Her nod was grim. "Everyone knows them."
"Not many have met them and lived to tell about it," Lowen added, seeing my confusion.
"Who are they?" I asked.
Connor was the one to answer, his expression contemplative. "Assassins."
"Not always," Inara disagreed. "Once they were the elite and honored warriors of one of the first Fae kings."
I balanced the book on my lap. "What happened to change that?"
Inara shrugged. "Everyone has a different story. One thing is true, they're considered outcasts and mercenaries. The High Fae King has a kill on sight order out for any of them. If you're even suspected of being one of the Scattered, you're dead."
"Comforting thought," I said.
I looked down at the book, my gaze scanning the first paragraph. The book was telling the story in the form of a fairy tale, complete with the words “once upon a time”. On the opposite page was a drawing of a throne and a man clad in black, bloodstained armor, a dark shadow over his face. On top of his head was a crown with three peaks, a different colored gem in each one.
A sharp pinch on the upper part of my ear pulled me from my contemplation. I yelped, yanking away and lifting a hand to swat at the offender.
Inara dodged out of the way, rising before me, her glare hot. "What did you do to draw the notice of the Scattered?"
"I don't know," I shouted back. "If I did, do you think I'd be so freaked out?"
Inara's ire faded to a grumpy frown. "Well, you'd better figure it out. This is serious business."
I sent her a withering glare. "Thanks, I never would have realized."
Inara didn't respond to my sarcasm, whirling in midair to confront Connor. She pointed at him. "You will stay here and protect her."
My mouth popped open in disbelief. "This is still my house!"
“The vampire will stay here for added security until this catastrophe is over," Inara bellowed at me, for a moment sounding more like my old drill sergeant than my perpetually sarcastic roommate.
I couldn't help but be impressed by her volume, considering the small lungs she had to work with.
She flew toward the vent Lowen had used as his sniper's perch earlier, muttering to herself the entire way. "I swear, the vampires are multiplying. Next thing you know, a whole clan of them will be living with us."
"Don't blame this on me. Him staying here is your idea," I shouted after her.
Her answer wasn't forthcoming as she reached the vent, alighting on its edge and stalking out of view.
Lowen sent Connor a commiserating look. "Don't let Aileen fool you. She appears grumpy but she's happy you're here."
Flabbergasted disbelief filled me. In what world?
"I understand," Connor replied.
My gaze swung toward him. He did?
I wish somebody would make me understand.
Lowen lifted from the coffee table. "Will the couch work for today?"
Connor laid his upper body back, keeping his feet on the floor. He wiggled, finding a comfortable position. "Yes, this will do nicely. I will take my sister up on her kind offer."
My lips parted as I stared at the two like they'd suddenly sprouted horns or stepped off the set of a particularly gruesome horror feature while still wearing costumes.
This was still my house, wasn't it?
