Korrigan wrinkled his nose and examined the plastic buttons. “Then what good is it?”
“Watch.”
Marny booted up the kart racing game and quickly selected the easiest mode and course. She chose her favorite vehicle, the blue one with dark green stripes.
“This is my racer,” she said. “I control the speed and direction here.” She demonstrated the controls, pushing the buttons and levers that made her kart move.
Korrigan looked at the netscreen, then back to the hunk of plastic in its hands. “It is a magical device?”
“I guess you could say that.” She supposed the mechanics of remote-controls and screenie games were close enough to magic.
“What else might I command?” The changeling pivoted and pointed the remote at the kitchen cupboard. “Bring me a bar.”
When nothing happened, he threw the controller to the floor.
“It doesn’t work that way,” Marny said. “You can only influence things on the screen. Which is this.” She leaned forward and tapped the side of the netscreen.
“Will it produce food and drink, or fetch items from the Realm?” Korrigan asked.
“No, it just plays games. But it’s fun. Now pick a kart.” She pulled up the choices and used her remote as a pointer. “Do you like any of these?”
The changeling peered at the screen. “The one on the end, with the flames.”
“Good pick. Now grab your controller and I’ll show you how to move. Then we’ll race.”
Korrigan picked up the basics surprisingly quickly, and before long was zipping around the track, muttering under his breath as he tried to catch up with Marny. He screeched with glee whenever he passed one of the game-controlled racers.
“Putrid bog fungi!” he cried as his kart spun off the course yet again.
“You’re taking that turn too fast,” Marny said.
“My velocity matches yours,” he replied, grunting as he waved the controller and got his vehicle turned back around.
“Yeah but I’ve got a few years of experience on you.”
“But I am a fey creature, and you but a mortal girl.”
“A mortal girl who’s kicking your ass,” she said. Still, maybe she was being too hard on him. “Do you want to try something different?”
He glanced at her, his pale eyes slitted. “Are you trying to trick me?”
“Always with the suspicion. No—I’m offering you some other options.” She scrolled to a new course, featuring a race through the mushroom swamp instead of the colorful hills. “Let’s do this one.”
“Ah.” Korrigan leaned forward, his ugly mouth splitting into a grin. “This is much more pleasant in aspect.”
“All right, then.” Clearly, the changeling’s idea of pleasant involved copious amounts of muck and slime.
The timer counted down, and at the buzzer they took off, their bright cars zipping through the murky trees. Marny lagged a little, letting Korrigan stay close, but by the end of another hour, his skills had improved enough that she didn’t need to give him a handicap. She still beat him in the overall scores, though.
“Hey.” Tam opened the door of the bedroom and rubbed his eyes. “You still here, Marny?”
“Yep.” She glanced out the wire-webbed window. “Getting dark.”
“You’re not walking home by yourself,” Tam said.
“And you’re not walking back alone after dropping me off,” she said. “I’ll ask Uncle Zeg to come get me. It’s not that far.” She pulled out her messager and sent her uncle a quick note.
“As if that racketing guzzler of his is low profile. I can’t believe he keeps that old car running.”
“We’ll be okay. Zeg can out-drive anything.”
“I want to race more,” Korrigan said, leaping on to the back of the couch. “Next time, I will be victorious, I am certain of it.”
“You can practice against the game,” Tam said. “You don’t need a real person to play with.”
The changeling made a face, but turned back to the netscreen and soon was accelerating through the swamp once more.
“You feeling better?” Marny asked, giving him a hard look.
The smudges beneath his eyes weren’t quite as dark, and his mouth seemed less pinched with exhaustion and strain.
“Adequately,” he said.
“The beta team plays tomorrow afternoon, right?” she asked.
“Yes.” He ran a hand through his hair, then let the strands fall back into his face. “I hope Jennet and I can get some answers. We have to figure out how to make the game safe for normal players, instead of them getting sucked into the Realm.”
“I’ll come over after school again,” Marny said. “Keep the freaky dude out of trouble.”
