by Mary Karlik
Hamish looked as if he were about to stamp his foot. “Foiled by my own words.”
Layla extended her hand. “Welcome to the team.”
The troll folded his arms. “I don’t need your mockery.”
Theo looked down at the little man. “How does that screen work anyway?”
Layla tapped Ian on the shoulder. “We have a problem.”
“What?”
She pointed and all at once everybody let out a gasp of some sort. And a half a breath after that collective gasp, a shriek erupted from the elf-woman.
Her skin had turned red. But it wasn’t just a color change—it was as if it was burned. Like the skin had been peeled away.
She heaved in deep breaths. “Magic. I have to use the magic.”
Robbie flew above her with wide eyes. “What’s happening to her?”
The woman looked at Layla. “Release the spell. Let me use my magic.”
Layla shook her head. “So you can use it on the fairies? No.”
The elf pointed a red finger at her. “My blood is on your hands. You murdered me.”
Then all at once, she exploded. Red liquid splattered over everything. Robbie was so covered with the stuff, it dropped him to the floor.
Chapter Twenty-One
For a few seconds, nobody spoke. Nobody breathed. They just looked at each other in total shock. Ian had seen a lot of gruesome things, but this… The elf-woman had boiled and then blown up. There weren’t bones or any other parts. Just red … stuff. And the smell. Metallic mixed with three-day-old roadkill. Ian’s stomach lurched. Somehow, he managed not to puke. “Is everybody okay?”
Robbie crawled from under a blob of red and pulled a large piece of elf flesh from his face. “That’s just disgusting.”
Kaylee looked like she was about to vomit, and Fiona did.
Hamish studied a wall splattered with red. “It couldn’t have happened to a better person. This is what you humans call a blessing. This world is a better place without her. She got what was coming. Karma is a—”
“Enough with the clichés.” Ian looked at Layla. “What just happened?”
Hamish answered, “She stole the red fairy’s magic, but she didn’t use it in a timely manner. I’ve seen it before. The reaction is always different, and it is always spectacularly gruesome.”
Layla scrunched her face at Hamish. “That doesn’t make sense. What about the magic Fauth stole? What about all the people who buy fairies? Wouldn’t there be people exploding all over the place?”
“It’s the specialty of these traffickers. Fauth had his little necklaces. These people have the failsafe to keep people buying their magic. If it’s not used quickly, kaboom.”
Layla held her stomach. “Kaylee is right. It’s disgusting.”
Robbie wiped the rest of the red elf residue from his arms and legs and screeched at Layla. “You murdered her!”
“I didn’t.” Layla fairy-sized and flew toward him. “She died because she murdered a fairy for magic.”
He shook his head. “No. You’ve already admitted that you’ve killed.” He narrowed his gaze at Ian’s dragon arm. “What game are you playing at? A fairy who kills. A dragon.” He glared at Layla. “You brought us into the lair of a dragon.”
“I swear on my sister’s life, you are safe.” Layla fluttered in front of him.
“On your sister’s life.” Robbie backed away from her. “She’s not even your real sister. She’s a half-sister at best. What are you? Are you human and fairy? Or are there other species mixed up in you? Maybe you’re thirsty for blood.”
“She rescued us,” Kaylee said.
With wild eyes, Robbie pointed a shaking finger at Layla. “You’re a harvester. You said so. I’ll wager it’s a matter of time before you need more magic. Well, it won’t be mine. I’ll take to the streets on my own. I’m smart, and I have magic.”
Layla shook her head. “Robbie, the traffickers…”
Ian had seen a thousand rotters just like him. Too scared to trust. Too stubborn to listen. “Let him go, Layla.”
“It’s too dangerous.”
Robbie set his jaw. “If you really are to be trusted, then you’ll open this door.”
“Okay.” Layla released the ward on the flat, and the door swung open.
Robbie hovered in front of the other fairies. “You are weak if you follow her.”
Fergus stretched his wings wide and raised his chin a notch. “I’d rather be weak than dead.”
