I cleared my throat. “How’s Lorcan?”
“Better. He needs to rest, but he’s strong.”
“Good. Where’s Carl?”
“I believe he’s having breakfast next door. He claimed he thought you would sleep for a long time, but I think he didn’t want to be alone with me.”
I rubbed my head. “What happened again?”
“People died. We didn’t.”
“Right.” I slipped into the seat across from him. “You seem kind of chirpy for someone who just, um, just…”
“Killed his mother?” He smiled, lifted his hand as if to rub his chest, then dropped it at the last second. “It probably sounds cold, but there’s a weight gone. I didn’t give up on my family. I tried to protect them. But I trusted my mother. Stupidly. It was just…” He shook his head. “She was the only familiar thing in my life. The only constant. My memories of her were so vivid that I found it hard to disconnect from her, even though I knew what kind of person she was. And although I saw how earnest the twins were, I didn’t have any memory at all of them, and they didn’t feel real sometimes. She was real. My mother, I mean. Despite everything, I knew it was real.”
“Is there no way of getting back your memories of your life with Helena and the twins?”
He shook his head. “I can piece some things together with what I’ve been told, but my actual memories of that life are lost forever, thanks to Elaria. At least Lorcan witnessed Fionnuala’s confession, or he may never have forgiven me.”
I tapped my fingers on the table. “That’s a plus.”
“You seem nervous. Is it… why?”
“It was too easy,” I admitted. “Nothing’s that easy without some bigger price to be paid. I’m waiting for the bill to arrive.”
He smiled, looking a little relieved. “Enjoy the peace in the meantime. Are you joining us at the headquarters tonight?”
He locked eyes with me, and I saw a million different outcomes. So many possibilities. “Yeah, I need to see this through before I bow out.”
He frowned. “Bow out?”
“I don’t want to fight anymore. I’m sick of washing other people’s blood off my hands, and yesterday could have been a massive mistake. Me being caught, me needing to be rescued. They should have left me there. So many lives for one. We were lucky you picked our side.”
“I learned a lot about my mother. That dagger, the one the little boy had when he came out of the slave market, it had an engraving I recognised as belonging to Elaria’s family.”
“Seriously?”
He nodded. “Perhaps somebody wanted a path traced back to her.”
“Your mother?”
He rubbed his jaw. “It’s possible. Maybe she laid plans in case she needed to get rid of Elaria. It’s obviously her style. The engraving was subtle. At first, I wasn’t sure it was really Elaria’s, so I went looking for proof. I found more than enough. After seeing Leah’s reaction to the power at the children’s home and learning what my mother planned on using them for, I couldn’t stand by any longer.”
“What are you going to do about the werewolves?”
“I don’t know yet. Try to figure out some way of making life easier for them.”
Feeling slightly more relaxed, I got up to finish making coffee. “If the werewolves were free, would they attack people randomly? I mean, during the full moon.”
“Probably. The ideal situation would be a place for them to roam free, as long as they agree to go back underground during the full moon. There would always be a chance that not all of them comply, but it’s a better solution than them being permanently underground.”
“There’s plenty of land,” I said. “Maybe if they had some space of their own, they wouldn’t even want to attack.”
“You’ve met Icarus, right?”
I grinned at his playful tone and handed him a cup of coffee.
“It’s not up to me,” he said. “Gabe is in charge right now, in lieu of whatever happens next. Perhaps he has some ideas. I could step up and claim my seat, but I think we need something a little more democratic.”
“I just want things to be fairer. And less secretive. All these secrets just enable corruption.”
“I don’t disagree. How is your wound?”
“Hurting. I messed it up when I fought with you and the werewolves against the beasts. It kind of got infected, but Anka and Margie have been taking care of me.”
“You had the same injury all this time?”
“Yeah, but it wasn’t as bad then. It just didn’t heal properly. It’ll be fine.”
“I am sorry about the whip.” He hesitated. “I know that probably means nothing now, but—”
“I get it. Sometimes we have to make sacrifices for the greater good.” Faces flashed before my eyes: Folsom, Mrs. Yaga, Ry.
“They tell me drinking blood would heal you,” Phoenix said without inflection.
“They tell me that, too, but I’d like to forget my past mistakes, not repeat them.”
“I understand that. But you drank Elaria’s blood.”
My heart raced at the memory. “Different kind of blood. It was more like a temporary hit than something healing.”
“Healing happens when you drink human blood?”
I thought about it. “It’s more like it speeds up the process of healing. Gives me a lot of energy, but it lasts. With Elaria, it was like I could feel her power, but I didn’t know what to do with it. Kind of overwhelming.”
“So if you bit me…?”
I leaned back. “I wouldn’t bite you.”
“But if you did?”
I stared at my cup, disliking the direction the conversation had taken. “I imagine it would be the same—boundless power that couldn’t be wielded. The high would leave quickly, and I’d be left exhausted.” I looked at him. “I didn’t want to drink her blood. I just didn’t have anything else.”
“I find it fascinating,” he said. “Do you think the same would happen if you drank from my son or daughter?”
