by E.J. Stevens
It was worth every penny.
If it hadn’t been for our training sessions, I’d surely be dead right now. In the past I’d given Jenna a small, ironic bow at the beginning of each class, but as soon as I was healed enough to begin lessons again I planned to bow deeply. I owed the Hunter a great deal of respect, and the gratitude of a princess.
At least, I hoped I’d be returning to training. I hurt all over. Without the ability to move or open my eyes, I had no idea how serious my injuries were. I tried again to move my arms and legs, but all I could feel was the heavy weight of pain.
My heart raced and I struggled for breath. The world fell away beneath me, sucking me back down into unconsciousness.
*****
I woke to the sound of someone talking. The sound was muffled and I wondered if someone had forgotten to remove the earplugs I’d been wearing when I passed out. I listened more closely as my head began to clear. It sounded like Kaye’s voice, but what was my witch friend doing here?
Had Father Michael sent Kaye to the cemetery? For some reason, that didn’t make sense. Kaye’s powers had waned since her role in the each uisge battle last summer. The black tattoos that crawled up her neck and twined down her arms and hands were evidence of the sacrifice she had made. No, the priest would not have sent Kaye to our aid. But then, what was she doing here?
I cracked open one eye to see the witch speaking with someone on the phone. It always looked strange to see Kaye holding a cell phone. I half expected her to keep in touch using a crystal ball.
“Yes, she’ll be fine,” she said. “She can go home today. Just be sure she continues to rest. No running off to be the hero—not this week.”
I missed what the person on the phone said, but Kaye laughed in return and hung up. If I didn’t want to have to answer questions, I’d better not let her see me awake. My head pounded with a migraine and I was pretty sure that every muscle in my body was bruised. I just needed a little longer to recuperate. Maybe after a nap…
I turned my head away from Kaye and startled, fully awake. Hob perched on the pillow beside my head. He was leaning forward, hands resting on his knees, and squinting at me with beady eyes beneath bushy eyebrows. At my movement he rose into the air, eyes wide.
Mab’s bones. So much for an extra minute of shut eye.
“She’s awake!” he exclaimed. He clapped knobby hands and landed on the pillow again where he danced a jig. “How do ye feel, lass?”
I tentatively lifted my arms, and did an inventory of my wounds. I had plenty of scrapes and bruises and a nasty bump on the back of my head. I was also pretty sure that my wrist was broken. But the cuts, broken bones, and throbbing headache were nothing compared to the burning in my side.
I pulled down the blanket covering me and lifted my shirt to see a large poultice wrapped in gauze.
“I’m okay,” I said, forcing a smile. “But this itches like crazy.”
I rubbed a gloved hand against the bandage and winced.
“Don’t touch that, dear,” Kaye said.
Kaye set the phone down and shuffled over to my bedside. I used the time to take in my surroundings. The old stone and wooden beams of the room were familiar. The welcome smells of herbs, incense, and wood smoke wrapped around me like a blanket. I’d been in this room hundreds of times before. I wasn’t lying where I’d fallen in the cemetery. I was in Kaye’s spell kitchen, near the hearth.
I suppose Hob’s appearance on my pillow should have been a hint. I chalked my confusion up to a sleep-addled brain. I yawned and flinched when the movement pulled at my side. Maybe if I could just get a few hours more sleep…
I started to drift, but Kaye harrumphed and kicked the bed, jerking me awake. She placed tattooed hands on her hips and shook her head. Apparently, Kaye’s recent time as a patient hadn’t improved her bedside manner. If I wanted sleep, I’d have to bust out of here.
I sighed and pretended that the motion didn’t cause me pain. If I wanted to get out from under Kaye’s care, I’d have to pretend I was well enough to return home. She narrowed her eyes at me and I blushed. Right, trying to trick a witch was probably a dumb idea. Kaye was no fool.
With another penetrating look, Kaye lowered herself onto the low stool beside me. She took her time settling her skirts and I tried not to fidget. I didn’t like lying here prone, but I figured Kaye would turn me into a toad, or worse, if I tried to sit up without permission.
