A/N: This chapter and the last were originally one, but I felt it needed to be broken up. I wish I could always update twice in one day, but who am I kidding. I appreciate the feedback and thanks for reading!
The characters this FanFic is based upon are owned by the magnificent Karen Marie Moning. My use is strictly for non-commercial purposes and is in no way intended to affect the value of her series.
Dani freeze-framed in and out around me. Gradually getting closer, then zooming back.
"How long have you been following me?" I asked as I circled around, trying to keep her in front of me.
She blurred into focus about a dozen yards away. "Saw you tear outta BB&B." She smirked. "Whatcha so pissed 'bout, anyways? Barrons forget to take the garbage out?"
I let that one slide. "I've been looking for you." Her unease was palpable. She wasn't sure if I meant I had been trying to find her or if I had been hunting her. "I know what Rowena did," I offered. "I know she was capable of coercing others." Dani didn't respond. She freeze-framed in closer. I could see the emotion in her eyes that she struggled to conceal. She zipped out again, but not as far this time.
"I never woulda done nothing like that. Not even just 'cause it was your sister." She shook her head in disbelief. I could feel my throat choking up, but I didn't cry. I raised up my hand to keep her from going any further. I didn't think I could handle it.
I had killed the Unseelie monster that murdered my sister. And I had killed the human monster that ordered her dead. Alina's death had been avenged. From here on out, my mission was to make sure she hadn't died in vain.
"She's dead. Rowena is." I watched for a reaction from Dani. I saw what I had hoped for. A sparkle of admiration glinted in her emerald eyes as she nodded her head in acknowledgment. Some of the distrust left her expression.
"Heard. Good feckin' thing, too! Ro was poison. Ain't supposed to be happy when a sidhe-seer dies, but I am about her. Rest of 'em can stop being sheep and start fighting like they're born to."
I couldn't have agreed more and said so. "Have you gone back to the abbey?" I asked casually. I hoped she would say yes.
She flashed me a gamine grin and cocked out her hip in that I'm-way-too-cool-to-care manner. "Feck no," she said, and waited expectantly. Daring me to call her on her swearing.
I wouldn't want to disappoint her. "You know, pretty girls don't have ugly mouths," I recited. She rolled her eyes, but it was clear she was pleased at the return to our old routine. "Where are you staying then?"
"I got my own digs, 'member?" She kept her tone nonchalant. "Wanna come see?" It was a peace offering. Inviting me to see where she went when she slept. Where she spent her most defenseless hours. It was a serious token of faith in times like these. I knew we would have to work our way back to the complete trust we once shared. I had no doubt we would get there.
"Sure, kid." I reached out and tousled her hair. I was surprised when she let me. "But let's walk it. I'm not sure I'm up for super-speed." I'd been pretty fortunate so far on the whole nausea-end of things. I wasn't going to push my luck.
"No prob. We're close 'nuff anyways. This a-way, Big Mac," she gestured with her hand, beckoning me to follow. I'd once asked her never to call me that. It felt like it was a betrayal to Alina. I know better now. And whatever Dani's part was in Alina's death, she was a victim too. I wouldn't blame her or turn her away. I would be for her what Alina had been for me. Friend. Confidant. Big sister.
"Right behind you, Little D."
She rolled her eyes and turned to lead the way, but not before I saw how pleased she was at our exchange.
"Hey Mac?" she called back over her shoulder without stopping. "I'm real sorry 'bout what happened to Alina. I'd trade places with her if I could. Bring her back for you."
I was shocked and horrified. "Don't say that."
My words came out more sharply than I intended. There was a lot I would have traded to get Alina back. Some of it I was not proud of. I'd even considered my own life as an option at one point in time. But if I'd learned anything, it was that there are some things we desire that come at too high a price. Even if it seems like it's worth the cost, we can't afford it.
She nodded once, swiftly, as if to say she understood. I think she might have.
Dani led me up a cobbled path to an old house set back from the street. I admired her choice – I would have picked it too. It was three stories high, constructed from cut stones. It reminded me of a castle out of a story book, complete with a turret that extended another story above the roof. You could probably see all of Dublin from the window of the tower. As we approached, I picked up some sort of magic in the walls, a slight humming of power.
"It's way old, like, ancient. Place's definitely spelled. Inside's modern 'nuff for me," she said as she opened the heavy wooden door.
I eyed the ground warily, not looking to get rejected by any unseen wards. I took a breath and crossed the threshold, almost disappointed that I didn't feel any resistance. The girl seriously needed to up her security level if she planned on living by herself.
I took a look around inside. It was open and airy. It looked much bigger inside than it had from the sidewalk. Kind of like my bookstore in a way. It felt like a sanctuary. Maybe she had it more protected than I had given her credit for.
