The Moon Will Sing
Kit/Kat
I t’s damn near impossible not to gape at everything going on in the Fae encampment. I know I’ve been in Hell for a couple months now, but outside of battles and a few weird things, it’s been pretty… normal looking most of the time. This is definitely not at all like that because the beings here are all noticeably supernatural from head to toe. Tall, elegant looking Fae mingle with tiny pixies, grumpy goblins, dwarves, elves, and a veritable bestiary of shit in semi or non-humanoid forms as we wander through the bazaar-like area.
No one would ever believe me if I told them back home; in fact, they’d probably lock me in a padded room.
Jasper and Slash stop at a booth full of gleaming weaponry, and Salem leans in to whisper about the legendary Fae steel they’re inspecting. It’s deadly and gorgeous, but I follow X as they navigate to another stall with bottles full of fragrant liquids that I assume are potions. They aren’t bottled like liquor or drinks, so it’s an uneducated guess on my part as to their contents. Anton pauses there with Zavida, leaving me with the others as we continue moving. The next shop is full to the brim with wild fabrics and clothing, drawing a soft squeal of excitement from Xerxes. I grin a bit at their enthusiasm despite my lack of knowledge about what is and isn’t in style.
“These are stunning ,” they say as they hold up two bolts of gauzy fabric that seem to float of their own accord. “Can you imagine what I can do with this material? I’m thinking… formal dinners and cameras, KK.”
They’re pretty and the colors seem to coordinate with both their complexion and mine, so I get the gist of what X is hinting at. “Um, for what? It’s, uh, very…”
“Elegant?” Xerxes hums as they tuck them under their arm. “Exactly. Now I’m going to find some more things to experiment with for when we’re not fighting to the death. Since I’m dressing the both of us, I must have the best materials possible.”
Save me from the black hole that is their version of clothes shopping, please, Universe.
Oriel grabs my elbow, leaning in to murmur, “How about we leave Salem with Xerxes while they shop and we’ll head for something a bit less… girly?”
I blink at his dark eyes for a moment, mesmerized, then finally remember that I’m not supposed to be a girl. “Um, yeah. That would be great. I’m not… as into clothing as X.”
“ No one is as into clothes and shit as Xerxes is outside of the fashion world.” Oriel chuckles as he leads me away, nodding at Salem as we move to another display.
The panda keeps his gaze on me for a moment, then turns to watch X as they gather up armfuls of stuff. Smiling to myself, I look up at the crow shifter curiously. “You know, we’re not following the protocol you guys set. We’re in twos, but Jasper told you guys twice that Slash and Salem are supposed to guard me or whatever.”
“He and the big guy got be-spelled by the armory display. Hard for the asshole to complain about us breaking the rules when he’s the one who decided to stay there so he can buy some obscene fucking sword or whatever.”
Grinning, I nod as I turn back to the booth full of crystals and gemstones. “Are these used for spells or something?”
Oriel nods, picking up a beautiful red stone in the shape of a heart. “This one is for absorbing negative energy and promoting tranquility.”
“What’s it called?” I ask as I take the palm-sized piece.
“Red jasper.” His smirk makes me scowl and I swat his arm. “What? It is.”
Frowning, I set the stone on the display and sniff haughtily. “The very last thing in the universe Jasper promotes is tranquility, Oriel. For fuck’s sake, he’s damn near an advertisement for blood pressure medicine.”
Laughing, the demon shrugs and picks up another item off the table. “I agree it doesn’t seem to work with you, Kit Kat. Perhaps this would be more useful.”
I blink, looking at the choker made of some kind of dark metal in the shape of spiky thorns. The combined beauty of the design and the deadliness of the points makes it hard to take my eyes off of it, especially when I get to the gleaming coffin-shaped stone in the middle. The iridescent stone looks familiar, but the only thing that comes to mind is an opal and I don’t think that’s what it is. “Holy fuck, O. That thing is amazing.”
He winks at me as he waits for what I’m pretty sure is a dwarf to come stomping over to glare at us. “Merry meet, sir. Tell us about your creation.”
The stocky red-headed man furrows his brow. “Why should I entertain a child of the Underworld and his pet?”
“Excuse me?” I blurt before I can stop. “No need to be fucking rude.”
“It’s not common for your kind to mingle with ours in this realm.” The dwarf shrugs, tilting his head as he studies us with zero repentance. “However, if you’d like me to answer yer pet hybrid, I will. But be cautious how you receive the answer, demon. I won’t be slighted on my own lands.”
What the fuck? He meant Oriel was the pet?
The response makes Oriel snicker as I gape at the rude as fuck vendor. “Uh, okay, I guess. Reply to him and we’ll see what happens.”
“Fine. That is a collar of titanium with a kite-shaped coffin rainbow moonstone. It has been cleansed of impurities that would prevent those from our realm from wearing it and its design mimics an ancient relic the world has not seen for a millennia.” The dwarf crosses his arms over his chest, looking at me pointedly. “It would cost a small fortune outside of this event, but we do not barter with money at an Apalachin.”
