Tainted

by Claire Farrell

  “He’ll find us first then,” Peter said. “Be careful with Val. She’s at Anka’s. Maybe you should send everyone else outside.”

  “Will do.” I gritted my teeth and headed to Anka’s to break the news to the half-hellhound that one of the people under her care had been taken while under my care.

  I met Anka at the door and quietly asked her to take the girls outside. She agreed without questioning me, and that was one of the many reasons I loved having her on my side. I found Val in the kitchen. Great, right by the knives.

  “We need to talk,” I said before I could chicken out. “The assassins came to the funeral and took Lucia.” I blurted the words without pausing.

  She looked up at me, the knife in her hand frozen mid-chop. “Say that again.”

  “I’m so sorry, Val. I should have been more vigilant. The attack was a distraction. Whoever took her did it for Seth. She’s currency to him, but that means she’s still alive.”

  She slumped into a kitchen chair.

  “You don’t want to kill me?” I asked as lightly as I could without my voice shaking.

  “A little.” She laid the knife on the table. “She badly wanted to go to the funerals today.”

  I nodded. After a moment’s hesitation, I joined her at the table. “I’ve been thinking about that the whole way home.”

  Val caught my eye, sorrow wrinkling the corners of her mouth and eyes. “She knew, didn’t she?”

  “I figure she did. I also figure she knew something else, something that might have happened if she didn’t, um, go willingly.”

  She nodded. “It must have gotten messy. I should have realised sooner that there was something wrong. Not that she would have told me.”

  “She doesn’t reveal a lot of what she sees anymore,” I said. “I don’t know if—”

  “How is Lorcan?” she asked, leaning forward.

  “Devastated.”

  “And Phoenix?”

  “Wants me dead.”

  “I understand the impulse, but he’s being foolish. If he hurts you and Lucia returns, she’ll hate him for it. You’re their family as much as Phoenix is.”

  I licked my dry lips. “We should go outside before the rest of them think you murdered me.”

  We headed outside together. Half of the neighbours stood around nervously, plenty of them armed, all of them wearing sheepish looks.

  “Val’s fine,” I said impatiently. “But now we have to figure out what to do about Seth. He’ll be back, so if anyone wants to leave, do it before dark. Go far. For now, the cul-de-sac is safe, but…”

  “But what?” Jessica asked.

  “The last time a landlady was badly hurt, the cul-de-sac stopped being safe,” Leah told her. “If Ava died, we’d all be at risk.”

  “Oh.” Jessica stared at me for a long time after that.

  We spent the next hour trying to help people leave as quickly as possible.

  “Why aren’t you packing?” I asked Anka.

  “You’re not going to let him in,” she said. “These are our homes. Why should we leave?”

  I walked over to Peter. “You and Emmett should—”

  “No,” he said. “No more running. Shay’s people will come and help us. A fae royal is mightily pissed at Seth. We have the makings of an army to help us if we need it. We’re staying with you.”

  “You’re a fool.”

  He grinned. “A fool for you.”

  I made a gagging sound. “You need better lines.”

  “I’m working on them,” he called after me as I walked away.

  I found Lorcan at the mouth of the cul-de-sac.

  “You okay?” I asked.

  “I thought they might have found her by now.” He stared wistfully at the sky. “It’ll be dark soon.”

  A car drove up, followed by some more: shifters, agents, and more fae than I would have expected. Phoenix and Shay jumped out of the first car. Phoenix made a direct line for me, grabbed my arm and led me out of the cul-de-sac. Nobody said a word in protest.

  Two streets away, he pulled me into a laneway and folded his arms, glaring down at me. “Tell me everything you know.”

  “I don’t…” I threw my hands in the air. “You were there!”

  “Tell me why you can’t go after Seth.”

  “Look.” I took a deep breath. “Lucia probably knew what was going to happen today. I trust that she knows what she’s doing.”

  “And am I supposed to trust what you’re doing, Ava?”

  I couldn’t look at him. “That’s entirely up to you.”

