“And if we did, we would not be among their number,” Cadell chimed in.
“Our fairy tales beg to differ,” I said.
“Because they’re so reliable,” Cadell said, his amusement fading slightly. “How’s the state of your soul? Have you turned into a ravening monster yet?”
Point taken. Many of the myths about vampires weren’t true either.
“Jury’s still out,” I murmured, my thoughts turning to earlier in the evening.
“The proper term would be lord or lady,” Niall said. “But it’s not so straightforward as your human inheritances.”
“Anybody who is powerful enough can earn the title, regardless of lineage,” Cadell said. “Niall is one such person.”
“But you’re not?” I asked, just to be sure.
Cadell smirked, letting that be his answer. No, I was betting he served as Niall’s guard. He moved with the sort of purpose and confidence acquired through extensive training in the deadly arts.
While the lesson in Fae hierarchy was interesting and all, it didn’t answer my question.
“We’re in hiding,” Niall said.
I snorted. “You sure could have fooled me.”
I wouldn’t exactly call it “hiding” when you show up at a vampire get together with the same people you’re supposedly avoiding. That was the exact opposite of hiding.
Cadell looked at his friend. “I have to agree with the vampire.”
“I told you we had no choice,” Niall said. “Niamh felt us the moment she crossed over. Running or hiding would have brought unwelcome suspicion.”
“And so, the very people we’re trying to avoid now know exactly where we are,” Cadell said flatly.
“But not why,” Niall returned.
It seemed like this was a familiar argument between the two.
“How dangerous is this Wild Hunt?” I asked, watching them. I knew what the vampires thought of it but wanted their take as well.
“They’ve called a hunt?” Inara asked, sounding alarmed.
“Yes,” Niall confirmed.
Her wings beat rapidly. Lowen watched her with a concerned expression.
To me, Niall said, “And very, if you’re the prey. There are only a few who can survive a hunt.”
They all studiously ignored the small pixie queen as her wings gave away her tumultuous emotions.
“I feel bad for whatever poor bastard Niamh decides to hunt,” Cadell muttered.
“I thought the magic of the hunt decides the prey.” At least that was what Liam had led me to believe.
Inara’s laugh was ugly. “Perhaps once, but not now that she has gotten her claws into half of the lords of the hunt.”
Niall and Cadell’s faces were grim. They agreed with her.
“How is that possible? I thought wild magic couldn’t be tamed or controlled,” I said.
A faint agitation showed in their faces. Niall was the one to answer. “That isn’t entirely true. There are those among us who are closer to the wild magic than others. People like Arlan. I don’t know if I’d call what they’re able to do “control” so much as influence.”
