Page 24

“The location was necessary,” I tell them, then turn and guide my brothers across the network of bridges until we reunite with our partners, where Lark and I explain the reasoning behind meeting here instead of our usual outlet in the wildlife park.

Daunted silence trails in the wake of our story about the firebird Fae. Several hardwood bridges croak beneath sloping tails of air, and other crossways fashioned from intricately braided cords swing. Clouds pack around numerous extensions, blotting out half of the maze.

A flock of avians spear through the powdery haze. My ears locate the rhythmic flap of my father’s wings, not thirty leagues above.

Puck mutters under his breath. He tightens his arm around Juniper’s waist from behind, and she leans into him while frowning in thought.

Elixir hisses while looming beside Cove. I sense my brother’s instincts—the desire to injure, to strike fast. That he has nowhere, and no one, to take his venom out on is a challenge for him. By now, he would have sent someone crashing to the ground.

Puck notices this, too. “For fuck’s sake. Cerulean, give this anaconda something to break. Preferably nothing connected to the bridge we’re standing on.”

However, Elixir’s lady is the first to make an actual move. “Fables help us.” Cove swerves toward Lark and cups a hand to her sister’s cheek. “Did he hurt you?”

“Hush,” Lark says while removing Cove’s hand and kissing the knuckles. “That bloke hurt me? Who do you think you’re talking to? Besides, I had backup.”

I move closer to my mate. “He wouldn’t have split a hair,” I vow, hearing the deadly edge in my own voice, like silk gliding over the curve of a dagger.

“What did he want?” Juniper asks.

“My severed tits for his collection box?” Lark guesses, referring the human bone charm that had ornamented the Fae’s forehead. “That, and my mortal heart on a platter, along with Cerulean’s.”

“Tell me you lopped off his cock as payment,” Puck requests.

“Guess we missed that opportunity,” Lark says. “We were too busy throwing that piece of shit off the mountain.”

“That was going to be my second suggestion.”

Lark’s mouth slants. She might have snorted if the matter were funny.

Juniper analyzes. “Your frazzled state must have given the enemy an incentive to trespass. They assumed you would be off your guard, not expecting a second attack in the span of a few hours.”

It makes sense.

“The more pertinent question is what do about it,” I prompt. “How do we respond?”

“By killing their leader,” Elixir says.

“By hijacking the pissant,” Puck amends. “Then killing them.”

“By spying on the wanker first,” Lark counters. “Then hijacking, then killing.”

“By talking,” I answer in unison with Cove and Juniper.

The three of us glance at one another before all hell breaks loose from the other half of our band.

“Wait.” Lark rounds on me. “We’re going to dowhat?”

I clarify, “We’ll call a meeting with our enemies.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Puck ejects, the black streaks beneath his lower eyelashes creasing. “We’re going totalk to them? After what these fuckers did, that’s our plan?

“Cerulean, those meddlesome shitheads corrupted one of the fauna, then their leader sent a lackey to trespass on the wildlife park—fuckingsacred ground—and finish the job. After all this time gathering allies, training with them, and preparing for a battle, you want to sit down and have a chat instead? That’s not your sport, luv.”

“It is when we don’t know what we’re up against,” I bite out. “If you think we won’t be in combat during our conference, you’re gravely mistaken. And by the fucking way? It wasn’t one of woodland fauna that was compromised. I’m not taking this lightly, so don’t test me on this, Puck.”

“It’s a sound plot,” Juniper agrees. “Weapons will be fired, only of the verbal sort.” She nudges Puck. “Since when have you ever underestimated the power of words?”

The satyr falls quiet, his face strung tight but his closed mouth proving he sees where this is going. Faeries would expect physical backlash. They won’t expect diplomacy, especially not after what happened.