  He gripped my shoulders. “Tell me the secrets you have been keeping from the rest of us.”

  “I can’t,” I whispered. “And you said you wouldn’t ask me again.”

  “That was before my daughter was taken.” He tipped my chin with a finger to force me to look at him. “You were in a hospital bed when I told you I had found out that you, and your landlady before you, were untouchable. You refused to talk about it. It’s time you told me. If you ever want me to trust you, then you need to talk to me.”

  “And if I can’t trust you?” My voice had gotten steadier, thankfully.

  “Give me a chance to prove myself.”

  My knees turned to jelly. “Everyone knows that Mrs. Yaga held protection over the houses. When she died, she passed it on to me. That’s the story. That’s the big secret.”

  “But how? Why? Why is nobody questioning you about this?”

  I shrugged. “They accept that it’s a thing and move on.”

  “Then why can’t you hunt Seth down? Why can’t you work with the government? I don’t understand what’s changed. You used to charge after the things you wanted, and now you let them come to you.”

  I searched his eyes. The murderous rage was gone, but it had been replaced by confusion—and worse, suspicion.

  “Sometimes,” I said, “my hands are tied. Sometimes, the way I used to behave isn’t appropriate now, not if I want to keep protecting the people in my homes.”

  “Lucia was in one of those homes,” he said. “Surely you can’t protect her now.”

  “I’m going to get her back, but I have to be careful, or we’ll lose everything. Seth will come for Jess. He’ll try to force an exchange. We don’t have to hunt him down because he’s going to come to us.”

  “But who says you have to be careful? Where is this coming from? Tell me what really happened when Eddie Brogan tried to rip the world apart, Ava.”

  I leaned against the wall. He wasn’t letting me go until he understood. He wouldn’t ever trust me unless I told him the truth. And maybe I needed to talk.

  “You can’t speak about this to anyone,” I said. “I mean it, Phoenix. You can’t tell them anything.”

  “I won’t if you ask me not to.”

  “Mrs. Yaga was a hag,” I said. “I mean, when I first met her, I needed a place to stay, and she was just my landlady, but later, I learned she was a hag. I knew she protected us, but it wasn’t until after she died that I really found out what was going on.”

  He leaned against the wall next to me. That made it easier to talk. And once I started, the words didn’t stop.

  “Eddie Brogan was only able to do what he did because of her death. In the end, I found out that she was one of the Eleven. Eleven beings with different jobs who joined together to keep a balance in this world. They stopped other dimensions and realms and planes from colliding, basically. Their… group somehow kept the world safe. Mrs. Yaga was the Matriarch, the one who helped lost souls. She was a part of something bigger than Eddie Brogan or the Council. I was a lost soul, according to her, and she kind of… decided that I would be the one to replace her.”

  “She wanted you to become the next Matriarch?”

  “Yeah, but she didn’t tell me in so many words. You know how it is. They talk in riddles and think they have endless amounts of time to clear everything up. But she got hurt because she interfered. She stopped being neutral when she took
part in my fight. She stood with us, but she died and lost the protection. That’s what upset the balance and weakened the veil between worlds. Eddie—maybe he organised it, I don’t know—but he knew to take advantage of the balance. It was only then that he could open the book, call forth the demons, and bring his wife back to this world properly.”

  “But you stopped him.”

  “Gabe stopped him. And the balance was still wonky. There were only ten. They needed an eleventh.”

  “And that was you.”

  “Sort of, yeah. I mean, for one hundred years. That’s my payment for the safety of my people… and my punishment for letting the balance die in the first place. One hundred years of neutrality and saving lost souls.”

  “Will you live that long?”

  “I doubt it, so it’s a good deal, right? But it’s lost if I interfere.” I lifted my shoulders. “Everything comes with a price, Phoenix.”

  “Why haven’t you told anyone?”

  “They wouldn’t understand. They wouldn’t see that I had a choice. They’d try to think of ways to free me. I’m not a slave. This is a choice I made.”

  “A choice you felt you had to make. Does Lucia know?”

