By Fairy Means or Foul: A Starfig Investigations Novel

by Meghan Maslow

  I agreed with him. “In a cage, you say?”

  He nodded.

  Sprites were not meant for cages. They needed lots of fresh air and to be surrounded by nature. They didn’t even do well in cities. A cage would be torture. Right up Rainbowpebble’s alley.

  “I’ll see what I can do.” That’s all I could promise.

  “I-I thought while you distracted him, I could set her free.”

  “Doesn’t work that way. You should know that.”

  “You don’t know whether she’s under contract. He might have kidnapped her.”

  I shook my head. “She’s under contract.”

  I certainly wouldn’t put kidnapping past Rainbowpebbles, but I didn’t believe it. Too risky. He was one crazy fuck, but he wouldn’t court High Council retaliation. Especially not here in Lighthelm, the capital. It would be extremely foolish. Rainbowpebbles was many things, but stupid wasn’t one of them.

  Besides, he already tried it with me, and the consequences hadn’t been kind. With increased scrutiny—my father made sure of that—he wouldn’t risk his businesses, no matter how tempting.

  “You can’t know that.” His voice trailed off at the end, pained. “Or maybe he tricked her.”

  A distinct possibility. Also not illegal. “Stay here. I’m ordering you, as your temporary master. I don’t want you leaving my place. Got it?”

  “So much for being equals.”

  “I don’t do guilt, Quinn. I’m trying to keep you safe. Now, I want to hear you say you’ll stay here.” His nostrils flared and I could see he wanted to mutiny in every line, but he gave a curt nod.

  One problem solved. Now, I just needed to figure out a way to get the horn back from Rainbowpebbles. Easy, right?

  5

  The Steamy Bean Café was neither a café, nor did it serve beans. I guess you could call it steamy if you counted the smoke from the jiggyweed permeating the building. The Bean was known for its vices—just this side of legal—gambling, whoring, craft nectars, and greed. Lots of it. I’d been here a few times in the past, though I steered clear these days. I wasn’t as self-destructive as I’d been in the days following my expulsion from my clan.

  Walking into the Bean was no biggie, but walking out was another story. I needed to keep my wits about me. I pushed through the door, my shoulders brushing the frame. The Bean was meant to accommodate fairy-folk and other magical creatures, but I pushed the limits. I might only be a foot taller than the average human male, but I was built like a dragon, strong, full of muscle, and long limbed. I towered over every creature currently there. Including Rainbowpebbles’ gargoyle bodyguards. Two big, ugly ones—though really, that wasn’t saying much as gargoyles weren’t known for their beauty—stood in front of a door leading to private entertainments. It also held Rainbowpebbles’ office. I knew because I’d been bound with a magical chain and held prisoner for several days many, many years ago. It still chafed when I remembered it.

  My entrance stopped all activity, and some patrons eyed me with obvious fear. I wasn’t a regular, which meant I either had business with Rainbowpebbles or I planned to make Rainbowpebbles my business. Neither which boded well for the Bean’s clientele.

  I moved toward the door and the gargoyles hissed as I approached. Gargoyles weren’t the smartest creatures—rocks for brains, after all—but even they sensed a dominant predator. And I was a predator, whatever the mighty High Council or those self-righteous Alphae pricks wanted to say about it. I might be part fairy, but my formative years were spent with Maylanth the Taker of Life. Good ol’ Mom sure didn’t see a problem using fire, teeth, claws, or anything else at her disposal to get what she wanted. She’d scoff at the ‘do no harm . . . first’ oath the Alphae adhered to so rigidly.

  I stopped a couple feet from the guards and held out my hands so they could watch my nails turn into long, razor sharp claws. A pair of fangs shot through my gum line and I smiled, letting them see what they’d be getting if they took me on.

  “Take me to Rainbowpebbles,” I said. They hesitated until I puffed smoke through my nose. Then they couldn’t open the door fast enough.

  The gargoyles scampered down a long, dimly lit hallway, surprisingly nimble for animated stone. I controlled the shudder wanting to race down my spine. Last time I was here, I’d been starved, beaten, and had numerous spells cast on me to try to subdue me. None of it worked. Though being held captive had been humiliating. I could thank my half-brother for that. It caused a burn deep in my chest and I rubbed the spot before I thought to stop myself.

