Page 175 of The Married Alpha And His Arrow: Vol 1

I quickly said, “Before you do that….” I opened the door and called, “Kevin, Haley is popping me to my house. We will be right back.” Kevin smirked, “Was that so hard?” I scoffed, “A little bit, yes.” Haley rolled her eyes. She asked, “What’s that about?”

I explained, “My assigned protections from Ted’s pack. They got testy when I ditched them and are on high alert after the incident at our event. Thank you for helping me with that, by the way.” Haley laughed, “Wolves are not like our people about getting ditched, and how could I not help you?” I teased, “You’re telling me now? Too late there, Hales.” She laughed and popped us to my house.

I ran upstairs and grabbed the card off of my dresser. When I came back Haley was holding the box I’d put the keys in from my parents’ house. She turned asking, “What’s in here?” I replied, “How did you find it?” Haley explained, “It called me to it. Whatever is inside is charmed by powerful Fae magic. Royal Fae magic.” I gaped then told her, “It’s from my parents’ house.”

I explained everything to her and opened the box. She rubbed her temples. She told me, “There’s a bank that fairy’s use here in this realm. Aiden told me stories about the security. Mostly fairy’s use it, but another supernatural could if they were vouched for. It would be expensive though.”

I asked, “Where is it?” Haley shrugged, “I’ll ask Aiden. He’s been there. I honestly didn’t pay much attention to the details of the stories.” She trailed off again. I grabbed her hand, “Do you know who performed the magic on these keys?” Haley frowned, “There are two options.”

I waited for her to continue, but she said nothing. I asked her, “Who are the options?” Haley sighed, “My mother or my aunt.” I was shocked. I whispered, “What? My parents knew the fairy Queen or the Fairy Princess?” Haley nodded, “King Arthur would know if it was my aunt. You should ask him. I’ll talk to Aiden about how to get your parents’ things from the bank. Something tells me it’s going to take more than a key. Anyone could steal a key.”

I stood to pace. I asked, “What the hell was going on?” Haley shrugged, “They could’ve run into either fairy here in this realm. Or my mother saw them with her sight and made sure they crossed paths. If they were entertaining or shared their sorrow either one would’ve been inclined to help your parents.”

I frowned, “Why not your uncle?” Haley snorted, “My father told me stories about your parents. They are not the kind of people who would’ve accepted Fabian’s help, nor were they the kind of people who would’ve had what Fabian wanted. He never did anything out of kindness. He always had an agenda. He wouldn’t have done this.”

I rubbed her arms, “Are you ok?” She shrugged. I asked her, “Do you think you know which one it was?” Haley sighed, “Based on the way it called to me, I would guess it was my mother. She had sight. She’d have known one day you and I would be friends. Or my mother saw that and sent my aunt to be the person they ran into.”

I sighed, “I’m sorry. I know your mom’s a sore subject for you.” Haley shrugged, “It’s fine. Maybe we can get you and Heath some answers.” She put the box where she found it and popped us back to my office. She gave me a hug, “I’ll speak with Aiden to see what we can figure out.” I was relieved, “Thank you, Haley.” She smiled and popped away.

I opened the door and issued some instructions, “Ted, get me a meeting with King Arthur, Susanna, and her string. Also, I’m thinking we should get an intern for after school. We have a student coming in tomorrow who might be interested, but if she’s not let’s get some other candidates.” Ted clapped, “That’s brilliant! I love it. If no high school students are takers, I’ll look at college campuses.” I nodded.

I walked back in my office and closed the door. I called Heath. He answered, “Lexi.” I sighed, “I have information. Are you free?” Heath shuffled some papers then told me, “I’ll be by in an hour.” He hung up. He texted that he wouldn’t be able to make it until much later. I told him to swing by when he could. I'd wait.

The day flew by. Ted was walking out after he’d gotten us a meeting with the vampire King. Ted said, “King Arthur’s assistant was most intrigued with your request. I had Susanna push it through. They will be here tomorrow. By the way, their group just arrived at the pack house. What are we meeting with them about here?”

I explained with on word, “Brainstorming.” Ted teased, “Evasive. We hang out with fairies a lot now. You’ll have to teach me your ways for my kids.” I laughed, “I SO want you to have a little boy and girl just like you.” Ted wiggled his eyebrows, “We can all hope.” I laughed with him.

Heath came into the office. Ted raised an eyebrow and commented, “See you later I guess, Lex.” I nodded. Kevin raised an eyebrow and sat back down. I led Heath into my office and shut the door. Heath apologized, “I’m sorry I couldn’t get away sooner.” I shrugged, “It’s not a big deal. It’s not life or death.” Heath asked, “What is it? I was in a meeting so I couldn’t probe.”

