by Nicole Hall
She jerked to a stop and glared. Ryan thanked whoever was listening that she didn’t have access to her power, or he’d definitely be something small and slimy. It was too bad he needed her powers.
“The year is up. It’s been up for a couple of weeks now. You owe me a renewal,” he insisted.
Her face tightened. “I should have known that was your only concern.”
Frustration made him want to shake her. Instead, he dropped his arm and let her precede him up the dark stairwell. “It’s not my only concern, but it’s a big one. We had a deal. I do your bidding in exchange for you sealing my magic. I’ve been a good little errand-boy, but the seal is gone. You need to uphold your end.”
Zee stopped halfway up the stairwell and spun around. It wasn’t very wide, barely big enough for two people, but it seemed half that with her standing above him so close. “I’ve honored our deal every year for seven years. I disagreed with you even as we struck it, but I have fulfilled my half as you have. I told you in the beginning that it was a temporary fix. Magic can’t be contained forever without risking your life. Look at what happened to Sera.”
Ryan moved up a step so they were eye to eye. “It’s my life to risk.”
“Yes, and I’d thought you’d have more time to risk it.” She waved her hands in his face. “I can’t perform the seal. That option is no longer available. Due to circumstances beyond my control, our bargain is officially broken.” A frown crossed her face for a second, but then she shook it off. “You’ll have to find some other way to deal with your magic. I suggest you learn how to control it as a first step.”
“I have no interest in controlling it. I want it gone.”
“And yet you can’t have what you want. That must be frustrating for you.”
Ryan stared at his clenched fists. It was frustrating. Their deal hadn’t been exactly what he’d hoped for, and it had required him to stay in Mulligan, but it had been functional. His magic had for the most part stayed under wraps inside him. Now however, whenever he got ornery, he fried all the technology around him. Not a great side-effect for a computer teacher. She was right though. He couldn’t make things go back to the way they were. And it wasn't really her fault.
He relaxed his hands and did what he’d been wanting to do since they’d exited the car, pulled one of her braids out of the interlocking layers and let it slide though his fingers. She had a larger braid down the middle, and tiers of smaller braids looped back into it then hung down her back. The plait in his hand was as smooth and silky as he’d suspected.
“I propose a new bargain. I’ll do everything I can to help fix things for you, and in exchange, you have to figure out and supply a more permanent solution to my magic.”
“What makes you think there’s a permanent solution that doesn’t involve death and/or dismemberment?” Her voice was huskier than usual, and he wondered if she was as affected by their closeness as he was.
“Because the Fae are tricky on their best days, and you never would have agreed to the first bargain so quickly if it was all you could do.”
Ryan expected her to argue more. Despite her battle-sleek muscles, words tended to be her weapon of choice, but instead, she looked away. He thought he’d seen hurt flash in her eyes, but she’d turned her head too fast.
Zee sighed. “Sera appears to have a unique skill. Why not have her absorb your magic?” She was almost whispering, so he had to lean closer to hear her.
He hesitated and she met his eyes again, much closer. For a second, he forgot what she’d asked. Her braid was still in his hand, resting against her shoulder. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, straining against the gauzy fabric tied behind her neck. His eyes followed the movement up to the knot at her nape, and he had the dangerous thought that he probably wouldn’t have to pull very hard to untie it. Zee could kick his ass any day of the week, but in that moment, he was sure the risk would be worth the reward. Her eyes dropped to his lips, and he almost closed the distance between them, but then a red glow grew brighter in the darkness.
The hand holding her braid was at it again. Apparently, his magic was triggered by anger and arousal. Ryan released her and retreated until his back was resting against the wall opposite her. This had been a terrible idea anyway. He was going to need a cold shower, but at least he’d still have all his parts.
Ryan blurted, “We tried after we couldn’t find you for so long. Sera did her thing, but it didn’t have any effect. We think it might only work on Fae magic.”
Zee nodded, but her eyes were far away. “And you’re human.”
“And I’m human.”
“I have one caveat to the bargain. While we search for a solution, you have to learn how to control your magic.” Ryan started to shake his head, but she kept talking. “It’s the responsible thing to do. We don't know how long it will take to find a solution, and you won’t always have a Fae around to help you. Magic can be dangerous in untrained hands. I’ll train you.”
He wanted to fight it, but it was a reasonable request. He’d learn, and then hopefully he could forget it when their bargain was met. The thought made him strangely sad. “Okay. We’ll do it your way. I’ll train until you’re back to full power and you can fix me up permanently. Then we can part ways for good.”
She smiled, but he could see it was forced. “I’ll teach you to control your magic, you’ll aid in my quest to return to the Glade, and when my magic is freed, I’ll create a stronger seal for yours. I agree to your bargain, Ryan Nolan. Together, we’ll both get what we desire.”
He extended his hand to shake, and she did the same. The moment they touched, wild swirls of red magic wove around their hands, then seeped into their skin and were gone. Zee pulled her hand back and continued silently up the as if nothing unusual had happened. Ryan rubbed his hand as he watched her disappear into his apartment. They’d had their previous bargain for seven years. Once a year, they would renew it, and she would reseal his magic. In return, he’d do whatever tasks she needed from him. Usually it involved tech help, but a couple of months ago she’d used him to summon Sera, which had started this whole chain of events happening.
