by Shona Husk
Henry shrugged. “She isn’t speaking to me so it doesn’t matter.”
“Don’t be a fool, Henry. Their spy can be used against them. Make an effort to win her over. You are more charming than you know.”
Not as charming as the Mayor, though. “You told me once no fairy ever gambles their heart, so how do I win something that is never on the table?” Not even Darah’s husband had touched her heart. In her own words it was unscarred.
“Just because they never gamble with it doesn’t mean it isn’t already in play. Fairies, especially those used to the vicious games of Eyra’s old Court, are masters of misleading actions and clever manipulations.” She pressed her thin lips together. “You need to play smarter, Henry, not harder. She will discover the truth.”
“And if she doesn’t, someone else will.” While he knew he could make a case that it was for the people, the greater good, he’d directly interfered—and killed—for personal gain. That was the kind of thing that Annwyn frowned on. “Maybe I went too far.”
Marlis inclined her head in agreement. ‘It would’ve been smarter to report the Mayor to Darah and let the Hunter deal with him.”
He hadn’t thought of that at the time. “I’ll be lost without your wisdom.”
“You will have to develop your own. Go and see Darah. Perhaps a deal can be made.”
Henry considered her for a moment. The situation must be worse than he thought if Marlis was suggesting he make a deal. Had there been another way? Even if he had involved Annwyn, the Hunter would’ve been too late to stop the Mayor from killing Henry—and that was assuming they actually cared about what the changeling was doing in the first place.
No, he had to believe he’d done the right thing. It was kill or be killed. In some ways the world hadn’t changed much since he was a child. The strong preyed on the weak. The rich on the poor, and even though he’d moved up the food chain there were still bigger, badder creatures out there waiting for him to stumble so they could take a bite.
“You have always warned me not to make deals with fairies.” Including herself and other Greys.
She pressed her lips together for a moment before answering. If she was afraid for him, she wasn’t letting it show. She was however concerned and that was enough to make the hairs on his arms stand up on end. “In this case it might be needed.”
Marlis was correct. It was better to act as though he was in the right and had nothing to fear than to cower and wait for the axe. Henry nodded. “I will speak with her. Then we can spend the evening together.”
He stood up and kissed her cheek. But where once there had been fullness and warmth now all he felt was bone and cold. He was going to miss her. He already missed the way she had been. At least when he died it would be quick; there would be no prolonged wasting away.
Would Darah be in her room? Or talking to the Greys? He passed though the gaming room—not the machines, no fairy was interested in something that required so little skill—but the tables where cards and dice were played.
Ex-Lord Weylin was there playing with a few Greys…as was Darah. He looked at the two supposedly exiled fairies. Were they in cahoots? Lovers? Spies?
No. The body language was wrong. And while it could be for show there seemed to be genuine dislike between Darah and Weylin. Henry strolled over. Weylin smiled, but it was greasy. The man was up to something. He’d love to kick him out of Detroit but that would be hard when he didn’t actually have the city yet.
He chose to ignore the man and instead took Darah’s hand and lifted it to his lips.
If she was horrified or shocked it didn’t show, her smile held an echo of warmth. That was better than what he’d been hoping for. It would be nice to take her downtown where the city was a little more vibrant, however he had generally avoided the area as the Mayor had very strict control…and if the Mayor was no longer in control?
It was still too early to be walking around down there. His minions could retaliate, although without the MacGill’s slippery words would they still be loyal?
“Can I tear you away from your game?”
“Weylin can attempt to win his chips back later.” Darah picked up a pile of chips and turned away from the table.
Henry didn’t miss Weylin’s distinct look of displeasure. That man was trouble…but then weren’t all fairies be they changeling, Grey or Court?
“You’re friendly with him.” Was he jealous? Possibly. The idea of Darah with Weylin was unsettling. If she was going to sleep with anyone for information it should be him, although he’d rather that she slept with him for other reasons. Sometimes he was so human.
Where could they go where they wouldn’t be overheard? His room, but that was more suggestive than he would’ve liked. They needed to move beyond casual sex. He decided on the small lounge near the high stakes gaming room. It seemed appropriate.
“I like to keep my enemies close.” The look she gave him didn’t reveal what she thought he was.
“How close?” He had to force the words out.
“Not as close as you.” A ghost of a smile played on her lips.
That wasn’t reassuring at all. “I’m not the enemy, Darah.”
He didn’t want to be fighting everyone. Why couldn’t people, fairy and human, just let him try something? See if he could make a difference?
“I know, but I’m not sure you are a friend either.” Her voice was soft as if she didn’t like admitting that.
Henry sighed and pushed open the door. He flicked a few switches and some of the lights came on. The room smelled dusty and unused. Hopefully that would change in the near future and he could get the deputy Mayor on his side now MacGill was gone. Henry didn’t want to become Mayor himself—far too much red tape.
“If he hadn’t shot me I wouldn’t have killed him. But I needed to heal, and he’d seen I wasn’t human.” Humans didn’t bleed black.
“I could’ve glamoured him.” She sat on the edge of one of the sofas.
