by Liz de Jager
‘Thorn? I need you to leave the room now so I can get changed.’ I just about manage to keep my voice level and not squeak at him.
‘Oh! Of course. I was just . . .’ He nods and grabs for the cup. ‘. . . Waiting for you to finish so I can take this. I’ll see you in the kitchen.’
I take the opportunity to have another luxurious shower and this time I even stay awake. I rummage in my backpack and find some wrinkled but clean clothes. My beauty regime is appalling and I’ve forgotten to pack a brush, so I finger-comb the tangles and I end up looking as if I’ve been pulled through a bush backwards. Grimacing at myself in the mirror, I pull the uneven strands away from my face and secure them with a hairclip so that they can’t bother me during the day. The look does my pale face and freckles no favours. But, to be honest, I don’t really care all that much. I just need food and lots of it. I remembered to charge my phone as I fell into bed a few hours ago and I check it for any messages. There is none. I sit on my bed and dial Megan, Marc and Kyle’s numbers. They all go straight to voicemail. Next I try Uncle Andrew, then Aunt Letitia. Her phone rings for ages before an answering machine kicks in. That’s not happened before so I leave her a rambling message and hang up.
I pick my way through the house, using my nose to lead me to the kitchen.
‘You smell lovely this morning. No thunder and no pepper,’ Aiden says as he hands me a plate and gestures for me to help myself from the spread on the kitchen counter.
‘Thanks,’ I say, giving him a smile. ‘Some kind soul left some classy shower gels for me to use.’
‘Must have been my brother Shaun’s girlfriend,’ Aiden says. ‘Occasionally she attempts to girlify us and dumps cologne and smelly soaps on us.’
He looks so unamused by the thought that smelly soaps are even in his house that I laugh out loud. It’s only when I crunch into the toast that I realize how hungry I am. Both boys, our plight, missing families and weird goings-on are forgotten as I duck my head and devour my breakfast. What can I say? I think better on a full stomach.
‘It looks like you needed that,’ Thorn says after I finish my first plateful of food and another coffee. It’s still raining outside and the news reports are all about severe flooding and storm warnings.
‘I did. I felt hollow inside.’ I lean back in my chair. ‘Have you heard from your family?’ I ask Aiden as he downs another cup of tea.
His cheerful facade fades. ‘Not a word. I rang my mum in Australia and she’s not heard from my dad. We both rang around some friends and got nothing.’
‘I can’t get hold of anyone either.’ I hold up my phone. ‘This may as well be a brick.’
‘If they are in the Otherwhere,’ Thorn says, pushing a bit of breakfast pancake around on his plate, ‘it’s likely that they can’t get in touch.’
I sit back in surprise. That didn’t even occur to me. ‘But all of them?’ I ask him dubiously. ‘Even my Aunt Letitia, who never goes anywhere?’
Aiden looks intrigued. ‘Maybe she has safety protocols in place. She must know the Manor’s been attacked – she could’ve taken steps to keep herself safe.’
I shake my head, not liking the idea. ‘It makes no sense. She never leaves her place. Ever. It’s like she’s agoraphobic, or something. So even with everyone else not answering their phones, she should at least be contactable.’
Jamie, I know, is not available because he’s in the jungle somewhere teaching government officials how to track and survive monsters. And you can’t do that unless you’re completely cut off from civilization. And I don’t even know which government officials he’s training!
‘My mum is getting a flight back to London as soon as the bush plane bringing monthly supplies shows up. She’ll catch a lift and get to Sydney so she should be here by the end of the week. Hopefully my dad will have been in touch by then or she’ll kill him.’
Thorn looks horrified and I sort of hope that Aiden isn’t being literal. He sees our expressions, though, and laughs.
‘Not actually kill. Maybe maim a bit.’
‘Oh that’s much better.’ They’re joking again but I’m starting to feel sick with anxiety. ‘Who else can we talk to about what’s going on in Alba?’ I ask them both. ‘Who besides Olga will know this stuff?’
‘The guys who run the Fae Holds, for sure,’ Aiden offers.
‘Or the trolls.’ Thorn looks at me. ‘We should speak to the trolls.’