“Okay. I’ll get you the extra set of keys for the front door.” Tam glanced at the creature squatting on the couch, and misery flashed through his eyes. “I guess that’s all we can do right now.”
Marny patted his shoulder. “Hang in there.”
She couldn’t promise that everything would come out okay—who could? But she knew they’d all try.
***
It was a sign of how upset and distracted Tam was that he didn’t ask Marny how she was getting to his house that afternoon. After school, he caught a ride to the beta testing with Jennet, giving Marny a halfhearted wave as they pulled away.
She’d planned ahead, though, and arranged for her uncle to drop her off at Tam’s on his way up to the VirtuMax compound. Going alone into the Exe was plain stupid.
In fact, Uncle Zeg was the only member of her family who knew she was, as she’d put it, “helping Tam with a project at his place.” Her mom would freak if she knew Marny was in the Exe without Tam, and Grandma Harmony would lecture her, then insist on telling her for the thousandth time all the ways to keep the aitu, or ghosts, away.
Marny went up the creaky stairs to Tam’s place, undid the multiple locks on the front door, then waved to Uncle Zeg. He putted away, leaving a cloud of oily smoke in the middle of the potholed street.
It was nice to be out of the house and have some breathing room, even if she had to share that room with a fey creature. Babysitting Korrigan made a nice change from the bustling, close quarters of her own home. It wasn’t that much bigger than Tam’s place, and felt smaller, with her younger brother’s projects always underfoot, her older twin sisters arguing night and day, Dad’s boisterous jokes, and Grandma Harmony’s weird teas scenting the air with bitter and pungent herbs.
Marny pushed Tam’s front door open. She was greeted by a swath of vines sporting bright, poisonous-looking flowers. More plants lurked in the corners, fringed with sharp teeth.
“Jump on me, and you’re meat,” she called as she stepped into the jungle of Tam’s living room.
From overhead, Korrigan let out an unhappy sigh. He let himself down, hand-over-hand, on one of the ropey vines hanging from the ceiling. Squatting on the floor, he blinked up at her. He almost seemed happy to have company.
“What’s with the foliage?” she asked, batting away a tendril that tried to fasten around her wrist.
“This human habitation is far too plain,” Korrigan said. “I thought to enliven the surroundings.”
Marny kicked at a groping root. “Well, how about you un-enliven things. I’d prefer not to be some plant’s snack.”
“I doubt it would find you palatable,” the changeling said.
Marny gave him a look, and he sniffed and waved his hands in a complex series of gestures. The vines curled up into the ceiling and the hungry-looking plants in the corner disappeared. A nearby orange flower imploded with a fleshy pop, leaving a wet spot on the dingy carpet.
“Better.” Marny dug in her pack and held out a handful of silver-wrapped protein bars. “I brought you a treat.”
The changeling’s eyes lit, and he snatched the bars from her as if he were starving. Quickly, he stripped off the wrappers and stuffed all three bars in his mouth at once. Brown drool ran from
the corner of his mouth, and Marny had to turn away from the disgusting sight. At least she’d been right that, despite his complaining, Korrigan liked the taste of the protein bars. Either that or he was really really hungry all the time.
Good thing she had another half dozen bars in her pack. Never knew when bribery would come in handy.
“Ready for some racing?” she asked.
Korrigan wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “I shall defeat you this time.”
“Yeah, we’ll see about that.” She was tempted to let him win once or twice, but it felt too patronizing. The changeling was quick and clever. When he came in first, beating her, it would be on his own merits.
Marny flicked on the netscreen system, and soon she and Korrigan were jockeying for position as they sped through colorful caverns. He was getting much more skilled, she’d give him that—but he still wasn’t as good as she was. They played for two hours, and she let him come in a close second a few times, to keep his spirits up.
“Okay, break time.” Marny tossed the controller on the couch, then stood up and stretched.
Korrigan pouted, until she gave him another protein bar.
“So,” she said. “What’s it like, where you’re from?”
