To tell the truth, that bit of information had completely slipped my mind. “Of course I know that. Are you saying you can switch them out?”
Ryker cocked an eyebrow. “I’m saying Chad is following his instincts. He longs to be in Boundless, and he will find a way to get there. He already knows about the cistern.”
The image of Chad struggling to open the top of the cistern made me shiver. I could barely make myself say the words, “So, is there some sort of procedure or what?”
Ryker leaned back in his chair. “I haven’t the skill to do it, but Melia does.”
“What if it doesn’t work?”
Ryker chuckled again. “You worry too much. If the spell doesn’t work, you’ll have to stay in Boundless forever.”
I gasped, but before I could form an answer, he said, “Kidding.”
“Not funny.”
“Melia is known for the strength of her spells. So, to answer your question, it will work. I promise you.”
Faeries are not to be trusted, Allie.
“What about the bumps on his back? Wings . . . right?”
“Wing buds,” Ryker said. “Caused by his proximity to the cistern. When you took him away from the portal, they receded.”
I stood and stared down at him. “Okay, here’s my ‘to do’ list. Keep the changeling kid away from the cistern so he doesn’t grow wings or disappear. And, while I’m at it, be on the lookout for people trying to kill me and take the moonstone. Last, but not least, wait for the moon to reappear so I can stop time, go to some whacked out faerie world and, along with an army of misfit non-humans, try to save my grandmother’s kingdom. Anything else?”
Ryker stood. He was not amused. “You’re very cynical for such a young person.”
Chill, Allie. I took a big breath and let it out. “Yeah, I guess I am. Sorry about snapping at you. Remember, this stuff is all new to me. I guess I’m ticked off because it seems like I’m doing all the worrying, while all you have to do is ride around on your motorcycle, looking hot.”
He stood and trailed a finger down my cheek. “Don’t forget the wooing part.”
I slapped his hand away. “I told you, no wooing.”
Ryker nodded and gave me a quick salute. “See you tomorrow.” As he walked away, he said softly, “So you think I’m hot, huh?”
When I walked to the trailer, I was glad it was dark, because Ryker had succeeded in making me smile.
It was three days later, Friday, and we were still in the “the dark of the moon,” as Ryker called it. The weather had cleared. In a few more days, the tiniest sliver of moonlight would appear, and I would be out of excuses. I wasn’t so much afraid as I was frustrated. Every time I asked Ryker what I could expect when we got to Phaedra’s fortress, he said the same thing. “Phaedra’s a dark faery and dark faeries are dangerous.” To which I’d reply, “No shit, Sherlock,” earning me one of Ryker’s haughty glares. I had the feeling there was a behind-the-scenes conspiracy to keep Allie (Avalon) in the dark, so she wouldn’t get cold feet.
Chad promised to stay away from the cistern once I told him Ryker was working on a way to take him to Boundless for a short visit. Other than constantly nagging me about when, he’d been a perfect 342
angel.
That night, I’d just finished up at the fruit stand. Mr. Hostetler swung by to pick up Chad, and Faye was working the dinner shift. I had no plans other than a Cup-O-Noodles and a good book. When I got to the trailer, the message light was blinking. Faye. “Call me.”
When she came to the phone, I heard clanking dishes, snippets of background conversation and Harold hollering, “Order up!” Harold was the short order cook and owner of the diner where Faye worked.
“Oh, hi, Allie,” Faye said. “Could you do me a huge favor?”
Goodbye dinner and good book. “Sure, what do you need?”
“Leon is stopping by later. We might take in a movie. Would you be a doll and bring me my black jeans? And . . . iron them first? And, also my pink tunic with the beaded neckline? And my black shoes?”
“Yeah, okay,” I said, not even trying to work up some enthusiasm. “What about Chad? Am I taking care of him?”
“He didn’t say anything about Chad, so I guess you have the night off.”
I ate a peanut butter sandwich while I ironed Faye’s jeans and then headed for my car. When the motor sprang to life, I put it in gear and started down the driveway.
That’s when I noticed the gas gauge. The tank was empty. Unfortunately, so was my bank account. Saturday was payday for my work at the fruit stand, and Mr.
Hostetler paid me every other Monday. Broke, busted and disgusted.