Ryan chafed under the restrictions. He needed his magic sealed, but he hated that he didn’t have the freedom to move away. Whenever Zee texted him, he had to appear for her. He’d resented the power dynamic, and now that had shifted, but at what cost?
The stairs creaked as he followed after Zee. He found her curled up on the couch, asleep. Her long legs were tucked under her, but he could still see Jake’s pants peeking out. They’d have to get her some clothes. The traitorous part of his mind reminded him of the flimsy tie holding her top up and suggested they could probably wait a while on that one.
Ryan walked straight past Zee and into his bathroom where he cranked the cold water in the shower. He’d call Sera in the morning to have her take Zee shopping. It was much safer that way.
3
ZEE
Zee woke up in a strange bed. It had happened before, but this time was different. She couldn’t teleport herself back home.
The sun streamed through the lone bedroom window. A half-closed curtain blocked part of the light, but a bright swath stretched across where she lay. She threw the covers off and sat up, surprised to see she was still clothed in the thin dress and sweats. When had she fallen asleep? The room was unfamiliar, and the last thing she remembered was collapsing on Ryan’s couch after agreeing to the height of stupidity.
Magic bound them in the agreement now. Ryan may have thought he was well-versed in the ways of the Fae, but he had a lot to learn about power. Lesson one: don’t call on it unless you intend to follow through.
She swung her feet to the floor and let her toes luxuriate in the soft carpet. The Glade had wooden floors. It’s not like they had a convenient home goods store nearby, but maybe she could convince one of the humans to do her a favor and bring some luxuries. Her people deserved a little luxury if they were to stay trapped in the same forest forev
er.
Only, they weren’t trapped anymore, were they? And if they were able to leave, why hadn’t she heard from any of them? Lana had her phone number for emergencies, but the last place Zee had seen her phone was under her leather armor before the Wood had changed her clothes and ejected her. She had very explicit instructions for contacting the humans should anything ever befall her, and thus far, no one had followed them. Or they’d been unable to follow them.
Zee hoped Ryan was right and it was a matter of communications being severed rather than a matter of…something worse.
She stood up and immediately dropped down onto the bed again. Her head was swimming, and she had to swallow hard against a sudden upsurge of nausea. What in the seven hells was this? She thought back. When was the last time she’d been to a harvest?
The Fae didn’t eat for nourishment, though they were certainly capable of partaking. Instead, they drew magic from the trees in the Wood as sustenance. The harvest powered them physically and magically. It occurred to Zee that she hadn’t replenished herself in a long while. Probably too long if her body was any indication.
A couple of deep breaths later, she tried again and managed to come to a full standing position. The bright window overlooked the park across the street she’d seen the night before. The trees there would have to do.
The door to the bedroom opened to the main room she’d been in before. One door was open to a bathroom, and the other led outside. An appealing smell came from the kitchen, but she couldn’t place it. Her stomach cramped again, and she headed for the outside door. Ryan was nowhere to be seen, so she checked for wandering humans before she hurried across the street to the trees there.
The park was beautiful, if somewhat tame. The expanse of grass was crunchy and cold under her feet, but the trees were few and far between. In the middle of the park was the gazebo she’d seen lit up the night before. Concrete paths curved away from it on several sides. To the backside of the little building, away from the paths, was a small copse of pine trees. They grew haphazardly, but Zee was drawn there.
She walked slowly because she didn’t have the energy for much else. The sun wasn’t very high yet, but the park was mostly empty. The humans she did see were strolling next to the businesses that lined the streets around the park. No one paid her any mind. She reached the trees and slumped down next to the closest one.
The rough bark felt the same as the trees in the Wood, but there was no current of magic running through them. At least, not one she could sense. She tried to open herself to the power anyway, hoping that she’d passively absorb the magic she needed, but she was left empty.
Without that magic, Zee was afraid she’d waste away and die alone in a strange human park. Her stomach gurgled, so she rested her forehead against the trunk and tried again. Nothing. A breeze cooled her back and moisture seeped into her pants, but that was all. She didn’t understand what she was supposed to do.
Tears slipped out and ran down her cheeks. Her ability to cope was about gone. It was hard to imagine dying, easier to focus on hunger. The knowledge hit her suddenly. That’s what she felt. Hunger. The kind that came from her stomach. Without access to her magic, she couldn’t feed herself, but she wasn’t using magic either. Maybe her body needed a different kind of sustenance. It was worth a try, and a sight better than dying in a silly dress with tears on her cheeks.
It took some effort, but Zee levered herself up from the ground with the help of the pine she’d been commiserating with. She’d stopped checking for humans. What did it matter if they saw her? To them, she’d be a sad woman wearing strange clothes and nothing more.
Zee wiped her face, determined to return to Ryan’s apartment and keep trying things until something worked. A deep breath cleared her mind and she sensed someone watching her. She raised her chin and wasn’t surprised to see Ryan.