Oriel arches his brow, taking in the odd terminology without comment. Obviously, we’ve stumbled into an event steeped in weird ass traditions that we’re going to bump against all night. At least this mysterious jerkwad gave us information we didn’t have before while he lectured us. “And, what, pray tell, would you be willing to barter for if the pet would like to obtain this well-crafted replica?”
At his question, the dwarf walks away, then comes back with a stool. Climbing onto it, the ginger creature is now tall enough to look me in the eyes directly. “If yer pet wants my vision of the Collar of the Three-Headed Beastmaster, he will have to give me a possession that he holds dear in exchange. I can scent what he is, and I know that to be a more appropriate cost than secrets or favors. Crows treasure their hoards more than most shifters—but for dragons, of course.”
“I don’t think so. That seems?—”
Before I can finish, Oriel grins wickedly. “That’s the deal? An item I hold dear from one of my hoards for this collar in its entirety? You will lift any curses or hexes you’ve cast on it as well?”
Well, I never would have thought to fucking ask that. I’m so screwed in this damn place.
The dwarf growls, squinting at my caliphate brother as he scratches his beard. “You drive a hard bargain, pet. Yes, I will remove all magics from the piece if your item has enough tangible value to you.”
This haggling is making me nervous, but I swallow it as I watch the two of them stare at one another combatively. Finally, Oriel nods, pulling a small velvet bag out of his pocket. He takes out a shiny ruby that must be expensive, rolling it over his knuckles as he looks at the merchant. “This ruby was… acquired as part of my training as a child. It comes from mines far below the earth and owned by those of my name. I almost died retrieving it.”
“Oriel, don’t! There’s no way this thing is worth something like that.”
“Ahh, young denizen of the Underworld, you are wrong. Yer pet knows what he is doing; I can see it in his eyes.” The dwarf clears his throat and claps his hands, nodding in satisfaction. “I accept your payment, Duke Bloodstone, and relinquish all rights to this piece and any boons associated with it. Be safe in yer travels this eve.”
Turning to Oriel as he shakes his head, I grab his arm and lead him away from the booth before something else insane happens. “Oriel, he knows who you are. How did a random… dwarf… know who you are?”
“The register, KK. Pretending not to know was just one of their stupid games. It’s part of why demons hate the fucking Fae and their realm. Too much pretense, and obsession with outsmarting one another. Now, do a little turn for me so I can put this on you.”
I scowl at him, batting his hands away. “Hell no. You guys said I’m not allowed to eat or drink here like Alice in fucking Wonderland. Why in the name of Dante’s seven layers would I let you put some piece of jewelry with a name on me?”
“Well, I definitely understand why he’d ask that ,” Xerxes says as they come up to us. Salem is carrying a pack full of crap on his back that must be the demon’s purchases and for a moment, I worry about what currency X used to get that much shit.
“Kit Kat, I wouldn’t give you something that was dangerous, now would I?” O says with a grin. “I’m glad you thought about it, though. That means all the damn lectures about this place sunk in.”
Xerxes snatches the collar, inspecting it curiously. “In this case, I’d like Annie to concur, but I believe your rough-hewn tradesman removed all traces of his magic from it. Though, he’s a fool if he thinks we’ll believe it’s a replica.”
My eyes widen. “What?! Are you saying this is some black market lost treasure and Oriel wants me to put it on? Have you guys even heard of the Hope Diamond? No way, man.”
“Who do you think worked the bargain that allowed that thing to remain cursed for this long?” Anton shrugs as he walks over with Zavida and another bag full of… whatever. “Demons, of course. The original curse was from a deity, but they bore easily and don’t often personally maintain their decrees. Throughout most of history, the heavy lifting of keeping curses, hexes, and the like from gods or goddesses has been farmed out to demons. We enjoy it far more and gain power from being cut in.”
My head is going to explode; I need to get somewhere semi-normal for a few minutes or I might lose it.
“You are overwhelming the little demon.”
Slash’s words make my breath whoosh out in relief and I walk over to him, looking up at the shark demon gratefully. “You are one hundred percent right about that, big guy.”
“We should continue moving through here until we reach the other end, then leave.” Jasper looks around as he approaches, then sighs. “I do not think it is wise to approach the courts at this time. But I do agree with Oriel—you should wear the damn thing unless Anton disagrees with X’s opinion. It is not a coincidence that you and O happened on it, nor that it is a real artifact masquerading as a copy.”
“You guys are fucking crazy,” I mutter as Anton takes the collar from Xerxes. “There’s just no way that damn thing appeared here because I happened to choose Fae territory at an event we happened to get wind of on a weekend we happened—oh.”
Salem reaches out and ruffles my hair fondly, making my face turn red. “KK, that’s just too much ‘happened to’ not to be some sort of Fate chicanery. Even demons know not to mess with those bitches; if they wanted you to have this, we should follow the outline, dude.”
“Next thing I know you’ll be telling me watery tarts distributing swords are a basis for government,” I grumble under my breath. “I don’t like this one bit.”
Anton sighs as he gives me an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, Kit Kat. It feels like the dwarf’s magic is gone and whatever’s in this thing… is keyed to you already. They’re probably right.”
Just fucking great. A bunch of old bats who can’t keep track of their eyeball are dictating my fashion choices.