Yes, I thought about using the credit card Junior had given me, but I didn’t want to start down that slippery slope. Faye would just have to drive home after work and change her clothes. I parked the car, locked it and headed for the trailer to call her back.
“Avalon!” Ryker was walking toward me from the barn. “Do you need a ride somewhere?”
I took a few seconds to weigh the consequences of Faye’s anger if she caught me on Ryker’s motorcycle. No problem. I’d have Ryker park it behind the diner. She’d never see it there. At least, that was my theory at the time. Besides, I really, really wanted another ride on that bike.
“Sure,” I said. “I need to take some stuff to my mom at Bea’s Honey Pot Diner.”
A few minutes later, with Faye’s change of clothes carefully stowed in a saddle bag, I was seated behind Ryker as we flew down Peacock Flats Road. When we got to the diner, I should have told Ryker to keep going. The dusty parking lot was jammed with clusters of chattering teenage girls. Very strange, since Bea’s was most definitely not a teen hangout. That was only part of the problem. Parked at the far end of the lot, I spotted a vehicle I knew well. Beck’s Ford Ranger. 343
Chapter Twenty Three
I knew it was Beck’s truck. I recognized the license plate. But, why would Beck be inside the diner? Okay, whatever. I’d just run in with Faye’s clothes, wave at Beck and scurry out the door. Sounded like a good plan. But then Ryker insisted on coming inside with me.
“Um, I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”
“Why?” He had that stubborn look I was coming to know well.
“My ex-boyfriend is in there. It might get ugly.”
“Boyfriend? Boyfriend?” He repeated the word as if it was a term completely unknown to him. Maybe it was. “Why must I stay out here if he’s a boy and a friend? Surely, he is not my enemy.”
I really needed to explain the whole boyfriend concept to Ryker, because it was obvious he wasn’t catching on.
“Don’t call me Ava or Avalon in front of other people,” I cautioned. “They’ll think it’s weird.”
“But, it is your true name.”
“I know, but other people won’t understand.” He looked offended, but nodded once. When we walked around the corner of the diner, I saw Faye peering out the front window. Much to my relief, she met me at the door. Maybe this would work out after all.
Her eyes widened in surprise when she saw Ryker.
“Hi, here’s your stuff.” When I tried to thrust the clothes into her hands, she latched onto my arm and yanked me inside, hissing, “What’s Ryker doing here?”
“Oh, he’s just along for the ride.” I tried to sound carefree and unconcerned. “Why?”
She continued to tug at my arm and succeeded in dragging me further into the diner. Ryker was right on my heels.
“Because,” she whispered, “I don’t need the clothes. It was a trick. You’re here for another reason. Ryker might, uh, complicate things.”
“You don’t need the clothes?” I repeated. “Then, why am I here? And, why are all those girls outside?”
Faye mumbled something under her breath. Did she say Junior? Surprised, I looked around. “Is Junior here?”
Just then, Beck loomed up behind Faye. “Hi, Allie. I was afraid you were still mad at me, so I asked your mo
m to help me out. Can we go for a ride?”
Before I could answer, he spotted Ryker. Beck’s eyes flashed dangerously and he seemed to grow bigger. “Is he with you?”
I glanced over my shoulder at Ryker. One of his eyebrows shot upward. “Ava . . . Allie, you said he was friendly. I clearly remember the words, ‘boy’ and ‘friend.’”
I fought back a groan. This was getting way too complicated. Right on cue, Faye said, “Where’s your car, Allie?”
I made a vague gesture toward the parking lot. “Out there.”
Her gaze, bright with suspicion, darted to Ryker and then back to me. She released my arm and dashed out the door.
“Oh, no,” I moaned. “I am so busted.”
Beck stared down at me. “Why? Where’s your car?”
Ryker said, “She needed a ride. I gave her one.”
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“On his motorcycle,” I added.
Beck grinned and shook his head. “Oh man, your mom’s gonna be steamed.”
Faye burst through the door, grabbed my arm again and marched me over to an empty booth.
“Sit!” she ordered.