We walked toward the stairs and I noticed places on the walls where the paint was less faded.
"I took down the pictures," Dani explained. "Gave me the jeebies seein' the faces all the time. Knowin' they were probably dead. Kids 'n all." I nodded in understanding and kept following.
Most of the doors along the way were shut, but I stopped short at one that was open. It was a sunny, cheery room, painted yellow with clouds on the ceiling. I didn't need to see the crib by the window to know it was a nursery. My eyes stung at the innocence of it all. I had to consciously keep myself from placing a hand over my belly.
Dani eyed me warily. "You okay?" No. I was not.
I briskly turned away from the room and she led the way up the winding stairs of the tower. She opened the door and flung her arms wide, spinning around in a grand gesture. "Welcome to Casa Mega," she exclaimed.
I was impressed with her set-up. She had a futon opened out with disheveled blankets and pillows strewn about. In the corner were stacks of candy bars, protein shakes and water bottles. The walls were covered with click it lights and I saw piles of batteries and replacement bulbs.
Once inside the room I could see that the door was lined with some kind of weather-stripping all the way around. When it closed, the door was completely sealed. No Shades would slip through any cracks. The window had the same treatment. And I was right; you could see all of Dublin from it. I would have made this my fortress too.
I nodded my approval as I plopped down on a loveseat. "Not bad."
She preened at the compliment. "What'd I tell ya? The Mega can take care of herself."
"I still think you should go back to the abbey, even if you stay here sometimes. There's safety in numbers. Or you could move in the bookstore with me," I offered. She wrinkled her nose in distaste.
"Thanks, but no feckin' thanks. Ain't exactly the third-wheel type. I go to the abbey sometimes. Check in and all. Make sure they're still alive."
That was something, I suppose. "Maybe Barrons can put up some extra wards for you. Don't get any ideas," I scolded when I saw the look in her eye at the mention of Barrons. She may only be fourteen, but she's made her opinion of Barrons a little too clear.
She grinned and turned to window. "I'm glad we're okay, you and me. Kinda missed havin' a partner to hunt Unseelie with."
Dani hates showing any weakness. It's a byproduct of being different from everyone else, of never quite fitting in. She missed more than just a fighting partner. I heard the words she wasn't saying.
"Missed you too, kid," I said softly. I knew she heard me. She has super-hearing.
A glance out the window showed me the sun was getting low. I must have been walking for longer than I realized. Suddenly, the weight of what awaited me at home was too heavy to ignore.
"I better get going," I told her. "Come find me soon and we'll go hunting?"
She shot me a grin over her shoulder. "I'll see if I got time." I smiled back and made my way out of her citadel.
Things were going to be okay between me and Dani. It gave me a surge of positive energy, something to hold on to. A distraction from the dread I felt over the impending face-off with Barrons. At least something in my life was getting back to normal.
Even with everything else on my plate, I was ready to tally this day under the "good" side of the scorecard.
But Fate's a fickle bitch and I'm pretty sure she has it in for me.
The sun was setting faster than I anticipated and I picked up my pace. I rounded the corner, only a block away from the bookstore. Then I wasn't in Dublin anymore.
Gone were the abandoned houses and empty sidewalks. In their place were trees and flowers too lush. Scenery too brilliant. It was no longer dusk, but a bright and sunny afternoon. The air was warm and tickled my skin. It practically caressed me like a lover. It smelled richly of sandalwood and jasmine and something else I would never put my finger on. Like Heaven.
I knew I'd been here before. But not me. I had memories of this place. But they weren't mine. Had I inadvertently stumbled into an IFP like an idiot? This place didn't seem like just a sliver of an alternate realm. This felt like the real deal.
I shook my head in disbelief, only to realize the weight of my head was off. I reached back for my hair with both hands. Instead of finding a short ponytail, I felt the intricate twists and braids of some ornate coiffure. I touched bands of what I assumed was gold, weaving in and out of my tresses, holding it all in place. Finding a loose tendril framing my face, I pulled it out to examine it. The golden curl sprung back into place. It was way too long to be mine.
I looked down and gone were my leather jacket, my sweater and boots. In their place was a draping of gossamer cloth that was not woven from any fibers found on Earth. It pooled around my ankles and had a slit that ran all the way up my thigh. Around my waist was a belt of golden leaves, sparkling in the magnificent light. The neckline plunged low, making a vee all the way to my belly button. Cuffs of gold circled my biceps and wrists. Even my skin appeared to be shimmering gold.
The whole thing oozed sex. And reeked of Fae. My nipples were clearly visible through the sheer material. And embarrassingly hard.
"What the—" My words were cut off.
"Sidhe-seer," came a greeting in an otherworldly voice.
"—fuck."