Becka laughed at his joke. “Burning down your own home is definitely a vocational risk of fire elementals. Do you think their posturing is more about fae politics and that they’re just using my gift as an excuse?”
“That’s a question for your council, not me. But my gut says it’s always politics first with the fae.” He paused, appearing to gather his thoughts. “I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that your gift has the potential to disrupt the power balance between the houses. More so than anything else I’ve seen in our generation.”
Becka stopped short at his words, her mind trying to wrap around the concept of that level of power. What, you mean me? He’d delivered his insight with unusual gravitas and she knew if he said it, Quinn believed it to be the truth. Becka would be unwise not to heed his warning.
“You think I’m that powerful?”
“You don’t?” he asked.
She shook her head. “Not exactly. Nulling is a unique and new power, and I get why others are threatened by it. No one wants their magic taken away or destroyed. However, I’ve been completely focused on learning how to control my gift and trying to come to terms with being back here. When I think of my gift, I can’t imagine being deliberately destructive with it. It’s not who I am.”
“I get it, but take a few moments to think about this from their perspective. What the other houses are thinking, knowing Nulling is in the world and they don’t have control over it. If House Rowan wanted to, they could send you out to strip its enemies’ powers at will,” he said.
Becka groaned. “That’s ridiculous. If I did that, someone would kill me outright for being a wild fae. Or dose me with the Treatment.”
“Are you listening to yourself?” He reached out and touched her shoulder. “Someone dosed you with the Treatment! It’s possible that motivation is behind your poisoning.”
“But you said the poisoner is someone in this house,” she replied, arguing because he had to be off base. Didn’t he? “You and Brent both agreed on that when you presented your findings to the council.”
“That’s true, but that person settled for the larkspur on their second round of poisoning because they didn’t have more ready access to the first poison they used. Therefore, they got the first substance from an outside source.”
“Then we have to catch them to find out who provided them the first poison,” Becka said.
“That’s our plan. But that source could well be another fae house. Or humans. Even shifters. Even when we find the person who dosed you, we may not fully address the current threat. Anyone could act to prevent the emergence of your considerable power. Becka, consider that it’s a bit terrifying to think of how you could abuse it, if you so choose.”
“I would never willingly harm another! I feel ill when I think of what happened to Hanna.”
He held up his hands. “I know you, and I know you wouldn’t willfully cause others harm. But you’re not well-known within fae society. You’ve spent half your life cozying up to college professors and living as a wild fae child in the city.”
“I had no choice. I was an outcast.” Becka couldn’t believe she was hearing this from Quinn. Calder and the others, sure, but not him. “Is that how you think of me?”
“Not at all. But most fae don’t know you. They will hear a version of a story, likely from a long-time, trusted source, about how you maimed Hanna, permanently obliterating her powers. Do you think they’ll even hesitate to ask for your version of events before acting reasonably to defend themselves?”
“So, then what do you propose I do?” She threw up her hands, hearing the shrill tone to her voice, but unable to rein it in. “How do I convince the world that I’m not just this destructive monster lying in wait for them?”
“I have a plan to protect you. I ran it by Chief Elowen yesterday while you were sleeping, and she gave it the go-ahead and set things into motion. It involves your civic service.”
Fingers of ice gripped at her heart. It fluttered, skipping a beat, as the chilly sensation shot through her chest. “Did it occur to you to discuss this plan with me first before putting it into action?”
“I would have, but you were knocked out with the healer’s concoction and I felt that time was of the essence.”
She understood Quinn had done what he felt like he had to do, but Becka couldn’t pretend she was okay with her life, yet again, being determined for her. Even by Quinn.
“Whatever you did, I’m sure it came from a sincere place, but I don’t know that I want it.”
Quinn’s pupils flared, his shock at her reaction clear. He opened his mouth to speak and then seemed to think better of it. They stood there, facing off, for a few quiet moments, Quinn’s clenched jaw and determined gaze against Becka’s raging independence.
“Do you want to hear my plan?” he said, his voice unusually flat.
She took another few, slow breaths. Quinn watched her, his expression tense and back ramrod straight, as if bracing for a fight. Which Becka supposed was what this almost was.
Becka looked into his eyes. This was Quinn. Her Quinn. He’d proven himself trustworthy time and again, and she knew he had her best interests in mind. He may have acted without her consent, but he’d done it to protect her.
When she’d calmed herself, Becka replied, “Yeah. Go ahead.”
“You’re right,” Quinn replied. “I’m sorry, I should have talked about it with you before I spoke to the chief.”
Her heart was heavy with sorrow. “I get your heart’s in the right place, but you crossed a line, Quinn.”
His expression softened. “I did. I know how
