Chapter 21 #2
“Heyyyy,” one of them drawls, gazing at me through bloodshot, slitted eyes. “You’re pretty. Want some pretzels?” He holds out an open bag of Rold Golds.
Normally I wouldn’t engage with a pack of unfamiliar men, but they’re a lot less threatening when they’re baked than when they’re drunk.
And right now they’re the perfect refuge from the predatory faerie on the hair care aisle.
An opportunity to play casual like I didn’t just look right into the eyes of a fae who’s supposed to be invisible.
I give pretzel boy a half-smile. “Did you pay for those?”
Apparently, I said something hilarious. His buddies slap him on the back and snicker while he shrugs and says, “Not yet.”
“Then no thanks.”
I snag a quick peek at the front of the store where I see Thor at the register, paying for his items with what’s probably glamoured toilet paper.
The other male fae is with him, human-featured as well, but I don’t see her.
Resisting the urge to search for her, I point at the shelf in front of the stoners and ask, “Can I get to the Doritos?”
“Sure,” pretzel guy says, stepping back and sweeping out a welcoming hand. “Go right ahead.”
One of his pals taps a bag of Cool Ranch. “These are the best.”
I wrinkle my nose and shake my head.
“You don’t like them?”
“Nope.”
My phone vibrates in my back pocket. As I take it out, I scope out the register again, noticing with relief that the woman is there now, too.
The text is from Leo: Are they still in the store?
They’re paying, I reply. Then, after a moment’s thought, I add: Only the guys are visible.
A dark head that reeks of weed blocks my view of the screen. “Leo?” Cool Ranch asks. “That your boyfriend?”
“Yes, and he’ll kick your ass if you won’t let me get him Nacho Cheese.”
“Nacho Cheese? He’s a loser. Come party with us.”
The door chimes and I look up just in time to see Brier’s trio file out of the store. As much as I want to rush after them, I know I need to wait a moment or two.
The one stoner who hasn’t tried to hit on me holds out a party-size bag of Nacho Cheese. “Here.”
He has such a nice smile that I return it with one of my own. “Thanks.” I take the bag and nod at the Rold Golds. “Make sure you pay for those.”
Eyes on the front window, I head to the register, although I’m not sure why. What am I gonna do with a bag of Doritos? But when I see Leo outside, I deposit the chips on the nearest shelf and rush out the door.
“Betts.” He takes hold of my arms.
“Where are Topaz and Rime?”
“They’re following them.” He examines me like a worried mother. “Are you okay?”
I nod, but with his question comes the memory of what happened in the shampoo aisle. “Her, though. I think she saw me. I mean, I think she saw me see her.”
His brow dips. “Are you sure?”
“Pretty sure.” The concern in his eyes is making me ramble. “I’m so sorry. I thought she was supposed to be visible. I don’t know why I looked at her, I just did and then I was like—”
Leo gently touches my face. “It’s okay. It’ll be fine.”
I gulp, forcing the stubborn anxiety down my throat. Maybe he’s right. “Do you think they know some humans can see them, even when they’re invisible?”
“Yeah, probably. They’ve been here in the Subworld for months. I’m sure they’ve run into a few people with the Sight.”
Shit.
No, wait—that’s good, right?
God, I’m so confused.
“What now?” I ask, still trying to get a good breath. “What do we do?”
“Nothing,” Leo answers, his firm hands gripping my shoulders. Because I’m kind of panicking. “We figure out where they’re staying and we keep tabs on them. That’s all.”
“But—”
“We don’t want them to know we’re here.”
“Because then they’ll know the macguffin is here,” I reason.
“Exactly.”
“But what if they do know you’re here?”
“Until we have proof of that, it’s safest not to reveal ourselves.”
Chewing on my lip, I glance past Leo to the corner the enemy disappeared around. “They didn’t look like they were on a mission at all. They were just kinda… strolling.” Like tourists in a new town. “I don’t think they’ve been in Alderford long.”
“That’s valuable information,” he says, peering over my shoulder and up the hill. “Where were you when you saw them?”
“Dimitri’s,” I say. “With Liv and the girls. I had to go out with them. I freaked Liv out, so now I need to prove to her I’m fine and—”
“Freaked her out?”
I inhale sharply. Why do I blather when I’m anxious?
“Yeah, look, it’s no big deal, but I should get back up there or she’ll start freaking out again. I mean, I kinda left in a panic, so—” I jerk a thumb over my shoulder and take a few steps backward.
Leo frowns.
“What?” I ask.
“Just—” He shakes his head and sighs. “Stay alert.”
I have no idea how long I’ve been gone, but apparently it was long enough for the girls to polish off the rest of the pizza.
