Seared

by Bethany Adams

  “That sounds ominous.”

  Ralan’s gaze landed on the view of the valley beyond the estate. “Let’s hope it is not.”

  The bell above the door gave a jaunty jingle as it opened. Cora glanced up from the purse display she’d been organizing and caught sight of the newcomer as he entered. Her brows pinched. She sold men’s clothing at The Magic Touch, so it wasn’t unusual to have male customers. It was the strange aura surrounding him that grabbed her immediate attention.

  Cora forced a smile to her face anyway. “Welcome. Is there anything I can help you with?”

  The man’s skin was the palest she’d ever seen, as was everything else about him. His short hair was stark white, his lips a faint pink slash. Even the brown eyes he focused on her were unusually light, almost taupe. Combined with the way his energy raised the hair on her arms, the effect was uncanny. She didn’t detect evil, but this guy was far from innocent.

  “I’ve heard there are…many ways you grant aid.”

  “Really?” Cora straightened at the mocking lilt to his voice. Was that a code or a threat? She let a hint of magic pool in her palms in case it was the latter. “How so?”

  He smiled. “Clothing is magic. As am I.”

  “Of course.” He did know the code. Some of her tension eased, but she found she couldn’t relax. Danger surrounded him too closely for that. “If you’ll follow me?”

  She strode past him, flipping the door sign to Closed, and then on to the opposite side of the room. She opened a small door marked Staff Only that was tucked behind a display of shoes. It was, of course, not the staff room, though it did have a small table, water cooler, and coffee stand. As the customer entered behind her, she gestured him toward a chair and closed the door.

  “What kind of clothes do you need, and what do you have to trade?” Cora asked, not bothering to attempt pleasantries as she sat across from him. Most of the fae who came here had no interest in idle chit-chat.

  “So direct,” he answered softly.

  Of course Sir Creepy would be the rare exception.

  “Forgive me,” Cora said with a smile. “Most prefer to stick to business.”

  “Ah, yes.” The man leaned forward, and she fought to shove aside her nervousness as his odd, not-quite-dark energy wafted around her. “Business. Very well. I need a full wardrobe.”

  Cora eyed him, taking in his form, and then nodded. “I believe I have your size in stock, but it depends on a few things. First, is there a specific style? Climate?”

  He waved a hand. “Human style.”

  “But for what region?” she asked, biting back impatience. So many of the fae were clueless when it came to Earth. “Are you staying in this area or traveling somewhere else?”

  “You do not need to know my location,” he snapped.

  Cora almost rolled her eyes. “Not specifically. Humans dress differently in different areas. Surely it’s the same where you’re from?”

  His lips pursed. “I’ll grant you that is true. I’ll be staying in this portion of the land called United States. How far could I travel with such a wardrobe?”

  “You could get by anywhere in this country and most nearby, as well as much of Europe for certain.” Cora paused, chewing at her index finger as she thought. “Really, any major city with enough access to Western culture. You’ll be an obvious foreigner, but not like you would be in whatever you have on under that glamour.”

  The man shook his head. “Then why did you ask?”

  “Well, if you’re wanting to truly blend in, you’ll want clothes more traditional to the region you’re traveling to,” she answered, shrugging. “Not so much if you don’t mind looking like a tourist.”

  “I see.”

  He stared at her, and Cora wondered if he was about to simply get up and leave. It had happened before, though usually during the trade portion of the discussion. She’d gained a reputation for fairness amongst the supernatural creatures in the area, and newcomers to the human world were often sent her way. Without human money, they couldn’t just walk into any store. The local fae had come to trust her not only for clothing but for transferring their riches to useable cash. Only a few decided a human wardrobe wasn’t worth the effort and chose to use their energy maintaining glamours instead.

  He seemed likely to be one of them.

  But the strange man surprised her by giving a sharp nod and pulling a small velvet pouch from his shirt pocket. He spilled the contents on the table, and Cora couldn’t help but gasp. Diamonds. The guy had a pouch full of nothing but diamonds.

