by Anthea Sharp
“Right, boss.” Although, strictly speaking, Brenna wasn’t her boss.
And strictly speaking, Marny wasn’t going obediently off to bed, either. She had to get to Nyx’s club and make sure both he and his sister had returned safely from the Dark Realm.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Nyx strode past the pale-trunked trees with single-minded intensity. He was going back into the Realm, and he was going now.
But the air didn’t change and soften, and no faint chimes or tinkling laughter reached his ears. He had the sinking sensation that if he glanced back over his shoulder, he’d still see the dim interior of the warehouse through the trees.
“Hey!” he called. “White Stag—come and get me. Spriggans, goblins, pixies, ahoy! A mere mortal is entering your domain.”
Nothing. He whirled and glared at the faint shadow of the juice bar beyond the silver-leafed branches.
Maybe he needed to do something more drastic. Though he hated the thought, he turned his back on his club and pulled out one of his shorter knives. Didn’t the Dark Queen have a thing for blood?
“Hist,” a high voice said. “Put away thy blade, Master Nyx, and bide a while.”
“Puck?” Reluctantly, Nyx re-sheathed his knife. “Where are you?”
“Here, there, everywhere,” the voice said. “But most measurably, perched above your head.”
Nyx stepped back and craned his neck to see Puck sitting on a branch several feet above him, swinging his legs and grinning.
“Great, you’re here.” Nyx said. “Does that mean I’m in the Realm?”
“Not yet—though calling the dark fey with your blood would certainly tip you over. I do not recommend you do so, however. Having so recently escaped, do you truly want to enter that trap once more?”
“I have to. Marny’s still in the Dark Court.”
Puck laughed and leaped into a handstand. “T’would be a terrible thing, to return to the queen’s court and find that your lady love is gone.”
“Wait, what? Marny’s not there?” A chill gripped him. “Where did they take her?”
The sprite tumbled forward off his branch, flipping in the air until he came to hover before Nyx. Sprigs of greenery were woven in his hair and cobwebs festooned his tattered tunic.
“Have you so little faith in Mistress Marny’s prowess? She has escaped.”
Relief whooshed through Nyx, but he peered distrustfully at Puck. “Then why didn’t she return to the warehouse?”
“She was returned elsewhere.”
“Elsewhere? Like, Crestview? Or somewhere else in the Realm?” He tamped down on his frustration. Talking with Puck was like trying to navigate through a twisty maze, but getting irate at the sprite wasn’t going to help.
Puck tilted his head like a bird, bright eyes twinkling. “She is nearby. And in this when, as well.”
That seemed like a very good thing. For a second Nyx’s heart twisted at the idea that Marny could’ve been sucked out of time, or taken anywhere, but he made himself relax. Breathe.
“Okay, so Marny’s back in the real world.” Although who knew what Puck meant by nearby. “I have your word on this? Is she hurt?”
“You learn quickly,” Puck said. “She is well. And my time here is spent. Good eventide to you, Master Nyx. May our paths cross more lightly in the future!”
“Or preferably, not at all,” Nyx said, but he was speaking to empty air. Only a shimmer remained where the sprite had been.
Fine, then. He had to believe that Puck was right, and Marny had made it back safely. Considering they’d used the sprite’s magic to come back to the human world, it was probably safe to assume Puck knew what he was talking about.
And if he didn’t, well, he’d basically confirmed that if Nyx went into the forest, cut himself, and called on the Dark Queen, he could get back to her court. If he had to. The idea sent a shudder of distaste through him.
Nyx cast one last, narrow-eyed glance at the shadows between the trees, but everything seemed normal. As soon as he got out, though, he was going to take away the anchor points and figure out what to do next. His mind shied away from the inevitable fate of the club and the failure of his grand project. First things first.
The second he walked out of the forest, somebody pounded on the warehouse door. Was it Marny? He sprinted across the floor, undid the locks and keypad, and flung open the door.
A big man with wild, frizzy hair stood there, the light of battle in his eyes. He raked his gaze up and down Nyx, and his face hardened.
