by Donna Grant
Dubhan’s eyes widened for a moment. “And you took her help?”
“I didn’t see how it could hurt. Besides, I didn’t want to lose my family. I wanted them to accept me for who I was, just as I accepted them for who they were. I didn’t want to be forced to change or conform to their standards.”
He made a sound in the back of his throat. “That never occurred to me. My path was laid out, and I followed it.”
“There’s nothing wrong with that, either. Everyone has a path. Besides, had you not taken that road, you wouldn’t be where you are now. I try to think of all the mistakes I made—and will make—as learning experiences. I must need those events to happen in order for them to help me out with something in the future. You had to walk your path because you were meant to be a Reaper. That’s your true path. Not your past.”
“Maybe,” he murmured.
Kyra glanced at the spell book. “Let me go ask about the symbol while you continue doing whatever it is you’re doing.”
“I’d feel better if I went with you.”
Was he worried about her? That made her stomach flutter in excitement. “I’ll be fine.”
“I can go veiled. No one but you will know I’m there.”
“I’ve forged these relationships on trust. I won’t lie to them now.”
Dubhan gave a nod of acceptance. “I respect that, but you should always expect that someone will betray you.”
“That’s a horrible way to live.”
“It’s the only way to live.”
“Is that what happened to you? Were you betrayed?”
“Yes.”
One word. That was all she was going to get. And, frankly, she was surprised she’d gotten that much. “I’m sorry.”
“I’m not. I hated my life then. As you said, I’m meant to be here.”
“I’m still sorry you were betrayed.”
“No matter what people say, you should always expect the worst.”
Kyra shook her head slowly. “People lie, cheat, steal, and kill. Those are facts. I know it’s going to happen to someone, and possibly to me. But I’d rather live my life looking at the beauty of things and finding peace within myself rather than holding onto negativity.”
“Being smart isn’t negative. You can still be happy and have peace while also being smart and aware of how people are.”
Obviously, they were going to have to agree to disagree. “I won’t be long. Where do I find you?”
“Just call my name. I’ll find you.”
She gave him a smile and then teleported to Belfast and a small store hidden in the depths of the city. She ignored the other Fae around her and walked straight to the door of the herbal shop that sold herbs but also magic if you knew what to ask for. She entered, a bell clinking overhead as she did. Her gaze instantly moved to the right where a counter stood, and behind it, a couple.
“Tate. Jesta. How are things?” she asked.
The elderly couple was Light Fae who used glamour to age themselves from young to old through the years so the mortals wouldn’t realize who and what they were. This was the fifth time the couple had reached their mid-seventies. It wouldn’t be long before they died, the store passing down to another family member—aka Tate and Jesta—and they started all over again.
“It’s been a while, Kyra,” Jesta said, her gray eyes going sharp.
Kyra nodded. “It has.”
Tate grinned. “You still have the motorbike?”
“Of course,” Kyra answered. “I’ve been riding around and seeing the world. You two should buy one and travel. It’s amazing to feel the wind flying by you.”
“Been traveling for work?” Tate asked as he fidgeted.
Kyra didn’t say anything about Tate’s nervousness as she shrugged and shot a smile at Jesta, who hadn’t said anything else. “I’ve not really been doing much work lately. Taking some time off from trading secrets between the Dark and Light.”
Jesta didn’t return the grin. The usually friendly Fae looked as if she had swallowed a lemon. “It’s good to see you.”
“Somehow, I don’t believe you. What’s going on?” Kyra said. She was used to looking for signs that someone was lying to her. She had to be on her toes when she dealt with the Dark and even the Light, as well as the humans.
“Nothing,” Tate said hurriedly.
Kyra looked from Tate to Jesta. “You might as well tell me. I’ll find out eventually.”
It was Jesta who let out a loud sigh. “Your mother was here.”
Her mother? Here? What the hell was that about? Kyra put her hands on the counter, a frown forming. “What did she say?”