“Aye. Then you might be both.” Robbie snapped around to face the door and flew across the threshold.
Ian watched the whole scene play out with a mix of emotions. Anger at Robbie for being ungrateful and pigheaded. And anguish for Layla. She wanted to save everybody, and he knew she’d blame herself if anything happened to Robbie. He looked Layla directly in the eyes. “This is not your fault. No matter what happens to that lad, it’s not your doing.”
Layla nodded, but he knew she didn’t mean it, and that made him want to go after the lad and drag him back into the flat by his wings. Wanted to. But he didn’t. “I think you’d better replace that ward in case the Trident Elves find us.”
Kaylee cupped her cheeks with her hands. “What if Robbie wants to come back?”
Fiona wrapped her wing around Kaylee. “He made his decision. We can’t worry about him now.” She looked at Layla. “How can we help with your task?”
Hamish shook his head at the blood splattered over his white sofa. “You can start by cleaning this mess.”
Fiona nodded. “Happy to do it.” She swept her arms, and the stains lifted from the cushions and into the air. Next, she gestured with her hands as if she were gathering a pile, and the guts floating in the center of the room pooled together. She lifted the rest of the mess splattered around the room and combined it with the blob floating over the sofa. “I’ll just send this to the rubbish bin.” She looked at Hamish. “Where is your rubbish?”
He pulled the bin from beneath the sink and tipped it toward her. “Right in here.”
She flicked her wrist, and the whole mess sailed into the bin.
The room cheered. Except for Layla.
Ian took one look at Layla and knew they were in trouble.
She stood in the center of the room with her hands on her hips and her wings open wide. She gave each one of them a hard look. “Have you lost your minds? Have you lost your heart? That ball of … goop wasn’t some child’s toy. It was what was left of a person.”
Buzzard scrunched his shoulders and half-shrugged at the same time. “She wasn’t a very nice person.”
“She was a living, breathing thing.” Layla’s face turned bright red, and Ian cringed.
“Who would have killed any of us at the first opportunity,” Buzzard snapped back.
Ian turned to Layla and spread his arms wide. “You’re right. We should not have cheered.” He dropped his arms. “We need to focus on that wand.” He turned to Hamish. “We have to get into the auction.”
Hamish scratched his face, and Ian was afraid he was about to refuse.
Layla shot a fierce look at Hamish. “All of the fairies we saved will die if we don’t get that wand and open a portal to get them home. And maybe we can use the wand to shore up the barrier between the worlds before the dragons breach it completely and overrun this world.”
At the word dragon, the spirit in Ian flared. He stepped away from her and closer to the troll. “We’re trusting you.”
Hamish nodded. “I can take you to the auction. But I can’t guarantee you’ll get in.”
“You lead us to the door, and we’ll do the rest. We’ve just established a reputation. So let’s use it.” Ian gave the troll a serious look. “Do you think a dragon-shifter and half-fairy who kidnapped their valued employee would pique their interest enough to allow us in?”
Hamish’s eyes grew wide. “Aye. Meaban will want to know if the rumors are true. He’ll want to know if you killed Fauth.”
Fiona fluttered in front of Ian. “We’re dressed for the part. Take us. Pretending to sell us can only help you gain entry.”
“I can’t ask you to endanger yourselves.” But a plan began to form in the back of Ian’s brain. “Hamish said the Tridents shot at Layla because they don’t like fairies. There has to be more to it than that. I think they shot at her because they suspect that she’s the fairy who killed Fauth.”
Layla looked at Hamish. “Didn’t you say that word had spread that a half-caste killed Fauth? If that’s true, then word has probably spread that we have the fairies.”
Buzzard walked around the room. “Aye. And no one would know that the fairies gave their magic to you.”
Layla’s heart sped up a little. “It’s not a stretch to think I’m starting my own operation?”
Jack shook his head. “But you’re a fairy. Why would you…?” He paused, and Ian saw the puzzle click into place. “Because you’ve been shunned from fey society. That’s your motivation.”
