Page 3 of Deadly Little Games (Four Ways to Fate #2)

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My watch buzzed on my way to Emerald Heights. I lifted my wrist to see Dawn’s number flashing at me. I had left a message for her the previous night, wondering if she could find out about Lucas, or the celestial woman who had been with him at the Circus.

“Well,” Dawn said without greeting as soon as I accepted the call, “I haven’t heard a single mutter about a full blooded celestial in the city, nor anything about the angelic, Lucas. But I have heard some other interesting tidbits.”

I hopped over a crack in the sidewalk. “Go on.” Greengate Park had come into view. There was a path through the park that led directly to the boundary of Emerald Heights.

“What will you give me in return?”

I shook my head, though she couldn’t see it. “My half of the gossip, of course.” Internally I thought, the bare minimum of the gossip. Dawn was a colleague, and maybe sometimes a friend, but she would use any of the information against me if she could. Mostly to get me to return to work for her.

Dawn laughed, oblivious to my internal thoughts. “Word on the street is that there’s a bounty on a celestial. Wouldn’t happen to be the one you’re looking for?”

I wanted to rub it in that Dawn was late on the gossip, but I also didn’t want her thinking I knew too much about it. “I’ve heard whispers, but no. I think this woman might know my mom.”

“You should really give that up, Eva.”

“You should really mind your own business, Dawn.”

“Me not minding my business is what makes me such a wellspring of information.”

I rolled my eyes as I reached the green grass of the park. “My apologies. What else?”

“There’s word a night runner named Eva Nix possesses important information on the bounty. And just this morning, the elves have claimed her as their own. Anyone who touches her will face retribution.”

I stopped walking abruptly, catching odd glances from two humans with enough elf blood to give them pointed ears sitting on the nearby bench. “ What? ”

“Oh come on, Eva. You don’t gain the protection of the elf king without knowing about it.”

“Actually, you do.” I kept walking, wondering what it meant. Though I supposed I would find out soon. I could already see the tall gates of Emerald Heights in the distance.

They were gold, glinting in the sun, with vines of ivy trailing up near the hinges. Maybe I should have visited Mistral first to ask for his advice, but after my encounter with Gabriel, I was hesitant. “I’ve got to go, Dawn. I’m about to walk into Emerald Heights.”

Frantic chattering came from the other end of the line, but I hung up. I’d let her stew on that one for a while, thinking I had some tasty information for her. It might inspire her to learn more for me.

Warier than ever, I reached the gates and pulled one side slightly ajar. The metal was warm in my hand, moving smoothly and soundlessly aside. The open gate led to even more vibrant greens than what could be seen out in the park. I shifted to go over the boundary, then stepped onto the pale white cobblestone path, shutting the gate behind me. I started walking, observing the nearby homes. The buildings were quaint, white washed with brown trim. Most of my deliveries only came as far as the first few neighborhoods. Beyond them there were vast forests, and eventually a market square.

I had only been to the square on a few occasions, and it was where I would buy wolfsbane for Braxton if I had time. Anyone could grow it, but the elves had a certain touch with plants that made it more potent than anything else. The trees were also taller here, which was probably why all the buildings were made of wood. Even the trees just outside the golden gates in the park were only half the size.

In one of those tall trees I noticed a raven watching me with beady black eyes. The bird was watching me way too intently for casual interest. Maybe it sensed I had recently come in contact with tasty pastries, but I doubted it.

I clutched the strap of my bag, wishing Ringo was inside. With the bag though, no one would bother me. Most of them would have seen me making deliveries at some point. No one would know that I was actually here to see their king, other than Elena and whoever she told.

And yet, my palms were sweating around my strap. Gabriel’s warning repeated in my mind. Maybe the worry was unfounded. Maybe my magic wouldn’t activate for anyone else, but it had already done so for three different people. Chances were, it would happen again.