“Can I help you?” Nyx said, shifting his stance to prepare for an attack.
“I think so,” the man said. “I’m looking for my niece. A certain Marny Fanalua.”
Ah, crap. “You must be Zeg. Come in.”
Marny’s uncle moved like she did—light on his feet and aware of his surroundings. As soon as he stepped into the warehouse, his gaze fastened on the enchanted forest.
“Oh, that there’s trouble,” Zeg said.
“I know.” Did he ever.
Zeg made a slow survey of the entire warehouse, then focused back on Nyx.
“Where’s Marny?” Zeg asked.
“Um. I’m not sure, exactly.”
The look on Zeg’s face darkened, and Nyx took a step back and raised his hands.
“Hey,” he said, “we don’t need to fight it out. She’s safe and unharmed.”
“Why isn’t she with you?”
Nyx stared at him. “How much do you even know?”
“Enough. And if you do anything to hurt my niece, now or in the future—”
“What, you’ll challenge him to a Samoan-style duel?” Marny’s voice was dryly amused.
Nyx looked up to see her leaning against the doorway, arms folded. The light from outside limned her in sunset tones, scattering red sparks in her wild hair and making her brown eyes glint almost golden.
She was big and strong and imposing. She was beautiful. Relief blew through him, a strong, rushing wind clearing away the last of his fear.
“Marny!” Ignoring her uncle, he hurried over to her, reached out, and took her by the shoulders. “You’re here. You’re okay.”
“Yeah.” Her smile broadened as her gaze met his. “Same to you. Is Emmie all right?”
“She’s sleeping, and I don’t know how to explain what happened to her, or if I even should.”
“We’ll figure it out. Now, are you going to hug me, or just stand there like a fool?”
With a huff of laughter, he drew her in close. Her arms went around him, and something clicked into place in his heart, something he hadn’t even known he was missing.
“Break it up, lovebirds,” Zeg said. “You’ve got some explaining to do.”
“And a forest to banish.” Nyx let go of Marny, closed the door behind her, then led them over to the couches by the dance floor.
Ruefully, he swept a look around his club. So much for the big experiment. The ashes of failure sifted over him, clogging his throat, but he had no choice. He had to close Club Mysteria—for the night, before people started showing up. And then permanently.
“One sec,” he said. “I have to go make a CLOSED sign.”
“No worries.” Marny gave him a sympathetic look. “We’re not going anywhere.”
As soon as Nyx left, Marny turned to Uncle Zeg and gave him a big hug.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” she said into his shoulder. “And I’m sorry for everything. This was almost a huge disaster.”
“Hm.” Her uncle patted her shoulders a few times, then let go. “Let’s sit down and you can tell me how all this happened. I’ll hear your young man’s explanation when he gets back.”
“He’s not my young man,” she said, dropping her gaze.
“Don’t add self-delusion to your troubles. Now, start at the beginning.”
Marny settled on the couch, Uncle Zeg across from her, and told him everything, starting with her first visit to the club. He listened and nodded, and a
sked a few questions, but mostly just let her talk.
When she got to their encounter with the Dark Queen, Marny felt her anger rise.
“And there we were,” she said, “trapped on the back of the White Stag, and no help in sight. Then Nyx got hypnotized, and I was sure that was it—we were going to be the queen’s sacrifice. Where were you guys? We really could have used a Feyguard!”
Uncle Zeg regarded her a long moment, his eyes warm and understanding. “Did it ever occur to you that the reason the other Feyguard were not able to reach you was because there was already one on the scene—one with the power and ability to save you?”
“Well, who? Thomas couldn’t help us much, and Nyx was completely out of it.”
Her uncle smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling. “You, Marny Fanalua. You are the hero you were waiting for. You are one of the Feyguard.”
Shock rippled through her, and she sat back. It couldn’t be true. Could it?