“That we would be wise to no longer deal with you.”
Tate nodded. “She also said she would be reporting us to the next person who takes the Light throne.”
Kyra couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “First, my mother is crazy. Don’t listen to her. Second, I’m sorry you had to deal with her. Third, who cares who she tells about you? You run a business like many other Fae who cater to both our kind and humans.”
Tate and Jesta exchanged a look, neither willing to meet Kyra’s gaze.
Kyra winced. “You never registered your business with the throne, did you?”
“We rectified that,” Tate said.
Jesta nodded quickly. “But we were fined heavily for waiting as long as we did.”
“Well, it’s done, and no one can hold that over your head now.”
Tate shrugged. “True. But these are our problems. You don’t need to worry about that. What can we do for you?”
“Tate,” Jesta admonished as she snapped her head in his direction.
He put his hand on top of Jesta’s. “We don’t mess in family affairs, but Kyra is a grown woman. She’s always been honest and fair to us in the past.”
Jesta sighed and gave Kyra an apologetic look. “He does make a fine point. You’re one of the few we can befriend. And you send the best mortals to us for business. Tell us what you need.”
“What I’m usually here for. Information.” Kyra used her finger, pushing magic through the tip to trace the symbol on the counter in pink to match her hair. “Have either of you ever seen this before?”
The couple studied the marking for several moments before they shook their heads.
“Sorry,” Tate said with a frown.
Kyra forced a smile she didn’t feel. “Thanks. Do you know who might be able to give me an answer?”
“Maximillian,” Jesta said.
Tate glanced at his wife and nodded. “He always seems to know about obscure things like this. What is it, though?”
“It was found along with a symbol to keep Fae out,” Kyra explained.
Jesta’s brows drew together. “On a mortal’s door?”
“Yeah.”
“When you find out what it is, can you let us know?” Jesta asked worriedly.
Kyra flashed them a bright smile. “Consider it done. And, next time, just don’t let my mother or anyone from my family inside. Trust me, you’ll be better off.”
She waved to the couple and walked from the building, happy that she had someone who might give her what she needed. Once out on the sidewalk, she paused and looked one way and then the other. Kyra knew of Maximillian and where to find him. A Fae in her line of work had to know where to go for the impossible. However, she knew him better than most. He almost always had whatever answer someone sought, but his price was steep.
Too steep.
However, she wouldn’t know what the price would be until she met with him. For all she knew, he’d want something she could easily give him.
She had considered going to him about Eva, but in the end, Kyra had thought better of it. There had been something in her gut that told her he should be her last resort. The fact that she willingly followed a Reaper instead of going to a Fae spoke volumes about how dangerous Maximillian could be.
Kyra teleported to Dublin and made her way through the streets
until she came to a dilapidated building with a NO TRESPASSING sign with CONDEMNED right below it. She looked around to make sure no one was watching, then veiled herself for as long as it took to enter the building. She ascended the stairs to the third floor and started down the hallway. At the third door on the left, she stopped and faced it.
To a human, it appeared as nothing more than a door with chipped paint and rusty hinges. To a Fae, it was a doorway straight to Maximillian and wherever his current hiding place was.
She took a deep breath and turned the handle. The door opened, and without hesitation, she stepped over the threshold and into the tiny hovel where the reclusive—and slightly mad—Light Fae lived.
Chapter Six
It took Dubhan all of ten seconds to decide to follow Kyra. It wasn’t because he didn’t trust her, but that there was a nagging thought in the back of his head that the symbol was dangerous.
Dangerous enough to cause him worry, which meant it wasn’t something just any Fae should look into.
He had no trouble tracking Kyra to Belfast, and he was impressed by the way she’d handled a situation that could’ve gone very badly with the Fae couple. But when they mentioned Maximillian, Dubhan immediately tensed.
