“I’m not giving up a plant! I haven’t seen Sun Ferns since leaving Summer.” He dipped down to bury his face in the leaves, breathing deeply. “They smell like home.”
“Well, I’m not sweating like an animal for the rest of our time here.” She pinched the front of her dress, trying to pull some of the fabric back so her skin could breathe. “Do you know how quickly smell can build on your body in this kind of heat? And I barely packed any of my cosmetics. Only what was already in my kit.”
“I’m not asking them to take it back.” Seth hugged his arms over the leaves of the Sun Fern. “Please, just let me have some real warmth for two seconds.”
Sera growled. Sometimes, arguing with Seth was oddly reminiscent of arguing with Gideon. That weird combination of ‘fuck this guy’ with ‘I would hide a body for him.’ It reminded her that she missed her brother, even if their estrangement was her choice.
Desperate for some air, Sera threw open the large window.
An icy wind blasted through the room before settling to an ambient chill. Sera settled right in the middle of the two atmospheres, where the balance was tolerable.
After the stone, a meal was brought up for them. A generic tray of options with a paper to write down their preferences for the cook.
“Do we really get to eat this?” Seth shoveled pastries into his cheeks until they were bulging. “Oh my gods,” he said around a mouthful, crumbs falling to the floor, “I don’t even care that this is Winter food.”
Sera didn’t trust any of this. Relationships always started with gifts and kind gestures. Though… North hadn’t reappeared to check on them and ensure his gifts were well received. It would be easier to manipulate her if he was there to boast the credit for the extravagance. He would not have taken such lengths to be nice to her, of all people, without an ulterior motive. The last time she was here it was forced entry.
Seth had filled the entire front side of the paper with food he hadn’t been able to eat since leaving the Summer Court. Hopefully, he'd start putting on weight again. The soft fabric of his cotton shirt and vest hid the sight of his ribs against his skin. Sera flipped over the page and jotted down one or two things for herself. If there was a budget in place for their amenities, then she wanted Seth to get everything on his list. Besides, sheneeded to temper her excitement. While she had every plan to indulge and enjoy the offered amenities—she was definitely not above making the most of an opportunity—it was always with the knowledge that it could be ripped away at any moment.
After the food, their luggage was unpacked for them and their clothes arranged in separate closets. It was nearly evening by the time all the servants and movers had stopped knocking on the door. Sera went to the closet to find a new dress.
Last night, she thought the handles to be oddly placed coat hooks, but they opened two storage compartments seamless with the rest of the wall. She tossed a dress on the bed as she examined them, opened what mechanisms she could see and reach without tools, studying the design. It was a spring activated latch system that snapped into place so one merely had to push for the latch to open and close. Fascinating. She had taken apart and put together every basic appliance in the Fells and Demon Row over the years. This was her chance to get her hands on some faery mechanics and if there was anything that could excite her, it was the prospect of unrestricted access to a fae dwelling.
During the grand shuffle of movers, Seth had requested several pots containing sprouts of nightshade—his Plant Familiar—which were set up on his side of the room. While Sera requested some basic tools from one of the maids, Seth’s cutting from the plant in their old apartment had already started snaking up the posters of his bed. While Seth enjoyed all plants, his gift gave him a unique connection with this specific genus of Nightshade.
“Feeling better?” She asked, as he let the vines twine up his arm. He was stronger when connected to the plant and touching it directly allowed him to project impressions or emotions, the occasional dream-like vision. He wasn’t weak without it, but without his letters to comfort him, at least he had his plants.
“Infinitely,” he sighed, and Sera was glad that he was comfortable.
That they were safe.
Seth had to rely on his gift more and more with Cole, casting the right mix of sensations and dreams to avoid the worst of Cole’s attention. It worked while Cole thought Seth’s only gift involved growing vines, but it wouldn’t last and when Cole realized he’d been tricked… the consequences would have been severe. Sera’s goal was to get them out of their contracts well before that happened.
Sera had fought tirelessly to make herself useful to Cole. For the past year she’d been tasked with various petty crimes, sometimes larger jobs like planting evidence or stealing back stolen product. Any notion of her leaving Cole was met with threats and a long-winded rant about her owing him for all the room and board, paying back the favors and ‘gifts.’ He’d find her. He had eyes everywhere. Or, rather, Wraith had eyes everywhere, but Cole was his most lucrative dealer which made Cole proximally powerful.
She had quickly learned the right way to talk, what to say or not say, and the hurt had long since healed. On the outside, anyway.
Well, Sera, you succeeded. You’re both out of Cole’s grasp.
But the victory tasted sour on her tongue. If only she had found a solution that didn’t put them into the immediate debt of someone else. Someone powerful. Someone who’s face made her heart race, who sounded done with her at every turn and yet continued to offer assistance well beyond the call of chivalry.
Someone dangerous. She just didn’t know how dangerous. Not yet. But she would be on her guard. She’d not fall for another pretty face hiding cruelty behind a smile.
Chapter Four
Seraleanedonherknee while curled up on the window bench, her back snug against velvety throw pillows, and the panes wide open to allow some chill against her skin.
Seth tended to his plants; the nightshade had grown to a substantial jungle of vines in just the two weeks since they’d moved into North’s home. Sera beat the back of her head against the wall behind her.
Two.
Weeks.
Sera had never been left to her own devices for such an extended period of time. What was there to do? North said they could go where they pleased—except for his personal bedroom, and yes, he had explained this with as little tact as possible—and do as they wished, but his protection only applied while inside his house. Security had been tightened since Sera’s little escapade. Patrols marched on an altered schedule, so it was unclear which pattern would be used on any given day. A smart move, she conceded.
North assured her that they would figure out a way to stop Cole’s threat, but that he had his own work to attend to and Sera had hardly seen or spoken to him in all that time. Just fleeting interactions as he was leaving or returning, no more than looks or rushed greetings. She hadn’t pushed conversation, either, waiting to see how he played his hand. Ignoring her was an interesting tactic.
But at least he had something todo. She’d had nothing to occupy her except sitting, sleeping, and eating. So she had been forced to seek out entertainment. First she explored, but her sense of direction was abysmal and so she’d gotten lost several times and with North’s sparse staff this was particularly burdensome. She requested tools, expecting a flurry of questions as to why, but no one seemed to care. The following morning she’d woken to a full kit of basic instruments. A hammer, various screwdrivers, and wrenches.