Layla leaned toward Hamish. “Is there anything else you know about the auction?”
“I’ve never been to one. I can only tell what I’ve heard.” Hamish looked up at Layla. “The most heinous dealers and buyers will be there. It has a brutal reputation.”
“Brutal how?” Layla asked.
“There are samples of fairy magic.” Hamish looked away from the fairies. “Sacrifices.”
“You mean murders.” Layla gave him a look that caused him to step back.
“Aye, murders. Sacrifices. It’s all bad.”
“That settles it. We can’t ask the fairies to go,” Ian said.
Kaylee flew next to Fiona. “If we don’t go, then you don’t have credentials. I’m not afraid. My magic may not be as strong as others, but I’ll fight to save our people—your people from the dragons.”
Fergus nodded. “Aye. I will, too.”
“No.” Layla paced around the flat. “It’s too dangerous.”
Fiona flew in front of Layla. “We have to succeed. All of our people—elves, trolls, humans, fairies—all of our people will suffer if we don’t get that wand.”
“Fiona’s right.” Finn looked around the room. “The fairies have magic. I think we can use all the magic we can get.”
Layla shifted her gaze to Ian. “And what do you think?”
“It’s our only hope.”
She turned to the fairies. “And you’re sure? There’s no shame in backing out.”
Fergus smiled. “Just make sure when you put us in one of those glass things that there’s no lever that’s going to end our lives.”
Layla gave a curt nod. “Then let get this over with.”
Finn stood. “I’ll make the fairy containers.”
Ian went to the kitchen to put the kettle on. The rest of the team drifted to the kitchen behind him.
He pulled cups from the cupboard and lined them on the counter. “This is a dangerous plan. But I can’t see a better one.”
Buzzard riffled around a tin of tea. “It’s our best option.”
“I don’t want you and Jack in disguises. If your disguise changed mid-way through the operation, it would be disastrous. Go as you are.” He called from the kitchen to Layla. “I think we should go in armed. And that means with Tormed by your side.”
Layla nodded. “I’d feel safer.”
Finn held out her miniature weapons. “Fey-size, and I’ll hand them to you.”
Hamish looked at his watch. “Unfortunately, we don’t have time for that tea.”
Ian turned the kettle off. “Finn, how are you coming on the globes?”
Finn looked up from the coffee table. “Just finished.”
“Good. Buzzard, Jack, and Finn are our bodyguards. Hamish, I’d like for you to lead us as before. Are you okay with that?”
“Aye. But this is a formal affair. We need different clothes.”
Finn shot his magic at Jack and Buzzard. The men’s clothes transformed into black designer suits. He gave Hamish a black tux. “Layla is gorgeous in her dress. Ian, you’re appropriate in a dress kilt. I think we’re ready.”
“What about you? You still look like a warrior elf.” Jack unbuttoned his suit jacket.
“Aye. A bodyguard elf would never change. We want everyone to see who and what we are.”
“Let’s gather up.”
Layla hugged the fairies as they stepped into the glass cases, and Ian’s chest tightened.
“They have their magic, and they’re not kept in a suspended state. They’ll be okay.”
Jack picked up Fiona to place her back in the box.
Layla stopped him. “Do they have to be shut away?”
Hamish nodded. “Trafficking is against the law even on the market. Everybody knows what those boxes contain. It’s easier to ignore them if fairies aren’t seen.”
Fiona nodded and called through the glass. “It’s okay. We know what we’re up for.”
Layla nodded and grabbed Ian’s hand.
He laced his fingers with hers and squeezed. “I’ve got the coin. Everyone link up.” To Theo, he said. “You’ll keep an eye on the market.”
“I’ll let you know at the first sign of something amiss.”
Finn held the box of fairies close to his chest with one hand and hung onto Layla’s arm with the other.
“We’re off.” Ian dropped the coin in his right pocket, and the group spun to the Grass Market.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Layla felt fatigued all the way to her bones as she watched the sun dip behind the medieval buildings of the Grass Market. There was too much danger ahead of them to think about rest. She suppressed a yawn and straightened her back.
