by Erin R Flynn
“Especially in the last decade where royals were taken out and ‘Alphas’ replacing completely wiped out lineages,” Craftsman muttered, nodding when I gave him a shocked look. “Two full lines were wiped out. Africa and Australia. It’s a long, complicated pile of ‘bloody fuck’ but the Vogels were the only ones who didn’t lose anyone and that’s because of the Rothchilds.”
“And again, I’m not giving Mr. Rothchild a pass and his father is even more of an ass, but they’ve been through a lot and sometimes forget how to be people,” Hudson muttered. “They’ve done that in part so my parents would never forget. I hope you believe me when I say this, but my parents would never push for your secrets as they didn’t when you met.”
“That’s true of them,” Craftsman confirmed. “As long as those secrets or plans couldn’t hurt dragons—North American dragons specifically—they wouldn’t dig into all the secrets as they have their own.”
I blew a raspberry as I stared at Craftsman. “I can’t think of a single way any of this would. It’s information they’d want to know but I cannot think of anything that would risk hurting them unless they tried to stop me.”
“Then my parents would help, I swear it.”
I tended to believe him as his father had been quick to put me under their protection. Part of me wondered if they knew and that was why they hadn’t pushed.
Another worry for another day.
12
I realized what my problem was with what Craftsman had said when we arrived at the airport in Kansas City Friday night. The moment my eyes landed on Geiger it hit me like a ton of bricks what the loophole was that would be a problem.
“Edelman owns your new runes and whatever you create, doesn’t he?” I blurted and way louder than polite.
Craftsman winced. “Yes, but I didn’t realize that until after I’d signed the five-year contract. I should have figured out why Edelman Sr. had backed off but it’s in my contract that any of my runes or spells created using ‘university resources’ belong to the university, which is the Edelman family, given the other founding members are mostly gone.”
“Except I inherited the Townsend estate and they were,” I muttered, glancing at Geiger. “And he created a rune using the magic I gave him. I’ll beat someone bloody if they consider me a ‘university resource,’ though I’m guessing that might be Edelman’s endgame.”
Geiger pursed his lips together but then shook his head. “I want to believe not. I’ve known Kyle for many years. This might be a way to appease his old man, who is a rat bastard.
“I could see him getting Craftsman on a contract like that to show his father he was sticking to Edelman family practices but then working a new contract for every year Craftsman teaches after that, he gets a rune back.”
Craftsman’s eyes flashed shock. “He did say my contract would be yearly after the five years.” He licked his lips and glanced at me. “He might be worried what his father would do if he found out someone inherited the Townsends’ claim. That might be part of his push to keep you close and under wraps.”
Mel snorted. “That was never going to work.” She gave Geiger a hard look. “Do we need to worry he’s your friend or are we going into battle?”
He smiled at her. “Battle is not needed, young Rothchild, but your spirit is admirable. I know Kyle well enough that he wouldn’t discourage me from interfering and doing what he couldn’t.”
“That’s true, he’s always telling me to tell Geiger more,” I confirmed. “Can you help Craftsman?”
“Of course,” Geiger assured me like it was no big deal. “If nothing else, I’m sure he can be given independent grants to cover his work on runes so they aren’t coming from any university resources. I’m sure there’s someone who would give him a grant like that.”
“I really like you,” I purred, smirking at him.
He laughed so hard as we loaded on one of my private jets that he had to hold onto the railing not to fall over.
“So, private plane, huh?” Craftsman muttered quietly.
“Oh, apparently I own a bunch and half of a supe jet charter company.”
“Bloody fuck, love,” he groaned.
“Yeah, I almost fell over. Apparently I only looked at the interest on the money now mine in the bank and not the income other investments have made.”
“And she hasn’t even claimed all the other estates, only the ones confirmed deceased,” Claudia muttered as she took her seat. “That has impressed many of us more than anything. We could all use some hope that all fairies aren’t lost and maybe there will be some deceased we don’t have listed, but no harm in the estates that have sat for two decades sitting a bit longer.”
“My thoughts exactly as I can barely handle the ones I have.”
We’d stopped to pick up a huge order of real Kansas City barbeque from a staple of the city and spent the short flight stuffing ourselves. They kept teasing me I must have had a second or third stomach the way I kept going.
“It’s just so fucking good,” I groaned as I inhaled more. I did catch a small nap too but the flight was just over two hours so we landed while it was still light out even with the drive to the airport. The drive to the property wasn’t too long either, maybe an hour northwest of Phoenix.
What I wasn’t ready for was Katrina Calloway to be standing there with a very large man and a hobgoblin when we pulled up. Oh fuck.
“She knows,” Claudia said easily as we all got out.
I couldn’t even get my mouth to work. Maybe that wasn’t something to spring on me. My reaction amused Calloway and she burst out laughing.
“You are a wonderful actress, my dear, truly astounding especially for your age. But one does not climb out of the trenches of their father having luck to get the store in New York—because New York became one of the biggest cities in the world and at the time was nothing but a dump of what were seen as European rejects—and not be able to spot a web spun, even if innocent.”
“I would have warned you not to lie to her,” Geiger muttered.