I shifted in my seat. “That would never happen, Phoenix.”
“I’m interested. That’s all. There are things we’ll need to figure out if we want to help people like those children from the slave market. The more information we have, the better.”
I supposed that made sense. “So what happens now?”
“We bury the dead and go to the Council’s Headquarters to try to make sense of what’s left. Most of Fionnuala’s followers are either missing or dead, but there are others who will be against anything we try to do. The truth is spreading around the fae, and I assume through the other races. We can only wait and see what happens.”
“Reuben’s still out there. Maybe he’ll leave the country now.”
“He will be punished,” he said, pushing the cup away from him. “Whether he runs or stays. Prepare to harden your heart, Ava. There will be no mercy shown to those against us.”
“That doesn’t make us the best option.”
He laughed softly. “There is no best option. But there are worse ones. Our biggest problem will be convincing the majority of that.”
“I suppose so.” After a couple of minutes, I offered, “You can have a shower or whatever. It’s upstairs.”
He seemed relieved for a chance to escape. As he headed into the hall, Carl arrived, and they passed each other, nodding politely.
“How are you feeling?” Carl asked me, helping himself to a search for anything edible in my fridge.
“Sore. Tired. You?”
“Better than yesterday.”
“Were you hurt?” My voice rose. I might have been a little overprotective over my remaining friends.
“Nah. Some bruises to be proud of is all. Want to see?”
I glared at him, unimpressed.
He pretended to shiver. “Forgot you lost your sense of humour. Honestly, I was pretty lucky. Great thing about being a human is the people who want us dead leave me until last because I’m not a threat.
”
“Yay for you.”
“We’re all upset about Ry, but he asked to come with us. And he was useful. He—”
“I know.”
He rubbed the back of his head. “Sorry about the houseguest. Didn’t know where else to put him.”
“It’s fine.”
“He freaks me out, and I knew you’d sleep it off, so I thought this was the best option. He might look like Lorcan, but he just sits there staring at you for ages like he’s reading your mind. Can he do that?”
“Doubt it. Besides, he’s not as creepy as you make him sound. Any info yet?”
He shrugged. “I’m keeping in touch and making sure the right information is getting around. The groups in hiding around the country are keen to take back their freedom now that Fionnuala’s gone. And pretty much everyone who was at the Headquarters yesterday is hurt or dead. Gabe’s trying to put out fires, but he’ll be over this morning. Shay and Moses are doing their thing, ready to keep people calm.”
“Oh, crap! I forgot about the people in the cells.”
“Gabe’s dealing with the overflow in the cells. Should work out. Esther’s Circle are helping him, and Aiden’s trying to round up loyal shifters. No word from Eddie.”
“Shit. What’s he up to?”
“Dunno. He’ll probably show up tonight.”
I frowned. “I wonder if the vampires will be around.”
“Daimhín, maybe. Be ready for anything.” He let out a sigh and stretched. “I didn’t think we were getting out of there, Ava.”
“Me, either. It was kind of a let-down though. All of those questions… the answers just weren’t satisfying. I thought there would be some kind of compelling reasoning behind her actions, but she was just greedy for power.”
“I don’t think it was just that. From the whispers going around, she wasn’t in a good position as leader of the fae. It must have been a lot of pressure. She had to marry someone she thought was beneath her just to please her people and keep her position. And then her son broke all of her rules. I think she just got bitter and crazy with the need to control everything.” He shook his head. “At least we know the worst of it is over. Fionnuala was behind it all, and she had help. We still need to root out everyone who helped her, but the biggest problems are over.”
Except for Eddie.
“I hope you’re right. I’ll probably run over to check on the kids before the meeting. Make sure they’re okay and that they know to protect themselves.”
“Think they can?”
“They definitely can. But they’re looking for a side. We might never be able to really help them the way we planned.”
“We’ll do what we can.”
I nodded. I just hoped that would be enough.
***
The atmosphere in the cul-de-sac was strange that day. We had won and lost at the same time. Ry’s body was returned to us, and we mourned our friend while rejoicing the fact we had finally defeated one of our biggest threats.
I sat on the wall outside Margie’s home, unable to face going inside to view Ry’s body. Phoenix approached me cautiously. My friends were afraid of him, the twins needed time to adjust, and I was the only one left.
“He died saving Lucia,” I told him. “He was brave.”
“I wish I could thank him.”
“Best way to thank him is to keep her safe. He was scared, and that’s what made him so brave.” I gazed around me. “I just hope he’s the last we lose.”
“She was fierce,” he said. “She seems so childlike, but when she thought her brother had died, she could have passed for pure fae.”
“He’s everything to her. They’ve only had each other for so long. They have friends here, but he’s her family.”
He looked down. “I hope she thinks of me that way some day.”
“You brought Lorcan back to life. You’re a trio now.”
He grinned, and it felt so good to see some happiness in the midst of all the sorrow.
“Think the British fae will forgive us for Elaria?” I asked.
“I’ll explain what happened, but there could be repercussions. It might not mean as much if there’s no Council seat for me.”
