That meant they needed to keep the bride and groom alive for approximately twenty-four hours, and at this point, just about anybody attending the wedding could be a killer. Hell, just about anybody in the wedding parties could be a potential killer, when you got right down to it. It all depended on who was against the alliance and how badly they wanted to stop it.
She blew out an annoyed breath, wishing Law had had time to give her more details.
The whirr of wings caught her attention. She looked up, searching the horizon.
They came in low over the trees. Actually, darting in and out between the treetops, using them for cover, as if expecting an attack. Mal couldn’t tell how many there were.
She watched their approach, about two dozen of them, all armed and armored. These were a bit larger than those who’d wreaked havoc in the lobby. Half of them landed, facing Mal, while the rest hovered in the air. They held bows with arrows nocked at the ready.
“Welcome to Effrayant,” Mal said, though she definitely didn’t sound welcoming. Didn’t feel it either. Not that she could blame their caution, really. The murders yesterday had proved it was warranted. She forced herself to smile.
“I’m Mallory Jade. The housekeeper sent me to make sure you arrived safely. Which one of you is the bride?”
Mal probably shouldn’t have been surprised when one of the airborne pixies drifted forward. No reason to think she’d lead from behind, especially if she was going to take on being virdana of a giant-pixie clan. Giants were generally short tempered and knew how to hold a grudge. For generations, if necessary. They were also fiercely independent and liked to solve their problems with violence. A pixie would have to be tough to lead that sort of group.
The bride-to-be’s silvery green hair was braided tight against her skull. Her clothing was dull mottled brown and green, the color of trees. Great camouflage. Her eyes were tarnished silver; her wings a blur of lavender, blue, orange, and pink.
“I am Nayena of the Moontree Clan. I will be married this night,” she said in a surprisingly deep voice. She enunciated carefully, hitting the hard consonants sharply.
Mal gave her a slight bow. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to have a word with you and the groom when he arrives.”
One of the other pixies darted forward, saying something quickly in a fluid language Mal didn’t understand. Nayena responded and the other one got a little louder and emphatic, gesturing with his bow.
Before he could complete the movement, she spun in the air and gave him a roundhouse kick, sending him careening into several of their companions. Ouch. That gave new meaning to Bridezilla. But she wasn’t done. She darted after him, chastising him in a furious voice, then whirled on the others, speaking rapidly, before turning back to Mal.
“About what is this?”
“An update on the wedding plans.”
She scowled. “No changes. It was agreed in the contract.”
Mal nodded. “The housekeeper just wants to make sure that you and the groom are satisfied with the progress.”
Her chin rose. “We are satisfied. We must. It is agreed.”
And giants were supposed to be obstinate. With subtlety off the table, Mal smiled her favorite serial-killer-about-to-get-down-to-business smile and cast a bubble spell around the two of them to keep anybody else from overhearing.
“Someone’s been out killing people in order to stop your wedding. I need to speak to you and your groom about it. Privately, as we don’t know who might be involved.”
Mal dropped the bubble shield. Nayena’s scowl deepened as she thought, and she whirled around.
“I go. Wait here.”
The male who’d protested before darted up beside her, arguing vociferously. This time, Nayena didn’t go all Bruce Lee on him, but instead bent close and whispered something against his ear. He shook his head, and their argument became very quiet.
At that moment, a dozen more pixies arrived the same way that Mal had. They buzzed in through the curtain and stopped sharply, eyeing the others, then flew around them into the grotto without even a greeting.
Oh, goody. More suspects. Of course, everybody on the guest list already was.
“Are you coming?” she asked Nayena.
“Not alone,” declared the male with her.
Mal might have thought that he was jealous, maybe a jilted lover, but pixies didn’t work that way. They had deep ties of clan and friendship, but lovers were just for fun.
“She’s not alone. She’s with me. I’m not going to let anything happen to her,” she said.
As expected, he snorted disbelief and turned his back.
