by Allie Burton
“I’m trying to figure you out.” His curious gaze continued to study me, imitating a teacher or a scientist, puzzling out things by observation.
I shifted on my feet trying to get comfortable with being dissected by inspection and questions. “Not much to figure out. I’d planned to pass as human for the rest of my life until my best friend was arrested for doing something I did.”
“The fireworks?”
“And music.”
He ticked a thin finger on his chin. “You didn’t come into your powers until you were sixteen. That makes you a Fire Fairy.”
I jerked back. “I didn’t know there were different types of fairies.”
“Of course. The types are based on the elements you get your power from.” He counted on his fingers. “Water Fairies, Air Fairies, Earth Fairies, and Fire Fairies, just as there are different types of trolls and sprites and elves.”
Mind blown. Most humans had a hard enough time distinguishing a troll from an ogre or a sprite from a wisp. To actually categorize different types of the majiks would boggle their minds. It boggled mine. Arbor had taught me sprites and fairies were related.
“If you’re a Fire Fairy, your mother must hail from Fae Forest.”
I remembered hearing my dad talk about Fae Forest. We’d visited a park once near the entrance. Arbor had said something about the area, too. I couldn’t remember what. My interest peaked. Too bad it was too late to learn about my mom and her heritage.
Shrugging, I pretended nonchalance because I was unsure if Bim had actually forgiven me. “What type of fairy are you?”
“I’m an Earth Fairy. We get our powers at birth.” A slight nod had his hair moving up and down. “That’s why you could fit into the human world so easily. As a child with powers lots of mistakes happen.”
I thought about the magical mishaps I’d had since receiving my powers. “What about as a Fire fairy? Do mistakes happen when they get their magic even though they’re older?”
Was I normal? Or a really bad fairy? Or did mishaps happen because I was only half fairy?
He tapped his finger again. “There’s usually a few, but with training…”
I remembered Gardenia’s nagging and rolled my eyes.
“With training mistakes can be controlled.” Bim must’ve noticed the eye roll because his voice went harsher. “Training is important to every type of fairy. We need strong fairies to rule and guard our empire.”
“Rule?” I choked. I’d never even considered the order of succession for fairies or any other majiks assuming they were ruled by Regent Theobald. “Who rules the fairy empire now?”
“Our queen is aging.” Bim’s frown communicated more than sadness. “The Fairy Commander is mostly in charge because the queen’s three daughters died unexpectedly.”
Empathizing with the queen, I understood loss. I’d lost a mother and a father. To lose three daughters must be terrible. “What about the king? Or their sons?”
“Succession is through the female line. It’s a matriarchal society.”
Go girl power!
His gaze clouded. “Although because of the deaths of the queen’s daughters there’s been discussion of letting a male grandchild assume the role when the queen passes.”
“What do the fairies think of that?” Was trouble brewing in the fairy empire? Better to learn as much as possible if I decided to join their ranks. If I lived.
“Most aren’t happy. I mean, consider the human world with their male succession. Regent Theobald has been a disaster. And the new prince has been mostly brought up by the man.” Bim shivered. “Things will only get worse for the majiks.”
“Rye thought the prince would be different.” I hoped he was right.
Bim’s disbelieving snort scraped across my skin. “Your boyfriend is clueless.”
Keltie pivoted. Her one eyebrow raised in a question. She understood we had nothing to laugh about.
“Rye is not my boyfriend. We just met.” Saying his name tugged at my heart. He was special, and we’d kissed. I didn’t know if he’d care that I was half-fairy. He’d wanted to help the majiks. And yet, if I survived and announced my fairy-side, would he want to be with me? And wouldn’t having a human boyfriend make me more different from the other majiks?
Why was I even thinking about him as a boyfriend? For the little I knew, he could kiss girls all the time.
“There is hope.” Bim avoided my gaze. “There are rumors of a granddaughter.”
