And there is a fey standing a few feet away on the lawn.
I wrap my arms around myself in an effort to calm my shaking. It doesn’t work.
I stare at the fey. I almost break out into hysterical laughter. He is the one from my dream. The one that shifted from a wolf. He is standing here now with the same long brown hair, the same cat-slitted eyes. The same antlers.
At least he is dressed this time. In fancy and exotic, flowing silk robes.
His eyes slide off of me to look over my shoulder. I glance behind me just in time to see Gray slipping out of the house.
The fey gives the demon a shallow bow. Gray nods back. I shiver.
“I propose a deal,” says the fey.
And now he is looking right at me.
I force a swallow down my throat. “What kind of deal?”
The fey’s lips curl upwards in something that is the vague approximation of a smile. “That amulet was the bane of my existence for months. I wish to examine it. To see how it works.”
My hand flies up and wraps around the amulet that still hangs around my neck. I guess I have no use for it now. There is no need to keep the fey out of my mind. They are here in my world.
“It was the sundial that defeated it in the end,” says the fey almost pleasantly. “Give the amulet to me and in return I will grant this house and grounds safety and peace. No fey will set foot here or interfere in any way.”
Wow. This is a lot to take in. I look around my friends. Their blank faces stare back at me expectedly.
A roll of nausea swirls through me. Crap. Nobody else can understand him. But apparently I’m fey enough that the language speaks to me.
I try to form words, but nothing comes out. I cough and try again. “He says he wants the amulet in exchange for granting us safety.”
Murmurs and shocked expressions. Everyone turns to their special person. I look at Flyn. I want to know if he thinks this is a good idea.
His expression is thoughtful, hopeful. He doesn’t think it is an outright awful proposal.
“That’s a damn generous deal,” says Pink in a voice that carries.
Everyone falls silent. He is right. It is suspiciously easy. Far too good to be true.
Do I need to translate for the fey? I’m not sure if I know how to find fey words. Listening is one thing, speaking is quite another.
The fey is regarding Pink. He seems to understand. I guess Pink’s tone and the way he has crossed his arms over his chest is clear enough.
Suspicion. Doubt. Mistrust.
The fey’s terrifying smile widens. “This is Laurie’s home. Where he grew up.” His gaze slides to Monty. “You are Laurie’s brother.”
Monty pales. “Why is he saying my brother’s name?”
“You know Laurie?” I ask the fey. I have no idea if my tongue used English or Fey, but he seems to understand me.
He shrugs, and the gesture somehow looks all kinds of wrong. As if his shoulders aren’t made for such a movement.
“I will do.”
I stare at him helplessly. I have no idea what to say. My mind has given up. Everything is too strange, too unexpected.
The fey tilts his head to the side. “My deal is a wedding gift to my future consort’s family.”
My brows scrunch up. “He says he will know Laurie and his deal is a wedding gift.”