I made my way beyond the first few neighborhoods into open forest, occasionally dotted with a distant white structure, smoke coming up from a narrow stone chimney. Unlike in the Bogs, the cobblestones beneath my feet were smooth and pristine. There were no puddles to step into, just vibrant green grass, wildflowers, and massive trees draped with vines. The trees provided ample shade as I walked, making me wish I had brought a coat. Eventually they closed in around the path, shrouding me in darkness.

Just when the darkness was beginning to feel eerie, the sun came again as I reached an open meadow. Further down the cobblestone path I spotted a large creature with massive antlers.

I hesitated, wondering if I should hide, but I eventually decided to stand my ground. Elena knew I was coming. It wouldn’t do to hide from one of her sentries—it would only prolong this whole experience.

And so I bravely kept walking until the creature came into clear view. It was a massive buck, and on its back rode Elena, her red hair shining in the sun.

She slipped down from the animal’s back and jogged toward me. I was surprised that she wore just jeans and a yellow T-shirt. I had expected that in her own lands, the princess would be dressed like, well… a princess.

Elena reached me, her green eyes shining and her flushed cheeks making her freckles stand out. “You have no idea how glad I am to see you. It wasn’t easy convincing my father to extend his protection. When I was alerted that a night runner was at the gates, I came straight away.”

I wasn’t sure who had alerted her, but I had passed by many homes. It stood to reason that someone had seen me. “Yeah, I heard about the protection thing. Not gonna lie, I was pretty surprised.”

She gripped my arms. “You’re important, Eva. I’m not going to have those vampires snatching you away, not even the Master of the City. I can take you the rest of the way to the palace.” She nodded back toward the buck.

I stepped out of her grip, uncomfortable with her fervor. I looked skeptically at the buck. Riding a horse with Gabriel was one thing, the buck didn’t even have a saddle.

Elena reached out and squeezed my arm again. “Don’t worry, he’s very gentle.”

I winced at her repeated touch, worried that my magic might flare again, but nothing happened. No glow, no tingly feeling. I wasn’t sure why I had expected it. I was pretty sure she had been born in this realm, but if she was a princess, she did probably have powerful magic. So maybe it was the other realm thing. But then, why Gabriel?

I shook my head at my own thoughts and Elena frowned.

“Oh, no, not you. Sorry, I’ve had a long morning. Let’s go.” On the back of a buck. To the elven palace. Yeah, completely normal.

Her smile resumed, if only a little more hesitant than before. “Do you want to talk about it?”

I shook my head. “Not really.”

She gave me a smile that said she understood perfectly—though how could she?—then motioned me toward the animal.

I looked up at the beast. It was almost as big as Gabriel’s horse. Its glassy eye rolled toward me, and I felt keenly aware that it was judging me. I glanced back at Elena. “You don’t happen to have a step stool, do you?”

She hopped into motion. “Oh, forgive me, I’m just so used to being around other elves.” She laced her fingers together, then lowered her hands to form a stirrup. “I’ll just give you a boost.”

I looked down at my dirty sneakers. “I’m not sure how I feel about stepping on a princess.”

She scowled. “I’ll have none of that. I get enough of that at home.” She bent her knees and lowered her hands a bit more. “Now come on, you do owe me for getting my father to give you protection.”

“You have an exceedingly strange way of calling in favors.” I stepped into her hand, and she propelled me up onto the buck.

With my heart suddenly racing, I awkwardly tried to situate myself, not knowing what I should or shouldn’t grab onto.

Elena hopped up nimbly behind me, then put her arm around my waist to steady me. Just as she did, the flutter of wings sounded overhead, then the raven I had seen near the gates touched down onto the buck’s antlers. It looked over its shoulder at me with one black eye.

I looked back at Elena and whispered, “Did that bird tell you when I arrived?”

She gave me a bemused expression. “While I would love to telepathically speak with animals, that is not one of my gifts. I asked a friend near the gates to send word if she saw you.”

Blushing, I turned forward.

Elena patted her heels against the buck’s side and the creature turned around, then ambled back in the direction it had come. The raven stayed where it had landed, apparently content to come along for the ride.