  “Umm,” she managed to get out.

  His laughter filled the room. “I was told you’ll help convert this to human money in addition to trading for a wardrobe?”

  She’d had gold and various gems, even a diamond here or there, offered before. But this? “I have to be honest,” Cora began, swallowing against the dryness scratching her throat. “I’m not sure I can handle this much.”

  “Really?” His voice lowered. “I would imagine a woman like you handles many things.”

  Her body froze at the innuendo. “If you can’t be professional—”

  He chuckled again. “Forgive my lapse.” He draped himself against the back of the chair like a prince, his eyes dancing. “I’m given to understand that humans find such transactions suspicious. I wouldn’t need it all at once.”

  Cora eyed the glimmering pile. There probably wasn’t a single one of them under three carats, and even without testing them, she’d bet all of her savings that they were flawless. Maddy’s father usually set the stones into jewelry to offer in his shop or sold the gems to some of his contacts. There was no way he’d be able to do that so easily with all of these.

  “I’ll have to check with my associate on how long this might take.” She met his eyes. “If you want clothes quickly, I’ll need something closer to an even trade.”

  The man straightened, gave a nod, and then pulled out another pouch. But from this one, he only took a single gold coin. “Will this do for the wardrobe?”

  Cora took the coin in hand and let her magic surround it. Pure gold. “Depends on how fancy you want. Designer stuff will be more.”

  He lifted a shoulder. “Casual for now. I can buy more with human money later.”

  “If you’re sure.” Cora hesitated before asking her next question, always a risky one with the fae. “How will I contact you when I have more information about the diamonds? You haven’t given me a name.”

  “Nor will I. Yet.” The man gathered all but one diamond back into the pouch. “I’ll leave you one for now. If you prove worthy, perhaps I’ll gift you with my name. I’ll return periodically to check for news.”

  He stood to leave, and Cora held out a hand. “Wait. Do you have any particular preferences when it comes to clothes? Colors or fabrics you hate?”

  The man shrugged again. “You’re the designer. I’ll wear what you choose.”

  Cora watched, dumbfounded, as he strode from the room like he owned the place. She’d been around enough nobles to know one when she saw one. Hell, she’d been one. Whoever the man was, he was high ranking. Shaking her head, she drew the diamond into her palm with the gold coin and headed toward her office as the bell jingled his exit.

  Chapter 2

  Ralan crossed his arms and leaned against the cool stone of the practice tower. A welcome relief, that hint of chill amidst the stifling heat of early autumn. Though the leaves overhead had begun to flush into bright shades of red, yellow, and orange, only the nighttime hours benefitted from a decrease in temperature. Not even the crisp, rain-scented breeze playing havoc with his hair provided much respite.

  Naturally, his new apprentice was late.

  When Delbin had arrived on Moranaia a few days ago, he hadn’t been able to control his gift with the greater magical energy of Moranaia. His power had already been strained from a confrontation with Ralan’s wicked brother, and the influx of magic hadn’t helped. Thankfully, Delbin had learned eno
ugh over the last few days that Ralan no longer needed to place an energy shield around him.

  That had been beyond awkward. That kind of shield required a link, and Delbin was alarmingly good at sending not only thoughts but emotions. Ralan had received more than enough of both. He was entirely too celibate right now to be privy to all the things Delbin was doing with his new girlfriend.

  Ralan let his head settle against the stone. Why bother forming attachments with death looming close? Then again, he didn’t need a relationship to satisfy his desires. He’d never had a qualm about sleeping with any woman who’d been equally interested. Why abstain so long as he was up front? At least then he wouldn’t die completely miserable.

  He was still grinning at that thought when Delbin stepped into the clearing. His apprentice halted, brows rising in surprise. “You look happier than I expected. Sorry I’m late.”

  “Making out with Inona again?” Ralan asked as he straightened.

  Delbin laughed. “Nope. Lynia sat me down in the library with a history book. She insists that being on Earth for a hundred years isn’t an excuse to shirk my Moranaian education. Gotta admit, I’m a little afraid of her.”

