Page 110 of Crown of the Fae King

“Is something wrong? Is that why you…” Griffon’s eyes widened. “Did you learn something about my sister? My brother?”

“I’m sorry, nay.” Wickham said, then took a deep breath. “Lennon doesnae want me to tell ye this, but…ye remember Brian and Flann? They’ve been studying those pictures of The Covenant and now they have a new…theory they’d like to pursue.”

“Uh oh.”

“Aye, well, now they’re set on finding the Fae King himself. Since the document says he had to stay in the realm of Man, they think they can find him.”

“The actual Fae King?”

“The actual Fae King. We were hopin’—some of us were hopin’--ye might have some insight, since ye’re the resident expert on Fae, and even if we were allowed back into the libraries, there are no books left on the subject.”

I wasn’t sure when I covered my face with my hands, but I was glad they were there. I felt Griffon’s eyes on me, and I was afraid of what he might read on my face. I was shocked Wickham had found a way to ask where to find the Fae King without accusing the man of being Fae himself.

For a long minute, no one spoke, and I lowered my hands.

“Resident expert.” Griffon made a noise in his throat. “I see now,” he said, scowling at the remaining breadsticks. “That explains…quite a lot, actually.” I waited for him to look at me, but he didn’t. He folded his hands on the table, then faced Wickham, like he’d forgotten I was there. “How long have you known?”

Wickham held his tongue. I wasn’t sure what Griffon was asking.

“When did you know…I was Fae?” He turned slightly toward me but stopped short, like there was a wall between us. “I assume it was a recent development. Since the park?” I barely recognized his voice. So cold.

“At the park,” Wickham said. “Yer eyes.”

“Ah.” Griffon smiled at Persi. I only knew because I watched him in my periphery while I stared straight ahead. “Lost my head, I guess. But you suspected sooner if you were watching that closely. It would explain why you didn’t trust me to know where you are staying--were staying. But unlike Kitch here, I have no friends in low places. I would have done you no harm, you know. I am no threat to…witches.”

Wickham barked out a laugh. “How long have ye known?”

“Muirs? Twins? Who doesn’t know?” He shook his head. “You must know O’Ryan is hunting them.”

“Inspector O’Ryan? Aye, we do.”

Griffon shook his head. “Hunter, not Inspector. Orion the Hunter. A constellation was named for him, though he has many names.”

Wickham blinked, surprised. “And Ambition?”

The stranger beside me stilled. “You believe Orion is…” He gripped the edge of the table. “But Ambition won’t be loosed unless and until The Covenant is broken.”

Wickham nodded slowly. “It was. Six years ago.”

“Six!” Griffon’s butt lifted off the chair, but he sat again. The waitress was back with part of our order and a Guinness for him. He took a long drink, and after she was gone, he continued. “How do you know it was broken?”

“Because I unwittingly helped break it. I am tryin’ to make up for that.”

“So Orion is hunting witches because he believes they are the people set apart? That they hold the Naming Powers?”

Wickham shook his head. “I’ve said too much already. Ye’re a smooth man, Mr. Carew. I have no assurances—”

“You’ve earned no assurances.” Again, he almost glanced at me. “What do you want from me?”

For a long time, Wickham only breathed. Then he folded his arms, leaned on the table, and lowered his voice. “I want to ken which side ye’re on, sir.”

Griffon leaned his head back and chuckled. “You think I would side with The Hunter, to bring about…the end of our worlds?” He whispered the last. “Whose side? I am on the Carew side. My sister and brother are my…my only concern now. You go find the king and let him know The Covenant has been broken. Maybe he will help you.” He stood and scooted his chair under the table until it gently touched my knee. Finally, he glanced at me. “Goodbye, Miss Todd.”

Kitch kicked me again. I ignored him and turned in my seat and called his name. “Griffon?”

He ignored me.

“Mr. Carew?”

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