And a little blood.
He’d only promised information, so actually getting those two things was on me, unless I wanted to make yet another potentially bad bargain.
I lowered my plate, not feeling like eating anymore.
First, I needed to actuallyfindmy family. Then I’d worry about whose blood I needed.
Soren strode away to his desk, taking the contract I’d signed with him.
In the midst of a chaotic argument that I was actually managing to tune out, Lore leaned over and tapped my leg. “We’re not all bad, you know.”
I tried not to react, heart pumping.Is my distrust that obvious?
“I understand where you’re coming from,” Lore continued when I didn’t say anything. “If any of these folk disappeared, I’d be as worried as you are.” She gestured to the others in the room.
“You’re all family?” My brows pinched together. They didn’t look anything alike.
“Not by blood,” she clarified. “But we might as well be.” As if she sensed my curiosity, she elaborated, “We all live here and take turns helping Soren run the south entrance so he’s not tied to this place.”
“Have you all... always lived here?” I asked tentatively.
That made her launch into a full history with a nostalgic grin. “Peregrin and I have been with Soren since he came here almost seven years ago. We’re both from the Shadow Court. Perry handles feeding us, and I handle everything else. Soren would argue that he does quite a bit, but trust me, this place would fall apart without me.”
Her grin was contagious, pulling a small answering smile out of me.
“Gwen joined our group a few years after we arrived,” she continued in a conspiratorial tone, glancing over at the tattooed dark-skinned fae munching on bacon. “We still don’t fully know which of the courts she hails from, but she fits right in, especially when we need someone intimidating. And Julian wormed his way in last year. He somehow figured out we were helping humans and joined in without asking.” She smiled fondly, shaking her head at the memory. “Soren was furious. But Julian wouldn’t take no for an answer.” Her smile faded. “His best friend was a human.”
I noted the way she’d said, “was.” Past tense.
Once again, I was forced to reconsider my opinion of them. I didn’t know what to say.
Changing the subject abruptly, Lore leapt off the couch. “We need to get you something fresh to wear before we leave.” She waved for me to follow. “Come on!”
I peeled myself off the furniture, already tired at the thought. “Can’t I just wear this again?” I pointed at the green dress, which was slightly wrinkled but otherwise in good shape.
“You’ll be seeing the prince again,” Soren called over to us from his desk, sorting through papers as he did. “It’s a small detail in the grand scheme of our plans, but I’d prefer we put our best foot forward.”
I wondered if that was a nice way of telling me I looked as rough as I felt.
“Go with heels!” Julian grinned. “Males love a lady in heels.”
“If you want to be involved, you have to actually help us look,” Lore hollered over her shoulder, already halfway to the tunnel that led to the stairs.
“I’d rather not.” Julian settled deeper into his chair, leaning his blond head against the cushion and winking a mischievous blue eye at me. “I’m merely passing on my wisdom. I know what I like.”
Gwen snorted from the couch.
“What about that dress that lights up like you’re wearing stars?” Peregrin suggested with a slight blush as he began to pick up the dirty plates.
Lore stopped to purse her lips, shaking her head. “It’ll look like she’s trying too hard.”
“Of course.” Peregrin cleared his throat, turning back to the plates as if stacking them required his full attention, mumbling, “I just thought you looked good in it.”
For a brief moment, I forgot my stress as I hid a smile at his obvious crush.
Gwen watched Peregrin, brows drawn together. She wore loose black pants, a sleek black top with a leather vest, and black boots that rose almost to her knees. The simple uniform made her tattoos stand out even more on her dark skin. Julian and Peregrin had put on fancy tailored vests with gold vines embroidered on them. Peregrin wore green, which complemented his darker skin, while Julian was in blue, which only emphasized his Captain America appearance. Lore pranced back toward me in a long flowy white dress with actual flowers blooming all across the skirt and bodice.“Brynn, are you coming?”
Slowly, I began to walk. “You know, I can wear anything, really. I’m not picky.”