  “Good instincts,” Ralan said. “Lyr’s mother is a scholar, and few things rankle her more than ignorance.”

  “So I gathered,” Delbin answered, though his voice sounded more amused than bothered. “Meli was there, too, but she didn’t say much. She spent most of the time darting up and down the stairs bringing books to Lynia.”

  With a quick gesture, Ralan led the way into the sparsely furnished practice tower, stifling a sigh of relief as the spell-cooled air circulated around him. It was good that Lynia had taken it upon herself to educate Delbin, though Ralan would still need to speak to her formally. Delbin might have been exiled to Earth at a young age to keep him out of their enemy’s hands, but he was no less Moranaian. He deserved to be taught properly, and Lyr’s mother was the ideal person to do it.

  Ralan bypassed the small table with its single chair and stopped by one of the cushions in the center. “Did Meli search with runes or without?”

  Confusion wrinkled Delbin’s face. “Huh?”

  “I’m guessing without.” Ralan chuckled as he lowered himself onto a cushion. He waited until Delbin took his own place to explain. “Meli is a Diviner, but she’s just beginning to learn how to use her power. Sometimes she practices with her runes to help Lynia find the answer to a tricky bit of research.”

  Delbin’s expression cleared. “No runes today. Just a great deal of climbing.”

  “I’m glad she found Lyr and decided to bond with him. That one strand where—” Ralan snapped his mouth shut. Dammit, Delbin’s friendly personality often drew out more than Ralan really needed to share. “Never mind. Let’s get to work.”

  “Sure.” Delbin grinned. “We can gossip more later, Your Highness.”

  Ralan couldn’t help but roll his eyes. “Oh, shove it.”

  Despite Delbin’s joking, he settled into work without complaint. Ralan had him start with lowering and raising his mental shield, the invisible bubble of energy that kept others’ thoughts from invading. A delicate process to adjust a magical shield without being overcome by the force of all the thoughts crushing in from the people around them—and the skill Delbin most needed to master before he could return to Earth.

  After half a mark of that riveting entertainment, Ralan called a halt. “You’re getting better. Now practice connecting mind-to-mind without losing control.”

  Delbin rubbed his hand across his face and groaned. “Yay.”

  “You have to learn to control what you let through the way I can,” Ralan said. On their last attempt, Delbin had sent a jumbled mess of thoughts that had been almost painful. “Just try not to blast me.”

  Ralan closed his eyes and waited for the mental nudge that would signal Delbin’s attempt to connect. For several moments, all Ralan could detect was the steady drip of the water clock on the wall. What was taking so long? With his student’s power, the connection should have been almost instantaneous. He scowled and began to consider establishing contact himself. But before he could act, Delbin’s energy brushed against his shield.

  “Sorry,” Delbin sent. “Had to deal with another energy surge. Didn’t mean to show up late to the training party.”

  Late.

  The vision slammed into Ralan, stealing his breath.

  “Forgive me for being later than my missive had indicated,” the Sidhe lord Naomh said, inclining his head toward the three on the small dais.

  Lyr, Arlyn, and Kai stood in front of Lyr’s desk in the study. Afternoon sunlight streamed around them through the abundant windows. Behind Naomh stood his brother, Caolte, expression serious as he scanned the room.

  Kai let out a sharp laugh. “You imprisoned me and tried to kill me. Your tardiness is the least I have to forgive.”

  “You must—”

  “This meeting is pointless,” Kai interrupted. “We both know I’m not going to…”

  Flicker.

  The island began to rise, the tip breaking free of the waves. Grinding. Floundering. Implosion. A piercing scream. Eri.

  Ralan sucked air into his burning lungs. He gasped for breath, his chest heaving. Then he shoved himself to standing, wavering on his feet for a moment before he strode toward the door. He was almost there before he realized he was still connected to Delbin.

  Fuck. So much for being able to control what he sent.

  As he jerked the door open, Ralan closed the connection. He glanced over his shoulder at Delbin. “Don’t even say it.”