I plopped down on the bench seat. She pushed me over and slid in next to me, trapping me against the wall. Apparently afraid they’d miss the good stuff, Beck and Ryker wandered over. Ryker sat opposite us, his eyes bright with curiosity. Still grinning, Beck folded his arms and leaned against the wall.
Faye shook a finger in my face. “How many times have I told you? No motorcycles.” She leaned across the table and gave Ryker the same finger shake. “And you, young man. I’ve seen you flying down Peacock Flats Road like a Hell’s Angel.”
“Oh, madam,” Ryker said. “I’m not an angel from hell. Actually, I’m . . . ”
I burst in quickly. “He’s not in a biker group at all. He rides solo. Isn’t that right, Ryker?”
Ryker’s brows drew together. “Solo?”
“Yeah, solo, you know, by yourself.” I leaned across the table and waggled my eyebrows, willing him to understand his response would have a significant effect on my future freedom. “In other words, you don’t ride with one of those nasty biker gangs who ride around terrorizing innocent people.”
His frown vanished and he smiled at Faye. “Oh, yes, I am solo. Very, very solo. And, I always make sure your daughter wears a helmet. Also, I drive very slowly. I would not harm Ava . . .uh, Allie for all the world.”
Faye wasn’t convinced but her shoulders relaxed a little. I did some more fast-talking. Finally, she lifted her hands and cupped my face in her palms, touching her forehead to mine. “No more motorcycles. Promise me.”
“I promise.” In spite of the boys’ curious gazes, Faye and I went through our usual ritual. We crisscrossed our arms, linked opposite pinky fingers, waggled our hands three times, uncrossed our arms and bumped fists. Neither one of us had ever broken a promise sealed in this fashion. Before she let me out of the booth, Faye told Ryker, “As for you, mister, you put my daughter on that bike one more time and you’ll be walking funny for a week. Got it?”
I knew he didn’t understand the threat, but, to his credit, Ryker nodded. “Yes, madam. I’ve got it.”
Faye stepped aside so I could slide out of the booth. Before she sashayed away, she said, “Beck will take you home, Allie.” It wasn’t a question. It was an order.
Beck gave Ryker a little smirk and put a hand on my shoulder. I shrugged it off and said, “Thanks for the ride, Ryker. I’ll see you later.” No sense in Beck getting too cocky. Ryker, looking slightly bummed, grunted, “Later,” and sauntered toward the door. As he opened it, the chorus of high-pitched squeals from the parking lot grew in intensity. I heard a girl scream,
“He’s here! Junior’s here!”
You’ve got to be kidding! My two semi-boyfriends plus my wannabe faery mate, all face-to-face at Bea’s Honey Pot Diner? Talk about your epic screw-up. Barely breathing, I hurried to the door. Sure enough, Junior Martinez stepped out of shiny new black Mercedes and began making his way through the crowd. Ryker and I stood, gaping, in the doorway. I felt Beck’s presence at my back. Everyone in the diner crowded over to the windows to see what the fuss what about. Junior stopped to sign his name on several exposed body parts. Then he flashed his famous grin and pushed his way through the screaming girls.
sign his name on several exposed body parts. Then he flashed his famous grin and pushed his way through the screaming girls.
Oh my God, he is coming into the diner. I was hyperventilating in panic and confusion. Part of me 345
wanted to dash out the back door. The other part had no intention of leaving. Therefore, my feet stayed glued to the floor as Junior stepped around Ryker and said,
“Hey, Emerson. I was hoping I’d find you here.”
Behind me, I felt Beck bristle up. I peered around Junior to see Ryker staring at us curiously. The air was crackling with tension. Yikes, do something, Allie.
“Chill,” I whispered to Beck and gave Ryker a little wave. “Thanks again, Ryker.” I hoped he’d get the hint. He didn’t.
My clueless faery prince stepped back inside the diner and peered over Junior’s shoulder. “About the wooing,” he began.
With a little shriek of hysterical laughter, I burst out, “The booing? Oh, the girls weren’t booing. Actually, they’re Junior’s fans. You see, he’s on TV. He’s . . . ”
“He said wooing, not booing.”
Thank you so much, Beck!
Beck and Junior ignored me and did the studly stare-down thing over the top of my head. Ryker circled slowly around the three of us, studying us carefully, as if searching for clues to our bizarre behavior.