  One of the gargoyles went to four legs and rushed ahead to warn his master. Fine by me. I’d never let Rainbowpebbles get the jump on me again.

  I didn’t wait to be introduced, just burst into Rainbowpebbles’ office. If I accidentally pulled the door off its hinges, well, I’m sure he had repairmen to fix it. Several gargoyles went from artfully arranged statues to aggressively surrounding their master’s desk. The amount of hissing that went on made it sound like a cat fight.

  “Call your minions off, before I turn them into sand.” I didn’t bother to raise my voice. He knew I could do it. If so much as one touched me, all bets were off. Defense, after all.

  A flick of Rainbowpebbles’ wrist and the gargoyles retreated to their poses, their glowing eyes following my every movement.

  Rainbowpebbles was large for a fae, both in height and girth. He came to just below my knee, but the way he sat at his oversized desk—the thing was bigger than my own—you’d think he was a giant. I suppose he was among fae.

  I just thought he was a scumbag who deserved a horrible death. But hey, that’s me.

  “Ah, Twig Starfig, what brings you to my humble domain? Miss me? I can always have you re-chained to the wall for old time’s sake.” The twerp smiled, his black teeth lined up like sharp little tombstones, and removed the tip of a hookah from the corner of his mouth, jiggyweed scenting the air. He hadn’t changed much over the years. His bright red hair still stood up like spikes, and his yellow skin looked too tight for his body, like he was in the process of a molt. Not that faes molted, but I was convinced he was part serpent. His wings matched his hair, and like all fairy folks, they were delicate looking. Nothing delicate about Lapus Rainbowpebbles though.

  I forced myself to retract my teeth, but left my claws out. He was one of the few people who knew for a fact I couldn’t fully shift, but he wasn’t stupid enough to believe I was harmless.

  “I’d say it’s good to see you again, but I’d be lying. I’ve come for the unicorn horn.”

  Rainbowpebbles laughed, a surprisingly musical sound from such a dickhead. He leaned forward in his chair. “Have you now? I suppose I shouldn’t be astonished a half-dragon bastard would desire to add a unicorn horn to his hoard. But isn’t it inconvenient belonging to the Alphae? I mean, how do you plan to get it from me with your promise to ‘do no harm’, hmmm?”

  The fucker looked supremely smug. He also didn’t seem surprised I knew about the horn.

  Interesting.

  The fairy in me urged caution, but the dragon in me wanted to make him a quick snack. Barbequed fae sounded mighty tasty about now.

  I retracted my claws and reached inside my tunic, pulling out a pouch I’d tied around my neck. Reaching in, I unveiled a thumbnail-sized blue stolquoise stone. Not only was it exceedingly rare, it gave the user lots of sexual stamina. I held it in my palm so he could get a good look at it with his greedy little eyes. He’d find a buyer for it in a heartbeat.

  He frowned. “You expect a trade? Your bauble is quite nice, but I think I’ll keep the horn.”

  “Did I say trade?” I tried my best to look innocent, but it was probably a lost cause. “Where’s the fun in that?”

  Now I held the little bastard’s interest. His yellow ears seemed to wiggle with excitement, and for just a second his long nose twitched. “What did you have in mind?”

  “Cards. Qwikskor. You, me. Winner take all.”

  “I like a guy
who’s ambitious.” He ran a delicate hand over his jowly chin.

  I picked the card game he was most known for being skilled at. And it would be relatively easy for him to cheat. He was drawing out his answer, but I knew I had him. I just needed to weather his posturing and we’d settle down for a nice friendly game. I almost snorted. Right. Nothing friendly about this asshole.

  To keep myself from rolling my eyes at the dramatic thinker’s pose he struck, I examined his office. I detected no sign of the horn, no scent trace, nothing. It wasn’t here. And didn’t that piss me off? I was about to say so, when my eyes fell on a small bird cage in one corner of the room. A blanket draped over its top, but if I focused long enough, I could see a faint glow coming from the cage. He really did keep her under lock and key. Rage roiled through my gut and my nose started smoking.