The changeling let out a heavy sigh. For a moment the sneer fell away from his mouth.
“It is full of magic and mystery. Your mortal world is nothing but drab and weary.” He flicked the brown carpet with one finger.
“You’ve only seen the inside of Tam’s house,” Marny said. “There’s a lot more to discover. I bet you’d be impressed with the ocean.”
“We have seas in the Realm,” he said with a sniff.
Still, she suspected he’d like to get out of the tiny house at some point. Maybe she and Tam could figure out a field trip. Though she really hoped the Bug would be returned soon.
“Why don’t you go back there for a quick visit, and let Tam’s brother come home for a bit?” she asked.
“The queen would never allow it.” Korrigan shivered, then grabbed his game controller. “Let us commence racing.”
Although Marny wanted to press for more information about the Dark Queen, she could tell Korrigan was done with that subject. For now.
They spent another hour mindlessly racing, until the rattle of the gas guzzler outside and the jingle of the locks signaled that Tam was home. He stepped through the door just as Marny scored another victory.
“Noo!” Korrigan flung down his controller.
“I win. Again.” She glanced up at Tam. “Hey, how’d the beta testing go today?”
“Good.” He sounded a little more upbeat. “I’ll tell you about it tomorrow at school. Zeg’s out there waiting for you.”
“I know—the sound of his car is unmistakable.” She rose and gathered up her back and coat. “See you later, Korr. Better work on those driving skills.”
The changeling stuck his tongue out at her and crossed his eyes. “I shall master this ridiculous mortal game yet.”
“He’s totally hooked, poor guy.” Marny shook her head, then headed for the door. “See you tomorrow.”
She hoped whatever Tam and Jennet had managed to accomplish in-game, they were that much close to bringing the Bug home.
***
Marny was tucking her things in her backpack at the end of the school day when Jennet came rushing up, her big blue eyes wide.
“We need your help,” she said.
“As in?” Marny closed up her pack, then looked at Jennet. There was a pleading in her friend’s expression she mistrusted.
“Um. Tam’s taking Roy Lassiter to his place to see the changeling, and you have to go with them.”
“What? That’s a terrible idea.”
Not just having to share air with Roy, but exposing Korrigan to any more people. She was starting to feel oddly protective of the ugly little guy.
“I know.” Jennet pressed her lips together in the way she did when she was upset. “But we have to prove to Roy that Tam’s little brother is a hostage in the Dark Realm, so he’ll let me and Tam use his sim equipment to get into Feyland. The only way to do that—”
“Is to introduce him to Korrigan. I see.” Marny crossed her arms. “You better hope Roy doesn’t sell you and Tam out. If your dad finds out you two are spending illicit in-game time together, things could get even more severe.”
“I know. But saving the Bug is more important than whether my dad grounds me for a year. Now, will you come?”
Marny let out a sigh. Of course she’d go. She picked up her backpack.
“Fine,” she said. “Lead on.”
She couldn’t help grimacing when she saw Royal Lassiter standing outside with Tam. Ever since Roy had used his faerie glamour on her to make her play Feyland, she’d pretty much detested him. Not only had he forced her in-game despite her claustrophobia, he’d also made her have a disgusting crush on him. The boy had a very sketchy sense of decency.
Jennet gave Tam one of her Iloveyou smiles. “Message me when you get up to the View, and I’ll meet you at Roy’s. Good luck.”
Roy made a noise of disgust, either at the little love darts coming out of Tam and Jennet’s eyes whenever they looked at each other, or the fact that Jennet was sure he’d let them onto his sim system. Probably both.
Marny turned her shoulder to him, and stayed a couple feet behind as he led them to the parking lot where his shiny red grav-car was parked.
“I’m sitting in back,” she said as Roy waved the doors open. “Tam can enjoy the pleasure of your company.”
She didn’t even want to brush up against him accidentally. She couldn’t believe she’d once actually wanted to kiss the guy. Of course, she’d been under a spell, but still. She’d rather kiss Korrigan, who at least was honest with his bad self.