“Are you ready?” Elena asked behind me.

“Ready for wha—”

She patted her heels again and the buck lurched forward, hooves clattering across the cobblestones. The raven shot up in a flurry of black wings. I clenched my thighs around the buck’s broad back, hanging on for dear life. Elena maintained her grip on me, but her arm didn’t feel quite as secure as Gabriel’s. The meadow passed us by quickly, then more forest. Eventually we reached the market square, then continued onward.

“I’ve never been beyond the square!” I called back to Elena, wincing at the bruises forming on my ass.

She leaned in close to my ear. “It’s mostly just uptight nobility further in. Nothing to write home about.”

The cobblestone path in front of us widened, and the buck slowed as we reached what looked like a secondary town square. Colorful silk tents housed shops and seating areas where elegant elves sipped from teacups. The smell of fresh baked honey bread made my mouth water.

Elena leaned close again. “We can stop on the way out if you want to buy anything. The quality is better here than at the main market.”

Judging by the opulent clothing flowing from the elves milling about, I imagined that everything here was also three times as expensive. The tall elves walked with an air of dignity and importance— nobility .

Even though I had crossed boundaries hundreds of times, it was always a little jarring going deeper into the realms. Near the gates, things weren’t quite so different from the city beyond. But deeper in, everything changed. Those who had actually come from other realms had done their best to create new homes to their liking.

I noticed some of the elves watching us as we made our way to the palace. They clearly recognized Elena, and were clearly not too sure about her human companion. I found myself wishing I had dressed up a little, even though Elena was just in a T-shirt and jeans herself.

The palace loomed up before us, high white walls incredibly different from the goblin’s Citadel. Arched windows boasted glittering stained glass edged with gold. Flowering vines climbed up decorative pillars, the white stone beneath somehow not bearing a single mark of dirt or decay from the plants.

We went through a shaded alcove, then stopped near an outdoor stable. More deer, both bucks and doe, grazed on vibrant green grass.

Elena stopped our mount, then slid down to the ground. Fortunately a tall male elf in a blue button up shirt approached and helped me down. I winced again at my bruises but stayed perfectly still, willing my legs to stop feeling like jelly.

The male elf led our buck away, and Elena gripped my arm, forcing me to hurry forward before I was ready. We ended up in another shaded alcove in front of a closed door.

Elena pulled me even closer, glancing around warily. When no one approached us, she heaved a sigh of relief, then lowered her voice. “So, I have something to tell you. My father doesn’t know you’re coming.”

I pulled away from her, my jaw agape. “Then why am I here?

Her brow furrowed, she motioned me closer so she could continue to whisper. “You don’t understand, Eva. He misses her.”

“Who?” This was absolutely crazy.

She gave me an exasperated look. “The love of his life. My father has been heartbroken ever since he came to these lands.”

“So he misses your mother?” As soon as I said it, I knew it wasn’t right. Elena was young. The queen her father left behind wouldn’t be her mother.

Her shoulders slumped. “No, I wasn’t born through his first union. Once he was trapped here, he was forced to bond with another. But he and my mom,” she shrugged, “they’re more like just friends. She doesn’t even live in the palace—she likes her cottage out in the woods. The one he really loves he had to leave behind.” She grinned suddenly, her eyes sparkling. “I want to reunite them.”

I wasn’t sure whether to be pissed, or charmed by her motives. Maybe a little bit of both. “So why did he offer me his protection if he doesn’t know about any of this?”

“I told him you’re my friend,” she said simply. “And today we’re going to convince him that my friend needs the help of our court wizard to find her mother.”

“So you want what everyone else does. You want to turn in my mother for the bounty.”

Her eyes widened. “Oh, no, Eva. That’s barbaric, and honestly, I don’t believe the Realm Breaker actually exists. No, I brought you here to help you. To help us both .”