  I hadn’t thought of that. “You never know with Lucia. She’s not sharing as much as she used to. And she’s doing her best to manipulate her visions. Sometimes that involves a little sacrifice, too.”

  “Naturally. I’m surrounded by complicated women.” He looked down at me. “I still want to blame you.”

  “I blame me, too.”

  “What are you going to do if Seth comes tonight?”

  I shook my head. “I haven’t decided yet. No matter what I do, I lose.”

  He shuffled his feet. “The sky is growing dark. We should return and work on a plan.”

  “Yeah, I suppose.” I didn’t move. I didn’t want to go back.

  Almost everyone I cared about was expecting me to come back with a solution that would keep them safe. I didn’t know if I had anything left. But Phoenix moved away, and I followed him.

  “Ava,” he whispered, “am I a lost soul?”

  I lowered my chin to hide my smile. “I’m pretty sure we all are, in a way.”

  “If I die tonight, will you take care of my children?”

  “Yes. Will you take care of everyone else if I die?”

  “What if we both die?”

  “You’re not going to die,” I said. “He doesn’t want you or Lucia. He wants Jessica. And maybe me, but we’re getting Lucia back tonight. I promise you that I’ll do whatever it takes.”

  “Even put the rest of your people at risk?”

  I stared at him, suddenly terrified. “I don’t know what I’m going to do, but there has to be a third option.”

  “Let’s hope Lucia saw it in a vision before she went to Seth.” His shoulders drooped. He was losing everything, all over again.

  On a whim, I took his hand. He whirled me around and pulled me to his chest. He hugged me tightly, almost painfully, but I recognised his need for comfort. I slowly wrapped my arms around his torso. In a matter of hours, he had gone from wanting to kill me to hugging me. That had to count for something, though I had no idea what.

  After a moment, he released me and strode briskly away as if nothing had happened. I jogged to keep up.

  Back at the cul-de-sac, anyone who could fight was waiting in the street. I noticed Leah on a rooftop, her bow in her hands. That made me think of Ry, the sweet man who had taught her everything she knew.

  “Okay,” I said. “Seth might come this way, but he can’t get in if he means us harm. That tells us everything we need to know. No matter what he does, nobody goes out there, okay?”

  “Ava, we can’t—” Lorcan started.

  I held up my hand. “You didn’t let me finish. We’re safe in here, but Lucia isn’t, and we can’t hide away for the rest of our lives. It’s time we made our mark on the world. And I’m starting with Seth. If we get rid of him, the world will be a whole lot safer.” I shrugged. “And maybe people will think twice about screwing with us in future.”

  “What are you planning?” Peter asked.

  I winced in anticipation of their reactions. “I’m going to try to make a deal.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Adam looked worried, like a mouse stuck in a trap. He paced up and down my living room.

  “You’re safe in here,” I told him.

  He didn’t even bother to acknowledge me. The others were agitatedly discussing matters, but Jess kept staring into space, an odd expression on her face.

  I drew Parker away from the rest of the group. “Make sure he stays in here,” I said. “And I need you to do me a favour, kid.”

  Parker frowned. “Like what?”

  “You don’t know me very well, but you’re the best weapon we have right now. Do you understand me? If you have to, use that power inside of you, Parker. And this bit is the most important. If anything happens to me… if I get hurt, or I die, I need you to send the fire up to protect everyone. Can you do that?”

  He stared at me. “What happens if you get hurt or die?”

  I sighed. “Then the power around this place weakens and dies right along with me. You’re all safe here, and I need to keep it that way. You just need to make it until morning, then Phoenix will take you all to the sanctuary. It’s a different kind of protection. Underground, but at least it’s safe. You and Jess and everyone can stay there until someone figures out how to deal with Seth.”

  His eyes widened. “You’re really going out there?”

  “He has my friend.” I squeezed his shoulder. “I might not have a choice. And I’m sorry, but you’ll have to step up before anyone runs out after me. Do you understand?”

  He didn’t respond, and I couldn’t read his expression. “Parker, do you understand what you have to do?”

