“He didn’t know I took the rock,” Zenaida murmured. “I did that all on my own. Just give me thirty minutes.”
“You think a half hour will change my views?” Zakkai sounded amused. “All right, Zen. I’ll take that bet.”
“It’s not wise to bet against a Fortune Fae,” the silver-haired man said, his blue eyes flashing as he smiled to reveal his fangs.
“We’re not betting,” Zenaida said, her skirts rustling as she turned toward the two men. “Follow me. I have cookies.”
“Cookies?” Zakkai repeated, glancing at Shade.
“That means she has troubling news,” he muttered. “She always bakes cookies when she’s upset about something.”
“She makes them for Shadow to help him feel better,” the dark-haired man corrected. His icy eyes met mine. “Hello, Aflora. Lovely to meet you under better circumstances.”
I cleared my throat, the last of Zakkai’s and Shade’s enchantments leaving my body and returning me somewhat back to normal. “Hi.”
“This is my grandfather,” Shade
added, stating the obvious. “Grandpa Vadim.” He gestured to the silver-haired man, who had turned to walk with Zenaida. “That’s Grandpa Kodiak. They’re my grandma’s mates.”
“I thought Fortune Fae required a circle of Betas,” I said, recalling my brief knowledge of Fortune Fae and their societal structure.
“Not everything is black-and-white, my dear,” Zenaida called back to me, her tone again not matching her attire or physical age. “Now come along. I only have twenty-eight minutes left.”
Zakkai smirked and shook his head. Then he pressed his palm to my lower back. “Twenty-seven, Zen.”
She waved a hand in the hair over her head, dismissing his comment.
“Next time I need something, you’ll be coming to me,” Zakkai said to Shade as we started walking. “I want that rock when you’re done, Zen,” he added, his voice too soft to carry the distance she’d put between us. I couldn’t even see her through the trees now.
“Yes, yes,” her voice came back to us on the breeze, surprising me.
Fortune Fae, Shade whispered into my mind. Never underestimate them.
I never underestimate anyone, I countered. I’d been burned too many times to easily trust a soul. But I did feel a strange sort of kinship to Zenaida, one I’d picked up on when I met her in the LethaForest. It had me moving a little faster, curious to know what she had to say.
Then we stepped into a clearing surrounded by homes.
Several of the fae poked their heads out to gape at us.
I swallowed. Um, Shade?
It’s okay, Aflora. He linked his fingers through mine, stepping into my side while Zakkai walked on my other side, his palm still against my lower back. Everything’s going to be okay.
You don’t sound very sure about that, I remarked, hearing the hesitation in his tone.
He didn’t reply, just squeezed my hand.
Then he led us to Zenaida’s door.
Let’s get this over with, Zakkai said into my mind, pushing through the threshold. “Twenty-five minutes, Zen.”
“I only need ten,” she replied. “Sit.”
I YAWNED, already bored by Zenaida’s usual spiel about reformation being the more appropriate path forward. It would save more lives. Create a more inclusive council. Realign the source with all the Midnight Fae factions.
Blah.
Blah.