“Are you speaking from experience?” I considered, nose wrinkling. “How do you even pick a tomato so poorly that . . . You know, never mind.”
He sidled over to me, grin firmly in place, and bent his head down. “Good luck. Exploding tomatoes are no laughing matter.” Then he strolled on by, whistling a merry tune.
—
I stepped from the shower, grateful for the removal of dirt and grime from helping in the garden all afternoon. Filling my day with work made the time go so much faster, and lightening the load of the Fae already working outside filled my soul with joy.
“The clothing though,” I grumbled, tugging on another set of modified Fae clothes. Nevaeh had offered to retrieve a handful of mine, or to lend me hers, but on the off chance someone spotted me outside, I was much less noticeable in the Fae garb. Still, this was one part of Fae life I would never adjust to. Why didn’t they all want to run free, let the wind caress their skin . . .
A knock broke my train of thought. The showers were loosely communal, split by curtains. Any of the women could have come in. I dried my hair a touch more and slid the towel onto a rack before I pulled the door open—and met a wide-eyed boy and an ever-silent man. I had tried to crack Flynn—told him jokes, pried into his personal life. Nothing. Stoic as ever. Benji was the one who drew my attention though, tugging at my makeshift shorts.
“Tarik asked us to get my mom and bring her back here. Can you come help? I need to get Callie too, and”—he lifted his shoulders—“maybe you can keep her from escaping. Since you’re a cat and all . . .”
I grinned, reaching out to ruffle his hair. “Sure, Benji, lead the way. Where’s Tarik? Are you sure he’s okay with this?”
“Rebel Leader pulled him away. They wouldn’t tell me for what. But yeah, he’s fine with you coming!”
“Oh, okay.” I glanced up at Flynn, who lifted a shoulder and jerked his head in confirmation. “Well he probably had an important meeting, then. We’ll help you, right Flynn?” The man’s hazel eyes were locked onto my face, but he didn’t reply. My brow furrowed. “That’s creepy. Seriously.”
He shrugged. I frowned. One day I would crack this one. Tarik told me not to get my hopes up, but . . .
Benji had already disappeared around the corner. I cast another glance at the sullen Fae trailing me, but continued downstairs and out the front door. Lately, we had to check for Alec constantly. As the days went on with no word of my whereabouts, his patrols had become more frantic. Benji’s home wasn’t far though, and the sky was quiet. For now, at least.
Flynn ushered us inside the small apartment, sliding over to where Haven lay on the bed. He signaled to me, holding out a clean dress for her, and I nodded. While I helped her dress, he disappeared out the door, motioning for Benji to stay put. Haven glanced up at one point, her deep brown eyes the match to her son’s.
“Where are you taking me?” Her voice was soft, weak. She seemed so frail beneath my hands, so light. I understood why Tarik felt like she was his responsibility. I didn’t know her and I already wanted to protect her.
“The Fae Safehouse.”
She struggled against my grip, pushing me back. “But this is my home.”
I paused and sat down on the edge of her bed. She relaxed, relieved that I seemed to be relenting. Instead, I said quietly, “Why don’t you want to go there?”
“I—I don’t want to become someone else’s burden. I’m fine here. Tarik checks on me at times.”
“You’re no one's burden, Haven,” I said gently. “And if it helps, Tarik sent us.”
“Where is he?” She tried to look past me. “Why didn’t he come himself?”
“He’s been really busy helping the other Fae. He didn’t want you to be alone.” The sound of dragon wings caught my ear. My heart bolted to life. We needed to get back. This wasn’t safe. My thoughts flicked to Tarik, to the crystal. “Tarik might have found a way to help you, really help you. But he hasn’t been able to slip away long enough to come down here. He’ll bring you back home if you want, after he tries.”
Haven stilled. As the booming sound passed overhead, my breaths quickened. I bit my lip, hoping against hope that Haven would come with us. She nodded. When the wing beats faded, Flynn barged through the door with Callie in his arms.
He motioned to the sky and I nodded. “Flynn’s going to help you, Haven. I’m Reagan, by the way.”
I traded places with Flynn, gripping Callie to my chest and grabbing Benji’s hand.
“Have you got her?” Benji asked.
I nodded. “Stay with me outside, okay? Flynn will take good care of your mom.”
“Okay!”
The second we stepped out the door, the whoosh of wings returned. Close, too close. I darted into a shadow, pulling Benji with me. Callie shrunk against my chest, as though she too knew we had to hide from that dragon.
We waited, silent until Alec passed again, then slid to the next set of shadows. Again and again. I didn’t like how close the blue dragon had flown on the last round, but I held open the door to the Safehouse, breathing a sigh of relief when Flynn slipped past me.
Close. Too close.
She came in trembling, close to tears. I stopped what I was doing and went to her.
“Thanks, Flynn, I’ll take her from here.” The silent Fae nodded, carefully depositing Haven into my arms. She peered up at me, so many questions in those tired eyes, but words failed me. I knew she would hate being brought here, but at the moment, my worry was greater than her need for independence.
She could
