Endlessly

Her laugh sounded like birds on the wing as she threw open a faerie door and disappeared into the wall.

“Your turn,” I said to the Ice Eyed faerie. I had only just finished the three commands when the alarms blared.

Was that really necessary?” Reth frowned as the faerie disappeared. “You certainly don’t need more Unseelie unbound and after you.”

“Not like the odds aren’t already impossibly stacked against me. And if IPCA can’t function, well, that’s one less thing I have to worry about.”

Jack stood, hands over his ears, as he nodded up at the strobe lights. “That’d be our cue.”

“Fine.” Taking a deep breath, I tucked Tasey into my jeans and held out both my hands, Jack on one side and Reth on the other. “Take me to the Dark Queen.”

A faerie door opened in front of us and I walked through, my hands warmed by the two creatures I swore I’d never go here with again. My ankle throbbed and stung, and by now I was limping so heavily Jack finally put my arm around his shoulder for support and I leaned almost all my weight on him.

“You know,” he huffed, “for such a skinny girl you weigh a ton. It’s like a miracle of physics or something. Are you perhaps made of lead?”

“Again, this would be an excellent time to shut up, since I now have a Taser and a knife.” Not that I’d be able to reach either one with both hands occupied.

Fortunately, for once I wasn’t nervous about the infinite empty black of the Paths. I was in too much pain and too worried about Lend to care. Well, care much. But I was about to face something much worse than my worst nightmares. Odds were, if I survived and was able to look back, I’d remember the nightmares I had about the Paths fondly in comparison to whatever would happen with the Dark Queen.

After a few minutes Reth spoke. “I hate to disappoint you, but you forget that you cannot force me to do anything, my love.” Before I could protest we had stepped out of the Paths and … into the kitchen at Lend’s house.

“Evie!” Arianna shrieked, almost knocking me over as she threw her arms around me. “I’m so glad you’re okay!”

“What are you doing here? You should be with David, helping him!”

“I’ve been waiting for Reth and Jack to get back.”

“You knew about their plan?” I asked, looking at the two cretins on either side of me.

“It was all the vampire’s idea,” Reth answered, sounding bored again as he wandered out the back door. “And rest assured we’ve now sealed this area from intrusion by any Unseelie faeries. I will not allow you to be taken again by anyone, regardless of faerie aid.”

As the door closed behind Reth, Jack started to slink off in the direction of the front door. “I wouldn’t,” Reth said, his voice carrying forcefully even through the door.