Chapter 42
Raven
Isat huddled under a thick blanket beneath the sweeping branches of a cottonwood tree, a steaming mug of hot chocolate in my hands.
Maverick and Adam were inside talking strategy, or rather arguing about the best way to fry Brianna’s bony ass.
Zane had taken Kai for a swim in Lake Michigan a while back while Rasmus was sleeping the sleep of the undead in the cellar.
Nula had disappeared into one of the upstairs bedrooms, much to my relief. I wanted to like her—she seemed sweet—but seeing her simp all over Adam creeped me out.
Maybe in time I’d get used to them being together, but that day hadn’t arrived yet.
I sipped my drink as Fig snuffled around in the tangled undergrowth, snorting happily when he uncovered some tasty shoots.
The walled garden behind the mansion was an overgrown mess.
Nobody had touched it in years. Thickets of dogwood, chokeberry, and elderberry had overtaken much of the garden, turning what had once been a curated, formal space into a chaotic wilderness.
At least from what I could tell from the vague outlines of pathways and beds.
Mature trees offered privacy from neighboring mansions, and a gazebo next to the side of the house must have been a pleasant alfresco dining area at dusk once upon a time.
Despite the chill in the air, I needed some outdoor time. Being cooped up in the house for the last two days was grating on me. Being a fugitive was not exciting. It turned out I missed the routine of classes and spending time in the library with my bestie.
Who still hadn’t been in touch.
I pulled out the phone Zane had procured for me yesterday—I didn’t ask where he got it from—and opened the messaging app. He’d helpfully added Farris’s number, so I typed out a message.
Where’s Glynda?
If you’ve hurt her, I’ll melt you.
Not even joking.
I squinted as each message showed as delivered. Minutes ticked by, but the fae didn’t reply. What an asshole.
Then I remembered he had a big social media following on Magigram. Only the goddess knew why anyone would choose to follow a male like Farris, but I decided it was a good idea to check if he’d posted any content lately.
The phone came with all the most popular magical apps pre-installed, so I opened Magigram and logged in. Despite being a tech virgin before Starfall, I’d gotten used to using apps like Magigram and WitchTok.
A stream of posts from my favorite witchfluencers filled my feed, but I ignored them in favor of searching for Farris’s account.
Wow. He had over a million followers?!
I scrolled down his feed, only to discover he’d not posted anything since before Alaric stole me away from the club. Prior to that, his grid was full of photos showing him with dozens of super attractive fae females, all of whom had clearly used filters to airbrush their faces.
Nobody was that perfect.
And if they were, I hated them already.
A notification flashed across my screen, making me jump.
Farris the fucking fae: *roll-eyes emoji* She’s fine.
Farris the fucking fae: Go away, I’m busy.
What a cock goblin!
I NEED PROOF OF LIFE!!!!
*gif of the Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz*
Farris the fucking fae: *weird emoji*
I forwarded a screenshot of the emoji to Zane in the hope he’d translate it for me since I wasn’t up to speed on what many emoji meant.
I’d used an eggplant emoji in a message to Maverick one time, thinking it literally meant eggplant, which I was craving for dinner, only to discover it meant something entirely different.
My incubus sex god: That’s the fae emoji for fuck off and die, my pet, which is disrespectful. I’ll deal with the fucker when he next comes through the fae portal. *knife emoji* *blood emoji* *skull emoji*
I reopened the chat with Farris the fucking fae.
Tell Glynda to call me or else.
Farris didn’t reply to that message, but I no longer felt quite so murderous toward him. Strangely, I believed him when he said she was fine. Mostly because fae couldn’t lie, even via technology, and there was nothing remotely ambiguous about she’s fine.
A door opened nearby. Adam lifted a hand in greeting before walking over. He sat down next to me and squinted at my phone screen.
“You’re messaging the fae? Is that wise?” I didn’t much appreciate what his question implied.
“He kidnapped my friend. I wanted to talk to her.” I hurriedly closed the app, not wanting him to see any inappropriate messages Zane might send.
“Fae don’t do things like that, especially not Autumn Court royals.”
“Um, they do. He took her from the club when the demons attacked, and nobody’s seen her since.”
Adam’s eyebrows shot up, and he shook his head, clearly doubting me. We’d never had a super close relationship, but any affection between us was now in short supply. The mage at my side acted like a stranger rather than someone who’d been a father figure my entire life.
A bird chirped above our heads, and from somewhere deep in the thickets, Fig oinked.