‘What do you want to meet trolls for?’ Aiden asks him dubiously. ‘They like eating humans.’
I’m embarrassed to admit this but I really should have thought of talking to the trolls first. Their information network is large and if you sift through enough rumours, you get a kernel of truth, or so Jamie’s told me on more than one occasion.
To cover up for being caught out being dumb, I grimace at Aiden. ‘Really? How old are you? Three?’
I don’t enjoy the scowl he sends me and I busy myself having more coffee.
‘Are there any important bridges in London?’ Thorn asks us, unaware of my discomfort or Aiden’s annoyance.
‘Plenty,’ I answer after chewing a piece of toast. ‘And we have to find out where they’re staying now, because they tend to move. A lot.’
Aiden looks unhappy. ‘I don’t know much about trolls.’
I shrug, pretending nonchalance. ‘Not many people do. I’ve never met any myself but I know they exist. Some of the legends are true, after all.’ I can’t help but raise my eyebrows at him in a pointed fashion.
‘Finding out about the wolves must’ve been the highlight of your past year, right?’ he says with a grin. ‘I mean, how can it not be? We are all super-attractive, we have killer instincts, we are good providers and we know how to fight. Unlike the faeries, who sit in their bowers, composing ballads and singing songs of woe, losing their kingdoms left and right.’
I didn’t expect Thorn to have a quick temper, or that he’d take what Aiden said as an insult. A blade, a silver sickle, no more than three inches long, presses delicately against Aiden’s throat.
‘Be careful, wolf, of how you speak about your betters. There are still places in the Otherwhere where they hunt your kind for sport.’
Aiden’s eyes go ice blue and a low rumble starts in his chest. He lifts his hand and pushes the blade away from his throat with some trouble.
‘Do not try me, prince. I offered you hospitality for the night. Under my roof no harm can come to you, but once we are out there, you’d better watch your step.’
‘Are you both utterly insane?’ I’m disgusted with both of them. ‘After everything and knowing we are in a world of trouble, this is how you choose to act? Like spoiled children. Let me tell you this: by acting like infants we’re not going to get anywhere. We present as weak and I don’t like it. You follow my lead for now and if you’re not happy, then feel free to leave or, rather, not follow, because I’m not going to worry about keeping your asses in line.’
Chapter Eighteen
The silence in the kitchen is absolute. I can almost hear my own heart pounding. I watch Thorn and Aiden stare at each other across the kitchen table. The tension is so thick I could cut it with a butter knife.
I’m about to stand up and hit them both, but my mobile rings and I jerk with fright. I grab to answer it, not recognizing the number.
‘Hello?’ I say into the quiet room.
‘Are you safe?’ It’s Olga. She sounds tired but her voice is soft, as if she’s trying not to draw attention to herself.
I look at the two guys who have not stopped bristling at each other. ‘Sort of,’ I say. ‘Why do you ask?’
‘The Hold in North London has been razed to the ground. There are reports coming in from other Holds about attacks and the Free Fae are on the run. It seems that whatever is happening in Alba has spilled over into the Frontier.’
‘Shit.’
My eloquence surprises both boys enough that they stare at me rather than glare at each other. I hold the phone awa
y from my ear and hiss at them. ‘You guys get to out-macho each other later. Right now, there’s trouble. Put the knife down, Thorn. We don’t have time for this.’ I put Olga on speakerphone. ‘Okay, we’re all here now. Talk to us.’
Olga keeps her report brief. Of the five Holds, three were attacked during the night by gangs of chimera goblins. In some cases Fae were let go to spread word of the attacks but several were taken prisoner and, horrifyingly, two Hold host families were murdered before their guests. One Hold was burned to the ground.
‘What happens to the Fae that are here now? With no safe Holds, where are they going?’ This comes from Aiden, who suddenly looks mature and capable. ‘I’m happy to offer them our farm out in Hertfordshire. As my dad’s not here, I’ll take it on me to extend our hospitality to the Fae until we can figure out how to help them further. There’s a big forest that’s looked after by our warden. They should be safe there until they can travel back to Alba.’
‘That is generous of you, Aiden. Thank you. I’ll speak to Lord Elias, who contacted me a few hours ago. I’m due to meet him shortly. All routes back to Alba, even the lesser known paths are blocked, either by redcaps or sorcerers. The farm you’re offering may be the only way to keep these Fae safe.’