“She didn’t,” Calloway defended. “She very carefully didn’t lie… Well, only on a few personal things.” Her eyes danced with mirth at my shock. “My store is loaded with more spells than any know of to help me spot a con or any half-truths.”
“I didn’t know that,” Craftsman grumbled, sounding down on himself.
“Yes, because you are a young pup yourself,” she teased him.
“It wouldn’t have stopped me if you had because it’s what I know,” I comforted him.
“Yes, and you already dropped half of the act when you realized you could trust me or maybe even liked me.”
“Both.” I shrugged. “You’re earnest. I like that. You don’t hide that you’re the proprietor and there to make money but you do it by being the most knowledgeable and not selling ice to polar bears as you know that’s a one-shot sale and you want repeat business.”
“I do.” Her eyes softened at what she said next. “And I’ve also had many fairy lovers over my years. There is no lover better than a fairy lover as they are very generous and absolute givers—truly the best.” She smirked at Craftsman. “And I don’t mean just the men as you already know, yes?”
I swallowed loudly. Shit. She glanced at me before he could even think of what to say at busting us.
“Though I am surprised you’re not using the discretion charm you purchased from me. Who you bought it for was really the only lie you told me.”
“I’m going to spank you later,” Craftsman growled at me. “You bought a mistress charm?”
“You always say that but it’s not what actually happens, is it?” I reminded him, glad we didn’t have a bigger group with us to hear this. Irma and Mel were enough embarrassment for a while.
“And that is not what it’s called,” Calloway reminded him. “It might be what it’s mostly used for but that is not the fault of the powerful magic.” She gave me a look like she wasn’t going to let her statement go.
<
br /> I sighed. “I wanted to see if he thought I was worth the risk or really wanted me like I mattered before I admitted I bought an out for him so he didn’t risk his job. We haven’t gotten there yet.”
“I’m not using that,” Craftsman growled. “Return it.” He shot me a glance he wasn’t kidding. “I’m not embarrassed by you, love. I never would be. There aren’t rules against us together, only using my position to take advantage of students.
“I could have every test and anything I grade reviewed to prove you deserve you’re aces at runes. I won’t have you use a mistress charm like you’re a dirty bloody secret.”
Calloway chuckled. “Which means you just absolutely signed the check she will after declaring all of that. She’ll protect you.”
“But it will also protect her,” Geiger cut in. “Those in relationships with teachers aren’t looked kindly on and given your family it would—”
“Use the bloody charm,” Craftsman blurted, fear thick in his eyes as he realized what he could subject me to if people found out about us.
“Okay, well, good talk, maybe not in public with a huge stranger, and someone else I don’t know, but glad to know all of that,” I rambled, careful to not look at any of them.
“Plus, she has more than one suitor,” Irma chirped in for me.
Thanks, Irma.
“As any delicious fairy should,” Calloway purred. She smiled at me when I gave her a confused look. “Fairies tend not to be monogamous or take only one mate.”
“I didn’t know that,” Craftsman and Mel said together.
“Yes, because fairies are very talented at making sure not all that much gets written about them,” Geiger explained. “Mostly it’s what those who lived around them experienced. The more powerful the fairy, the more mates they tend to pull to their side.”
“Wait, I search for power? Is it real then?” I blurted, not hiding my worry well.
“It is, my dear,” Calloway promised gently. “You could have your pick of powerful warlocks. Your heart or lust chose Dr. Craftsman and maybe for now—who knows—but it is real and not selfish.”
“Certainly not. Fairies don’t know how to be selfish,” the hobgoblin I didn’t know piped up. “I’m Liluth, Irma’s sister.”
“And one of the hobgoblins I spoke of that was in one of the worst spots,” Irma explained as she went over and hugged her sister. “She works for the Wards.”
I blew a raspberry. “Oh boy, another reason for that family to hate me.”
“Is that going to stop you?” Calloway asked curiously. She smiled when I snorted. “I thought not.”
“I hate to cut in but I’m going to need you to whistle, little fairy,” the hulking man said as he stared out at the setting sun. “I need you to call them.”
“Call who? And what is this place?”
Claudia snickered, clearing her throat and apologizing. “Ganter Evans owned a cattle ranch which is now yours.”
I sighed. “I knew the name, I made sure to learn all twenty, but I’ve been studying my ass off and racing to catch up. I haven’t had time to get all the deets on who had what or where. I’m not complaining that it’s a lot, but it’s a lot and most days I’m trying to figure out what I am so I survive and don’t get caught.”
“Fair enough and I knew Ganter Evans well. He was a man who took a chance on a pup running as a lone wolf because his Alpha didn’t like how big he was getting,” the man said, clearly speaking of himself. “And that was a man who would absolutely love that what he built became a hobgoblin sanctuary, so I swear to protect them as I have this place.”
“Thanks.”
“I need you to whistle,” he said again.
“Why?” I said with feeling, really drawing out that it sounded like a stupid thing to do.