My jaw fell open even wider, but Elena tugged me toward the closed door before I could argue. She opened it for us, then pulled me through into a hall with an impossibly tall ceiling. Massive arched windows with clear glass lined the hall, giving a sunny view of all of the greenery outside. Elena hurried us forward, our footsteps echoing against the walls around us.

My mind raced. If she didn’t believe the Realm Breaker was real, then what could she want from me? Sebastian claimed he had seen it, that it wasn’t just a myth, but apparently Elena didn’t know that.

Eventually we made our way into a sitting room with more arched windows. Gentle rays of sunlight adorned shelves of books and other trinkets. In the center of the room a large table supported a game of chess, and around the board sat two older elves.

I didn’t recognize either of them, but assumed one was the king judging by his blue robe embroidered with gold. His long hair was still the same perfect red as his daughter’s, and only a few lines creased his face, though I knew he was centuries old. The other elf had hair so light blond it was almost white, and sharp features like a hawk. He gave me a shrewd once over, filling me with the urge to step behind Elena.

Then the elf king smiled, and the tension was broken. “I can see by your expression my daughter has taken you by surprise. She delights in keeping her victims off kilter.”

She marched up to where he was seated and swatted his arm. “Hush, father. You’ll scare her away.”

He smiled. “Well we wouldn’t want that, now would we?” He turned his attention back to me. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Eva Nix. I understand you’ve gotten yourself into a bit of trouble.”

I winced. “Yeah, that’s one way of putting it.” His friend was still eyeing me, making me wonder if I should be bowing or curtsying or something. “I, um—”

“What she means to say,” Elena smoothly interrupted, “is thank you for extending your protection.”

He looked at his daughter adoringly. “As if I had any choice in the matter.” He winked at me. “Not that I wasn’t glad to help. I know dealing with vampires can be… difficult.”

I gave Elena a meaningful look. Just what exactly had she told him?

“I must warn you though,” he continued. “My protection can only extend so far. Elizabeta won’t go against me, but some of her minions might. They are fools, the lot of them, if they actually think they will acquire a device that allows them to realm travel.”

His friend flinched at the mention of realm travel, but the king didn’t seem to notice.

“About that, father,” Elena cut in again. “I was hoping you might grant Eva permission to meet with Crispin. She won’t be safe until her mother is found, and I thought that Crispin might be able to aid her. He knows more about realm travel than any of the rest of us.”

The other elf’s expression soured further, and his cheeks were starting to turn red.

The king studied his daughter. “What exactly are you up to, Millelena?”

Elena glowered at the use of her full name. “I’m just trying to help my friend, father. What can it hurt?”

“Have you forgotten who we are discussing?” He softened his words with a small smile.

Elena lowered her chin, crossed her arms, and stared him down.

The king sighed, slumping in his seat. “Very well. I believe Crispin is in his tower. If he is agreeable, you may seek his advice.”

The blond elf’s eyes looked like they were about to bulge out of his head as the king turned toward me. “But be warned, Eva. Crispin is a lovely lad, but you will do well to not get too caught up in his… fervor .”

Elena hurried around her father and gripped my arm before I could ask what the hells he meant by fervor . “Thank you, father!” She tugged me away.

I caught one last look at the silent elf looking like his head was about to explode, while the king shook with quiet laughter, then Elena pulled us back into the hall and shut the door behind us.

“That was easier than I thought it would be,” she beamed.

I crossed my arms. “Okay, but what did your father mean by fervor ?”

She laughed. “Don’t worry about it. Crispin makes some of the older elves uncomfortable, is all. But if anyone can help you, it’s him.” She took my hand then started tugging me back down the hall.

I realized in that moment, just as her father had realized, that resistance was entirely futile.

Elena led me through a maze of hallways I would never remember on my own until we reached a tower with a spiral staircase. As we went up, I peeked out the occasional window to the greenery beyond. Emerald Heights sure did live up to its name. It was stunning, all the growth bolstered by elven magic. I could hardly imagine what their homeland, a place where their magic actually flourished, might look like.