I sat down next to him and explained, “Haley came by and popped me home. I’d forgotten the company card. I ran upstairs to get it, and when I came back she had the box of keys from mom and dad’s house.” Heath frowned, “You had to have hidden it.” I agreed, “I did and well if I do say so myself. I asked her how she found it, and she said it called to her.”

Heath went rigid. He shouted, “The Fairy vault? Are you kidding me? How the HELL did mom and dad get a fairy to vouch for them?! FUCK!” I was shocked, “You know about it? Where is it?” Heath replied, “A beautiful place that fairy’s love.” I pointed out, “That’s a lot of places. Break it down for me.”

Heath answered, “It’s in Fiji. You have to be popped there and brought in by a fairy. I don’t suppose Haley knew which fairy took them, and how we could speak with them.” I winced, “She narrowed it down to two people.”

Heath probed, “And?” I sighed, “It was her mother or her aunt.” Heath groaned, “Her dead mother or her dead aunt?! That’s just great.” I grabbed his hand, “Haley is going to talk to Aiden about how we can get access to it.”

Heath ran a hand through his hair, “Thank god she loves you or we’d be dead in the water. I’d just bet the instructions and details of how to get into the stupid fairy vault without jumping through a billion hoops is with the instructions to our damn letters.”

I agreed, “Probably. Or we missed a hiding spot in the house.” Heath questioned, “Why would the former Fairy Queen or Princess help our parents?” I shrugged, “We may never know. Haley believes it was likely her mother given how the box called to her. I’m sure she will research it. I have a meeting with King Arthur tomorrow. Haley said if it was her aunt he’d know. I’ll ask him. She believes her mother did it though. She thinks that her mom did it because she had sight and knew that Haley and I would be friends one day.”

Heath agreed, “That sounds like a fairy. Especially if she didn’t plan on dying and thought this would be a way back into her beloved daughter’s life.” I asked, “Come again?” Heath shrugged, “Fairy sight is not something anyone knows too much about. They keep their secrets. But what we do know is there are always multiple paths. I’m sure the Fairy Queen hoped to keep herself alive and make it to this moment when the keys were discovered.” I meant his use of the word beloved daughter. I didn’t agree that Alania loved Haley. Alania was an abuser, and I doubt she knew what love was.

Heath continued, “Haley would have to go to her mother for help. That’s the leverage she would’ve needed to get back into her life. Alania would’ve bartered for it, and Haley would’ve given anything to her mother to help you.”

I hissed, “Fuck that bitch! I wish I could stomp on her damn grave! I wouldn’t have let Haley do that.” Heat gave me a look, “She likely would’ve made the deal before talking to you. Even then, she would’ve only told you if you asked her.” I closed my eyes, “At least she’s dead and cannot fucking continue to win the worst mother of all time award.”

Heath laughed, “Fairies. It was always odd to me though.” I asked, “What?” Heath answered, “Fairies are crazy protective of their children. The way the Queen turned a literal blind eye to what was done to her child astounded me once we met Haley. Then her mother died…”

I interrupted him “Which you didn’t tell me about or call me home for jerk.” Heath smiled, “That one I actually have a reason for, several actually. One, you couldn’t have gone with her to Faerie.” I snorted, “Please. If the Black Arrow asked King Aiden for entrance to Faerie, he’d have granted it for fun.” Heath sighed, “Probably.”

I asked, “What’s number two?” He smirked, “Do you actually believe she’s dead?” I blinked, “Come again?” Heath laughed, “Given the relationship you have with the Cambridges; do you believe she just died?” I frowned, “They can’t get to Faerie.” Heath shrugged, “Any fairy could take them. OR anyone pregnant with a child with Fae blood. I seriously doubt Alania is dead.”

I pointed out, “Aiden saw her turn to dust. He told Haley that.” Heath smiled, “Something we ourselves have faked. It’s very convenient fairies turn to dust. You need a few minutes at most to convince someone that one is dead.” I studied him, “But you don’t think Aiden believes she’s dead.” Heath said, “I think the way he says he saw her turn to dust is odd.” I’d have to think about that later.

Heath winked, “Anyway, when the Queen purportedly it all made sense.” I asked, “How? How does her supposed death make her actions make sense?” Heath smiled, “The only thing fairies are more protective of than their children are their own lives. The Fairy Queen had to have tied her life force to Fabian. If she searched out in her sight what was being done to her daughter or acknowledged how others treated her daughter when she was not around… she’d have been forced to act against her brother, which would’ve killed her.”

I scoffed, “I said it once, and I’ll say it again. Worst. Mother. Ever. Mom would’ve given up her life for either of us without a second thought. Haley would do the same for her children.” Heath nodded, “I agree. Let me know what Haley says about the keys.” I nodded and he left.

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