She thought back to all her encounters with the fey folk. The time she’d been drawn into the game against her will, the time she’d tracked and helped fight a goblin. And her adventures with Korrigan. When she’d saved him in the real world, during the other Feyguard’s epic battle against the combined power of the king and queen, she had glimpsed some of that fight. And she had seen…
“That black dragon,” she said softly. “It looked right at me.”
“At that moment you were recognized, my dear. You have the strength and fortitude of a Feyguard. I’m surprised you didn’t know right then you’d been called.”
“There was a lot happening,” she said, embarrassed. “And besides, I don’t even play Feyland. I don’t sim.”
“And yet you entered the Realm of Faerie and, using your wits and skills, helped rescue two other people. Playing the game of Feyland doesn’t make you a Feyguard, Marny. Strength and smarts and the ability to make good choices under pressure do. Plus, of course, an understanding of the Realm of Faerie and the creatures who live there.”
“Yeah.” She blinked a couple times, sorting out all this new information. “I guess so.”
She’d been so convinced of her role as a sidekick, as support staff, she’d never considered herself a hero. But apparently the world thought otherwise—and she’d have to deal with it.
“Now, about this Nyx Spenser,” Uncle Zeg said. “I’m not sure he’s the right guy for you.”
“And why not?” She sat back up and looked her uncle in the eye. “Because he’s handsome and white and rich?”
“Idiot.” Uncle Zeg reached over and ruffled her hair. “No. Because he doesn’t have the sense to listen when he’s given good advice, and I’m not sure he can make a commitment, especially not to a girl who lives nearly a thousand miles away.”
“How about you let us work that one out,” Nyx said, striding from the back hallway, a sign in his hand. “Besides, Marny will be here all summer. We have time to figure out the details.”
“Maybe not.” Marny spoke around the lump of shame in her throat. “I blew my internship. They’ll be sending me home tomorrow.”
“Ah, no,” Nyx said. He came over and squeezed her shoulders.
“Are you certain?” Uncle Zeg asked, giving her a close look.
“Well, not a hundred percent, but pretty sure. I’ll know tomorrow night.”
“Then we’ll wait until tomorrow for the weeping, all right?” Uncle Zeg said.
She let out a breath, but really, there was no point in having a prolonged argument with her uncle about the fact she’d probably lost her internship.
“Let me put this sign on the door,” Nyx said, his voice low.
He held it up. Closed until Further Notice.
Uncle Zeg gave him a thoughtful look. “I’d say you put a lot of effort into getting this place up and running,” he said. “The idea of closing down must hurt. I know it would about kill me to shutter my simcafé.”
“It was only open a week.” Nyx gave a shrug that didn’t fool anybody. It was clear he was desolated at the thought of closing Club Mysteria.
He trudged to the door and stepped outside to put up the sign.
“Marny,” her uncle said. “Now that you know you’re a Feyguard, what can you sense about the forest over there?” He waved his hand at the silvery trees taking up the back third of the warehouse.
Closing her eyes, she concentrated. She felt the magic of the Realm, but it was faint. Contained. What Nyx created really were bubbles, separated from the Realm of Faerie, but made from it, and therefore lightly connected.
“There’s a… I don’t know. A resonance?” She opened her eyes. “The forest isn’t immediately dangerous, but it could be. Which is what I was trying to tell Nyx all along.”
Uncle Zeg nodded. “I agree. Under most circumstances, this enchanted woods is a harmless amusement, sufficiently removed from the world of the fey folk to pose no danger.”
“Circumstances can change.” Marny gave him the eye. “What are you getting at, anyway?”
“I’ll tell you in just a minute.”
The warehouse door closed with a thud, and Nyx trudged back over and settled beside Marny on the couch.
“Your bubble worlds are fascinating,” Uncle Zeg said.
“And severely dangerous.” Nyx rubbed at his face, his voice tight with misery. “I’ll get rid of it in a sec.”
“I’m not convinced that’s necessary,” Uncle Zeg said. Marny and Nyx both stared at him in disbelief, and he let out one his rumbling laughs. “If there are safeguards, I think your club might be able to remain in operation. At least for a short time. Through the summer, maybe.”
