Chapter 25
Twenty-Five
The restaurant was dark and gothic. Lit only by small candles nestling in hollowed out skulls, the décor reminded Michaels of something from a medieval torture chamber.
“Interesting choice for dinner,” he said, sitting down opposite Jesper.
“Prague’s finest goulash,” Jesper replied. He nodded towards the steaming bowl of meat in the middle of the table. “I’m assuming you haven’t eaten today.”
Michaels stared at the mysterious stew and grimaced. “What is it?”
Jesper feigned a look of pain. “Not cat, if that’s what you’re insinuating. I know the owner.” He nodded to a large, round man with ruddy cheeks behind the bar. “He’s one of the Fae.” His eyes scanned the room. “They all are.”
“What exactly are we doing here?” asked Michaels. He broke off a piece of bread and dipped it into the bowl. There was a noticeable lack of cutlery and to his disgust everyone else was eating with their hands.
“I followed the Reaver here two days ago,” Jesper said in a low whisper. “He’s been to the Daliborka.”
The Daliborka Tower was the headquarters of the Cabal, a dark faction of the Fae that were opposed to the human occupation of their world. Its leader was a lycanthrope by the name Skovanka.
“He’s been to see Skovanka?” Michaels asked, taking a tentative mouthful of the stew. It was tasty at least.
Jesper shushed him, putting one finger to his lips. “Names are powerful, especially when we’re so close. I spoke to one of the Fendarii. They told me they have been called to conference, that the heads of the various houses of the Cabal having been arriving from all over.”
“The Fendarii?” There were so many different species of the Fae, Michaels could never keep them all in his head.
“The trail guardians,” Jesper reminded him, raising an eyebrow. “The keepers of the shadow paths.”
“Ah, yes.”
The Fae had their own paths for travelling the planet. Michaels had accompanied Jesper along some of them. A magical network of paths that spanned the globe, allowing them to travel long distances in a matter of minutes. Most were connected to standing stones or ancient woods, but he’d also seen Jesper appear out of mirrors. It was quite disconcerting.
“So, there’s been some kind of convocation,” Michaels continued. “I take it this is not usual?”
Jesper shook his head. “Not in a thousand years. The dark houses may despise humans, but only slightly less than they hate each other.”
“I need you to find out what they are planning.”
Jesper winced. “I thought you might say that. Can’t you just drop in? You know, go all host invisible and check it out?”
Michaels shook his head. “I cannot meddle in the affairs of the Fae.”
“Hah! But it’s okay to send your minion into the lion’s den. Do you know what Skovanka does to anyone that crosses him?”
Michaels pointed down at his stew. “I believe he’s partial to fawn.”