“Not to worry. The Seelie Court has more treasures than they know what to do with. They covet rare, beautiful items and would never part with even an earring. I hardly expect anyone will notice these items are gone, at least not for a few millennia.”
While my immediate reaction is to move away from the stolen goods, I remember that I’ve already stolen a surfboard and a boat.
I might as well add ‘laundering Fae treasure’ to my growing rap sheet as a criminal.
Everything Magnus pulls out is wrapped in fabric. Once he empties the crate, he returns it to the ground and looks back at me.
“My power gives me an advantage in this line of work. While some could try to use charms to glean what magical properties these items may hold, I can discern them by feeling the aura of power around them.”
He unwraps an item the size of my hand to reveal a beautiful comb. It looks to be made from some kind of iridescent stone. Like moonstone, only a hundred times more brilliant.
I raise a brow. “Let me guess, the comb is cursed to make the user go bald?”
Magnus hovers his hand over it before he smiles back at me. “Fae curses are rarely so blunt. They prefer to wrap their deceits into non-descript items, so the source is more difficult to track.”
He picks up the comb and holds it up to the light that streams in from a window far above us. “This comb is cursed; you’re right. It will cause infertility to anyone who uses it. Not permanently, mind you. Children are very rare in the Fae Realm, and such a curse would be punishable by extinguishing the entire family line. It only lasts so long as the person uses the comb regularly.”
My eyebrows shoot up. “So, it’s Fae birth control?”
Mental note – steal this comb if I ever have to see Leon again.
Magnus shakes his head. “Close, my little enigma. But like I said, children are rare in the Fae Realm and treasured above all else. The Fae don’t believe in contraception. Instead, I would wager that someone was having a tryst with a non-Fae and that this comb was used as a precaution.”
“But wouldn’t they want the children?” I ask, frowning.
Magnus shakes his head as he re-wraps the comb. “Full-blooded Fae are cherished. Half-breeds are considered abominations.”
I grind my teeth together at hearing that yet another realm has serious issues with their thinking.
At my expression, Magnus hurries to add, “But never you fear,” he pauses to look me up and down and winks. “I do not share their reservations about inter-species breeding.”
Right, even in the black market, Magnus was a flirt. It seems that hasn’t changed. Blushing at his implication, I focus on the next item, eager to move the conversation away from this topic. “What’s next?”
Magnus quickly moves through the other wrapped items. There are a lot of knives, a bracelet, a few forks,and a goblet. All are ornate, but most hold no magic. Although the goblet was spelled to glow if it holds poison, which sounds handy.
Finally, Magnus moves on to the last item from the box. He opens the cloth to reveal a small blue-green pendant, set on a long golden chain. My eyes fixate on the stone and how the colors shift from blue to green, as if it were alive.
“Well, that one has to be magical,” I note, smiling.
Magnus holds his hand above it before picking up the chain. His eyes flit between me and the stone. “You’re right. It is spelled, but not with a curse. The necklace holds a charm. The pendant will heat when the wearer is told a lie.”
That has my full attention. “It’s a lie detector?”
Magnus nods. “You should hold on to this one. Something tells me you are in need of more clarity in your life.”
I purse my lips. I should say no to such a precious gift – it’s too much. But at the same time, Magnus is absolutely right. I know not everyone around me is being honest, and I have no idea who to trust.
Noting my hesitation, Magnus lifts the necklace, placing it over my head. “I insist. No doubt you’re concerned about being in Morgana’s castle. And while I can assure you that you’re safe with us, hopefully, this necklace will help you to see that we are genuine in our intentions.”
The necklace sits over my oversized shirt, and I pick it up, taking a closer look at the stone.
“Thank you,” I answer, my heart warming.
“You are very welcome, little enigma,” Magnus answers before tilting his chin at the pendant. “Place it under your shirt so you can feel the heat if you are lied to.”
I do as he says, and the pendant sits between my breasts. The chain feels cool against my skin. “How will I know it’s working?”
Magnus’ eyes dance. “I find you utterly revolting.”