He leaned against a lone tree halfway back to the apartment with his arms crossed. Unlike her, he was dressed for the winter day in pants and a thick sweater the deep red color of his magic. She wondered at the choice. It didn’t seem intentional, but it looked good on him.
She couldn’t read his face this time, but he didn’t come any closer. Zee squared her shoulders and approached him. Her body may have been weak, but damned if she was going to come across that way to Ryan.
As she walked, his eyes flitted to her feet then back up to her face. It made her feel strange inside, embarrassed maybe, that she could be judged inept by her appearance alone when she had no control over it.
“You shouldn’t be wandering around out here without warmer clothes, or at least shoes.”
He was worried about her comfort? Relief trickled through her, but she pushed it away. “I don’t appear to have any other options.”
He shrugged one shoulder. “You could stay in the apartment.”
“I’m not a pet, and I was hungry.”
Ryan nodded slowly. “The trees aren’t doing it for you?”
“I often forget how much you know about my people.”
“Keep your friends close and all that.”
Zee wrapped her arms around herself to ward off the chilly breeze. “You consider us enemies? That seems harsh considering all the years you’ve worked with us.”
“For you. ‘With’ implies I had a choice.”
“There’s always a choice. You refused to see any side but your own so you built your own prison.”
Ryan straightened. “Think what you want, but I know the price paid for magic, and I have no intention of paying it again.” He tossed a small paper bag at her, and Zee caught it. “I thought you’d need some energy. You’ve been asleep for over a day.”
“A day?” As a Fae, she didn’t need as much sleep as a human, but she still slept. She’d just never gone that long before.
“You were breathing and making yourself into a blanket burrito, so we decided to let you rest. Sera dropped some clothes off for you, but you’ll need more.” He ran a hand through his already messy hair. “She said that fell to me since she and Jake are busy at his worksite today, but she’s not the boss of me.”
Zee’s lips twitched. Ryan sounded put out at the thought of shopping, but she appreciated the effort. And everything else he’d done. He may be cranky, but he’d been doing his best from the moment he’d caught her outside the Wood.
“Thank you.” She opened the bag and sniffed. The smell of yeast and sugar made her mouth water. Inside were two donuts. She recognized them from somewhere, and like the scent from the kitchen, it made her stomach growl. Human food or not, it was a better option than withering away and dying from starvation.
She pulled one out and took a tentative bite. Her eyes closed and she moaned involuntarily. She could feel Ryan watching her still, but she didn’t care. The sweetness exploded across her tongue as she chewed, leaving a delicious tingle behind even after she swallowed. My people turned up their noses at this? Maybe we were stupid after all. She’d had sugar before, in her tea, but all it did was temper the bitterness of the leaves. This was a whole new experience.
She took a much bigger bite and couldn’t help the little happy noise she made in the back of her throat. If she was to live as a human, she wanted donuts every day. The grass crunched as Ryan walked toward her, and her eyes popped open. She’d momentarily forgotten he was there. His eyes were hungry, but he wasn’t looking at the donut.
Zee swallowed hard as he stopped right in front of her. Immediately, she felt warmer, like she’d come out into the sun. His eyes dropped to her mouth, and for a crazy moment, she thought he was going to kiss her. Instead, he cupped her cheek and his thumb stroked across her bottom lip.
She watched him lift his hand to his mouth and lick his thumb where he’d touched her. Everything inside her clenched. Without thinking about it, she mirrored his movement, swiping her tongue across her lip. It came away sweet and sticky from the donut. If this was how humans ate, the Fae were definitely missing out.
The weakness she’d e
xperienced earlier was fading, replaced with heat and longing. Fae weren’t shy with their bodies, but she’d never wanted someone the way she wanted Ryan right then. The all-consuming need burst through her after having been suppressed for so long. Zee wanted him even more than she wanted that second donut in the bag. What did they put in those things?
She was moments away from giving in to the urge to see if the sweet taste lingered on his lips like it lingered on hers when Ryan blinked and backed away. It was like coming out of a trance, and Zee was no longer sure if she wanted out. Without his body next to hers, goosebumps popped up all over. She rubbed the chill from her arms and willed herself to return to reason. Ryan had a strange effect on her, but that didn’t mean she had to succumb to it. There could be no future between them, so it was better to keep things platonic. That meant she needed to get herself back home before her willpower ran out.
Ryan seemed to have the same idea. He nodded his head at the bag hanging almost sideways in her grasp. “Eat your other donut if you want, but come inside for clothes at least. It’s too cold out here.”
He turned and walked to his building without looking back. Zee had the distinct feeling he was running from her, and wondered what he’d do if she chased him. She waited until he went through the door to dig the other donut out and eat it in three bites.
Her toes were so cold she couldn’t feel them, but she was hesitant to go back into the apartment. Partly because Ryan had told her to and she didn’t respond well to orders, but partly because she missed her forest. She’d lived outside Mulligan all her life, but the town was a strange new world to her. It was a lot to absorb with very little warning.
A couple bundled in coats and boots walked by on the sidewalk, glancing at her curiously, and she was reminded that she was making a spectacle of herself by being obstinate. The park was not her forest. Nothing there could help her. She braced herself for sharing the small confines of the apartment with Ryan and went inside.
