Fragile Eternity
Page 48

If I dont have it, I cant call or answer.
Resolved, he walked toward the Crows Nest. He saw three guards following him, but he refused to acknowledge them. The knowledge that he was babysat so incessantly was more than he could handle just then.
One guard came inside the Crows Nest, found it free of faeries, and left. Seth knew that they watched both doors. That was the closest to distance hed be getting.
Its not enough.
After almost an hour sitting by himself, Seth admitted that he was sulking. He hadnt really been thinking about a plan. Hed seen friends, people who didnt come around as much since he and Aislinn had started dating, but he didnt talk to them.
Damali was there again, not singing, but just hanging out. He caught her eye and smiled, and she came over with two beers, hers mostly empty already. You free now?
He shook his head. Just for conversation, D.
Damn. She whistled. I thought they were screwing with me. The scrawny chick or the surly guy?
Seth took the beer she held out. Shes not scrawny.
Damali laughed. Whatever. She treat you right?
Does she?He took a drink and avoided the question. You sounded good the other night.
The look Damali gave him wasnt judgmental or pitying. It was veryhuman. That wasnt even close to a subtle dodge. You need anything?
Just company. Seth had known Damali long enough that he didnt need to pretend. Things are weird, and I needed air tonight.
She gave him an assessing gaze. Thatis why I dont do the relationship thing. You used to get it. No getting caught in someones strings. No regrets. We had fun when you werent like this.
Im happy being tangled up this time, D.
Yeah. You look like it. She drained her bottle. Want another?
When he left a few beers laterwithout DamaliSeth wasnt in any better spirits. If anything, he felt worse.All the down and none of the buzz. Drinking didnt help. It never had.
As he walked, he wondered if he was about to go from worse to really awful. The guards hed been so eager to leave behind were gonebut not at his request. The raven-faery whod attacked Niall was following Seth instead, and she wasnt pretending to be stealthy. She walked close enough behind him that he could hear her singing battle hymns to herself.
He knew she should frighten him, and on some visceral level, he was afraid. He didnt have guards or his cell phone.No sense worrying about what I cant change. He stepped into the railyard. The tracks and abandoned cars were the ideal security for a mortal dealing with Faerie. His home sat on a small lot at the edge of the railyard. Most faeries stopped at the railroad tracks; this one didnt. She followed him almost to his door. A few yards from the house were wooden chairs he kept in his garden.
He pulled out his key and turned to look at the raven-headed faery.
She sat down in one of the chairs. Sit outside with me, Mortal?
Im not sure that would be wise. Seth unlocked the door, but he didnt go inside.
She tilted her head far to the side to peer at him. It was a very inhuman gesture. Perhaps it could be.
Perhaps. He stayed on his stairs, just outside the now open door. Hed only need to take one step to be inside.Would it matter? After how fast hed seen her move when she attacked Niall, Seth was near certain that he couldnt move inside before she reached himand that she was strong enough to come in anyhow. He considered his options: there werent any. If Niall himself had struggled with her, a mortal stood no chance.
Somehow I doubt that having anything to do with you is wise, he said.
The faery crossed her legs and leaned back in the chair. I like doubts.
And this is why I have guards.But Seth remembered her fighting with Niall, and he suspected that even if the Summer Court guards were there, they couldnt save him if she meant to do him harm. He wondered if shed killed themand would him.
Does your king know youre here? he asked.
She cackled, a sound that should come from a ravens beak. Bold child. Im sure he willeventually. But he is never soon enough to change my paths.
Seths fear spiked, and he went inside the house. Hes offered me your courts protection. Ive accepted.
Of course. He has a fondness for you, doesnt he? The new Dark King has always liked his mortal pets, not so bad as the last king She moved toward him with an exaggeratedly slow stride like a film reel advancing one frame at a time.
Seth wished he had his phone in hand. Niall couldnt get there fast enough, but hed know that it was this faery whodwhat? killed me?Seth looked inside: he could see his phone. He took another step backward into the train.
Well, we shant tellhim our business. The faery shook her head like a disapproving parent. Hed only tell you no if he knew.
He took another step backward. Tell me no to what?
She paused mid-step. Seeing her Royal Tediousness. Thats what you want, isnt it? But theyll all tell you no. She sighed, but it wasnt a sorrowful sound. It was longing, and Seth didnt want to know what she was longing for. Naughty boy trying to talk to the Queen of Reason. She knows of you. Sent her dirty hands to see you. Faeries all a-titter over the roaming mortal.
At that, Seth stopped as well. Are you trying to help me?
The raven-faery resumed pursuing him. She stood only a couple arms lengths away now; she continued to move with calculated slowness. But they stand in our way. How can you follow your dreams if they keep you on a leash? Telling you no. Theyre like that. Taking away choices. Treating us like children.