“I give you what I think you personally most need to hear,” the vampire said.
“How does that work?” I asked. “I think an oracle would be more accurate.”
The vampire opened a cloth bag made of the same silk fabric as her kimono and pulled out a lip gloss. “Buy it and find out.”
I pressed my lips together for a moment, then set my ten dollar bill on the table. “It’s worth a try then. Hit me with your best advice.”
“Right, then. Come here.” She beckoned me closer. “You don’t want anyone else hearing this.”
I glanced at Chase, but though he was watching, even his werewolf hearing would probably have a hard time hearing the vampire if she whispered due to the hum of the crowds, the music, and all the market noise.
Rigel was hanging back even farther than he was, looking absolutely bored.
Reluctantly I leaned over the table.
She whispered directly in my ear. “That silver-haired fae warrior of yours—you constantly second guess him and push him back.”
“What?” I drew back slightly and gaped at the vampire. “How did you know I’m with Rigel?”
“You’re a smart one, so use that noggin of yours,” the vampire scoffed. “How many other people do you think strut down the street with a tame shade and gloom on leashes? Besides, the whole city knows who you are! Your picture was spattered everywhere after you swept the races and beat all the other fae. Of course I’d know who your consort is, Night Queen. Now get back over here!”
She waited until I leaned close enough that she could whisper. “Stop assuming he dislikes you. Take a look at his actions and you’ll see he occasionally steps out of his inaction to help you, and for a fae, that’s huge.”
“If you know me then you must know what he does,” I said. “There’s a big risk if I misread him.”
“It’s often been my experience that in relationships—whether it’s romantic, friendship, or familial—the biggest danger is always in staying silent and trudging on assuming you know what the other person is thinking rather than speaking up and voicing your own feelings.” She shrugged. “But what do I know? I’ve just been around since before your little Court was formed.”
I glanced back at Rigel. He yawned and looked disgustingly like a fae from an epic poem despite the mass of children that scampered past him, and the harried looking dad that almost collided with him.
“Is that relationship advice or romantic advice?” I asked.
The vampire adjusted her glasses and smirked as she sat back in the chair. “That’s up to you, Queen Leila. But if I were you, I’d be far more interested in gettingmuchcloser to him.” Her smirk grew for a moment, before—like quicksilver—it was gone. “You need him to survive the kind of odds you’re facing. Good luck.” She stuffed the cash in her kimono bag and went back to reading her book, totally disinterested in me.
I stared at her for a few moments, until Indigo popped out of the crowd.
“Here—I got a hot apple fritter. You’ll want to eat that now.” She handed me the donut, juggling a giant paper bag. “Mom says hello, by the way. She gave us a ton of goodies—she said you need it, and that Chase should be eating more, too.”
We wandered back to the werewolf and the assassin—Indigo yipped and held the bag over her head when Kevin gave it a sniff.
I took my first bite of the hot apple fritter when we reached Chase. “I love your family. I want to adopt you all.” The warm frosting melted in my mouth, and I hummed in appreciation.
“She’ll be glad to hear you enjoyed it. Here, Chase—and I have one for you, Consort Rigel, should you like to have one.” Indigo pulled an apple fritter out of the bag and gave it to Chase, then slowly held one out to Rigel.
He shook his head.
“I’ll take his!” I volunteered.
Indigo passed it off. “Enjoy.”
“Thank you,” I said with deep gratitude.
After I finished my apple fritter, but before I could suck down the second, I glanced at Rigel.I wonder why he decided to come today.
* * *
I gotmy chance to ask a little over an hour later.
“I’ve notified the human police, and sent word to the Curia Cloisters. They’re now aware of the…situation.” Skye clutched her cellphone as she glanced out at the much bigger crowd that had amassed in the last few minutes.