“And my wound? I don’t heal naturally.” His body couldn’t. It was another flaw of being a darkling. Minor scratches were okay, they healed eventually. But a serious wound…he’d tried that once just to see what would happen. Absolutely nothing. It was as if the soul he had didn’t have the strength to heal him as well as keep him alive. He sat next to her. “We both know I shouldn’t really exist.”
“But you do, and so do others.”
So she’d heard a about the darkling child, Peri. Or was she talking about the pregnant Grey? He went with simple agreement. “Yeah.”
“You scared me. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
That was probably true. “I’m sorry you had to see it.”
She shook her head, her long black hair sliding over her bare arms. “No. I needed to see it. It’s part of who you are.”
“But not all I am. I’m trying to do something good.” For the first time in his life he wasn’t thinking only of his survival. It had taken him a century to grow up…which by fairy terms probably was about right. In Annwyn fairies weren’t expected to even start vying for power until they were over century.
“I know. But you understand why Felan is interested?”
He did, and he knew that the hit on the Mayor wasn’t going to go unnoticed. “I’m not gunning for Annwyn. No one here is. However I’m sure some of the Greys would like a reprieve or at least a chance at a reduced sentence.” Was it too late for Marlis? He tried not to think about what would happen tonight.
“Weylin is after Annwyn, he’s trying to gather supporters.”
“I don’t have the power to send him packing.” He wished he did. If Detroit was truly his, he’d be able to control all the fairies living here. There would be no jostling for power. No stealing or troublemaking. Only those that could live in peace with humans would be allowed to live here.
“You will. And when you do have that much power I’m sure that Annwyn will try to stop you.”
“Why? Because I’m keeping the Greys in
line? Because I’m interfering with the humans? Annwyn made this mess. Annwyn is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands. “I’ve killed only for survival.” He drew in a breath. Had it still been survival today? Possibly, although it was a long bow to draw as it could’ve been idle threats. “I met the Mayor this morning. He is a changeling whose words make people obey.”
Darah actually looked surprised. It was an expression that didn’t suit her. “Did he know what you are?”
“I don’t think he knew what he was. But he wanted me dead.”
There was a pause as she looked at him; her pale turquoise eyes didn’t miss anything. “Is he dead?”
“If he’s not already, he will be soon. I gave Kaid the order.”
Darah wasn’t sure what to say. So for a moment she said nothing. “Is Kaid your tamed assassin?”
“He’s…I don’t think he could ever be tamed, but we have an understanding.” Henry frowned. “If Annwyn comes after me, what will happen to him?”
“I don’t know. He shouldn’t be here.”
“But he is. And humans have misused him, used him for their own purposes.” From the way Henry glanced down Darah suspected Henry could add himself to that list. “He deserves a chance to work out what he is, without being controlled.”
Yet Henry had just ordered Kaid to kill. Was he trying to protect Kaid? Henry’s world was as complex as any Court games in Annwyn. He just didn’t realize it. Henry deserved a chance to see what he could do. Felan had ordered fairies to leave Annwyn and help the mortals and that was exactly what Henry was doing. That he was doing it with the help of Greys was the only part that had Felan concerned. Or had been.
The Hunter hadn’t been thrilled to know there was a fairy horse running around as a man. Darah doubted the Hunter would be impressed that Henry had stopped a changeling from controlling humans—although Darah felt Dylis should be as a changeling who had the power of suggestion was very dangerous indeed.
“I think what you are doing is very interesting. I want to see it succeed.” She placed her hand on his leg well aware that beneath her hand there’d be a fresh scar.
He smiled. When he smiled he didn’t look as world weary, and unlike many fairies it lit up his eyes. While he could guard his expression, around her he didn’t seem to. She wished she found it as easy to shake off the constraints of Court.
“However I do need to tell the Hunter about the Mayor.”
“I know. It’s why I told you. I wanted you to hear it from me. I also want you to know that I’m not planning on becoming Mayor. I don’t want that.”
Why not? That would make the city truly his…maybe it wasn’t about ownership. He was already winning the hearts of the people a few at a time. Having their hearts was worth more than having the paperwork.
Again she had the feeling that she was underestimating what Henry could achieve. Was he far more dangerous than he let on? Or did he not realize?
Either way, Henry had plans and potential. The way he took the required risks and then faced her, a known spy, without fear was exciting. If he’d been a fairy she’d have wanted to be by his side, helping and then basking in the power.
But he wasn’t fairy, and they had no future. She had to remember that. Annwyn seemed so far away right now and so irrelevant. Yesterday in the garden with Henry she’d done something useful. Something that people had appreciated. They had thanked her, hugged her. No one had ever done that in Annwyn.
Nothing she’d ever done had ever resulted in her feeling that good, or that tired. Even bringing down Shea and Eyra hadn’t felt that good. Her life in Annwyn when viewed from across the veil looked empty and hollow, exactly how she thought Greys and humans were when she was in Annwyn. Was it a trick of the veil? Or was this the reason her grandfather had shunned Annwyn for the mortal world? He’d seen the emptiness of Court and chosen a different life.
If she wasn’t working for Felan what would she do? Would she stay or leave Henry?
