
I smacked his head. “Do that and I will send you back to Faerie.” That got him to shut up.
Foster’s gaze flickered between the two of us, the curiosity clear in his expression. His training kept the questions at bay though, even if they were at the tip of his tongue.
“We can go to the hotel instead. Drop him off.”
I shook my head while Berry growled.
“That isn’t happening. We’re fae. He’ll be fine without a leash.”
Yes. I am not a dog to be tied up. That is not my kink.
I practically choked on air as I whirled on him. “Where did you hear such a thing?” I asked.
When I went hunting for food.
Shaking my head, I muttered, “Un-fucking-believable. The human realm is corrupting my familiar.” He was like a four-year-old repeating what his parents had said without understanding exactly what it meant. “Berry stays with me, and he will not wear a leash.
Agree. I am not a dog. Or a cat.
“They leash cats?” I asked incredulously.
Foster blinked, not able to follow along since he couldn’t hear Berry. “Yes?”
I shook my head. What was this world coming to? Were cats something to be walked around? “Doesn’t matter. Berry doesn’t need a leash or a vest. He won’t draw attention, right, Berry?”
I am more than capable of being sneaky.
I wasn’t so sure about that, but turned to Foster. “See?”
Foster stared at Berry. “You realize I can’t hear him, right?” he finally asked.
“Oh. Right. Of course. He promises to behave and to not draw attention.”
“Right.” The disbelief in Foster’s expression was clear enough to cause me to laugh.
I hopped out of the truck, Berry jumping to the front and following me.
Jason frowned down at my familiar. “Wouldn’t it be easier to drop him off in a kennel so that he doesn’t draw attention?”
Berry snapped at Jason, his mouth big, teeth pointy, eyes bloodthirsty. Jason swore, jumping as far away as he could.
I smirked, tired of his attitude. “I dare you to try.”
“Enough, come on.” Foster led the way, acting like he’d been there before. Apparently, the guys were a sight to behold when they were together. Female students openly gaped at them as we walked by. Jason plastered on a smile and approached a young woman with red cheeks and fluttering eyes.
“That’s disgusting,” I said when he came back with directions to Professor Coffey’s office.
“What?” Jason asked.
I shook my head and tried to swallow the jealousy that wanted to
rear its ugly head. “You’re a good ten years older than her. I’m not even sure she’s twenty.”
Jason shrugged, and I pretended to gag.
We’d entered the building when I stopped and pulled them to the side.
“What is it?” Foster asked.
“I want to remind you of rules,” I said.
“Rules?” Waylon asked.
I glanced around making sure we had privacy. “Since you are knowingly working with fae, you need to be extra careful with what you say and do.”
“He’s a professor. I assume he isn’t taking advantage of students,” Waylon pointed out. Foster frowned at him, his thoughts aligned with my own.
“Maybe. But you also don’t know that he isn’t. Most likely, he’s on his best behavior most of the time, mainly because he can’t draw attention to himself. But we are outsiders. We aren’t his students. He can do something to us and keep it better hidden.” I waved my hand. “You know, that whole hunting outside your home saying.”
“That’s a very serial killer thing to say,” Foster said, his amusement clear.
I snorted. “Possibly. Anyway, rules. First, I am going to stress this again, never apologize, never say thank you, never acknowledge that you owe him a favor. Second, no deals. None whatsoever. Third, let me do the talking. Humans who know about fae are in precarious positions. He most likely is someone important in the fae community. Don’t give him a reason to dig into your life and how much you know. You won’t like what he could do.”
“Like what?” Jason challenged.
“Kill you. Claim you. Take you to Faerie as a present to the queen. They’d do whatever they want.”
“Claim?” Foster asked in a low voice. “What does that mean?”
“Think slavery and you hit it on the spot.”
Waylon took in a sharp breath, eyes widening slightly. I cleared my throat, refusing to acknowledge what he was trying to ask me with his expression.
“Follow my lead, let me do the talking, and do not, I repeat, do not put yourself in debt to him. My contact said he’s a tenured professor. That means he’s a big deal with the humans, which means it’s the same in the fae community.”
“We will behave,” Waylon said, speaking up for all three of them. They nodded their response.
Even if they messed up, I wouldn’t let them fall into a fae trap, and if they upheld their promise, they’d make it easier. I’d do everything to keep them safe. Being queen made it easier, but I wasn’t in Faerie, so it was trickier. As per the agreements with Independents, I didn’t reign over them so long as they upheld the rules set.
“Good.” I turned and walked away, leaving them to follow me.
The door to Coffey’s office was cracked open. I knocked, pasting a smile on my face.
“Come in,” he called in a rather warm voice.
Professor Conall Coffey’s smile was fake as he looked up from his work. Gray eyes glanced over the three men before freezing on me. He jumped to his feet.
“Y-You are—”
“Joslyn Naevana,” I interrupted, not willing for him to give away one of my bigger secrets. Understanding crossed his expression. I did not want the guys knowing I was the Faerie Queen.
“Ms. Naevana.” Professor Coffey’s smile was more of a smirk, a different kind of light entering his expression as he glanced at the guys. He was up to mischief. “What do I owe the pleasure of your visit?”
I moved to the seat and sat down, letting the guys stand at my back. “These men are helping me hunt down a man who poses a danger to me. I heard you’re an expert in all of fae magic?”
“Aye, I am.”
I nodded. “Excellent. Have you heard of Laikynn?”