  “What about—”

  “All you have to think about is watching me and being ready to bring the fire. Are you afraid of heights?”

  He shook his head, looking a little confused.

  “Great. Go join Leah up on the roof.”

  He smiled, and his entire face changed. “A grownup is telling me to get up on a roof?”

  I grinned back. “Tonight might be exceptional. Take Jess with you if you like. That way, you can keep an eye on her in case anyone tries to pull anything sneaky and take her while the rest of us are distracted.” I bit my lip. “I’m counting on you. I’m sorry for the pressure and all, but you’re our best bet, and from what Jess told me, I can trust you with this.”

  “I’ll do whatever it takes,” he said. “I want Jess and Adam and everyone else to stay safe.”

  “Go get her then. I’ll try to get through to Adam.”

  I jogged over to the seraph, wishing my life were just a tiny bit less complicated so I could perhaps keep the pressure off the shoulders of teenage boys. “Adam,” I said. “Adam!”

  He looked right through me.

  “Adam, I need your help.”

  He blinked at me, his eyes cloudy. He desperately needed something to do, or he was going to fall apart on me.

  “If we’re going to keep these people safe, somebody has to calm them down. You have experience with this sort of thing. I need you to take care of them.”

  “What?”

  “Keep people calm. Stop them from running around like headless chickens. The last thing we need is for someone to panic and hand themselves right over to Seth.”

  His expression cleared. “You think… of course. No, we can’t have that. But aren’t you worried?”

  “Worried?” I feigned confusion. “About what? Some vampire who managed to piss off the vampire queen and most of the fae in the country? When we have a kid who breathes fire?”

  He smiled. “He doesn’t quite breathe the stuff.”

  I plastered on a grin. “We have so many secret weapons that we can save the fire-starter as our last resort. You’re not alone, Adam. Jess isn’t
facing this alone. No matter what happens to you and me, she has plenty of people willing to protect her, to help her. There are no lost causes here.”

  I left him, hoping he felt more confidence than I did. I kept acting as though I had a plan, but I was going to wing it, just as I always did. And I was preparing to fail. I hoped to at least look the man who murdered my parents in the eye and find closure, one way or another.

  Phoenix and Shay were discussing tactics near the mouth of the cul-de-sac.

  “You don’t have to do anything,” I said, joining them. “You only need to keep everyone in the cul-de-sac. That’s the plan. Okay?”

  “Why?” Phoenix asked. “How does this help my daughter?”

  “You let me worry about Lucia,” I said. “You worry about Lorcan. He’s likely to run out there and get himself killed. He’s as valuable as Lucia, whether you like it or not. And Seth might enjoy owning a matching pair. Do you understand me?”

  “He wants a seer?” Phoenix frowned. “What makes you think that?”

  “Daimhín charges by the hour for her seer. Everyone wants one. Lucia can be helpful.” I remembered her last vision and shivered. “And Lorcan’s her translator, so he’s important. Just keep everyone inside. Seth can’t touch them in here.”

  “What are you planning on doing?” Shay asked.

  “Talking,” I said. “I’m going to have a conversation and see where we stand. Everyone wants something. I just need to figure out how to appeal to Seth. If I think Lucia is in danger, I’ll act. But it’s important that nobody gets in my way.” I looked around at the people standing in groups on the road. “I reckon the biggest risks are Lorcan, Jessica, and Carl.”

  “Carl?” Shay asked. “Why Carl?”

  “He has this weird thing where he wants to die by my side,” I said loudly enough for Carl to hear. “It’s pretty sad.”

  “Shut your face, woman!” Carl called back. “I’m happy to let you go alone. I just enjoy the excitement.”

  Shay looked at our smiling faces as if we were crazy. “Ava—”

  “It’s all we have, Shay,” I said, averting my eyes. “Don’t ruin it.”

  “Will the vampire queen come?” Phoenix asked.

  “She likes to avoid the big fights. It’s how she’s lived so long.” I cast a wry look at the teams Shay had brought. “So maybe pass that little tip to your people over there. They look overly eager.”