A sliding noise had me stiffening. The locked door opened, and dread rose like bile in my throat. Was it time? The other fairy’s eyes flipped wide open and his lips slammed shut. Someone backed into the cell.
Turning, Stone faced us. Sweat formed on his forehead and his hair was in disarray. He scanned the room stopping at me.
I swallowed. My thoughts ran around in panicked circles. It was time to die and I was going to be first.
“Here comes your other boyfriend.” Keltie’s smirk contradicted the fear on her face. She was worried this was the end for us. She must’ve been listening to Bim and my entire conversation. With her elf ears that shouldn’t have surprised me.
Scowling, I glared back. I did not want them thinking I’d betrayed them or flirted with the enemy. “He’s not my boyfriend.”
For a second, Stone’s brow furrowed. Wiping the expression off his face, he stormed toward me. Even with his bulk, he moved like a commando. His muscles rippled beneath the guard uniform and his broad chest demonstrated strength. Why would Keltie think for one second this masculine specimen would be interested in me? He must be two to three years older.
He clicked the weapon in his hand and grabbed my arm. “Let’s go. Quietly.”
My pulse stuttered to a stop and then raced ahead of my mind. Not a chance. I refused to be taken to my death without speaking. Unfortunately, I couldn’t think of anything eloquent to say as my final words. Instead, I opened my mouth to scream.
Before I could utter a single sound, his large hand clamped over my lips. “Quiet. Don’t want the guards to hear and wake up.”
I closed my mouth too shocked to speak. “You’re a guard.”
Okay, not that shocked.
Keltie raised both eyebrows. Bim scrambled away because he probably didn’t want to be taken with me. Tos and Hokima leaned forward interested in the exchange.
“The guards watching your cell are asleep.” Stone spoke through gritted teeth. He removed his hand from my mouth. “Let’s go.”
“Go where?” I refused to lead my new friends into a slaughter. As their infamous leader, I’d already gotten them captured. I needed details.
“Escape.” His single word response sent a jolt through my body.
“You’re helping?”
“You’re certainly not helping yourself.” His smug expression was emphasized by the upward tilt of strong, male lips.
I wanted to slap him for teasing at a life or death moment.
Quirking my head, I studied those lips and those eyes. “How do I know I can trust you?”
“You don’t have much choice.”
Another person taking away my choices. He seemed an okay guy. He’d told me why the weapon hadn’t affected me like the others. But, honest? He was SCUM, and huge and threatening, and too good-looking. And he wore a palace guard uniform.
He tapped the weapon against his shoulder. “Why don’t you take your time with your decision? The guards will wake up in a few minutes and we’ll both be stuck.”
Right. We needed to go with him. And if he was lying, we’d find a way to escape from him later. The five of us could fight one guy. Couldn’t we?
I glanced at my friends. Hokima’s gloppy eyes appeared wary. Bim’s chin raised with confidence. He’d trust my decision. Tos stood on her toes ready to run either with me or against me. Keltie’s crossed arms and angled chin exhibited she was waiting for my answer too.
Nodding at our would-be rescuer, I uncrossed my arms and pointed at the elf. “I to
ld you I wasn’t flirting with the enemy. Stone is helping us escape.”
“Only you.” His always hard expression went harder. His gaze narrowed to slits. “Time’s ticking.”
My stomach rolled. Why would he want only me? With more majiks fighting at his side we’d have a better chance of escape.
Keltie’s eyebrows went even harder, challenging me. Tos quivered and leaned into Hokima’s fat legs. Bim’s gaze veered back and forth between me and Stone.
I couldn’t leave them behind. I’d already betrayed them once by claiming my humanity. They’d agreed to follow me on this journey without knowing me, putting themselves in additional danger. “I’m not going without my friends.”
“They don’t look like your friends to me.” Stone must’ve analyzed the situation in the cell when he’d barged in. He’d seen how far from me they stood and their hostile glares. He’d sensed the tension and heard Keltie’s cruel banter.
