CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Zak

Feeling a bit more apprehensive than expected, I slowly walked down the stairs, trying to avoid all the creaks. But a wave of relief hit me when I saw who it was; lounging at one of the back tables, one armed draped casually over the back of the chair, and sporting a backward navy blue baseball cap, an old gray Red Sox pullover hoodie, blue jeans and sneakers, was Daniel Singer.

I strode over to the table, "You asked for me?" He looked lazily up from his phone, blue eyes shining in the way that said his Fae was with him and gave me a cocky smile.

"Heh, knew you were too smart to die." Stood up and shoved his phone into his back pocket, "Remember me?" he asked in a thick, Boston accent.

"I do. Thanks for not calling the MPD."

"Yeah, well, I'm not a snitch and I'm not exactly on the MPD's 'favorite persons list.'" He air quoted and leaned back against the table.

"I see. Why are you here?"

"Because I'm not a heartless bastard," he answered casually, "and if someone as smart as you is stupid enough to stay in the same city that he faked his own death in, then ya' must have somethin' worth staying for. Now, why I'm here," he heavy sighed, "if the nasty little Dark fae near my territory can be believed, there is, not one, but two First Fae wanderin' around here and that 'hate' is puttin' it mildly as to how they feel about each other."

"I'm awa—"

He held up his index finger, "Oh, and they've got a real, hard on for you, brother."

"Excuse me?"

"Yeah, apparently, they think that the Crystal Druid is helping the other Fae and since this Bane guy had a reputation for being a sneaky bastard, and since he was also your, um…" he paused, like he was trying to pick the right word.

"Master."

He frowned, "Well, I wasn't gonna use that word, but, yeah, since he was your master, they're buyin' the rumors of your death about as much as I did."

Fuck. I slowly dropped my arms to my sides, my hands clenching tightly. I had anticipated that some of the Dark fae wouldn't believe I was dead, but what I hadn't anticipated was that they would be looking for me under the orders of a Dark fae goddess.

"Yeah, that's about the reaction I expected." Daniel mumbled, eyeing me up and down. "Look brother, the way I see it, you got two options: one," he held up his thumb to tic off his list, "you try and convince your fae friends to give you a new title, apparently, most of the ones lookin' for ya' don't even know what you look like, so," he breathed out slowly and glanced down at the floor, "might work. Or, option two: you get the hell outta Dodge and hole up somewhere 'til this shit storm passes. But," he paused and sighed again, "If you're part of this guild," he gestured to the room, "you're probably already neck deep in this shit." He frowned and a look of pity flashed across his face as he assessed me again. "Anyway, just wanted to give you a heads up; you do what you want," he pushed off the table and clapped his hands, "time to drop off the alchemical what-nots that the MPD is too lazy or stupid to make on their own." He said with a sneer, then smiled and made for the door. "Oh, wait," he called, just as I was turning to go back upstairs. "Gwyn wants to talk to you…"

"Your fae?"

He sighed, "Yeah, she's got some weird ass crush on you… What I get for givin' her romance novels." He muttered, shaking his head.

Romance novels? I arched an eyebrow. Now, for a guy who had just freely implied he was on parole and had enough tattoos that suggested he was on good terms with most types of Fae, the little woodland fae that stepped out of him was not at all what I expected. A petite woman with lightly tanned skin, golden hair pulled up into a crown braid and wearing a simple one shouldered tunic in all the reds, yellows and browns of fall leaves, and cinched at her waist by a green chord that was sprouting tendrils of green into the dress.

"I do not have a crush on him! I just want to give him a gift!" she said irately, stamped a sandaled foot and looked straight up at Daniel. He and I were about the same height, so she only came up to his sternum.

"Pfft." He huffed, crossed his arms and stared straight back down, at her. And had I not just been informed that Dark Fae were hunting me, the scene playing out in front of me would have been far more hilarious. As it was though, I was currently running through worst-case scenarios and viable solutions to my current situation, so this was taking far too long. And now, they were staring at each other, having a private, most likely, heated argument, their body language and facial expressions looking more like two siblings having a fight, rather than a Fae talking to her consort with Daniel looking smug and Gwyn looking annoyed.

"Ahem." I cleared my throat and they both turned to look at me as if they'd just remembered I was in the room. "Why do you want to give me a gift? I've done nothing for you."

"You are indeed the Druid who helped kill the Lord of Summer, aren't you?" she asked.

"You could say that…"

She clapped her hands, smiled happily and practically skipped the few feet over to me, "Thank you soo much! He was an unpleasant ass on a good day."

"You're a member of the Summer Court?" I asked incredulously.

"Ugh, yes!" She threw her hands up in frustration. "Why does everyone always ask that?"

"Because, you're short and annoying." Daniel sniped with a smirk.

Her eyes narrowed and she shot a dirty look at him, "Anyway," she held out her hand, "give me your arm so I can give you your thank you gift." She smiled, and wiggled her fingers.

I pulled my left sleeve up higher, where I had two empty circles. She grasped the one just below my elbow and when she removed her hand, an intricate violet rune was there.

"Ooo, nice." Daniel smiled and nodded in approval as he looked over Gwyn's shoulder.

"What does it do?" I asked, studying it for a few seconds.

"Well, what is a Druid who cannot control the Earth?"

"Ugh, don't be cryptic, Gwyn," he grabbed his backpack and slung it over his shoulder then looked at me, "it basically turns you into a terramage for like, an hour."

I frowned, eyebrows rising. "Hmm, useful. Thank you." I gave her a small nod and the best smile I could muster at the moment.

"Oh, it's no problem," she waved her hand dismissively, "by the way, would you…"

"Gwyn!" Daniel interrupted, "Stop harassin' the man, he's busy! Now, if you want your damn romance novels for tonight, we got thirty minutes to get to the post office." He snapped his fingers and pointed at himself.

"Fine." She huffed, and stomped into Daniel.

He rolled his neck and sighed, a small triskele appearing under his right ear, "Well, nice meetin' ya, try not to die." And pushed the door open.

"Hold up," I walked over to the bar and grabbed a pen and napkin, then quickly scribbled down Kit's personal number as well as my own. "Here. For the information."

He adjusted his bag and took the folded up napkin from between my two fingers, "Shakespeare?" he read, his face squinched in confusion.

"A friend at the MPD. If you're ever in deep shit, call him, and use that name. He'll know who gave you the number."

"Huh." He nodded and put the napkin in his backpocket,"Thanks brother." Gave me a quick smile and left.

As I watched the door close all I could think was: Fuck, this week.

7