  That got his attention. And quick. He nodded toward the cage without taking his eyes off me. “Maybe there’s something else you’re more interested in than the horn, hmmm?”

  Quick little fuck.

  “No, I’m here for the horn. The rest doesn’t matter.” I cringed internally when I said it, but I couldn’t show any sort of weakness now. Before he could debate me on that point, I added, “Besides, I’m wasting my time. I don’t sense the horn anywhere in the building.”

  His eyes widened ever so slightly.

  “Maybe it’s under a shit-ton of protection spells?” He leaned back in his chair, his posture not as relaxed as he’d like me to believe.

  “I’d know.”

  “Maybe.” He shrugged. “Maybe not.”

  I chuckled. “Believe me, I’d know.”

  He frowned. “So you would. Well, I don’t know what to tell you. I moved it somewhere safe.”

  “I want it.”

  “You’d have to win it first.” His eyes flashed red for just a second, and I knew I got to him. Good.

  “Bring out the cards.”

  He seemed to consider this. “Maybe the bauble isn’t enough for such a rare treasure as a unicorn horn.” I wanted to snort because we both knew he was just posturing. He’d pull out the cards and we’d—

  “Then maybe to sweeten the pot, I would also be included as the prize.”

  Both Rainbowpebbles and I spun toward the familiar voice as the gargoyles leapt from their places toward Quinn, who just appeared seemingly out of thin air.

  I gawked, almost didn’t recognize him. He’d washed off all the face paint and put on actual clothes. He still wore the collar, only his hair was no longer a white blond color, but a golden blond fitting his complexion nicely. His features were even stronger than I realized when they were under all that enhancement. A stunning human, to be sure.

  He looked smug for all of one second until a gargoyle charged him. My claws automatically came out and I swiped the gargoyle in half a mere hairsbreadth before he would have landed on Quinn. Instead, it turned to sand.

  Quinn squawked and covered his face with his arms. I sighed.

  “Great defensive move, Quinn. I can’t imagine why I didn’t bring you along.” I puffed up and roared at the other gargoyles who inched closer.

  Rainbowpebbles snapped his fingers and they returned to their places.

  “He surprised me,” Quinn lowered his arms now that they’d backed off. “Besides, I didn’t think you could attack anything.”

  “You’re legally my property. If they attack you, they attack me.” I clasped his wrist in a bruising grip, too angry to be gentle. “What in the bloody blue moons are you doing here?”

  “I came to help.”

  “Don’t need your help.” I ground my teeth together, shook him slightly so he’d get the point. That’s when I noticed the ring. Of course. Invisibility. Before he could retort—because he had to be the mouthiest servant I’d ever seen—I slipped the ring off his finger and pocketed it.

  “Hey—”

  “Well, well. Brandsome’s little pet. Almost didn’t recognize him without his finery.” Rainbowpebbles gaze swept Quinn in an insulting fashion making me want to put my fist through his teeth. “Brandsome is a clever unicorn, isn’t he?” Rainbowpebbles’ eyes practically glowed with glee. “I accept your bargain. The blue stolquoise and the human to be bet against the horn.”

  “Now wait just one second—”

  “Don’t tell me you plan to back out, Starfig. Not a big, strong dragon like you . . .”

  That bastard was pushing all my buttons. Smoke steamed from my nostrils again.

  “He’s not.” Quinn moved in front of me, like I needed protecting. “He’s in.”

  “You don’t get to decide that,” I practically shouted.

  “Tsk, tsk, that unicorn always was too lenient with his little human. Don’t worry, Starfig, when I win him, I’ll make sure he learns not to talk back to his betters.” He looked me up and down. “Even his only slightly betters.”

  “You can’t have him.”

  “Then no horn.” He took a big puff from the hookah and blew out a large smoke ring. “I have business to attend to, just show yourselves out.”

  Quinn grabbed my arm. “You’re not really going to walk away, are you?”

  He looked furious.

  Unbelievable.

  “I told you to Stay. At. My. Place. What part of ‘stay at my place’ did you not understand?”

  “I told you, I want to help.”

  “I don’t mean to rush you lovebirds along, but busy, busy. Coin to be made.” Rainbowpebbles smiled, almost like he was apologetic.