We reached the top of the tower and a heavy wooden door.

Elena gave me a reassuring smile, then turned to knock. “Crispin! It’s me. My father agreed to everything!”

The door opened, revealing a tall male elf with tousled blond hair. The honey-colored locks were almost as shining as his pure blue eyes. Stubble lined his jaw, something you didn’t see often amongst the elves. Most of them were fastidious when it came to appearances. He was dressed handsomely in a green shirt partially buttoned and rolled up at the elbows, and tweed pants.

He looked me up and down. “Well, she doesn’t seem all too impressive.”

Elena smacked his arm. “Move so we can come in.”

He obeyed, observing me closely as I walked past him. There was far too much intelligence in those shining blue eyes, and I could already see why the king felt the need to warn me. It was in the way Crispin held himself, and the way his eyes danced with hidden thoughts. Here was a man who could convince you of almost anything.

He was so distracting I didn’t feel comfortable enough to closely observe the room, but I vaguely noticed a comfy seat by one of the windows, and next to it a small wooden table stacked high with books. The other side of the room boasted a massive table with papers, glass jars, and various thin metal devices I didn’t recognize.

Crispin shut the door behind us, then stalked around me, once again looking me up and down. “She doesn’t exactly shine with magic.” He glanced at Elena. “From the way you’ve been talking, I was expecting a grand celestial spirit.”

My cheeks heated. “Excuse me—”

“Trust me,” Elena cut in, ignoring my discomfort. “She’s special. She has vampires, angelics, devils, and who knows who else after her. If anyone can help you travel the realms, it’s her.”

She had forgotten to mention goblins, but I wasn’t going to correct her. Maybe she didn’t know everything after all.

Crispin finally concluded his observation and went to stand next to Elena with his arms crossed. “It’s a good thing I trust you.”

I glared at both of them.

“She’s looking for her celestial mother,” Elena continued, ignoring me. “But she can’t fully shift.”

Crispin raised a brow. “Then why do you think she can help us?”

“Because a devil thinks she can learn. And devils know everything, in the most infuriating way possible.”

I couldn’t argue with her there. But them not knowing that I could fully shift, at least for a moment, might prove problematic. If Crispin could help me figure things out to find my mom, he would need to know the truth.

Unfortunately, I already only trusted him as far as I could throw him. Which was not any distance at all.

Crispin stroked his chin, once again observing me. “As far as I know, half celestials can only travel to the near realms, but if a devil has interest in her, you may be onto something.” He lowered his hand and grinned. “Either way, I’m not going to pass up an opportunity to study someone with celestial blood.”

I narrowed my eyes at both of them. “Yeah, not so sure I want to be studied .”

Elena stepped toward me. “But you do want to maintain my father‘s protection, do you not? It would be difficult for you to continue your contract with the devil if you have to hide away behind a boundary.”

My expression soured. So that was why she had gone the extra step of offering me her father‘s protection. I already owed her a favor, but that favor was just to come here. I considered saying no, but after what had happened to Braxton… I couldn’t risk it again.

I gnawed my lip, looking back and forth between the two of them. My mind made up, I crossed my arms and looked at Elena. “I want your father’s protection to extend to my roommate. If you can make that happen, Crispin can study me all he wants.”

Elena gave me a wicked smile. “Deal.”

I frowned. “Don’t you need to talk to him first?”

She shrugged. “Don’t worry about it. I can make it happen.”

I looked doubtfully at Crispin. “And what do you hope to get out of this?”

“Knowledge.” With one arm crossed, he waved the other hand in the air. “Power. All of the usual things, of course.”

Oh gods, what had I just gotten myself into?

I sighed heavily. “I guess the only question left, is when do we start?”

Crispin’s eyes sparkled. “I will need some time to prepare. Can you come here tomorrow?”

I looked at Elena again, wanting to make sure she could actually come through with what she promised.

She met my eyes, and gave me a nod.

My shoulders slumped. “I’ll be here.”