His first reaction was to reach for Kyra and make sure she couldn’t get to the recluse, but he stopped himself. He didn’t want her to know that he was with her because he was only there in case she got into trouble. And now that he knew she was headed to Maximillian’s, he was doubly glad he’d tagged along.
Though he suspected she wasn’t going to be happy about it at all.
When he went to walk through the Fae doorway, he hesitated. Some inner voice told him that if he went through, things wouldn’t go smoothly. But it was that same worry about Kyra that made him ignore that voice and follow her anyway.
The moment he stepped through, it felt as if a thousand blades pierced him. Dubhan held back his bellow and steeled himself against the onslaught. His gaze found Kyra, and he saw her walking through with no problem. That meant whatever was happening to him had something to do with the fact that he was a Reaper.
Dubhan was about to give up and go back through the doorway when he spotted Max looking young, vibrant, and happy. All the old anger and hurt rose up, spewing within Dubhan like a volcano erupting. If he hadn’t been in such pain, he would’ve attacked the bastard.
Maximillian’s hair was cut short and slicked back while his silver eyes locked on Kyra from where he sat on his chair before a roaring fire. He said nothing, simply stared at her. Dubhan couldn’t tell if the two knew each other or not. He wasn’t sure if it would be better if Kyra didn’t know Max or if she did. Regardless, the sooner Kyra was away from the Light, the better.
“I didn’t think I’d ever see you again,” Maximillian said.
Dubhan inwardly cringed.
Kyra didn’t move from her spot. “Hi, Max.”
“No explanation as to why you didn’t come back before now?” he asked.
Dubhan narrowed his gaze on Max. The bastard now had a smile on his face as if he were happy to see Kyra. And Dubhan certainly didn’t like the way Max was eyeing Kyra.
“I told you, our time was up,” Kyra said. “It was nice while our affair lasted, but I needed to move on.”
Dubhan’s mouth fell open. He looked between them, unable to believe that the two had been lovers.
Max sat back, displaying a simple white shirt and dark jeans. He might live in a small place, but everything in it served a purpose. At one time, Dubhan had actually looked up to Max. He had shunned everything unimportant and lived as simply as a Fae could. Max sustained himself by learning everything he could—and selling it for a price.
“I cared for you,” Max told Kyra. “Deeply.”
Kyra kept her voice neutral. “And I care for you. Still.”
“But you aren’t with me.”
“No,” she said with a shake of her head. “I’m not. And you know why.”
Max rose swiftly and closed the distance between him and Kyra. “We were good together. We could be again.”
“I’m sorry, Max. No.” She stated it firmly, moving back to keep space between them.
His face fell into a deep frown. “Isn’t that why you returned?”
“Actually, I’m here because I need something.”
Max stepped back as if he were putting a wall around himself. “I see.”
Dubhan closed his eyes as pain throbbed through him. He didn’t know how much longer he’d be able to stand the agony, but he couldn’t leave Kyra. Max was the worst kind of Fae. He took advantage of others while also manipulating them.
“There is a symbol I’ve come across that I can’t find anything about,” Kyra explained.
Max nodded shrewdly. “And you think I can help.”
“You probably can. It’ll depend on what your price for the information is, however.”
Max laughed and resumed his seat. “You haven’t changed at all, Kyra. Still looking for the best deal without giving too much. What does the symbol look like?”
This time, Kyra used her magic to draw it in the air. Dubhan kept his gaze on Max, squinting as the throbbing intensified and caused his vision to blur at the edges. Despite the pain, Dubhan saw Max’s eyes widen slightly before he wiped all emotion from his face. The fekker knew something. The question was whether Max would tell Kyra the truth or not.
That was another thing most people didn’t realize—Max lied. A lot. Half the time, he didn’t know the answers, but he knew just enough to make people believe he did. Max felt no remorse for lying and taking whatever someone was willing to pay for information.
“Where did you see that symbol?” Max demanded.
Kyra stared at him. “I can’t remember.”