Ian looked at the members of the group. “Remember, Layla is our leader.” He squeezed her hand before releasing it. “You give the orders from now on.”
She brushed out the folds of her dress and adjusted her sword on her hip. Lifting her chin, she said, “Hamish, lead us to the auction. Ian and I will be behind you, followed by Finn, Jack, and Buzzard.”
Ian held his arm out for her as they fell in step behind Hamish.
The entourage stopped at the threshold of the market and waited while Hamish paid their admittance.
Hamish took his place in front of Ian and Layla and marched them down the golden road to the Fairy Close. Earlier, they walked down the crowded lane unnoticed.
Not this time. This time, people stopped and moved to the side of the lane to let them pass. She saw creatures speaking with cupped hands around their mouths as their gazes appraised the group.
On the inside, Layla was a tangle of jitters and nerves. To the rest of the world, she had to play the part of the cool fairy-trafficking half-caste. She popped her wings wide and held her head high and proud. The bystanders were probably gossiping about the fuman who wasn’t ashamed of her heritage. She hoped so.
When they turned onto the Fairy Close, she was sure she heard several people gasp. Hamish didn’t slow his step until he stood in front of a golden arched doorway.
He lifted the handle of a filigreed door knocker and let it drop. As it hit the plate, bells echoed around them. He repeated the action twice more.
After the third round of echoing bells, the door became transparent and a puce-colored harpy stood on the other side. She screeched and surveyed the group with beady eyes.
Layla faced the harpy and without looking away commanded, “Present the fairies.”
Finn stepped forward, lifted the lid from the box, and held out the fairies for inspection.
The harpy’s eyes widened, and she stepped back. The door returned to its golden state. Layla tightened her grip on Ian’s arm and held her breath. Hamish had said if they weren’t granted access, the denial would be swift and dangerous.
When Layla’s hand ached from squeezing Ian’s arm, the door opened, and a tall, thin human man swept them in. They were led through a crowd of humans, elves, and half-caste fairies. In the center of the room, a peacock-colored cha
ir was perched on a dais. And in that chair sat an elf. He looked like he’d been dipped in liquid gold except for his hair. It was a shimmery silver and hung just past his shoulders.
Meaban.
Ian and Layla made their way to the dais followed by Finn. Buzzard, Jack, and Hamish waited with the tall, thin man.
Meaban was slouched in the chair with his hands flopped over the ends of the armrests. His hands shimmered with jewels. There was a ring on each of his fingers, and each ring held a different stone. Rubies, diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, amethyst, opals. He was like a living crown.
The tall man bowed to him. “The intruders.”
Layla’s heart pounded triple time as she curtseyed on shaky legs. Ian bowed.
Meaban leaned forward. “Show me the fairies.”
Finn stepped up and removed the lid. Ian lifted Fiona from the box.
Meaban looked at the fairy and then peered down into the box. “I see. These are the same that were taken this morning.”
Layla stiffened her wings to suppress their nervous flutter. “We paid.”
“And took my representative. Where is she now?” His expression was as dismissive as his tone.
Layla raised her chin. “Dead.”
“And the fourth fairy? Am I to assume also dead?”
“You may assume what you wish.”
The elf eyed her. “Tell me, fuman. Did you kill Fauth?”
“Aye. And took his fairies.”
A collective gasp filled the room, and for the first time, Layla noticed a considerable crowd had surrounded them.
“And here you are standing before me with three of my fairies. Some might view this as a threat to my empire. Some might think that you wish me dead next.”
Everything inside Layla screamed to run. But she kept her breaths steady and her focus on the elf. “It only matters what you think, sir.”
He tilted his head to the left and right as if appraising her. “You are a fuman, and it’s said you are a harvester. How is that possible?”
“How is any magic possible? I was born this way.”
“And if I asked you to harvest magic from—I don’t know—one of your servants, could you demonstrate your power?”