Thorn mutters something under his breath that sounds close to a curse but then he holds out a hand to Aiden, who shrugs and takes it without a word. They shake hands and I wisely decide to keep my mouth shut.
‘I’ll tell our warden to expect the kin. There are camping facilities on the farm too and fresh water. Plenty of food. I think they’ll be okay.’
‘Have any humans been harmed?’ I ask Olga. ‘That we know of, that is?’
There’s noise in the background, someone talking and then the sound of Olga moving away. ‘It’s all been contained, pretty much. If any humans have been harmed, we’ve not been told.’
‘Does SDI know about this?’ I use the abbreviation of the abbreviation for Her Majesty’s Department of Supernatural Defence and Intervention, the Spook Squad.
‘It’s been reported. They’ve sent a liaison officer who looks younger than you do to help out where he can. They are being cautious at the moment, aware of the various accords between the humans and Fae, and don’t want to step on toes.’
Thorn leans towards me as Aiden talks to Olga. ‘Who are these government people?’
‘I’ve not met any of them myself but my family really doesn’t like them. They seem to like interfering and making things difficult for us.’
Before Thorn can respond, Aiden returns with the phone, and Olga’s back on the line, all business. ‘Listen, you lot. I need you to tell me what your plans are going forward. I am not going to be able to hang around. I’m needed here, organizing a few things first. Are you guys going to be okay until I can meet up with you again?’
‘We’ll be fine,’ Aiden says. ‘Thorn and I are practically dating and Kit’s ready to swing that sword of hers.’
‘Must you make a joke out of everything, wolf?’ Thorn asks, but the disapproval in his voice is only slight. ‘Thank you, Olga, for helping. Let Lord Elias know I am grateful for any aid he can give both stranded and the Free Fae.’
‘Before you go,’ I say to Olga. ‘Have you heard any rumours about where the trolls are camping out at the moment?’
‘The last time I heard, they were holed up beneath Tower Bridge, north side. You know the ritual to open the doorway, right?’
‘Uhm.’ I think about it, mentally scrabbling for anything that would help me but when I come up blank I hesitate only for a second. ‘No, to be honest. No clue.’
‘I know how,’ Thorn says at Olga’s indrawn breath. ‘As long as we have chalk.’
I think back to the emergency supplies kit I have in my backpack upstairs. ‘I have chalk,’ I assure him.
‘Then you’ll be safe. The trolls are very specific about who they allow into their caves.’
‘Caves?’ Aiden looks uncertain. ‘No one said anything about caves.’
Chapter Nineteen
‘Trolls are the gossip-mongers of the Fae world. They know everything. They hear everything.’ I frown at Aiden as we walk down the road towards Tower Bridge. ‘How do you not know this?’
Aiden shrugs, shoving his hands into his pockets. ‘Usually when we want information we intimidate people. You try saying no to three werewolves dangling you off the side of a building.’
Thorn grunts but I can see him hiding a smile.
‘Remind me never to have something your pack wants,’ I tell Aiden.
‘Are there always this many people in the Frontier?’ Thorn asks us as we wind our way between and around several groups of tourists. We’re making our way through the old Victorian warehouse district of Shad Thames. With its tiny boutique shops and eateries, its million-pound apartments and stunning views across the river, it still manages to hold on to its charm with names like Vanilla and Sesame Court. I came here often with Nan in the past once we’d moved back to the UK. A friend of hers let us stay with her in her large flat whenever we came into town to watch a musical or theatre show. I cringe now, remembering how very cosmopolitan and grown-up twelve-year-old me felt walking around the area, imagining myself as an adult, wealthy enough to own an apartment here and working as a designer or artist. I would sit sketching by the river for hours and quite happily let my nan hang out with her friend, Emmaline.
Today, though, London is busy. Loads of tourists are around and several river-cruise boats are making their way up and down the river. The weather isn’t ideal, but everyone seems to have come prepared for the drizzly British summer.