I ran a gloved hand over the small wooden frame beneath me. Since the kitchen didn’t have a bed, I figured they’d set me on a portable cot while Kaye nursed me back to health. When Marvin had stayed here, he’d slept in a pile of blankets on the floor. The troll was too big for a bed.
“Is Marvin alright?” I asked.
My heart raced and a cold sweat beaded on my forehead. Marvin had unexpectedly shown up during the Danse Macabre, but I couldn’t remember if he made it out safely. I tried to think back to the end of the cemetery battle, but my memories were hazy.
I remembered Sir Torn arriving, leading the cat sidhe to attack the rat horde. I had uttered the Latin words just as Father Michael had instructed, weakening the compulsion of the endless dance and loosening the hold of the Danse Macabre. Ceff had battled Melusine, keeping her busy while Jinx tried to rescue children from the circle. I had fought with The Piper…and Marvin had appeared, joining the attack. But the details were fuzzy after that.
“He be fine, lass,” Hob said.
The brownie patted the blanket beside me, trying to comfort yet careful not to touch. My eyes watered and I blinked the tears away. I must be allergic to something in Kaye’s kitchen. I didn’t cry over bridge trolls. It wasn’t my style.
“Your friends and subjects are safe,” Kaye said.
Subjects. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that. I let out a breath and turned my attention back to the gauze bandage taped to my side. Whatever was under the wrappings itched and burned like crazy. I felt like I’d been pixed. Maybe I had. Marvin had used a pixie nest to incapacitate The Piper long enough for me to disrupt the spell.
Memories of the battle were returning in fragments, but I still couldn’t remember what I’d done to my side. I lifted my good hand and pointed at the gauze taped to my side.
“So what’s up with the bandage?” I asked.
I bit my lip waiting for Kaye’s reply. Hob looked worried and continued to pat the blanket beside me.
“It’s time to remove the poultice,” Kaye said. “I’ll show you how to change the dressings and you can see for yourself.”
She slid on disposable, surgical gloves and removed the medical tape from my skin. I held my breath, heart racing. My eyes slid to the black tattoos climbing up Kaye’s neck, down her arms, and onto her hands; hands that were dangerously close to touching me. My heart raced, leaving me lightheaded and my skin glowing pale yellow.
“I’ll be careful to avoid touching you, dear,” Kaye said.
Kaye didn’t look up from her work, just wiggled a gloved hand at me and continued removing tape from the edges of the bandage. She peeled back the layers of gauze and herbs to expose two round puncture holes. Jagged rips in the skin streamed out from the punctures where the flesh had been torn. A half-memory returned of Melusine shaking her head, fangs caught in my side. But was that truly memory or nightmare?
I tried to lift my head for a better look and grunted as the movement pulled at the wounds. It looked like a snake bite, if the snake was the size of a grown man, or woman.
“Melusine?” I asked.
“Yes,” Kaye said. She still didn’t meet my eyes. “The tips of her fangs caught you in the side as you tried to protect Ceff. If you hadn’t killed her with that silver and iron blade, the lamia would have murdered you both. You are lucky to be alive.”
I lay back against the pillows and squeezed my eyes shut. I’d killed my boyfriend’s ex-wife. I wasn’t sure how he’d feel about that. Heck, I didn’t know how I felt about it. The woman was evil, but I’d murde
red her in cold blood, leaving her no chance for redemption. What did that make me?
Not for the first time since discovering my Unseelie blood, I wondered if I might truly be a monster.
“Marvin say ye had no choice, lass,” Hob said.
I knew the brownie was trying to help, so I nodded. But deep down inside I felt broken. Even if Ceff forgave me, which was a big if, I didn’t think anything would ever make me feel better about taking a life.
I tried to swallow, but my mouth was dry and I felt like my heart was stuck in my throat. I coughed and looked away. Kaye handed me a glass of water and I sipped it slowly, postponing my next question.
“Where is Ceff?” I asked.
I’d been lying here, maybe dying, and Ceff was nowhere in sight. Lamia fangs are venomous; it was a miracle I was alive. I’d never had a boyfriend before, but I was pretty sure they were supposed to sit beside your deathbed. If he wasn’t here, then he was leaving me. I’d really screwed things up this time. My insides were achingly hollow and I imagined myself falling into the void Ceff had left there.
