Page 16 of Mirror of Vanity

I glanced over my shoulder at McDuff Manor, the grand stone facade bathed in the warm glow of the afternoon sun. I wished I could sit on the porch with Justice, enjoying the beautiful view, drinking some cider or malt beer, the tang of the drink on my tongue, and the gentle breeze on my face. That wasn’t possible, though. We had a mission that could cost us our lives, and the responsibility weighed heavily on my shoulders.

I braced myself as we wound our way through Edinburgh’s bustling streets, the chatter of tourists and locals filling the air. My eyes darted from face to face, searching for any signs of Maci or demons, but I couldn’t detect anything. The scent of freshly baked scones wafted from a nearby bakery, momentarily distracting me from my vigilance.

Luckily, my rose tattoo wasn’t tingling. That was a good sign. Yet I couldn’t shake the feeling that danger lurked around the corner, waiting to strike when we least expected it.

Some of my worried thoughts dissipated as I took in historic Edinburgh. The Royal Mile stretched before us, a vibrant artery lined with historic facades and echoing with the hum of tourist chatter and local banter. Nestled among stately buildings and shadowy closes, the Brews of Bloom Brewery was a warm, welcoming site.

I don’t know what I expected. Maybe fairies flittering around or floating magic dust, but this place was none of these things.

From the outside, the brewery exuded a rustic charm with its ivy-clad walls and gently swinging wooden sign featuring elegantly intertwined boughs and blooms. After stepping inside, the atmosphere shifted to an enchanting blend of old-world pub and enchanted garden.

Lush greenery draped from the ceiling and walls, soft moss underfoot, while delicate floral aromas mingled with the robust scent of brewing hops. Fairy lights twinkled, casting a soft glow that made the petals shimmer. The magical meeting place seemed a world away from the cobbled city street outside.

Justice stopped abruptly, his eyes widening as he muttered under his breath, “Oh, shit. He’s here.”

“Who?” My curiosity rose with Justice’s sudden change in demeanor. I followed his gaze and spotted a man leaning against the door, a devilish grin playing on his lips. He was handsome, with light brown hair that captured the warmth of the pub’s lighting.

The man’s attire was striking, a perfect blend of elegance and edge. His black pants hugged his lean legs, tucked into high black boots that gleamed with a polished sheen. A duster jacket the color of midnight draped over his broad shoulders, adding an air of mystery to his captivating presence.

Yet it was his eyes that truly drew me in. They were a vibrant green, reminiscent of the lush foliage decorating the brewery and something more. A supernatural glint that hinted at hidden depths and untold secrets. As his gaze locked with mine, a shiver ran down my spine as if he could see right through me, unraveling the essence of my being.

An otherworldly quality clung to him, a sense that he belonged to a realm beyond the ordinary. He reminded me of a character from a fantasy movie, stepping off the screen and into reality, blurring the lines between the mundane and the extraordinary.

Justice’s jaw clenched, his posture tense as he watched the man with wariness and anticipation. “That’s Garrick,” he replied, his voice low and cautious. “He’s the Unseelie King. Be careful. He’s not like anyone you’ve ever met before.”

I nodded, my heart racing as I realized the Unseelie King could kidnap one of us and trap us in his realm forever.

CHAPTER NINE

Damon was at my side in a flash, even stepping in front of me, but he wasn’t the only one. Justice brushed past me, blocking my view. I had two fierce protectors refusing to let the Unseelie King take me anywhere. Lisa had a similar situation with three of our companions shielding her from potential harm. We stood together, a united front against the unknown dangers ahead.

Justice met the Unseelie King’s amused gaze, his voice steady despite the tension in the air. “Garrick, I didn’t expect to see you. Where’s Maggie? Is she here, too?”

Garrick’s eyes darkened, and a flicker of emotion crossed his face before he masked it with a neutral expression. “No, she wasn’t able to make it,” he replied, his tone clipped and guarded.

Justice studied Garrick for several long breaths, but he didn’t pursue it. I had a feeling he suspected something more was going on, and I made a note to ask him later.

“We had a message Chelby would be here,” Justice stated as he scanned the crowded tables.

Garrick’s lips curled into a smirk, his eyes glinting with mischief. “She is, but she sent me to find you.” He stood straight, his imposing figure casting a shadow over our group. With a sweeping gesture, he beckoned us to follow him. “We have a table inside where we can discuss matters more privately.”

The hairs on the back of my neck stood up, a prickling sensation that sent a chill down my spine. The strange thing was my tattoo hadn’t burned despite Garrick’s presence. Did that mean he wasn’t evil, or had he cast some spell to keep it from warning me of danger? I glanced at my companions, wondering if they shared my unease.

As we followed Garrick into the depths of the brewery, I couldn’t shake the feeling we were walking into a trap. The air seemed to thicken with each step, the inviting atmosphere now tinged with a sense of foreboding. Justice and Damon exchanged a knowing look, their hands hovering near their concealed weapons, ready to defend us at a moment’s notice.

Lisa leaned in close, her whisper barely audible over the hum of conversation around us. “I don’t trust him. We need to be on our guard.”

I nodded, my senses heightened and my mind racing with possibilities. What did Garrick want with us, and why had Chelby sent him instead of meeting us herself? The answers lay ahead, waiting to be uncovered.

We continued deeper into the brewery, the atmosphere shifted from the enchanting garden-like entrance to a more rustic, industrial setting. The scent of hops and malted barley grew stronger with each step, mingling with the earthy aroma of aged wood and the faint whiff of something otherworldly. A subtle, ethereal fragrance I couldn’t quite place.

The steady hum of conversation and the clinking of glasses filled the air, punctuated by the occasional burst of laughter and the distant clanging of brewing equipment. Warm, golden light bathed the space, casting a soft glow on the weathered wooden tables and the gleaming copper vats that lined the walls.

As we approached a large table tucked away in a quieter corner of the brewery, I spotted two figures seated side by side. One was a woman with long, golden blonde hair cascading down her back and bright green eyes that sparkled with mischief. She wore a simple white T-shirt and well-worn jeans, an outfit that seemed too casual for a Fae queen. I had to double-check that Garrick had led us to the right table.

The woman leaned toward the man beside her, a handsome fellow with long, sleek black hair pulled back into a ponytail and striking green eyes that mirrored her own. She placed a gentle kiss on his cheek, and he smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. They were engrossed in conversation, their heads bowed together as if sharing a secret meant only for them.

Garrick plopped himself down at the table as if he owned it, his voice booming in the quiet corner. “Found them, Your Highness.”

---