‘It’s no busier than usual,’ Aiden replies as we walk around, our breath steaming in the cold air. ‘It’s supposed to be the summer holidays and yet this weather is totally drab. Have you spent a lot of time in the Frontier?’ he asks Thorn.
‘I spent a year in Canada and we come for the revels in Regent’s Park.’ Thorn hunches his shoulders deeper into his jacket. ‘I was supposed to join a university later this year. To study human law.’
I look at Thorn with surprise. ‘Really? You guys go to school here and everything?’
‘My brothers have been schooled here, Barcelona, St Petersburg and Stockholm. It is the done thing,’ he says. ‘If the Fae are to survive in the future we need to know how humans think. What they learn. There are some people at Court who do not agree with my father and his friends’ way of thinking. All high-born Sidhe send their children for further schooling in the human world when they are old enough.’
‘I never knew that,’ Aiden admits. He rubs his jaw.’ So, law, huh?’
Thorn looks worried that he’s said something wrong but he gives a brief nod. ‘Yes. These past few years I’ve been studying Fae law with a tutor, Istvan. I have many more years to go but human law is easier, I think.’
‘Oh? What will you specialize in? Property law? Family law?’
Thorn looks at Aiden in confusion and shrugs. ‘All of it, of course.’
Aiden and I look at each other and mouth ‘of course’ to one another and then burst out laughing.
‘What? Is that so difficult to do?’
‘My friend, I have no idea, but I’ll wish you the best of luck.’ Aiden claps him on the shoulder and loops his other arm around my shoulders, squashing me to his side. ‘I think we’re bonding, here. Do you think we’re bonding?’
Before I can answer, Thorn leans forward so he can see me past Aiden.
‘I think we’re here,’ he says. ‘Where the trolls are.’
‘And how do you reckon that?’ Aiden frowns as he peers around. We are alone on this stretch of the riverbank; even though there are lots of tourists about, clutching miserably at their umbrellas, the place feels more deserted than it should.
I follow Thorn’s pointing finger and can’t help but chuckle. Someone’s fixed a sign to the wall next to a gate barring a set of steps that disappears into the river itself. The sign read: Beware! Trolls! En
ter at your own risk!
‘Do you think the water is a glamour? How can the trolls live there and not be drowned by river water?’ I ask him, peering over the gate.
‘It’s a glamour. You can see the way the water looks cleaner than the rest of the river.’ He points out the relevant section to me and I have to agree. The water looks less muddy here than it does a few metres into the river.
‘So, are we going in?’ Aiden asks, looking extremely uncomfortable at the thought.
‘In? Yes. And if you mean going underground, then, yes. We have to go all the way inside. To meet the trolls.’ I raise my eyebrows at him. ‘Unless, of course, you have any other ideas.’
‘How about I stay up here and guard the entrance? I can also keep the phones with me in case anyone rings.’
To my surprise Thorn nods in agreement. ‘It makes sense to have someone out here to keep watch. We don’t want to be ambushed.’
‘Yes,’ I say, my voice tinged with sarcasm. ‘Just let us go into the deep dark underground cave to meet with giant creatures from legend all by ourselves. I’m sure we’ll be just fine.’
Aiden claps my shoulder. ‘You are so brave, Kit Blackhart. It’s astonishing.’
I shove my phone at him. ‘Shut up. If we’re not back in two hours, come looking for us.’
I turn to Thorn, who is humming under his breath and flexing his fingers. It’s cold, with a soft incessant drizzle that makes your clothes cling to you uncomfortably. Aiden looks under-dressed in jeans and a thin longsleeved T-shirt but Thorn had thought ahead and wears the stab-proof jacket I grabbed from the manor before we left.
‘We have to ask permission to enter, right?’ Thorn asks me as I zip my hoodie up. ‘Do you have any gifts?’
I arch an eyebrow. ‘Gifts?’
‘Yes, an item of value to show that you are there to trade for information. Otherwise you will be in their debt.’ This comes from Aiden, who looks unbearably smug that he knows an intricacy of Fae lore that has passed me by. I suppress the urge to stick my tongue out at him and instead do a mental tally of everything I have on me but shake my head. ‘Nope. I have me, my knife, my clothes.’ I lift the gym bag we borrowed from Aiden. It holds both our swords. ‘And these.’
