Page 27 of Crown of the Fae King

I nodded. “You’re American?”

“I am. My family’s in Portland, in the tree business.”

We sat on the small couch. “And what do you do here?”

Everly glanced at Wickham. After he nodded, she said, “I hunt fairies. And what do you do?”

I laughed. “I pour coffee for farmers, mostly. Or at least I used to.”

“And now you’re a Fairy Hunter.”

“Am I?” I turned to Wickham like a school child, waiting for permission to aspire to something awesome.

“Aye, lass. No turnin’ back.”

“Ye’re not a witch, then?” The intense god in a kilt finally joined the conversation and perched on the arm of the couch beside his wife. I expected my end to fly up like a teetertotter.

I tested out my new title. “I’m an Uncast.”

Again, Wickham gave me that funny look. “A normal mortal who has been exposed to the paranormal.”

Urban took his wife’s hand as if she were made of glass. “Like Everly?”

“Aye and no.” Wickham’s brows drew together. “The Grandfather said I would need her, though he didn’t know why. And for once, I believed him. Just before he…died, he had the chance to tell me more, but he knew nothing.”

“How did he ken about her in the first place? An Uncast so far from here.”

“I’ve known her a pair of days, and I can say she’s surprised me at every turn. I think you’ll find she’s much like Everly--accepting, rather fearless. For instance, I’ve plucked her out of her life entirely. She’s seen me read a man’s memory, I’ve taken her out of Time, and taken her out of Place. Delivered her to Ireland in the blink of an eye. Accidentally exposed her to one of the Fae and popped her into the heart of Edinburgh with little warning. She only complained when she was cold and holds her tongue when she is starving.”

He laughed and winked at me, waited a second for me to deny it before he went on.

“And after all this, she only asks for time to adjust…to the fact that Europeans do not tip their wait staff.”

True to his word, he never brought up Hank, thankfully, but he wouldn’t have much to tell them anyway. He and I hadn’t really discussed it, and for all I knew, he hadn’t had time for a close look before he rescuedMy Preciousfrom Charlotte’s shed.

Urban’s fierceness softened a little when he looked at me, probably because I’d been compared to his beautiful wife. I couldn’t see anything redeeming in Wickham’s description. In fact, I sounded like an idiot for not questioning everything he’d shown me and demanding he leave me alone.

If I mentioned Hank, he might consider me special, but I wasn’t ready to bring my big secret out of the closet—or out of the old money belt resting around my abdomen, where it always traveled when I had to leave home for more than just a work shift.

Everly announced that the rest of the party would be along in a while, and I wondered how cramped it would get, considering the entire apartment was the size of my glorified studio in Hazelton. I would have asked how many we were talking about, but I didn’t want to seem nosy. I also thought it might seem rude for someone like me to ask if more witches were coming.

Hell, I didn’t even know what other types of beings existed in this twilight zone. The possibilities were suddenly overwhelming. I took a deep breath and shot a look to Wickham.

His brows pinched for only a second before he smiled and slapped his hands together. "Time for a break, aye? Lennon needs rest. Time change and all that." He glanced at Everly, who got up and waved for me to follow her.

"You can have the second bedroom,” she said. “Bathroom's in the hallway. Space is scarce in the city, but you'll have privacy."

Alone in a tiny bedroom, I was grateful for a window. I stood on a chair to reach it, then opened it long enough to cool my face and suck in a few breaths of fresh air. Layers upon layers of thick white paint made shutting the window difficult, but I finally got it. When I stretched out on the bed, I discovered I was not just mentally exhausted.

I reminded myself I was safe and warm, and I fell asleep with a stomach still full of the most amazing fish and chips.

Things could have been so much worse.

11

Loose Ties On The Cat Bag

Urban got a list of food stuffs from his wife before he and the rest of the men were kicked out of the flat. Everly wanted the new woman to have peace and quiet whilst she rested, so as soon as Kitchens arrived, she sent the men packing. As if women never made a ruckus.

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