“The Irish fae will still follow you. I mean, you’re all they have.”
He shrugged. “Not all. I haven’t been around. They may turn on me. Everyone may turn against us. Could you… will you come with me to see my children? It might be easier if you’re there.”
I nodded and followed him to Anka’s home. Anka, Lucia, and Val were in the kitchen. As soon as Lucia saw Phoenix, she smiled. He went to her side, standing as close as possible without touching her.
“Where’s Lorcan?” I asked.
Anka made a face. “In the living room, corrupting my daughter.”
I found Lorcan on the sofa, playing a video game with Dita.
“Slacker,” I said, sitting next to him. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I died,” he said, grinning at me. “You? Your hair is a little… out there.”
I smoothed the frizz. “That was your fault. Looks like I’m going to have a bad hair day for the rest of my life.”
Lorcan threw down the controller. “Beaten again. Are you sure this isn’t your superpower, Dita?”
I sensed Lorcan’s father hesitating by the door. I glanced at Phoenix and stood. “Dita, let’s go. I need me some girl talk.”
Despite Lorcan’s pleading stare, I left them alone, and Dita and I joined the others back in the kitchen.
“Male bonding,” I explained. I sat next to Lucia and wrapped my arm around her. Taking a life hadn’t sat well with her, but watching her brother’s heart stop had really shaken her. “You did good,” I whispered. “You saved his life.”
She looked at me for the first time, her eyes wide with sorrow.
“It gets easier,” I said. She leaned against me, and I realised I had known to comfort her without even thinking about it. I could be a friend, not just a warrior. “Val, how’s your leg?”
“It’s nothing,” she said. “We were lucky.”
“In more ways than one,” I said. “If only we had time to sleep it off.”
“You’re still going to the meeting this evening?” Anka asked, sounding concerned.
“No choice. We have to see this through,” I said. “I have a bad feeling about so many supernaturals in the one spot.”
“Life is going to be difficult,” Anka said. “But the worst is over.”
People kept saying that. It wasn’t convincing.
Chapter Nineteen
Carl woke me from a nap. “Get up, lazy. You really need to see this.”
Feeling like a zombie, I got up and followed him outside to see Gabe and Elathan leading carloads of people into the cul-de-sac. I watched warily as Guardians directed people into groups. All of them carried bags on their shoulders that made me think it wasn’t a passing visit.
“What the hell is this?” I asked when Gabe approached.
“It’s temporary,” Gabe assured me. “Occupants of the cells. We can’t let them run around defenceless, not after what they’ve seen. They could be witnesses.”
“So you brought them here?”
He shrugged. “Some of them were yours in the first place. It’s not safe elsewhere. People know Phoenix is here. They believe the werewolves are with him. It’s the safest option right now.”
“That says really bad things about the rest of the country.” I shook my head. “Fine. They can stay.” I called Carl over. “Want to deal with this mess?” I asked him.
“Why me?”
“You’re good with numbers and stuff. Logistics.”
He glared at me before viewing the mass of people disturbing our peace. “Whatever. I’ll try to work something out. The residents are going to hate me.”
I grinned. “They love you. Get Margie to help if anyone puts up a fuss.”
He headed straight into the crowd, leaving me grateful.
I
turned back to Gabe as Elathan came over. “We need to talk about the meeting. More specifically, who is going and if you’ll come with me to see the children first.”
“There are Guardians watching over the children,” Elathan said.
“Do we really need to go over why I don’t trust most of the Guardians?” I said.
He smiled. “You might have a point. But what do you think will happen?”
“I just need to see for myself that they’re okay,” I said. “That’s all.”
“I’ll go with you,” Gabe said. “Have you heard from Brogan yet?”
I shook my head, a chill spreading over me.
“He isn’t at the bookshop,” he said, frowning. “I need to find him.”
“Why?” I asked. “Know something I don’t?”
“One thing at a time, Ava. How are the injured?”
“They’ll survive. Casualties at the Headquarters?”
He sighed. “Too many. The word has spread. People know there’s a meeting tonight. Expect quarrels that won’t be solved in one evening.”
“Think any vampires will show?”
“Yes. Are you well enough to attend? Given that there may be violence.”
“Pfft. I’m fine.”
He considered me for a few seconds. “Very well. Warn your new fae friend that people believe he has the werewolves close at hand. For now, they’re safer in the Headquarters. If things get out of hand, make sure he can free them and hope they don’t turn on us all.”
“Try not to be too optimistic there, Gabe,” I teased.
“He will remain on our side, right?” Elathan asked. “We need that fae. He stands for something amongst the most old-fashioned of our races. If he and I are seen to co-exist peacefully, it could end the tensions between our bloodlines.”
“How did Finn take the news?” I asked Gabe.
“Finn? Why?”
I shrugged. “He seems like a normal fae. His opinions probably reflect the majority. He told me a few things about Phoenix’s family that make me think our new fae friend will be accepted without too much fuss.”
He considered this. “I’ll speak to him. Perhaps you’re right.”