  If it wasn’t for my oath, Rainbowpebbles would be a stain on the floor by now. Hellafuck, harpies, and hand-jobs, this ‘do no harm . . . first’ business sucked. If it wasn’t for my father . . .

  “Look, I’m sorry Twig, er, Mister Starfig, I mean.” Quinn leaned into me. “What do I call you in front of others?”

  “An idiot, obviously,” I grumbled. When he shook his head, I added, “Twig is fine.”

  “Come on, Twig, you can do it.” He gazed up at me, his eyes so earnest. Was this guy for real? He wanted me to bet his freedom and his body on a card game? He picked the wrong guy.

  I turned to leave the office. I’d have to find another way to get my hands on the horn. Quinn really screwed things up.

  “I didn’t think you’d be hot shit at cards anyway,” Rainbowpebbles called after me. “Say hello to your brother for me. Great guy. So willing to do anything for . . . oh, I meant, to family, don’t you think?”

  I stopped in my tracks, closed my eyes, and counted to ten so I wouldn’t do something stupid. Half-brother, I wanted to shout, but that would give the fae too much. “Fuck you, Rainbowpebbles,” I said instead.

  He snickered.

  “Nice to see you, Starfig. Remember, I always have a place for you.”

  I didn’t need to turn around to know he pointed at the chains that were still mounted to the wall.

  I forced myself put one foot in front of the other.

  “Twig, please.” Quinn’s voice was pleading as he stepped in front of me pushed on my chest until I stopped. He dropped his voice to a whisper. “I believe in you.”

  I raised my eyebrow. “And how do you know I’m any good at cards? Rainbowpebbles could be right. I might suck. That ever occur to you? You looking forward to having your legs spread by his clientele?”

  He flinched, but didn’t move out of the way. “I know you’re mad—”

  “No, Quinn, you really have no idea.”

  “Please.”

  “He doesn’t even have it here. Maybe not at all.”

  “We have to get it back. You can play in the middle of the bar. His reputation means something to him. If he wins he’ll pay up.”

  “No.” That was final. I picked him up and set him aside so I could pass.

  “Mr. Rainbowpebbles. I’d like to play you for the horn with me as the prize,” Quinn called.

  I spun around. “You can’t. I own you. You don’t get to make decisions about your life.” The words were brutal
, but I needed him to understand his place in this exchange. He really didn’t get Rainbowpebbles and his ilk.

  Quinn sucked in a sharp breath. Anger and hurt mingled on his face.

  Rainbowpebbles watched our exchange closely, his eyes darting between us. “Say, I’ll make you a deal, Starfig. You seem awfully fond of your pet. I know you wouldn’t want to trade him. I get it. He’s a prime piece. So you don’t have to.”

  I squinted at him. “What’s the catch?”

  “Catch? You wound me, my friend.”

  “We’re not friends, you piece of—”

  “Twig, maybe you should hear him out.” Quinn bumped his shoulder against me.

  “Yes, maybe you should hear me out.” Rainbowpebbles, that bastard, was enjoying the fuck out of this. If I was into spanking, when we got home I’d tan Quinn’s perky ass until it was cherry red. Maybe I would anyway.

  “So, you’re willing to play me for the stone only?”

  “Ah, no, sorry, Starfig, I just couldn’t do it for that.” He didn’t need to say, not any more. The guy could scent blood in the air better than most.

  “Uh huh.” I shook my head, determined to leave this time.

  “I would accept a contract on you, though.”

  Fangs shot through my gum line. I knew what he meant and it wasn’t to be a sex slave. He wanted to harness the power of my dragon, make me work for him. He’d be able to find anyone’s well-hidden treasures. He’d have one beast of a bodyguard. Oh, there were lots of uses for a half-dragon. He’d tried it by force before, but it hadn’t worked out. This was a clever way for him to get what he wanted.

  “How long?” I managed to get out through my teeth.

  “Why, only ninety days, of course. Standard contract.” He leaned back in his chair, took a few puffs of his cigarette, a smirk making him look even uglier if that was possible.

  “He doesn’t accept,” Quinn said.

  Really? Now he wants me to back out?