Determination to not only prove to my friends I cared, but I was with them, hardened in my fairy blood. I was committed to being a majik and helping the majik cause. I might’ve hurt them, I wouldn’t abandon them. We would live or die together.
“We’re a team.” I took a deep, calming breath. “My friends come, or I don’t.”
Chapter Sixteen
The silence stretched. The quiet, crowded cell held its collective breath.
Stone’s large brow furrowed, and his lips pinched. His carved cheekbones didn’t flinch. His body appeared petrified. He thought I was crazy.
Maybe I was. I’d been called crazy before. Had that been only earlier tonight?
My bones hardened and I tilted my chin to a righteous angle. This was right. These majiks, my new friends, were worth saving.
“Don’t be stupid, Elle.” Keltie crossed the distance. “This guy is offering you freedom.”
My other friends nodded.
“I wouldn’t feel free if I left you guys behind.” I stood my ground. Arbor was important and so were my new friends. And right now, looking at the odds, I had a much better chance of saving them than Arbor.
“Why are you siding with us now?” Hokima grumped.
“I’ve always been on your side.” I needed them to understand my dedication to them and the majik cause. “I hadn’t fully realized it until very recently.”
“She’s helping.” Tos tugged on the hem of my shorts. “We can argue about logistics and loyalties later.”
“Tos is right.” Keltie glared at Stone. Her stares had power. Not magical power, the power of persuasion. “Well?”
Bim, Tos, and Hokima glared at Stone, too. Their gazes weren’t as challenging, but they were effective.
Stone held their looks. He knew I was half-majik, so prejudice wasn’t the reason for only wanting to rescue me. Who would blink first? It wasn’t about winning. It was about convincing.
“My friends matter.” My voice revved up with purpose and passion. “All majiks matter.”
He stiffened, and an expression of shock crossed his face. Somehow, I’d touched a nerve. His shoulders dipped giving in and agreeing in one smooth move. “Fine. Help me drag the guards into the cell.”
My chin dropped. He’d conceded easier than expected.
Keltie nodded, a thin smile on her lips. Hokima actually grinned. Tos and Bim cheered, clapping their hands together.
“Shh!” Stone put a finger to his lips. He tossed a death glower my way, telling me if we got caught, it would be my fault.
He wore a guard’s uniform. If we got caught, he could say he was recapturing us. Why was he helping? Although, now was not the time to ask or dissuade. We were taking a chance by trusting him. We had no other options.
As I followed behind him through the cell door, tension seeped into my bones. My stomach tied into tight knots and fancy bows. If we got caught, would we be killed on the spot? Probably better than this auraguillotine.
The area outside the cell reminded me of a hospital nurse’s station. Except instead of the large hospital doors, there were strong, metaloid, locked doors with a small window similar to ours. Several guards lay on the ground or dozed in chairs near the console at the center of the room.
Tos reached for a bowl of grapes sitting in front of one of the sleeping guards.
“Don’t.” Stone slapped her hand away. “Sleeping potion.”
Interesting the human used majik potions in his scheme.
He shrugged at my inspection. “Grapes are a rare treat under the palace.” He picked up a guard and lay him over his shoulder. “Hurry, before shift change.”
Hokima used his strength and picked up a second guard. Keltie dragged a third guard, pulling him from underneath his arms.
I wrapped my hands beneath another guard’s shoulders and dragged him toward the open cell door. Tos helped by lifting a leg.
“This would’ve taken forever if I had been the only one helping you.” Already my friends proved their value.
“I would’ve left the guards where they slept. When they woke, they wouldn’t have noticed one majik missing from a cell. They’ll notice all of you gone.” Stone’s sharp nose turned up making me feel the size of a full-fledged fairy.
Short and inconsequential.
“We should take the guards’ weapons.” Keltie was already taking a gun from its holster.
“Yes.” His agreement had everyone stealing the sleeping guards’ weapons.
After Hokima and Stone got the last two guards in the cell, he slammed the door shut. “Exit is this way.”