She knew the answer in a heartbeat. She’d stay. And not just because of the power Henry was gaining, or his ambition or any of the things she’d once admired in fairy men. But because she liked him. He had something that a fairy man would never reveal—a heart. He cared about his Greys, about Kaid and hopefully about her. She couldn’t put that into words though, so she leaned in and kissed him even though she knew exactly where his lips had been and the damage they could do.
She may not have a soul he could take, but she already knew that he’d left a mark on her heart. Something no one had ever managed to do, and he wasn’t even trying.
His fingers brushed her cheek then slid into her hair. “Is this the last kiss before you betray me and turn me in?” He whispered against her lips.
“I have to make the report.” She rested her forehead against his. She didn’t want to tell the Hunter anything, but she had no doubt that Weylin would once he knew. “For what it’s worth I think you did the right thing.”
He pulled her closer, drawing her onto his lap. “You’re not just saying that?”
“No, that’s the truth.” She was too involved and she cared too much. This had disaster written all over it and yet she couldn’t walk away. He was darkling and she didn’t care even though she should. She’d missed him last night, but it had been very late by the time she’d finished talking to Marlis.
Talking to her had revealed just how hard it was to be a darkling and to know that someone had to die so that he may live. It was a choice she couldn’t imagine making. Henry had a strength of will that out shone many a fairy man who’d never had to face a real challenge.
She looped her arms around his neck and let herself sink into the kiss. Her hips moved against his. This time she didn’t want him just to get close or to gain his trust. She wanted him, because of who he was and what he was doing, because he made her feel like more than a pawn in a game and because this might be the last chance she had with him if Annwyn decided he had crossed a line.
Felan would have to agree that Henry was doing good…overall. Maybe. She didn’t know. It didn’t matter what she did she lost, but betraying her King would be worse than betraying Henry.
His hands smoothed up her back, his palms rough against her skin. She closed her eyes, but couldn’t push away the thoughts.
“I can’t do this.” The words tumbled from her lips as she pulled away. She could no longer separate what she wanted from what she had to do. The clear lines that had once defined her life were erased. The goals that she’d once strived for were scattered and she didn’t know what she wanted, or needed.
He let her go. For a moment she expected laughter or condescension, that was what she’d get at Court for behaving like that, instead he just looked resigned.
“So this is it.”
“I can’t sleep with you and then make a report.” Betray you. Some spy she was. She deserved to fail when she couldn’t manage such a simple job.
“Why not, you’ve done it before.” He was watching and assessing her as if trying to work out what had changed. How could he know when she didn’t?
“Do you really want that?” Was he that desperate for affection?
He looked away. “I want you, without the games and schemes.”
“I can’t give you that.” She wished that she could.
He didn’t say anything and he didn’t look at her. She walked quietly from the room. She was sure that she’d left part of herself with him because she ached inside. A hollowness had formed that was all sharp edges.
Darklings were supposed to have no small magic, but Henry had done something to her. She was broken.
Chapter 15
Unable to stay in the casino where she might accidentally run into Henry, Darah left the building and went for a walk. She walked until she found a deserted park—there were plenty of them. A pack of dogs was at the other end, but she wasn’t worried. Even if they sensed her they couldn’t see her. She’d dropped the glamor that made her visible. She didn’t wan
t anyone seeing her misery.
She shouldn’t be feeling this way.
Never in her life had her emotions caused her such turmoil. Watching and reporting on Henry was a simple job. One that would get her the place on Felan’s Council. It was what she wanted. What she’d been working toward for years—a place of prominence at Court.
She typed the text to Dylis, pressed send and then waited.
This time she felt like a traitor. Her eyes burned and she had to blink away tears. She couldn’t even make this call while in his territory. Could she go back or should she leave without a backwards glance? That depended on what Dylis said. She should want to go home to Annwyn. That was where she belonged, where fairies belonged.
Yet it was the last place she wanted to be.
She didn’t know what she wanted any more.
Her thoughts tumbled around, but no clarity was found. Rolling one of Henry’s dice would’ve at least made the choice for her. When had she become that person? She’d always had a goal, and a plan to reach it. Until Henry she’d never wavered.
No that wasn’t true; she couldn’t even lie to herself. She still had a goal, and a plan. It was just that she no longer liked what was required of her. However, it was too late to back out now. If she refused to do more, not only would she lose her place on the Council, but someone else would watch Henry. Someone who didn’t know him like she did. Her first report had been spun to cast him in a good light and show the good he was doing, now she had to include what he’d done to make it happen.
Weren’t all fairies ruthless and determined?
He was fairy the same as any Grey. Annwyn may not run in his blood. But he was in hers.
The sun was starting to sink and the sky was turning pink when the phone rang. With dread balling in her stomach Darah answered.
The familiar voice of the Dylis filtered out of the speaker. “You have news?”
“I do.” She detailed Henry’s plans for the gardens, for rebuilding communities, and for investing in the city. She expanded on what she’d told Dylis before adding details and hinting that this is what Felan had been hoping fairies would do across the veil. Then she mentioned the Mayor and how he’d been trying to stop Henry. The attack, the death of the cop…and finally the confrontation with the Mayor.”