“She’s a young fairy, mate, who doesn’t know what she should,” Craftsman interjected, staring out in the distance. “I have a feeling he wants you to handle the hellhounds I’m sensing. I’ve only felt them once so I might be wrong but I thought they all scattered and fled to the far reaches of the planet when Faerie was evacuated of most fair folk.”
“They’re fae dogs; they knew she was coming,” Irma said easily and with a shrug.
Oh, was that all? Sure.
“They answer to fairies and only fairies,” Geiger explained. “Many have tried to train them but only a fairy can.”
“They’re going to freak out the cattle and cause a stampede if you don’t whistle for them and have them simmer down,” the guy told me, his voice tight. Got it. Even I knew stampedes were bad.
I let out a whistle like I was calling for them.
“No, a whistle with your magic,” Geiger explained.
“How the bloody…” I trailed off, grumbling under my breath. How was I supposed to know that?
How was I supposed to do that?
Irma actually showed me though, saying it wasn’t the same level but they could handle fae dogs for fairies if needed. Good to know.
I let out a whistle and kind of pushed my magic into it, impressed with myself when it sounded like the most musical, magical sort of tune I’d ever heard in real life. I only had a few moments to enjoy it though, because a fuckload of gigantic fucking dogs that absolutely looked like what I would think of as hellhounds came racing towards us.
They were huge, like twice the size of a massive dog and a lot more muscular… And they sort of shimmered around the edges. Like I wasn’t sure where they ended or were just shadows. It was as if steam was coming off of them?
“Don’t panic,” Craftsman instructed, worrying me. “They’re not on fire so they’re not being aggressive.”
“They’re not on fire?” I squeaked. “So they catch fire?” That might explain the steaming look.
“It’s why they’re so lethal,” Mel said, looking amazed and a bit worried as well. “They full ‘flame on’ when they attack and fairy fire is deadly like you’d think hellfire is. That’s where the legends come from.”
“Oh good, and I can command them,” I muttered, not having much more time to freak out until they reached us.
They all skidded like they hit the brakes as they realized I was afraid or freaking. My mouth fell open as most of them plopped on their butts as if saying they weren’t here to hurt us.
The one up front came all the way to me though before sitting. He held out his paw like he was just a regular dog wanting to shake.
Why was I not old enough to drink yet?
I swallowed loudly and accepted his paw. Instantly I was thrown into some sort of… I wasn’t fucking sure but it hurt. It was as if thin knives and needles were being stabbed into my brain.
And then I was in the dog’s mind. Or more it was in mine. It was studying me, learning about what I’d been through and maybe the danger I was in?
I couldn’t think of another reason why an animal—and I was rethinking referring to it that way—would be searching my mind.
I was gasping when I came out of it, the migraine building and pain echoing enough to knock me on my ass. The dog flipped onto its back and even opened its mouth so its tongue was hanging out in the goofiest gesture to make something so dangerous seem silly.
And then the rest of them did the same.
“Oh my word,” Irma whispered.
“What just happened and why is she in such pain?” Mel demanded.
“The Alpha of this group found her worthy and just submitted to serve her,” Irma explained. “It’s a great honor. Normally it’s lone dogs that want a different home that let a fairy adopt them as theirs and serve them. Very few ever have a pack serve them.”
“Normally only royals or the most powerful of light or dark fairies,” Liluth agreed. “You need to rub his stomach to accept and you need to accept. It’s an honor and an army of protection.”
Cool. Not sure what to do with an army of protection but I wouldn’t turn away help.
“And a gold mine,” Calloway chuckled.
�
�How so?” I muttered, hissing at another stab of pain as I rubbed the huge dog’s belly.
Craftsman knelt with me and drew a rune on me. “That should help.”
It did. Instantly a cooling sensation swarmed me and doused my headache some. Not fully gone but at least more than half, which was beautiful.
“Fae dogs excrete fae dust and lots of it if well taken care of.”
“Holy shit,” Mel hissed. “I didn’t know that. No one can get that anymore.”
“What is fae dust?” I sighed, feeling like I needed way more knowledge than I had to keep up with my own life.
“It’s the basis of pixie dust in fairytales or Disney movies,” Calloway explained. “But instead of Tinker Bell flight, its dust has a wide range and can make things fae.”
I gave her a wide-eyed look. “You can turn people into fair folk?”
“No, my dear, things. So a normal oak can become a tree found in Faerie with lush fae fruit.”
“My mum used to mix a small amount with baking soda and a few other things and used it as fertilizer,” Craftsman added, smiling softly. “Best damn garden in the neighborhood. People were always asking her secrets and trying to follow how she did things. She’d share veggies in the neighborhood and it was really nice.”
“That’s a prime example of fairies being in the world,” Calloway said gently, giving me an amused look as I kept petting my new hellhound. “They bring balance and more. The species are too divided now but not when fairies were here. Most elites or powerful families all have a fairy in their tree as an ancestor.”
“She’s right,” Craftsman and Mel said together, Craftsman continuing. “Some even back when most might frown at intermingling, but to fairies it was completely normal and loving to give their magic and power to their non-fairy children. My mum told me stories of a fairy friend of hers that was so excited to raise a warlock son and bring new wonders to the world. Always positive like that.”
