Page 61 of First Snow

Annikki leans over the back of his chair to get a better look at the pictures. They show a slightly younger Arttu in uniform mingling with other officers. The shots are obviously taken at an official event.

“He looks cute,” Annikki comments.

That’s the last thought Jareth needs right now. He contemplates how much his situation will worsen if he strangles his second in command.

“Come on, don’t give me that look.” Annikki smiles and pats him on the back. “How bad is it? What does Arttu know?”

Growling in frustration, Jareth opens a new file for Annikki to inspect.

“He knows everything. He knows about my Fae heritage. About the scum I’ve killed. Shit, Annikki, this is personal for him.”

Jareth gestures miserably to the pictures showing Arttu in his early twenties with the siblings of the Laine family. They are unprofessionally taken promo photos of a band. If Annikki comments on the fact that Arttu wearing his hair long, along with too much eyeliner, is the most adorable thing ever, he swears he’s going to resort to violence.

Annikki barely suppresses a laugh. “Is this Sofia Laine? The filthy rich heiress who sent private detectives after us?”

“The very same.” Jareth fails to see what Annikki finds so hilarious. “Sofia and Mikael went to school with Arttu. They played in the same band.”

“Talven Tuska. Oh my god, you’ve scored with the lead singer of a metal band. Do we have their music?”

“No,” Jareth lies.

“You’re no fun, you possessive bastard.”

“This isn’t a joke, Annikki! He thinks I’m responsible for the death of his childhood friend!”

Putting her hands on his shoulders, Annikki starts to apply soft pressure.

“I’m sorry. But you must admit that there’s some humor in the situation. And you haven’t laid a hand on Mikael. We can give thekeijuto the police, she’s the real culprit after all.”

Jareth slumps. “No, we can’t.”

“Why not?”

“Phyllis found out about Arttu just as he was about to sneak away with the evidence he’d gathered on me. She thought she could impress me by handing over a traitor. I had to kill her.”

“In front of Arttu.”

“Yes.”

“Did he see you like this?” Annikki gives his antlers a soft nudge. “Did he see Phyllis’ real form?”

“He did. Among other things. He thinks I drugged him.”

Annikki giggles softly. “What a shitshow. Where’s he now?”

“Upstairs.”

“Chained to your bed?” Annikki teases.

“Yes, dammit! What was I supposed to do? He even gave me his real name.”

“You asked for his real name?” Annikki’s voice becomes high-pitched with incredulity. “Oh Jareth, you’re hopeless.”

He bites his lips. “I know, okay! It was all I could do not to put him under my thrall. You’ve no idea how he gets when I even use a hint of magic.”

“You forget that I had a first row seat during his spanking session.”

“You’re not helping!”