"That's not going to work this time." Tate kept his voice even and bored-sounding.Just a predictable cunt. All he ever was. "I'm not a child you can lead away with pretty words, not anymore."
The blade was out and pressed to his throat in the blink of an eye, even faster, faster for him to have registered the other man's hand moving to the scabbard at his hip. Tate smiled. Leaned into the tip, allowing it to pierce his skin, not stopping until he knew a drop of blood was welling there.
"That's not going to work either. D'you think I'm afraid to die, you miserable cunt? You must be codding.” A smile of his own, just as terrible. “That's the thing about leaving someone with nothin’ left to lose. You don't give a fuck. So you go ahead and do whatever it is you want to do, errand boy. It'll not bother me either way."
Cadoc smiled again, a slow scratch of teeth and menace. His eyes danced with merriment. Tate swallowed hard as the blade was removed just as quickly as it had been pressed to his skin. His grandfather leaned in closely, lips nearly touching the shell of his ear.
"Oh, but youdo, dear heart. I think you have much to lose." Another smile, this one lit with delight, the cat who knows it has its prey cornered. “Come. Her Majesty awaits.”
He had taken several steps back up the path, leaving Tate fuming there, trying to calculate the footsteps, and if he movedquickly enough, would he be able to simply step back through to her.
Cadoc stopped. Turned his head. “Bring the girl.”
Tate froze. Cadoc grinned again.
His mind could not work fast enough. He could not keep her safe. He could not keep her close and keep her safe. Not like this.
"I can't go with you just yet." He kept his voice as unaffected as he could, but Tate was trembling in rage, a clarion call of warning screaming through his brain, reminding him of the importance to keep the upper hand. He could feel his grandfather there beside him, hisrealgrandfather, the man who'd raised him, who'd loved him, like a shade at his elbow, as he'd been his entire life.
They were leaning over the billiard table in the parlour, and he was staring down his first tricky combination shot.There's no need to act hasty now, lad. You only get one shot. Don't waste it on nerves. Make sure it counts.He breathed, low and slow, centering himself. That was how he won at the tables. He kept him self centered and slow.Breathe. "I have a few things to tie up first. You'd not understand, but it's quite unavoidable. No matter, it won't take me long. Besides," Tate spat out. "You cannot rush me. I'll do what I fuckin' want. You want to chuck that blade through my eye? Go right ahead. We'll see our lady appreciates you bloodying one of her favorite pets. Again," he added, gratified when the other man scowled.
"I won't wait long," Cadoc sniffed. "And if you don't bring the girl on your own accord, no worries, dear heart." He produced a golden coin, large and shining, flipping it through his fingers like a parlor trick, letting it spin on his long, sharp nail before snatching it out of the air with another one of those blistering smiles. "I won't have trouble finding her. After all, she invited me. Idolove elves. They’re always fighters."
Tate froze again, feeling the blood leeching out of him, leaving him a frozen, empty husk. The coin.That fucking wishing well.He’dtoldher . . . but he’d been too late to stop her. Tate recovered a heartbeat later, nodding carelessly and turning away, giving the beast ample time to attack from behind, if he were inclined to do so.
The forest melted away as he stepped through a cluster of trees, pulling open the open door to Talontail Winery. He needed to get her out of here. He could not keep her closeandkeep her safe. Keeping her safe was paramount, even if it cost him everything.It has already, boyo.
He would bring her home and kiss her goodbye for the last time.
What you should've done a year ago. What you should've done that very first weekend. You've always known this was going to happen eventually.He would bring her home and set her free, her and all of his closely held dreams. He needs to get back to the Pixie. Needed to put the car up, say goodbye to his old girl, get things ready for Elshona. She would come finding them eventually.
He would miss this life.
His entire miserable existence, he made sure not to get too involved. Not to get too close. He stayed on the periphery of other people's lives, never allowing himself to be entangled in their needs and emotions. It was easier that way. This time, though . . . He'd been cocky. So certain he could outrun them, so sure he was hidden, tucked away in this new world. He should've never let any of them in as close as they had. Shona, Ains, Cym. Silva most especially.You should've let her walk out of the restaurant without ever knowing your name.
It was what heshouldhave done, but he hadn't. And now he had to correct his mistake. Cadoc was right. He had much to lose.
He needed to get back that coin. Get it back and close the door to her, and if that meant closing it on himself, so be it. He would keep her safe, or die trying, and it didn't matter how many fucking faeries had to spill blood along the way. She was all that mattered.
He would have to kill him in the end. Tate was sure of it. They wanted him back, they would get him back, and they would bleed for the pleasure. He’d see to it.
Careful what you wish for.