I stood on my tiptoes trying to peer inside the window of another door. “What’s in these other cells?”
“Majik prisoners.” He shoved a weapon in my hand and trekked toward the hallway on the far side of the room.
I didn’t move because my speech of all majiks mattered reverberated in my head. “We should let them out.”
My friends stopped and stared, their mouths open. Did they think I was crazy or brave? The question of the day. Maybe I was a little of both.
Stone halted and turned in a slow pivot controlling his response. “No.”
“Why not? You’ve got the keys.” I pointed at them jangling from his waist. “We could free the majiks in this area.”
He stomped to me and grabbed my arm. His fingers dug into my skin setting off a heated reaction. Because his grip hurt. “I wasn’t planning on rescuing an additional four majiks. You’re my priority.”
I jerked trying to get away from him. “Why?”
Dropping my arm, he scowled. He ran a hand through long blond hair. I could tell he wasn’t used to having his orders challenged.
“If I manage to get five of you out alive, I promise I’ll come back and release the others.” His green eyes held integrity, not their usual laughing-at-me humor. His broad lips flatlined and his chin jutted out with determination. “Just no more questions.”
My friends’ gazes swung back and forth between the two of us.
“Okay.” I had to believe he’d keep his word. “Why am I a priority?”
“I said no more questions.”
Maybe this gorgeous hunk was attracted to me. I’d dazzled him with my wit when we’d been captured, and he wanted to help me. Yeah, right. That would be a first. Besides, Rye was the guy of my dreams.
Stomping interrupted my egotistical thoughts.
“Guard change. Hurry. They’re going to discover you’re missing earlier than expected and raise the alarm.” He grabbed my arm again and tugged me toward the front of the pack. “Follow me and keep quiet.”
The grip on my arm didn’t feel like an interested male’s hands. Not that with my very-limited experience I’d know. He didn’t look back with longing as we traipsed down the hallway. He made rapid strides, dragging me along for the ride.
As if I was a package.
The hallway resembled the cells. Sterile, shiny, and cold.
The stomping feet echoed through the corridor, getting closer.
My hands became clammy
gripping the gun. Why were we walking toward the noise made by the guards’ feet? We should be running in the other direction. Did Stone not understand the danger? He’d promised to get me out, yet he could be leading me to my death. I’d trusted Rye too, and I had no idea where he was or if he was truly helping the majiks stuck under the palace and in its prison. I had no experience with guys, no instincts.
I considered my friends standing behind me. Their expressions didn’t display doubt. They were confident in me and my trust in Stone. I gave a hesitant nod.
He plastered his back to the wall and pulled me against him. “Hvitspyd.”
A swear word. Had to be by the intensity and the tension radiating off his hard body.
My stomach tangled, pulling tight. “What’s happening?”
“Guards are ahead of schedule and we’re behind ours.” His eyes narrowed, and he glared at my friends.
My chin quivered. I’d caused us to be behind whatever schedule he’d had. In my defense, I didn’t know we had a schedule.
He turned to my friends, concern written between the high cheekbones and strong chin. “Can you guys fight without magic because magic would send off a warning?”
Keltie huffed and cocked her gun. It had been her brilliant idea to take the weapons. “Of course.”
Hokima took a fighting stance and held up his stolen weapon.
Bim nodded, his wings fluttering.
Tos shook her head. No.
“It’s easy. Shoot anyone you see.” Stone slipped the large automatic rifle over his head and demonstrated how to use it. “We’ll need to surprise them. I have a special job for Bim.”
Bim scooted ahead and the two of them whispered frantically for a few seconds. The fairy’s face visibly paled when he snuck a glance at me.
My gaze narrowed. How was I involved in this discussion?
The fairy nodded, his bony head moving up and down several times. He took a position in front of the group.
Stone signaled to continue walking. “Can you fight, Ellery?”
“Did you not see me against the guards in the tunnel?” I took an offended tone. I’d fought valiantly against him.