Frantically, I searched my mind for options. Couldn’t do much about the Beck/Junior thing. Ryker? Yes, I could get Ryker out of the diner. That would lower the testosterone level a bit, providing faeries have testosterone.
I slipped out from between Beck and Junior and took Ryker’s arm, murmuring, “I’ll walk you out to the parking lot.”
Beck and Junior’s heads swiveled toward Ryker. Together, they said, “Who is he?”
Naturally, Ryker chose that moment to puff out his chest and announce, “I am Ryker Matheson of Boundless.”
I guess faeries do have testosterone.
“Where the hell is Boundless?” Junior asked.
“Never heard of it,” Beck said.
Before Ryker could answer, I said, “You haven’t heard of Boundless? Really? It’s east of here over by Pomeroy. They grow wheat there. Lots of wheat. That’s why they call it Boundless. You know, the land goes on and on, like forever.”
Junior threw back his head and laughed. “You’re shittin’ me, Emerson. There’s no such place on the map.”
Beck said, “I agree.”
Okay, at least Beck and Junior were in agreement on one thing: They both thought I was a liar. Problem was, I’d backed myself into a corner. Beads of sweat popped out on my forehead. I glanced over at Faye, who stood behind the counter pretending to wipe it down. Harold, alarmed by the hubbub, stood next to her. I caught Faye’s eye and mouthed the word, Help. Faye hurried over, followed by a lumbering Harold, who looked ridiculous in the chef’s hat he insisted on wearing, since he was bald as an egg without a hair in sight that could possibly fall in the food.
Faye linked her arm in mine. Harold clapped one beefy hand on Beck’s shoulder, the other on Junior’s. “How ya doin’, fellas? You folks want a little privacy? You can use my office.”
I almost asked him to stow the breakables first. I told Ryker. “I’ll see you back at home. Okay?”
He leaned close and whispered into my ear. “Are these the bad people trying to take the moonstone? If so, I will kill them for you.”
“No, there will be no killing. Let me handle it. Please. Just leave and I’ll see you later.”
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Faye released me and glommed onto Ryker’s arm. “Come on, biker boy, let’s go. I’ll be right back, Allie.” She narrowed her eye
s at Beck and Junior. “You two, talk amongst yourselves.”
After one last suspicious glance at Beck and Junior, Ryker let Faye lead him out of the diner. Okay, now what?
Thankfully, Junior took the high road. “I’m outta here. Talk to you later.”
He pulled me in for a big hug and planted a noisy smooch on my cheek. He stepped out the door and into the throng of admiring fans. Practically giddy with relief, I resumed breathing Beck stepped up next to me and took my hand. “Ready to go?”
His gaze was intense. I swallowed hard and straightened my shoulders. “Thanks, but I think I’ll wait around and ride home with Faye.”
The disappointment in his eyes clutched at my heart. I had to look away to strengthen my resolve. Too bad for Beck, his timing was off. After what I’d just witnessed at the diner—three alpha males each trying to outdo the other—I was pretty much disgusted with the whole species. Like Ryker, I’d fly solo for a while.
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Chapter Twenty Four
Tuesday night, a tiny sliver of moon appeared and my excuses were gone. Before we left for Boundless, I needed one last thing from Ryker. My request did not make him happy, probably because I hadn’t thought of it earlier. Or, maybe I was just stalling for time. He sat on the top of the cistern, scowling at me. “What do you mean ‘a guarantee?’ Did I not bring you back safely the first time?”
I refused to let him bully me. “This time will be more dangerous. Think about it, Ryker. It would be totally irresponsible of me to stop the world and never come back.
Before I go, I want something in writing, signed by either Luminata or Melia.”
Ryker threw up his hands in disgust. “We are presently out of favor with Luminata. Will Melia do?”
“Yes, if she has the ability to kick-start the world after I stop it.”
Ryker sighed, “Very well. I will return shortly. Stay where you are, if you please.”
I expected to see him climb down into the cistern, but instead, with a blast of hot air and a dizzying blur of color, Ryker vanished, leaving a pile of clothing behind. I heard the flapping of wings and watched Ryker, in hawk form, fly off into the night.
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