courtiers away was not good. And that she was allowing me to ask without a lot of protocol was also a bad sign.
I fingered the charms in my pocket and decided to go for it. “I witnessed the death of two humans. They were poisoned.”
“What is that to me?”
“A Sidhe was in attendance each time. The fairy paid for a vial of potion with the spirit of the dead human.”
“And you think I am involved in these events? That I have sanctioned death.”
“That is what the street gossip says.”
She waved the topic away. “Leave those charms alone, Quinn.”
I didn’t know which was worse, that she knew about the charms or she let me know that she knew. I took my hands out of my pockets.
Fionuir unfolded herself from the chair and walked toward me. And now, I knew what the mouse felt like when the snake approached. “I will tell you what you want to know, but you will need to take on an obligation. I will not trust you otherwise.”
“What obligation?” I didn’t like the idea of being controlled by the Sidhe.
“Only that you will do no direct harm to a Sidhe. For any reason. Forever.” She ran her finger down my freshly shaved cheek.
I needed to clear my throat before I could get words past the lump there. “I am a spirit wizard. I have already vowed not to do harm. How would this obligation be different?”
“Too many spirit wizards find ways to work around their vow, or will take the punishment as a price for violating their oath in the name of justice.”
I had a feeling there was no way I could control this. “What is the cost to me if I violate the obligation?”
“That you will have to worry about. Take the obligation, knowing I will not be merciful, or leave without your information.”
“Will it be fatal?” I didn’t think she would answer but I had to try.
“It will not be fatal. I want to be able to torture you for many years yet, Quinn Larson.” She blew me a kiss. I tried not to flinch.
“I will accept the obligation.” I didn’t have a choice. “Please tell me why you are killing humans.”
She laughed. “The fairies are killing humans, not I. You said you saw it happen.”
“I did, and yes, the fairies poisoned the humans, but they are your weapons. Why are you doing it?”
She sighed and lowered herself into the chair again. “Because it gives us power. Because the fairies are desperate. And because I can.”
“It is dangerous to kill humans.” I couldn’t believe she didn’t know the dangers. I could believe she didn’t care; that she thought the danger didn’t apply to her.
“They die all the time. There is at least one body in an alley every week.” She picked up a crystal goblet and sipped an amber wine from it.
“Not these humans. The fairies are choosing healthy humans, humans who will be missed. Ones with jobs and families.” I didn’t want her to know that I knew the Sidhe were picking the victims.
“Well, then they will be missed. It means nothing to me.” She sipped her wine again.
“It should. Eventually the police will realize there is a pattern. They will find some clue and The Real Folk will be discovered. They will kill whoever they find.”
“Are you sure of that? Humans are not that clever.”
“Oh yes, they are; clever and lucky. And violent against the unknown.”
“They will find fairies, not wizards or Sidhe or other Real Folk.”
I felt my temper rise and forced it down. Now was not the time to antagonize Fionuir. “Do you remember when the vamps were around?”
“That was a long time ago.” This time her casual air belied the flash of memory in her eyes. “What would you like me to remember?”
“That feeling of unending power. Do you remember it flowing through you like life itself?” My blood yearned for that time.
“How do you know that I don’t still feel power that way? That it isn’t just wizards who were affected.” As she returned her glass to the table I noticed a tremor.
“I know it affected everyone. And, so do you.” I waited for her to retaliate at my tone. She didn’t do anything other than cross her legs. “What would it take to make you stop?”
“I will not stop. It is too much fun.”
“The fairies are getting desperate. Aren’t you afraid that they will die out before you tire of the game?”
“No, we will husband our resources, do not fear. Some will die, as happens in life, but we will ensure enough are born to keep us entertained.”
I schooled my expression. The Sidhe were known to be cruel, but this was beyond anything they had done in the past. I felt my resolve harden. “Perhaps you haven’t thought this through. Are you getting so much power from these deaths that it is worth the risk?”
She flicked a lock of hair away from her face. “We get some power. It is sweet and pure, just a taste is as good as a meal.”
At least I had the answer to one question. If Fionuir could give her followers power, then whoever this pretender to the crown was, they had no chance. “Is there nothing I could do or say to change your mind?”
“Wizard, do not try my patience.” She threw the glass onto the deep piled carpets, not wanting to break it and take the bad luck I’m sure. “We are finished talking. Now, come entertain my court with your stories of the old days.”
“I would rather not. I think it’s time for me to leave.” I turned to go.
She laughed and a chill slid down my body. “You will leave when I allow it. I want you to tell my court stories.” She snapped her fingers and the six Sidhe glided back to the circle of chairs. “Tell them of the Vampires.”
“I’m sure that they have their own memories. I have pressing business, your majesty.” I started to back out of the circle. It was not going to be easy to fight my way out of their palace, but if I had to, I would. It’s not like I was going to get any more information from her.
“Melbe.” Fionuir called. “Bring wine for Quinn.”
“It is too early in the day for me to imbibe, your majesty.” I took a few steps further away from her and picked out a distraction charm. “I promise to come back soon and entertain you with tales of Vampire adventures.”
I saw Melbe approach from behind Fionuir, he was looking over my shoulder. I glanced at the mirrors across from me and saw the twins coming behind. Time to cast the spell.
I took the jade from my pants pocket and tossed it in the air, stepping back to let it fall at my feet. A plume of blue smoke billowed out and filled the space around me. As soon as the smoke hid my actions, I ran to the doors and tossed a leather thong behind me. The sound of shattering glass filled the room. I heard Sidhe voices behind me screech in dismay. I smiled at the loss of their carefully nurtured court manners.
“You will regret this, Larson.” Fionuir’s voice seemed to come from my right shoulder, but knew she was cowering far away from me, worried about the flying glass. I chuckled. It was just the sound of glass. I had no desire to take on centuries of bad luck.
The twins were still somewhere between me and the door. I was almost as blind as the Sidhe, the only different being that I knew the glass wasn’t breaking and the smoke would dissipate soon. I saw a shadow in the fog to my right. One twin was moving away, good.
I kept walking toward the doors keeping my eye out for another shadow.
Three feet farther and the fog started to thin, I could see the doors; they were open just enough for me to slip through. I glanced to both sides, no sign of twin two. Now that I could see, I could run. So I did, past the last grouping of chairs and within touching distance of the door. I reached out a hand to pull myself through and just as I passed the threshold if felt a metal bar hit me across my knuckles.
I screamed.
“Wizard, you were asked to stay.” Twin two, or one, I’d lost track by now, raised his staff.
