Whatever It Takes
SLADE
I t was hard as hell not to back down in that damn carnival my parents set up to flex their muscles for the people at this event.
I grew up in that atmosphere and having them all watch me as my new family tore my mother a new blowhole was both empowering and terrifying at the same time.
The truth is that as much as she and my father claim to want me to come back to lead the gang, I’ve never believed that story.
I think they’re afraid I could take over on my own and want to use ascension on their terms to put some sort of vise on my powers.
My mom can’t imagine a life where she’s not lording over the masses to make up for choosing a douche like my father to marry.
Plus, they’re not fated mates and never thought they were; their marriage was one of consolidation of power, with my dad thinking he’d use Azul’s skills to keep his gang in line.
Instead, she worked the coup from the inside, and took over not long after my birth and his first affair.
They’re awful people who do terrible things and they kind of deserve one another.
But I’ve never been able to get full freedom from them, and it made me look over my shoulder my entire adult life.
Until now.
Morgana’s hand is warm in mine and I know this public show of affection isn’t completely comfortable for her yet.
She, too, has lived in the shadow of a self-centered sociopath; her healing is both further along than mine and behind it at the same time.
So I squeeze her palm gently, letting her know without words how much I appreciate them all risking so much to ensure my freedom.
I’m part of this family for real now, and despite being tied to her partially via the sharing of my song on the plane, it’s helped me gain the most freedom I’ve ever had.
I don’t even know how to express my gratitude out loud without being a total mess.
Since we can’t do that here and now, I glance over at the dragon who is leading us down the twisting paths of the garden of territories. “Where—Where are we going, Kaspar?”
“We’re going to check out the Fae lands, kid.”
I frown at the moniker, but I let it go because I know the jackass does that stuff to distance himself from the rest of us.
Liam’s guard is deeply scarred inside and though I am certain he will come around, I also know that he will make the journey rough as hell because he doesn’t know any other way to travel.
“Why there? Are you guys going to meet with people who might help or…?”
Liam winks at me, then rolls his eyes at Kaspar behind his back. “I honestly don’t know because he hasn’t told us where the ship is headed. A poor captain, indeed, when you don’t inform the crew of their destination, Kas.”
The dragon sighs in irritation, then growls, “I’m not a captain, Li, so that’s a moot point. However, if you are asking me why we are headed to the lands our people have arranged, I will answer.”
Everyone stays quiet for a second and the Prince makes a strange noise of annoyance. “For fuck’s sake, man. Why are we going to their territory here? Why not mages or demons or that shifter gang or any other number of species?”
“Because I’d like to see just who is wandering around this writhing nest of snakes and sinners, for one.
I also want to know who is representing all of the courts at this thing.
It’s small potatoes at home, as I’ve never heard this city or event mentioned at any security briefing in many years.
Obviously, the crown and the general don’t feel it’s worth their attention, which means it would be a very good place for malcontents to recruit disenfranchised Fae. ”
I blink, surprised by the acumen that statement shows, and it occurs to me that Kaspar’s shitty attitude is covering up a very competent body guard and military man. “That sounds completely reasonable and really smart.”
“Don’t sound so shocked, siren. I’ve been doing this for more centuries than humans have been on this continent.
” The dragon grunts and glares at the rest of the group for a moment before he continues.
“If you do not have a strong history dealing with our people, I’d advise allowing Li and me to handle communication when we enter.
In this realm, we are bound to behave within Society rules except when we are on our own ground. ”
“Is that a fancy way to tell us that everyone and everything in this little pocket of heaven will behave in the underhanded and tricky manner they do in Faerie?” Iggy asks, his eyes full of amusement. “That’s both challenging and scary when it comes to Morgana and the bear.”
Morgana gives him a look that would wither weeds for miles. “If I was able to live with twin demis for a couple of years before Magnus, I can handle the fucking Fae.”
The professor blinks and looks at her in interest. “I never thought to ask about who came before that asshole.”
“Probably doesn’t matter much since they’re gone , Briarton,” Lucas says with a smug smile. “I don’t give a flying pig’s fart about them and Lady M says she’s not worried about my previously less evolved behavior.”
“Of course not,” she says, waving her hand for the dragon to start moving again. “We’re adults, and unless past affairs are a health concern or cause issues for us now like Iggy’s fight with Kimiko…”
Ignatius has the grace to look chagrined and I chuckle softly.
The conversation has taken the focus off of me entirely, giving me some time to gather myself after the confrontation.
I’m glad for that, so I laugh along with the others.
Once the merriment ends and we’re on our way through the winding path again, I study the set-up with a more critical eye.