“Calm yerself, lass,” Hob said.
I opened my eyes to see Hob hovering near my shoulder and wringing his hands. My skin was glowing so bright it made my eyes water. I took a deep breath and tried not to think about Ceff and Melusine. The glowing dimmed, but didn’t go away. I was too upset and had no way of hiding that fact. I was caught with my heart unguarded, raw and exposed.
“Ceff is grieving, dear,” Kaye said. “Do not judge him for that. He has been here watching over you for days, but this morning I told him you were safely recovering and would be going home today. I told him to go and get some rest, but I saw the haunted look on his face when he left. At a guess, I’d say he is at the cemetery. He said he’d see you later at your apartment.”
I pressed a gloved hand against my eyes and let out a shaky breath. Ceff had been at my side for days. Thank Mab. He hadn’t left me forever. He’d left me to grieve.
“Melusine was a lot of things, but she was also the mother of his children,” Kaye said. “Let the man grieve. Give him time.”
Melusine was a lot of things alright—like the murderer of Ceff’s sons—but Kaye’s words were filled with wisdom as always. If Ceff required time to grieve, then I’d back off and give him the space he needed.
Then my sluggish brain caught up with what else Kaye had said. He has been here watching over you for days. I blinked rapidly and turned my head back and forth from Kaye to Hob. I’d been here for days?
“How long have I been unconscious?” I asked.
“Nearly a fortnight, lass,” Hob said. “But ye be goin’ home now. The Madam says so.”
A fortnight was two weeks. That was a long time to be out cold. Plenty of time to lose strength and muscle tone.
“I’m going home?” I asked.
I pursed my lips together and my stomach quivered. I wanted to go home, don’t get me wrong, but I wasn’t sure how I was supposed to manage that with two gaping holes in my side. Monsters walk the streets of Harborsmouth and I felt as weak and vulnerable as a cat sidhe kit. I clenched my good hand, longing for my weapons. Maybe I should stay a few more days after all and build up my strength.
“You doubt my skills, girl?” she asked. Kaye lifted her chin, but there was a teasing twinkle in her eye. “I was able to draw the lamia venom from the wound at your side and administered anti-venom for the viper bite at your wrist.”
Kaye pointed to the wrist I’d assumed was broken. It was wrapped tightly and hurt like the devil, but when I attempted to move my fingers they wiggled stiffly. I’d been injected with both lamia and pit viper venom. Some girls have all the luck.
“The venom brought on a terrible fever as your body tried to heal, but the fever finally broke last night,” Kaye said. “You’re at no risk of death now, but you’ll need to rest until you recover your strength. You’ll be weak as a babe, at least for a few more days.”
I looked around the room, feeling lost. I was going home, but I had no idea where to begin. I wasn’t used to being so dependent on others for help. There was only one person who looked after me like that, and she wasn’t here.
“Where’s Jinx?” I asked.
I understood why Ceff had left my side, but Jinx’s absence was odd. I would have expected her to hover. For once, I would have gratefully accepted a helping hand, but my friend was nowhere in sight.
“She’s back at the loft getting your room ready,” Kaye said. “You know how she likes to fuss over you. The silly girl.”
Kaye wasn’t a big fan of my roommate. If Jinx had found a way to be of help and escape Kaye’s watchful eye, she’d have been out of here in a flash of dyed hair and platform shoes.
I smiled and started the painful process of pulling myself upright. It was more difficult than I cared to admit, but with Kaye’s help, I was able to stand and gather my things.
I grunted and double-checked the blades strapped in their sheaths. The leather sheath on my right arm overlapped the bandages there, but I tightened the straps and embraced the pain. Hopefully, it would keep me awake long enough to get home.
I pulled a new leather jacket over the sheaths and checked the fit in one of Kaye’s scrying mirrors. The coat was a gift from Jinx. It had been folded beside the bed with a clean t-shirt and pair of jeans. A note on top of the pile said she’d procured the jacket from the clurichaun tailor…and that I owed her a new pair of shoes. Looked liked I’d be making a trip to the clurichaun’s cousin soon enough.