“Sorry about that,” I say breathlessly as I slide back into the booth. “Domestic squabble.”
Mia giggles, but Liv’s questioning look is sharp. “Domestic squabble? What is that supposed to mean? And why do you look like you’ve seen a ghost?”
No ghosts, just faeries.
I weave the yarn I spun on the short trip up from McDougal’s. “Because I had to break up a fight between Leo and Rime.”
“What?” Liv’s eyes widen while Mia and Jenna lean in close.
I point to the window. “I saw them walking down the hill, yelling at each other.”
“Really?” All three of them crane their necks to get a good view of the sidewalk, like Rime and Leo are still out there throwing punches, preferably shirtless.
“Yeah,” I say. “By the time I caught up to them, they were down by McDougal’s, and Leo had Rime by the collar.” Of course, my stupid brain flashes images for me of Leo doing that very thing to a red-eyed Rime in his apartment. And hissing, Put it back on.
Put back on your glamour.
I shudder, then collect myself. “I don’t even know what they were fighting about. Some stupid, competitive guy stuff.” I take a bite of a cold French fry. “They’re constantly at each other’s throats.”
Liv is giving me side-eye, which is impressive considering she’s sitting directly across from me. But Jenna and Mia are enthralled. They pepper me with questions: How long have they been friends? Do they fight over girls? Do they play any sports?
I almost have fun making up answers.
“What’s Rime’s major?” Liv asks, suspicion clear on her face. She knows I’m lying, she just doesn’t know how or why.
The answer is right there; I don’t even have to think. “Criminology.” Makes sense, doesn’t it? He’s in the militia and he’s trying to stop a bad guy.
“Ohhh, that’s kinda hot,” Mia says, elbowing Liv once again. “Maybe he’ll need to frisk you.”
I don’t know whether to laugh or drop my head on the table and cry.
Jenna, who’s been vigorously texting throughout this whole conversation, cuts in, “The guys are down at Henry’s.”
Mia tosses her crumpled napkin onto her empty plate. “Y’all wanna go?”
“Um—” I start.
Liv is hesitant. “Is Braden there?”
“Yeah,” Jenna reluctantly replies.
“You know what? Screw it.” Liv juts out her chin. “I’m not gonna let him keep me from doing what I wanna do.”
“That’s my girl,” says Mia. “If he starts bugging you, just tell him to fuck off.”
Jenna turns to me, wincing. “Zander’s there, too.”
“That’s okay.” I flick a little wave. “I actually need to go home anyway. I’ve still got homework to do.” At Mia and Jenna’s skeptical looks, I add, “Honestly. It’s not about Zander.” One of the few truths I’ve told all night.
I give Liv a goodbye hug, her worry and hesitation squeezing me as tightly as her arms. “Call me or text me if you need me.”
She looks me dead in the eye and replies, “You too.” Perhaps her concern is less for herself and more for me.
I walk with the girls to the corner and break off to head for campus, keeping my eyes wide open. Luckily, it’s a busy evening, seeing as it’s the first one over forty degrees since October. I survive the short walk without encountering any fae.
The moment I’m safe in our room, I check my phone. One message from Avery and four from Leo.
Avery: I’m free after 8
Leo: We’ve tracked them
Leo: Are you still downtown?
Leo: Where are you? Message me
Leo: Please
That last message, sent only ten minutes ago, has my heart racing. With trembling fingers, I type back: I’m back in my room. Are you all alright?
Leo: Yes, we’re fine. I just wanted to make sure you were too. Is Liv with you?
Me: No. They went to Henry’s.
Dots wiggle on the screen, disappear, then the phone vibrates in my hand.
“Hey,” I answer.
“Hey,” Leo says. “They went to Henry’s?”
“Yeah.” I kick off my shoes and fall back onto my bed. “That’s why I bailed.”
“Zander?”
“Yeah. And because they’ll probably end up at O-Chi for the rest of the night.”
“All night?” He sounds breathless and urgent. “Liv isn’t coming home?”
“Probably not. Why?”
“Then let me come get you.”
I sit up. “Why?”
“Because I don’t like the idea of you being alone.”
“Because she knows I saw her?” The probability has been low-key haunting me since I ran out the door of McDougal’s.
I’ve put myself and everyone else in danger with a one-millisecond glance.
Graciously, Leo says, “I’d feel better if you were here.”
Ashamed and afraid, I glance about my lonely, dark room. I could worry, or I could be safe. I could wallow in guilt or I could make plans with the team.
I could be alone or I could be with Leo.
I snatch my overnight bag out of my closet. “Okay.”