“You know exactly where. Tell me.”
“Tell me what it is.”
Max clenched his jaw. “Kyra, I don’t know what you’re mixed up in, but whatever it is, forget it. Stop asking questions, and don’t go back to the place you saw the marking.”
Dubhan forgot the pain as he watched Max. Something was definitely up with the Fae, and he really wished he could question Max himself. But that wasn’t possible—and not simply because Dubhan was veiled.
“What do you know, Max?” Kyra pressed as she took a step toward him.
Max’s head jerked to her. “Did you not hear what I said? This is serious.”
“Tell me what it is that’s frightened you.”
Max gave a bark of laughter. “By the stars, you’re stubborn. I’m not telling you any more than you already know.”
“You’re just saying this to hike up the price. You forget, I’ve seen you do this to others. I know your methods.”
In a blink, Max was on his feet and standing within inches of Kyra. Dubhan moved beside her, ready to lash out at Max, regardless of how much pain he was in. It was all Dubhan could do to stay on his feet, but he would be there to get Kyra away from Max.
“Kyra, stop. Stop all of it,” Max demanded, his face stony with anger and apprehension. “If you don’t want to die, you’ll leave all of this alone. I’m not playing here. I’m not trying to get anything. What I am trying to do is warn you.”
She rolled her eyes. “What’s your price?” When he didn’t answer, she crossed her arms over her chest and cocked her hip. “You always have a price. Give it to me.”
For several minutes, Max didn’t utter a word. His gaze narrowed as he composed himself. “My price is that you stay here with me and never ask about any of this again.”
Dubhan blinked, unsure if he’d heard Max correctly with the ringing in his head.
“What?” Kyra asked with a choked laugh. “That’s not going to happen.”
Max gave her a nod, his lips compressing. “That’s my price.”
She sighed loudly and rolled her eyes. “I really thought you would work with me. I didn’t come thinking you’d give me something for free, but I didn’t think you’d try to work me
like you do with others.”
“I’m not.”
He seemed sincere, though Dubhan wished it were otherwise. Dubhan couldn’t tell Kyra that, however. He looked at her to find her defiant and ready to stay as long as it took to get what she wanted.
Max suddenly frowned and stepped back as he looked around. “Who did you bring?”
Kyra made a face. “Bring? I didn’t bring anyone.”
“There’s someone here.”
“Max, you know as well as I do that no Fae can remain veiled for that long. I’m by myself.”
Dubhan watched Kyra’s face. She said all the right words, but he saw the tightness in her lips. She had figured out that he was here, and she wasn’t happy about it. At least, she hadn’t given him up.
Yet.
Max leaned close to Kyra and whispered, “I know you. You get something in your head, and you don’t stop until you’re satisfied.”
“I’m tenacious.”
“You’re fekking stubborn. And this time, it could cost you your life,” he said tightly, his face mottled with anger.
Kyra laughed, but it wasn’t so relaxed this time. “Why do you say that?”
His nostrils flared as he shook his head. “There are some things even I don’t mess with. I think you’re somehow involved with both.”
“Both?” Kyra asked, her brows drawing together.
Dubhan wanted her to push Max and find out what he’d meant by that, but Max turned his back on her, his hand slashing through the air. “You should leave. Don’t ask anyone else about that symbol.”
“Whatever.” Kyra had already turned around to walk back to the doorway.
“Wait!” Max yelled and moved to stand in front of her. “Have you gone to anyone else about the marking?”
Kyra vacillated. After a moment, she gave a nod. “One other place.”
Dubhan grimaced and bit his tongue, trying not to cry out in pain. He needed to listen because he was beginning to suspect that Max might be telling the truth.
“You shouldn’t have done that. What did they tell you?” Max demanded.
Kyra shrugged and said, “They told me to see you.”
Max raked a hand through his short, black hair as he paced in agitation. “Fek. This is bad.”