The organizations who host this soiree must have a very expensive, very talented team who wrangles all of these various groups to get that weird entry spell and all of this excess finery ready.
I suppose it’s worth it to forge good relations between all the supes and keep peace in a big town like Bay City, but I can’t help wondering what they could be doing for the people who live here versus this ostentatious event.
Of course, I’m saying that about the bad guys, so there’s my answer.
“Where are we going first when we get inside the Fae territory?” I ask. “I know you said you want to check the reps and all, but…”
“Definitely not Daybreak first,” Liam says firmly.
“If I use a little magic, I should be able to trick lower level Faerie dwellers into not recognizing Kas and me. Whenever our people set up mini-lands, they always have a square format with the royal hangers-on in the corners and the rest of the people in the middle. Disguising our faces will let us mingle in the marketplace then check out who’s in the Midnight, Autumn, and Reaping court locations for as much info as possible. ”
“I think after that, we should head back to the airport,” Morgana murmurs. “There’s something brewing in this place that is making my snakes antsy. The closer we get to this side of the garden, the stronger that feeling gets and I didn’t feel it in the Sons’ tent.”
Kaspar stops short in front of a set of gates that have crawling vines, flowers, and all sorts of energy coming from them. He rolls his eyes when he sees the small podium appear, turning to the group. “There will be another gatekeeper. I have no idea what it will be but don’t ? —”
“ Ahem !” The indignant noise grabs my attention and I whirl around to see a very gnobbly looking creature climbing up to stand at the little host stand with a dark expression. “Telling secrets is not part of the process, storm dragon.”
Iggy leans in, whispering in my ear. “It’s a red cap, Slade. Don’t piss the damn thing off or it might decide to add us to its list.”
“Its list?” I frown as I look at Liam and he nods. “What list?”
The red stain on the creature’s hat gets darker and for a moment, I wonder if he’s actually…
bleeding on it? “Redcaps are known for our vicious thirst for recompense when angered, young siren. Royalty, hybrids, criminals, devils… It does not matter who you are if you cross our kind. We do not forget nor do we relent in our quest for vengeance, no matter how small the slight.”
That’s not good at all.
“Noble guard, perhaps we might register our visit so that my family can visit a small portion of our home?” Liam bows a tiny fraction at the grumpy thing, but its eyes widen into saucers when he does so.
“P-P-Prince L-L-Liam! Your Majesty, I am not worthy of such a gesture!” The redcap scrambles down from the podium, moving faster than his small stubby body would suggest to stand in front of the royal Fae.
He drops to his knees, removing the hat to reveal a flowing wound of blood that makes me want to barf, and I have to bury my face in Morgana’s arm.
“For one such as you to bow to my request will keep me indebted to your graciousness for life!”
Kaspar sighs loudly and I’m sure he’s looking to the heavens for help wrangling this circus.
I don’t blame him; the Prince was being nice but he’s probably fucked up our plan to keep our presence unknown until we wish to be perceived.
“Get up, gatekeeper. The Prince has given you a boon, so tell us what you must so we may continue our path.”
“Indeed, indeed,” the creature says quickly.
I peek out, hoping he’s covered his bloody head so I don’t have to hide from the inspection.
When I see that he has, I breathe a sigh of relief as the dude climbs back into place and clears his throat.
“The Faerie law says you must write your name in the register and grant a private confession as payment for accepting you in this slice of our realm. The book will know if you are lying, but it will also know if that is because you must write other than your true name.”
I frown as I walk towards the podium to get it over with. “Why would it let you lie? That seems like it defeats the purpose.”
The redcap cackles. “It would, if it didn’t compel you to share why you wrote an untruth in the register as your confession.
The only exception is for those from our realm—all Fae creatures—because our laws state your true name is only for those in your most intimate circle.
It will accept the known name for all Fae species. ”
Very clever, just like Liam warned us.
Scribbling my name down with the quill, I think about my ‘confession’ briefly, then write it down and move aside. When nothing happens to punish me, I sigh in relief. I didn’t try to trick the damn thing, but hell if I know what its moral code is.
“Next! Bodyguard, you should go prior to the Prince.”
Kaspar glares at the little dwarf, growling low. “I realize you have a job, but mind your tone , gatekeeper. And know that we do not want our presence known until we are ready to reveal it.”
“Yes, Royal Guardsman. Delamar the Deceiver will be your new best friend even though he is from the lands of Reaping.” He smiles with gapped teeth and I almost shiver because it’s more frightening than when he’s scowling.
One by one, the rest of our group signs the book and finally, Delamar reveals the door for us to go inside.
“Once more into the breach,” Iggy mutters and I grin.
When he’s right, he’s really fucking right.