I smoothed out the jacket, satisfied that the leather hid my weapons. I hesitated before taking up the blades. There was no way I was getting close to the weapon that killed Melusine. I would relive that moment over and over in my dreams. I didn’t need visions of that night threatening to intrude into daylight as well.
I was finally convinced to take them up when Kaye assured me that the throwing knives were new. Jenna had sent them over as a get-well gift. Some people send flowers, my friends send leather and weapons.
“Time for you to be off,” she said. “Humphrey will make sure you get home safe.”
I limped to the door, sweating with the exertion. Kaye had warned that I’d be “weak as a babe” for a few days. Weak as a babe? That was an understatement. I was as boneless as a brollachan and pale as a vampire. Whoever Humphrey was, I hoped he walked slowly.
I’d be lucky if I made it home without passing out.
Chapter 25
As it turned out, Humphrey was a gargoyle. I was pretty sure he was the same gargoyle from the other day, but it was hard to tell. He sported a familiar combination of features, a mutation of dog, goat, and bat, but I had trouble examining him closely. The gargoyle was flying a few yards above me and I started to fall over each time I tilted back my head.
I shook off a wave of dizziness, put my hands in my pockets, and started the long walk home. My wrist throbbed and a burning pain stabbed my side with every step. I was pretty sure that if I had to raise my arm in a knife throwing stance, I’d pass out.
Thankfully, Kaye had provided the gargoyle escort. I may be too weak to defend myself, but I had no doubt that the half ton of living stone could keep me safe. Still, it was a long-ass walk to my apartment.
I limped along slowly, avoiding looks from passerby. When I was nearly home, my phone rang. I jumped at the sound and hissed at the pain the movement caused. The gargoyle glanced down and snorted. He seemed to find my predicament amusing. Har, har.
I winced and pulled my phone from my pocket. The number to our office flashed on the screen.
“Hey,” I said, answering the call. “Miss me already?”
“Kaye said you were on your way home,” Jinx said. “But we got a problem. I need you to stop by the office.”
“Seriously?” I asked.
“Dude, I need you down here,” she said, and hung up.
I stared at the blank screen and sighed. Shoulders slumped, I trudged to the office. All I wanted was my bed, but
there was no rest for the wicked. Some days it sucked to be me.
I turned the corner to see a crowd assembled in front of Private Eye. The gargoyle gave a rumbling growl of warning and I looked up to see his ears lay back flat against his head. I reached into my sleeves, making sure my blades were one flick away from my hands. My right wrist was stiff, but if I ignored the pain, I could grab the throwing knife. I just hoped I didn’t need my weapons. I’d be able to fight, but it wouldn’t be pretty.
Faces turned toward me and I stopped dead in my tracks. For a moment, I felt a sense of déjà vu. The crowd was made up of the same fae parents from a previous morning, but the assembled fae were no longer gnashing their teeth and wringing clawed hands. This time they were smiling and waving at me, though many had tears in their eyes.
This mob wasn’t here to lynch me. Considering my current state of health, that was a good thing. When Jinx saw me turn the corner, she jumped into the street and yelled, “surprise!” I slid my hands away from my weapons and gave the gargoyle a quick nod.
“It’s okay Humphrey,” I said. “That’s my friend and business partner Jinx…and a few of our clients.”
The gargoyle’s stone hackles disappeared and he came to rest on a nearby building. He started licking his front paw, ignoring the people milling about below. Apparently, Humphrey was satisfied that the crowd didn’t pose a threat.
I turned a stiff smile to Jinx and limped forward.
“Um, hi,” I said. “What’s going on?”
Jinx gestured at the crowd behind her.
“These peeps heard you were recovering and wanted to say thank you,” she said. “When Kaye announced you were coming home today, we put together a little welcome home party.”
A surprise party, for me? I’d spent years avoiding parties, even going so far as to beg my parents not to celebrate my birthday. Crowds and presents usually filled me with dread. But looking at the smiling faces of the parents whose children I’d helped rescue, produced an entirely different emotion.
