I let out a slight scream, turned around, and put my hand on my chest. I gasped, “Aiden.” Aiden smiled saying, “I found an interesting piece of paper.” I questioned, “And you decided to scare me half to death over a piece of paper? I guess… I’m glad it was interesting.”
Aiden handed it to me and I sighed. It was my company name and alias for the Resistance. Aiden beamed proudly at me saying, “It’s you. All these people want to know who is behindthe Resistance and little do they know she’s living under this roof.”
I added, “Plus they insult me saying I’m a bad guy.” Aiden laughed, “I don’t think they see it that way.” I asked, “Are you going to tell everyone?” Aiden snorted, “Not a chance. That’s not the Fae way, but you knew that.”
I agreed, “I do know that. I also know t it doesn’t mean you wouldn’t tell them because it’s a matter of safety and you care about that.” Aiden chuckled, “You being in control makes you safer. If it was someone else in charge, I would tell them.”
Aiden paused then added, “Outing you as the leader would get me in trouble with my sister. She’s all about people telling their stories in their own ways. Plus, I find this fascinating. Tell me, how did a fourteen year old start all this?”
I shrugged, “With some help and inside knowledge… start up capitol… because I donated the money that I had earned to charities for families ripped apart by murder. I used papers from Prince Gunner to start hacking… then the guy who taught me about dark web hacking… and that sort of stuff trained me on things Prince Gunner doesn’t…. ya know… put papers out about.”
Aiden asked, “Humor me with the answer of who taught you to hack.” I answered, “Charles Lennox.” Aiden stared then started laughing hysterically. I asked, “What?” Aiden clarified, “Do you mean the Vampire, Charles Lennox?”
I replied, “Yup. You know Charles?” I knew he didn’t but he’d know who Charles was. Aiden snorted, “I know of him. He has a fascination for learning things and used to charge for his services to hack but has long since stopped. Charles only helps if he wants to. So, he must find you intriguing. Who could blame him, really? We all do. That will not make my nephew happy though.”
I frowned, “Again… that’s sexist. Plus, it’s a good thing I know how to do all those things! Charles says I’m a quick study.” Aiden smirked, “I’ll bet he did. Werewolves and Fairies tend not to get along with Vampires.”
I argued, “But this group does.” Aiden laughed, “Of course we do, Alexander has had a different upbringing because his mother and his cousin LOVE King Arthur and his family. King Arthur will be highly intrigued if Charles pays a visit.”
I hummed, “I mean… I know that they know each other… they are friends.” Aiden smiled admitting, “They are.” Ok then. That appeared to be all he was going to say. I added, “Charles is a good guy.” Aiden didn’t agree exactly, “He has his own moral compass. I wouldn’t say he is good or bad. He has a great wealth of knowledge and chooses to live alone, for the most part. He hasn't had a protege in centuries and now there’s you.”
I shrugged, “So?” Aiden laughed, “You are such fun. Moving on, my cousin told me about some tablets of medicine you eat to bring back Fairy powers. I would like to invest in it.” I shrugged, “That’s not necessary, you can just have it. I did it for Xander and his family. Which you are part of.”
Aiden snorted, “You intended to give it to me all along, didn’t you?” I answered, “Yes. It was the ultimate goal to give them to everyone because… I could sell them… people say that a lot… but that was never the goal. Money shouldn’t prevent people from getting something that saves their life.”
Aiden commented, “You are a rare gem,” and handed me a folder, “This is a business partnership specifically concerning the tablet production in Faerie. I have separate ones for the serum and gel packs. I want to start with tablet production in Faerie. I’d like you to review it.”
I said, “Ok… I’m going to agree though. You wouldn’t have put anything shady into it or that would upset Xander.” Aidennodded, “You’re correct.” I wanted to change the subject, so I asked, “Did Haley talk to you about opening a clothing store?”
Aiden laughed, “You are a delight. Yes, that’s what my sister and I talked about today in part. The conversation led to other things. I would be more than delighted for my sister to open a store there with her ball gowns.”
“I texted Lucinda about it now the whole realm is aflutter. They love the clothes Haley wears and the clothes she dresses others in. It’s already popular. Yet another thing I have to thank you for. Now, why is Kingsley in Missouri?”
I explained, “She has contacts I don’t. I want the name of the Vampire who can compel people, and I want to know where he is. Her research led her there… and the only person I am aware of who could do it… is supposedly dead. So I’m hoping she confirms whether he is or not.”
Aiden grinned, “I know who could do it as well but you’re correct. He is supposed to be finally dead.” I pointed out, “So is my family.” Aiden nodded, “True. I knew King Damon’s former lieutenant had the ability. We clearly both know he should’ve died when Eric and their forces invaded.”
I postulated my theory to him, “Unless Sherman was part of the plot in the first place. Someone had to point Fabian at King Damon to barter with Haley as the prize. Nothing I’ve found indicates King Damon was in the Ring.”
“Which means they had no reason to approach him. Someone must have known who Haley really was… who her father was… and what that meant for Damon. Or they figured after a steady diet of the blood of a royal Fairy… that eventually he’d go insane and have to be put down.”
“Or the plan was to take Haley back after a period of time… then someone would have to kill him because he’d go crazy without her blood. So, the question is… what did King Damon do that the Ring didn’t like?”
Aiden tilted his head, “You just get more and more interesting. I’m sure that’s an angle you are looking into.” I sighed, “Not really… well kind of… not hard anyway. Damon is long since dead. His dealings, once I found out he wasn’t part of the Ring… didn’t matter to me. I’ll look again.”
Aiden smiled, “As will I.” He looked away, “That act of his, and the move he made to get Haley, took away a lot of things.” He was right. That fractured the promised siblings. Oh my god. That’s what it was about. It wasn’t about Damon at all! Someone in the Ring didn’t like him and they used him to fracture the promised siblings, ensuring his eventual death. Vampires are patient after all.
Aiden asked, “What was that look? By the way, you said some of that out loud.” Ugh that had to be my curse. Freya snorted, “It’s cute.” It was not. I said, “It wasn’t about Damon at all. It was about you guys.”
Aiden frowned, “What do you mean?” I explained, “It was about separating the promised siblings. In our reality… you and Haley stood opposite of Arion. You didn’t know you were the promised siblings. Arion didn’t know going against Haley, and you, would fracture his soul.”
“Haley didn’t know she could fix him. Someone in the Ring didn’t like Damon for sure, but they knew about you guys. You were the target and the goal. Did Fabian know? I bet he didn’t. He would’ve used Haley in a very different way. Along with you guys…”
Aiden interjected, “I can literally hear your brain working. It’s like it’s attached to your mouth.” I cringed, “Sorry… I could be wrong… that’s probably….” Aiden shook his head saying, “No, that makes the most sense. I have been trying to figure out why Damon for quite some time. There was nothing in my uncle’s notes to suggest Damon had something he wanted. That is howmany of his dealings came about. Someone had something he wanted or he wanted them to keep secret. Damon is the outlier.”
I whispered, “I’m sorry… I know sometimes I say insensitive things… I don’t really mean to… they just come out.” Aiden looked away before replying, “I actually like that about you, because it’s very much how the Fae can be. We say things as they are. All the things you’re saying though, mean my mother knew.”
I winced, “Alania probably planned on having Haley back in Faerie to fix Arion… if that helps.” Aiden snorted, “Not really. She whispered in my brother’s ear knowing it could be his demise.” I said, “Honestly… I hate her a lot from the things I’ve read… and she had to help the Ring get Angela…. So, I don’t like her at all.”
