Chapter 11
Chapter
Eleven
The inside of my cottage reeked of tuna. To be fair, it was my own fault for leaving the empty can next to the sink. Lesson learned. I opened the kitchen window and drew in fresh air, much to Jinx’s dismay. The cat cried in protest as I rinsed the can and tossed it in the recycling bin.
Next, I sat on the sofa and sketched a picture of Leanne before my memory of the faerie had time to dim.
Now that I had a name, a species, and a somewhat recognizable image, I could start the hunt for Ronald’s tormentor.
I took a photo of my artistic effort and sent it to Vale, along with a brief message.
If this faerie was anywhere in the demigod’s territory, which I strongly suspected, his team should be able to find her.
My phone rang almost immediately. I tried not to read too much into his lightning-quick reply. He was the Protector. It was his job to care.
“Pretty,” Vale’s voice rumbled through the speaker.
“I’m sure she’d be more than happy to make your acquaintance.”
“This is the woman preying on the elf in your message?”
“Ronald, yes.”
“He’s still alive?”
“Surprisingly, yes. I think Ronald has a tether to this world that’s keeping him alive.”
Vale was silent for a moment. “The elf can’t die?”
“Possibly. I’m looking into it.”
“And what makes you so confident the woman’s in my territory?”
“Because Leanne isn’t a satellite. She can’t beam into someone’s mind from halfway around the world.”
“I’m sure there are species that can.”
“Leanne isn’t one of them. She needs physical proximity to form a connection. She’s a leannán sídhe.”
“And her name is Leanne? She isn’t making much of an effort to hide her identity, is she?”
“She’s arrogant. She’s been playing this game a long time and has never been caught.”
“More fae,” Vale mused. “Why now? They disappear for ages, and now suddenly they’re everywhere we turn.”
I dared to speak the words I’d been trying to deny. “I don’t think it’s a coincidence, Vale.”
“You think the fae are targeting Savannah?”
“They don’t seem to be working in concert—yet—but I definitely believe there’s a reason for their sudden presence.” Thornborn. Unwoven. Thread-Thieves. Now leannán sídhe. Different types of fae popping up in a small city within a short time frame was a red flag.
“I’ll put someone on it.”
“What about Gage?” Gage was Vale’s right hand.
He was also a type of faerie called a gancanagh, also known as a Love Talker.
He wasn’t dissimilar to Leanne—his kind fed off seduction.
Gage could suck a man or woman dry as a bone, which sounded more titillating than the reality.
I pictured poor Ronald, wasting away. Nothing romantic about that at all.
To his credit, I got the impression Gage employed alternate means to ensure his survival. The sex part was purely for pleasure.
“Gage can be trusted, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“I’m not questioning his loyalty. I’m asking if he might have insider information. Maybe he can root out Leanne faster than we can.”
“He doesn’t have a homing beacon for fae, but I’ll see what he can do. What do I get in return?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“I asked what I’ll get in return for diverting my resources to aid your elf.”
My hackles were hackling. “You’re the Protector of the Region, remember? You’re the one who petitioned the HOA and insisted the island fall under your territory.”
“Then this is an official request for assistance?”
“Of course. What else would it be?”
“A personal favor on behalf of your friend, which I’m happy to honor, I might add. Just curious what you’re offering in exchange.”
His tone wasn’t threatening. If anything, it was—wait. Was he flirting with me? No, Vale was a demigod. His game had to be better than I’ll-scratch-your-back-if-you-scratch-mine, preferably naked.
“If this faerie is in your jurisdiction, she’s a threat to the safety of your people, Vale. I’d hardly toss that in the bucket of personal favors.” There. A professional response. Someone clap for me.
“Fair enough. I’ll let you know what I find out,” he said, back to all business. “On that note, I should probably share that we had a visit from your oni yesterday.”
My blood pressure spiked. “You’re kidding. I thought they were gone.”
“Seems they only relocated to the mainland.”
“Anyone hurt?”
“No. They put the fear of the gods into people and then left. We almost managed to capture one, but it disappeared like a ghost.”
“Demonic spirit, not a ghost. That must’ve caused chaos downtown.”
“The public was told it was a few drunk furries after a convention.”
“I’m not sure the people would be happy about that either.”
“Beats the alternative.”
“How many sightings were there total?” I asked.
“Three separate instances.”
“In one day?”
“Yes. Why?”