“I cannot say that I have.”
“Expected. My estimation says he should have been in the human realm for two years. I know he’s currently in New York City. I need to find him as soon as possible and take him back to Faerie to atone for his crimes.”
Coffey kept looking at the guys, and I didn’t like it. I scowled at the man in warning. Berry growled, grabbing the professor’s attention. His eyes widened as his face paled.
“A descendant of Fenrir. I never... that’s amazing.”
I rested my hand on Berry’s head. “Yes. And he’s hungry, so don’t antagonize him. The humans are in my care, I suggest you conveniently forget whatever plan you are currently forming.”
“Of course, milady.”
“Good, now back to the issue at hand. There are weak spots in New York City, and one tear. Faerie is slipping through.”
Coffey let out a string of expletives in the fae language.
“I’m glad to know I do not need to explain to you what that means.”
“The idiot is going to flood this realm with Faerie magic.”
“Exactly. But not only that”—I leaned forward—“he’s going to kill her too.”
That got Coffey going. I let him release his fear. It was expected. Once he calmed down, he forced himself to lean back in his chair. Sounding resigned, he asked, “What do you need help with?” I’d get no more games from Coffey, not with the situation what it was.
“I need to figure out how he plans to kill her. I need to understand how he can do that kind of magic.”
The gears in Coffey’s head spun. I patiently waited as he worked through scenarios. He had ideas, I could see them. It was only a question of which ones were more plausible.
“He will need to make a huge bang. The cracks and weak spots will make it easier, weaken the barrier, but he will still need a massive amount of magic to completely tear it down. A lot of fuel all at once aimed specifically at the barrier.”
“As far as I’m concerned there is no way to do that. Magic isn’t strong here.”
“Earth is definitely different. Faerie magic doesn’t strive here like it does in Faerie itself. Even the strength of fae who live here for a long time weakens. But it is not impossible.”
“You have an idea?” I asked.
“Some working theories. First, he can round up all the fae and descendants of fae. Sacrifice them in a complicated ritual. That could be enough, but the chances of it failing are too high. No fae is going to volunteer to be killed. It’d be a battle he’d struggle with.”
“If not that, then what?”
Coffey blew out a breath. “Magic isn’t easily available around us. We work very innately here with the magic we are born with. It’s hard to borrow, but it can be done. There are ley lines, think roads on a map over the world. Fae tap into them to get boosts, but it isn’t always easy, especially around cities. As far as I know, cities wore down the ley lines that ran through them and they no longer exist.”
“Did New York have them?”
“Aye. It had one of the most powerful lines on the east coast a long time ago. Before the settlers came. As the city grew, the line weakened.”
I grinned. Got him. “Professor Coffey, just because a road isn’t used anymore doesn’t make it useless. Can you give me a map of the ley lines?”
“I can email it to you. Unfortunately, I cannot reschedule my trip.” His gaze flickered to my men before saying, “It’s fae-related business and must be attended to. Once I get home tonight, I’ll email you the map. I’ll also look into rituals that will allow him to tap into the magic.”
“That will do.” I stood up.
So did Coffey. “Queen Naevana, it has been a pleasure meeting you.”
I narrowed my eyes at his slip. His eyes flashed with surprise before he closed down his expression.
“Ms. Naevana, I mean.”
I clenched my jaw, my magic sharpening with my anger. I felt eyes burrowing into my back, and I fought to ignore them.
“Send me the information as soon as you can. If I need anything more from you, I will contact you.”
“Of course,” he answered in a smaller voice.
I left him standing there as I walked away.
A hand grabbed my arm with a hard grip and t
urned me around. Jason looked thunderous as he glared down at me. He stepped closer, trying to crowd me, make me feel intimidated. “Queen Naevana? What does that mean?”
“Not here,” I snapped out. I yanked out of his touch and stalked back to the truck, wanting to get away. Berry kept at my side.
Now they will know of their impudence.
“A queen or a king means nothing in this world.”
I will teach them.
“You will not. Leave them.”
We were in the parking lot when the guys caught up with us. Jason jumped in front of me. “This is why you left us? To become a fucking queen?”
I blinked, trying to figure out what he was thinking. My non-response only pissed him off more.
“You disappeared like that to be a queen?” There was something deep in his eyes, covered by his fury that I got a flash of. Those emotions were deeper than the anger he felt or was showing me.
“Jason,” Waylon warned, grabbing his friend. Jason shrugged his hand off.
“No. Fuck no. This is ridiculous. I don’t understand why you guys are determined to help. She’s just going to fucking leave again. That’s apparently what she does. And why would she want to bother with us when she’s queen of the fucking freaks.”
“Jason!” Waylon’s voice was hard.
Berry growled, pressing against me to force me away from Jason.
Jason didn’t react, still glaring at me, the disgust clear in the twisting of his mouth, the hardness in his hazel eyes.
“That’s right,” I whispered. “I’m the queen of the freaks. I’m one of them now. I’m not asking you to understand. I never asked for any of your help. You can leave any fucking time that you want. And you’re right. Once this is all done, I’ll go back. And you’ll never have to see this freak again.” The last sentence came out like a hiss.
Swallowing the pain and anger, I stalked away, wanting to get as far away from them as possible. Foster called after me, desperation in his voice. I knew he’d try to follow me. I didn’t want that. So I pulled my magic around me and made it seem to their eyes like I had vanished.
I never wanted their help. They were the ones inserting themselves into my life.
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