“I am. I’m just not themostpowerful.” He was still smiling, and I gave up on escaping his grip. I didn’t want to draw attention to us. “However, I do know of a seedier place where more favors can be made.”
“Seedier than this?”
“Does it offend your sensibilities, or do you want to go with me?” He reached across his body to catch my arm, released me from his grip around my shoulders, and re-tethered our hands. His movements were quick and easy, but he’d kept us in contact the entire time, as if he’d also felt the split-second of distance as wrong. I didn’t hesitate to twine my fingers through his, our palms pressing together.
“I want to go.”
He was still smiling, but it became real, amusement crinkling the corners of his eyes. I knew it was a joke at my expense even before he said, “And so you do know you’re under my protection, don’t you?”
“For now. As long as you need something from me.”
“As long as that lasts,” he agreed.
“Where do we go now?”
“I know—” He broke off suddenly. Fieran’s expression just barely shifted. I wasn’t sure why I was certain of a change in him, only that I was.
“Time for us to tuck you back into bed at the barracks,” he said, pulling me with him toward the gate we’d come through. “I can’t fly until we get through the portal.”
“Through the portal?”
“We’re in the night market,” he said, very helpful in his explanation.
“I know that, Fieran.”
“We’re not in our realm anymore.”
“That’s the part that’s new and troubling?—”
Fieran reeled me back into his arms, and turned us effortlessly. I was inconveniently reminded of how light I was to him as he propelled me quickly in a new direction. I wasn’t sure what he had seen, but I didn’t glance over my shoulder.
“Don’t let go of my hand.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.”
I caught a glimpse of dark-uniformed Fae headed toward us purposefully through the crowd before he pulled me to the side and kept going.
“Who are we running from, Fieran?”
“We might have to go out a different gate.”
“What is it you don’t want to tell menow?” I demanded in exasperation. “Fear. Tell me why we’re running. I can help.”
“I know you can. I believe in your capabilities.” He pulled me back, the two of us starting in a new direction.
“But you won’t?—”
“I already explained why I can’t trust you.” He winked at me. “But I’d do anything to protect you.”
Then he turned, and he was facing a dozen Fae soldiers. He still clasped my hand in his, and I tried to pull away so he could fight with two hands if needed, but he wouldn’t let go.
They wore all black. It took a second for my mind to connect current reality and childhood fairytales.
I’d never seen the Nightwalkers before, but I’d heard stories about them growing up.
Mortals who saw them rarely survived the night.
“Fieran,” I said urgently, wanting to help him but having no idea. Ifhe killed a Nightwalker, we were done for. Their vengeance was legendary.