Roy slid behind the wheel and started the car.
“I don’t suppose you have a real address I can put in the navbot?” he asked Tam, sounding all superior.
“Not so much.” Tam’s voice was calm, but Marny could see him flexing his fingers. “I’ll tell you how to get there.”
As they drove to the Exe, Marny braced herself against Roy’s wild driving and watched the neighborhoods change. Already faded and dumpy around Crestview High, they quickly disintegrated until all pretense of normal suburbia was gone. Half the buildings were empty, and the other half, Marny didn’t want to know who lived inside.
“You sure it’s safe?” Roy asked, slowing to navigate over a pile of rubble in the street.
“Of course it’s not,” Marny said. “Just do what Tam says, and we should be all right.”
She was a little worried Roy would get all bossy and make his own decisions, which couldn’t end well for them. Luckily, he showed some good sense, following Tam’s directions as they wound through the outskirts of the Exe.
They got to an area Marny recognized. Sure enough, Tam’s blue tarp roof came into view. He pointed to the alley beside the old auto shop.
“Pull up over there,” he said. “And put the alarm on.”
“Of course,” Roy said. “It’s triple-alarmed.”
Not as alarmed as Roy would be if somebody decided to mess with his car. As if a siren would stop anyone.
“You seriously live here?” Roy asked, and Marny wanted to punch the smug expression off his face.
“Shut it,” she said. “Welcome to the real world, rich boy.”
Some day, she hoped Roy would get his comeuppance. Something that would shake his world, like being disowned by his rich CEO mom, or falling in love with a girl he could never have.
As soon as the car stopped, Tam slipped out and hurried up the stairs. Marny and Roy followed, though she hung back. The last thing she wanted was Roy behind her, where she couldn’t see what he was up to.
Tam had the door open by the time they got to the top of the stairs. Inside, his living room was back to being a crazy jungle. Marny laughed a little, quietly. She hoped one of the flowers took a bite
out of Roy’s arm.
“Korrigan?” Tam called as they stepped into the house.
The smell of rank vegetation filled the air, and orange flowers with serrated teeth grew on ropey vines hanging from the ceiling. There seemed to be a waterfall in the kitchen, too. Nice touch.
“You have a way with decorating, Exie,” Roy said. Beneath the bravado in his voice, she could hear fear.
He reached a finger out to touch one of the flowers, then jerked it back when the blossom opened its mouth and hissed at him.
Marny reached into her pack and pulled out a protein bar. Better to lure the changeling out than risk another ambush.
“Come out, Korr,” she called. “I’ve got a treat for you.”
The leafy canopy overhead rustled, and Korrigan stuck his head out.
“Protein bar? Give it to me.” He stuck out his hand, his claws extended.
“A little less jungle, please.” She held the bar out of reach and waggled it back and forth. “And ditch the carnivorous flowers.”
He grimaced. “You mortals have no appreciation for the spice of danger.”
Marny glared at him, and Tam let out a frustrated breath.
“We have more than enough danger going on right now,” he said. Then he glanced at Roy, who looked way uncomfortable. “Seen enough?”
“Yeah.” Roy swallowed, his gaze darting from Korrigan, to the flowers now smacking their lips, to the slick yellow moss under their feet.
“So, you believe us?” Tam pressed.
“Fine, fine. You were right.” Roy looked up at the changeling and winced. “I guess if we can be transported to Feyland, its creatures can come out.”
“You have no idea,” Tam said. “Let’s go.”
Marny nodded. Korrigan loved an audience—maybe a little too much. As soon as the boys cleared out, she’d be able to get the changeling to clean up the jungle, and then distract him with more racing.
“One sec,” Roy said, pulling out his sleek messager. “Let me vid this.”
Holding it up, he slowly turned in place, panning the room. When he got to Korrigan, he paused and Marny could see him zooming in.
Faery Tales: Six Novellas of Magic and Adventure (Faery Worlds Book 3) Page 16