I knew there were other mansions nearby, but something about the height of the walls and the thickness of the foliage blocked out most ambient sound from outside the garden.
The sun had sunk below the trees, painting the house pink and orange. If only I weren’t a wanted criminal. Under different circumstances, I would have found this trip rather relaxing.
Then I started wondering: Why had Adam come out here? Had he and Maverick made a plan?
So I asked him, not enjoying the uncomfortable silence stretching between us.
“Not really, no. Security around the venue will be impenetrable.”
“To pathetic mages, perhaps,” Kenji scoffed in my head. He must be nearby. “I’m watching the pig. It’s a source of entertainment.”
“Leave him alone!”
Kenji didn’t answer, but I heard a faint growl from the shadows, and then Fig came scuttling out at a rate of knots, his eyes wide in alarm.
Kenji cackled. “Stupid pig.”
I settled poor Fig on my knee, wincing at how heavy he’d become.
“Kenji doesn’t see an issue with the security,” I remarked, paraphrasing.
“Perhaps.” Clearly, Adam appeared skeptical.
“Look, Raven. I didn’t come outside to talk about that.
” He shifted on the bench, staring out into the overgrown garden rather than at me.
“I wanted to apologize for how things went when you came to the farm.” I noted he didn’t say home.
“Willow has found it difficult lately. I think she misses you, even though it might not seem that way.”
“Really?” The pain from how she’d treated me lessened. I’d missed her too. In the early days, at least. Now I was far too busy trying to survive to miss anyone from my old life.
“Yes, she called earlier to say she felt so bad she used a teleportation potion so she could apologize in person.”
I spun around in surprise. “Wait…what? I thought nobody could leave the farm because of the lockdowns?”
“That’s true for lesser magicals. Mages and witches have been granted more freedom of movement because they have greater powers to defend themselves.” It was news to me. None of my mates had mentioned such changes to the rules.
“Surely shifters can protect themselves too?”
“They don’t have magic, Raven.” I bristled at the condescension in Adam’s voice. My bear was more than capable of defending me and himself against a demon.
“Bigger shifters are arguably more powerful than mid-tier witches,” I pointed out, but Adam shook his head dismissively.
“I didn’t make the rules, Raven.” For a mage who professed to hate everything his brother stood for, he seemed remarkably on board with his bullshit policies.
“If that’s the case, surely Nula shouldn’t be here?”
Adam’s jaw clenched in irritation. “She’s still weak from what she went through with Tiberius. As the only one of us in our coven with healing magic, I had to bring her with me to continue with the healing treatments.”
Was that what the boomers were calling sex these days?
Zane snorted in my head. “Shall I take your temperature with my special thermometer, pet?”
“Don’t be disgusting,” Maverick grumbled.
I ignored them both.
“So where’s Willow now?”
“I told her not to come here, as I wasn’t sure whether she’d be welcome. If you are agreeable, I’ll take you to her so you two can talk.”
Did I want to see her? Part of me said no, but then I recalled all the happy times from my childhood. Like when she comforted me after nightmares and taught me to read.
Perhaps I’d been harsh.
With me gone, Willow had to deal with Tally’s bullshit. That would be enough to send any sane witch loopy.
Poor Willow.
“Okay, I would like to talk to her.” We’d clear the air and all would be right in the world.
“Then let’s go.” Adam took a teleportation potion from his pocket and tossed it on the floor. Before I could protest, we blinked away from the garden.
My stomach rebelled when I landed in an alleyway off a busy street. This was insane. Without a glamour spell, people would recognize me!
“What are you doing?” I hissed. “I’m a wanted fugitive!”
With a murmured incantation, my streaky hair turned blonde and I gained a few inches in height.
“Little mate, where are you?!” Maverick’s alarm at my sudden disappearance filtered down the bond.
“I’ll be back shortly. Just talking to Willow.” I’d stay long enough to hear her apology and then insist Adam took me straight back to the mansion.
I followed Adam down a narrow passage until we reached what looked like an abandoned warehouse. Was this the right place?
He opened a graffiti-tagged door. “She’s in there.”
Ignoring my misgivings, I stepped inside the building. Magic brushed over me, and immediately, the interior changed from derelict to cozy. There were tables and chairs, several comfortable-looking sofas, and a wide counter serving coffee and light bites.
“It’s spelled to keep humans out,” Adam explained, waving a greeting at the witch behind the counter.