  But instead of the humor he expected after his flub, Delbin stared at him with a considering frown. “I’ve got to say, your gift blows.”

  An unexpected laugh slipped free. “That it does.”

  Cora secured the lock on the shop door before turning back to the counter. Her friend and shop assistant Maddy sat on a stool behind the cash register and sorted through receipts. Red-gold hair spilled over her pale shoulder as she tilted her head and leaned closer to one of the small scraps of paper. Cora smiled. From her coloring to her tall, thin frame, Maddy bore the clear marks of her Irish Sidhe heritage. A stark contrast to Cora’s black hair and tanned skin.

  “You’re quiet,” Maddy observed as Cora neared. “Something happen?”

  She’d waited until closing to tell her friend about their unusual new customer. No use risking someone overhearing or interrupting. With the strange power that had swirled around the man, it seemed best to be secretive. Fae like him invariably had an odd array of both enemies and friends.

  “Nothing bad. I think,” Cora answered, even as she gestured toward the stock room.

  Maddy’s green eyes narrowed, but she nodded at the silent signal. In the empty store, the extra caution was a bit much, but some instinct screamed at Cora not to take chances. The storeroom was shielded—and not just by the expensive security system that lowered her insurance rates.

  Once they were inside the shield with the door firmly closed, Cora knelt beside her safe and entered the combination. She lifted out the small pouch with the diamond and faced Maddy. “Wait until you see this.”

  Her friend’s brows drew together. “The way you’re acting, I’m not sure I want to know.”

  “Sorry.” Cora opened the drawstring and shook the diamond into her palm. “A new customer came in while you were at lunch. Some kind of fae, but I couldn’t tell you what. Noble, arrogant, and a little creepy.”

  Maddy snorted. “Well, that narrows it down.”

  “True enough.” Cora grinned and lifted her hand closer to Maddy’s face. “But he also had an entire bag full of these.”

  “Holy shit,” Maddy whispered, her wide eyes focused on the stone.

  Exactly Cora’s thought. “I’ve never seen a round-cut diamond this nice. I’d say it’s about a carat, and this was one of the smaller ones in the bag.”

  “I’d bet a week’s salary this is a grade D col
orless with flawless clarity,” Maddy said. She took the diamond from Cora and held the glittering stone to the light. “Damn.”

  “Yeah, and he wants to trade the whole bag for cash.”

  Maddy’s brows rose. “I’m not sure how quickly Dad could sell even one ring with a diamond like this. It’s going to be insanely expensive, and it’s not like the mega-rich are frequent customers. I’ll have to ask him what he thinks.”

  “Maybe he can sell a few through some of his Sidhe connections?” At her friend’s frown, Cora nibbled on her lip. Would that draw attention? Maddy’s father was Sidhe, but he’d chosen to live among humans. If this customer was from the Sidhe court, the diamonds might somehow be recognized. “But that might be a bad idea.”

  Maddy shrugged and pulled a silver locket from beneath her shirt. She mumbled a few words, and the locket clicked open. After placing the diamond inside, she whispered another spell to seal it closed and slipped it beneath her clothes. Even the chain faded from sight once it settled against Maddy’s skin.

  “Dad is going to have to make me something bigger if he thinks he can sell the other diamonds,” Maddy said with a chuckle. “Or I’ll be a walking target.”

  “I can always call in Jase.”

  Her friend winced. “Yeah, no. If my mom finds out, she’ll get her hopes up again. If I even look at a guy, she starts planning the wedding. She still refuses to acknowledge Anna’s existence.”

  Cora’s heart ached at the pain beneath the lightly spoken words. Maddy’s mother might accept that her husband was Sidhe, but she couldn’t stand the thought of her daughter being bisexual. “I’m sorry.”

  Maddy waved a hand. “It is what it is. Anyway, I’ll go talk to Dad now. Here’s the bank deposit.”

  Cora took the bag from Maddy and shook her head as her friend darted through the stockroom and out the back door, opening and closing the magical shield behind her.

  Why did Maddy’s mother have to be so strange?