“What kind of safeguards?” Marny pursed her lips. She had an idea where her uncle was heading with this, and she wasn’t sure she approved.
“Nyx is already in close contact with one of the Feyguard,” he said, a twinkle in his eye. “Perhaps if she remains in Newpoint she can help keep an eye on things.”
“That’s not enough,” she said, and felt Nyx beside her, nodding his agreement.
“Of course not. When dealing with the fey folk, it’s always a good idea to have a couple layers of protection. Luckily, we happen to know a faerie inside the Realm who would probably be glad to take up temporary residence in this bubble world, or one much like it. Perhaps with a stream running through.”
Marny’s eyes went wide. “Brea,” she breathed.
It was a kind of brilliant idea. Although…
“I’m not sure I’d want Roy underfoot all summer,” she said. Because it was obvious that if Brea could come live in one of Nyx’s creations, Royal would do everything he could to be there. And really, she couldn’t blame him.
She shot a glance at Nyx, taking in his clean profile and muscled shoulders. He turned his head, catching her looking, and smiled, and she went a little fluttery inside.
But it didn’t mean she was weak. Just that she had a new burden to carry—one that she’d bear lightly, and full of joy.
Sometimes being strong meant opening up to the world, no matter how scary.
Whatever happened with Intertech, she knew she’d be spending the rest of the summer in Newpoint, figuring out how to keep her balance. How to be a Feyguard. And, maybe even more frightening, a girlfriend.
Taking Nyx’s hand, she smiled back. “Everything’s going to work out,” she said.
And she believed it.
***
EPILOGUE
August 25
Marny sat across the expanse of black desk from Dettwiler von Coburg. Outside his immense office window, morning light lay over Newpoint, clear and bright. She glanced at the glass of cold water in front of her, then at Bruno the guard, hovering off to her right.
Unlike her previous encounter with the CEO two months ago, she felt relaxed and almost cheerful. As cheerful as a person could feel in von Coburg’s presence, anyway.
He steepled his fingers and regarded Marny from icy blue eyes. “Well, Miss Fanalua, your internship
here is concluded. I have never seen anyone with such a… rocky beginning end up with so many glowing recommendations.”
Marny tipped up her chin. Yeah, the fact that she hadn’t cooperated with his whole strong-arm technique for trying to cop VirtuMax secrets hadn’t put her in his good graces. And then missing the first crucial team meeting had almost gotten her kicked out for good.
But, surprisingly, Brenna had decided that Marny—and Wil and Anjah—could have one more chance. In retrospect, it had been clever of the liaison. The three interns had buckled down, to the point that their team members mentioned they’d never seen such a dedicated, hardworking bunch.
In her limited off hours, Marny had spent a lot of time with Nyx. Thinking of him made her smile, but she quickly erased the expression. Nobody smiled around von Coburg.
“As you are no doubt aware,” the CEO said, “during this exit interview, high-performing interns are occasionally offered a chance of future employment at Intertech. You are one such intern.” His lips twisted a little, as if it pained him to say the words.
“Glad to hear it,” she said, keeping her voice cool.
It was prime news—for most interns. But over the summer, Marny had gotten pretty clear about some things, including the fact that she had no desire to become a corporate drone. Even working for a company doing the kinds of cool things Intertech did. The awesome factor was severely offset by the work pace and byzantine politics. Not how she wanted to spend her life.
“To that end,” von Coburg said, glancing down at the display on his desk, “Intertech is willing to offer you a position next spring, upon your graduation from high school. Provided you continue to earn sufficiently high marks, of course.”
“That’s quite an honor,” Marny said. “But I think I’ll pass. Thanks anyway.”
A look of surprise jerked the CEO’s eyebrows up, and for a millisecond his eyes lost that hard-edged shine. He recovered quickly, however.
“No need to answer right away,” he said, as if she hadn’t just turned him down. “Spend some time thinking it over. Our offer will stand until the end of this year.”
