Page 93 of Shades of Silver City

Scathe whines again, nuzzling Archer’s cheek.

“I know, buddy,” I say. “I know.”

“Tasia?” Archer’s croaky voice says.

“Oh shit! Thank Gods.”

Coughing, he struggles to sit up. “Language.”

When he meets my eyes, humor twinkling in his expression, I don’t hesitate; I launch myself at him, wrapping my arms around his neck.

“Thank the Gods,” I repeat, burrowing my face into his neck. We’re both sweaty messes, but I couldn’t care less. “Your dog saved me.”

“I told you you’re safe with me… With us.” His hands splay out against my back, holding me in place. “We got you.”

We pull apart, and he stands, reaching down to pet Scathe. “Thanks, bud.”

“He b-bit them,” I stammer, pointing at the Scouts with a shaky hand. “They just…dropped.”

“Good.”

“How?”

“He’s not a Belgian Shepherd.” Archer clears his throat, sharing a glance with his dog. “He’s a…rare breed with a toxic venom.”

Scathe lets out a happy bark in response.

A thousand questions run through my mind. I swallow down that information for now. We can come back to it later. After all, I’ve seen weirder things in this city. “Archer…this is my fault. Stace and Alisha—they warned me there’s a bounty on my head.”

“I know.” He grimaces.

“Someone knows we’re here. We led them to your mother’s. I’m so sorry.”

“The building is warded,” he says. “You’re safe…inside.”

“Warded?”

“It’s a—type of magic. Like glamour for objects instead of people.”

“Yeah I figured it— The hell is a glamour?” I mutter. “No wonder your gang goes undetected through the city. You guys use magic. Do you work with the fae?”

“Not exactly.” Archer hovers over the Scouts, checking their pulses. Then he pulls back, stroking his chin repetitively. “My glamour didn’t work,” he mutters. “It should’ve. I’ve recharged.”

So that’s how he’s been getting everyone to do what he says. Holy shit. My eyes widen. Except…if he can force people to do what he wants…

“Archer Acciai, have you ever glamoured me?”

He turns to me, blinking a few times as if processing my question. “I tried once—the night we met.”

My shoulders relax. “You felt wrong, couldn’t go through with it?”

“No—you were immune.”

I snort a laugh at the unexpected answer. The Scouts’ prone bodies sober me up real quick though, a grimness taking over again. “Like them?”

“No.” He shakes his head. “Different. Unless they have magic—which I doubt—these guys must’ve already been glamoured…by someone else.”

“Uh, who else can do that? Kinda rare, right? In a city full of humans?” I take in the rich golden aura around him, reminding myself that he is human, after all. Fae don’t have soul-shades. At least not ones we can see. My dad was certain.

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