“I wonder if they’re ramping up.” They were harbingers. The more intense and frequent the sightings, the closer the main event.
“Possibly, although it’s hard to prepare for a threat when I don’t know what it is.”
“Agreed.” I’d usually known every detail of my “threats” before I had to address them. Without that advantage, I doubt I would’ve been as successful as I’d been.
“While I have you, you should know I have a lead on the ring of thieves that targeted Ms. Von Hagen. I was planning to call you after tonight to let you know.”
“Why? What’s happening tonight?”
“My team is handling a sting operation. We advertised a fake item we thought would be of interest to them and got an immediate response.”
“What’s the item?”
“A stone similar to the one Stella sold. We know it’s something they wanted, so we figured another one would get his attention. The buyer wanted to make the exchange within the hour, but we held him off.”
The significance of the stone in fae history made me wary. This suddenly had the potential to be far more dangerous than a string of fraudulent transactions. “Where’s the sting happening?”
“Downtown. Why?”
I couldn’t believe the words about to come out of my mouth. “Because I’d like to be there.”
“I thought you had an aversion to the mainland.”
“Consider it my payment for your help with Leanne.” I didn’t want to tell him the truth—that I worried the Thornborn might be involved.
They were members of a rebel group whose main focus was to extinguish the human race and reclaim the mortal lands.
If they were back, then Savannah wasn’t the only place under threat.
A danger to the city was a danger to Evermore, and I had more experience with Thornborn than Vale and his team combined.
As much as I hated to go, I had a duty to the Neighbors.
I worried Vale would insist that they handle it without me. Instead, he said, “I’ll send my boat for you. Be at the dock at eight sharp.”
My heart hammered in my chest. “I’ll be sure to wear my prettiest dagger.”
Nina was the captain of the yacht this evening. I’d only met her once before. A petite brunette with a snub nose and the kind of unblemished skin that seemed unnatural, she was a yet-to-be-identified shifter.
“Welcome aboard, Miss August,” she said.
“Thank you. I appreciate the ride.”
“Vale will be waiting for you in the basement of The Olde Pink House,” Nina said.
I balked. “I’m not meeting anybody in the basement of an old house. I’ve watched enough murder mysteries to know that’s a bad idea.”
Nina laughed. “It’s a restaurant in the lower level of a historic building. The only thing that gets murdered there is copious amounts of alcohol at the bar.”
“Oh.” My brain nearly exploded. “Oh! For otter.”
She blinked rapidly. “That’s right.”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to tell you what you are. Obviously, you already know. I’ve been wondering about it since the last time we met, and it just hit me.”
Her easygoing smile eased my embarrassment. “It’s okay. Most people think I’m a minx, so I’m impressed you guessed correctly.”
“The boat is also a giveaway. Otters are more aquatic.”
“We are. Make yourself comfortable, Maya.” She gave me another appreciative look before returning to her duties.
I took advantage of the solitude and listened to the sound of the waves as they splashed against the yacht.
The moment the island disappeared from view, I started second-guessing myself.
What if I was overreacting and returning to the mainland for nothing?
I’d made it through my last visit unscathed.
I was courting discovery by returning so soon.
But if I was right—
“Need directions?” Nina offered, once we’d docked.
“No thanks. I have my phone.”
My foot made contact with the mainland, and I braced myself for a peal of thunder or a lightning strike. Nothing happened.
One of these days I might not be so lucky. Thankfully, today was not that day.
I walked multiple blocks and noticed that some of the sidewalks had been made with crushed oyster shells. Not something I’d seen in my youthful travels.
Nina was right about the location. The Olde Pink House was a three-story, rose-hued building designed to cater to the classical tastes of the era. The Georgians sure did love their symmetrical architecture.
The lower level managed to be both cozy and atmospheric. Low ceiling with dim lighting. Brick walls. Wooden floors. Vale sat alone at a small table near the fireplace flanked by two cushioned chairs. The neighboring tables were empty, and I had a sneaking suspicion he’d made sure that was the case.
I joined him at the table. A bottle of Malbec stood unopened, flanked by two glasses. I appreciated that he waited until I arrived to open the bottle, not that I was actually worried the demigod would spike my drink. As powerful as he was, he seemed to have a healthy relationship to it.
“Nice blade,” he said, inclining his head toward my semi-concealed weapon. “Really brings out the color of your eyes.”
“I thought your team was handling the sting.”
“They are.”
“Then why am I meeting you?”
“I’ve come to observe.”