Page 37 of Sidhe
“I’m sure it’ll all come together,” Nathan said, much as the room looked like a disaster area right now.
“So,” Iain said, handing a book to Walter that the Spirit Guide filed in a pile. They had apparently already worked out a system, so Nathan avoided digging into any other books just yet. “Looking for anything in particular?”
“Well, like Walter explained at breakfast, there’s apparently someone we need to watch out for at the Gatehouse. If we play our cards right, maybe we could even make a new friend out of him instead of an enemy, but I want to be prepared.”
“A wise decision,” Walter said. “I, too, hope you can sway him. From what little we know, he would be very dangerous on Malak’s side.”
“Which is why I want to read up on every possible changeling variation there is. Get some idea on potential powers. Might be interesting to you, too,” he said to Iain.
Walter shook his head. “I am afraid that will be of little help to you, Nathan. There are many types of fae, as you know. Changelings manifest uniquely depending on their direct fae heritage, yes, but their abilities are still unique to them as an individual. No two are ever identical.”
“Guess Iamspecial,” Iain snorted.
“So that basically means he could be capable of anything?” Nathan asked.
Walter nodded.
“Wonderful. Want any help with this stuff, then?”
Iain beamed brightly. “Fuck yeah. I mean…please, you have no idea how much we need an extra pair of eyes right now. Not that you aren’t awesome help.” He flashed a smile at Walter. Then he glanced back at Nathan as he held up another book. “We’ll teach you the system. Where do you think a book on fae sex should go?”
It took all of Nathan’s willpower not to bust out laughing again, because Iain was being so serious. Nathan patted his friend good-naturedly on the shoulder and snatched the book up.
“We’ll start a new pile.”
Sashajoinedthemawhile later. Alex had to make the Gatehouse open to the public again soon, especially if they had a changeling to keep their eyes open for, so Jim was helping her clean and reorganize things for new boarders. After a while longer of book organizing, Nathan left the others so he could check if Jim and Alex needed any extra help. He was restless, and doing one thing for too long gave him too much time to think.
He moved swiftly down the hallway, but just as he was about to reach Jim’s room, he noticed the door slightly ajar and was able to pick up on a bit of conversation going on inside. He was reminded of that time he eavesdropped on Jim and Sasha up here, and he really didn’t mind eavesdropping again.
“We could probably save room if more of us double up,” Alex said. “Do you think Iain would mind sharing one of the double bed rooms with Walter?”
Nathan tried not to snort. He knew whoshe’dlike to double up with.
Jim laughed uneasily. “I…don’t think he’d mind. It’s weird actually seeing Walter. I always believed he was real, that Nathan really was seeing his Spirit Guide, but to have proof…it’s hard to know how to act around him. He knows things he can’t tell us, but he can still be here to help. It’s…complicated. I likethe way it’s made Nathan lighten up a bit more though. Like he feels more confident having Walter here.”
Nathan couldn’t deny that. He’d felt mildly confident before, but having Walter physically with them made all the difference.
“Sometimes I wonder…I wonder if he’s just faking it all so we won’t know how bad it really is. I should trust that he’d tell me if he was still…still messed up, but…but it’sNathanand he never—”
“Jimmy,” Alex interrupted with humor and understanding in her tone to counter Jim’s fervent rambling, “whatever Nathan’s feeling right now, I think if it was still as bad as before, we’d know. He wasn’t exactly good at hiding it when he first came back.”
No shit, Nathan thought.
“And besides,” Alex said, “I really think he’d tell you this time. After everything, even running away and still having the courage to come back to us, he’d tell you. He doesn’t want a repeat of all that mess any more than you do. Than any of us do. It is possible to worry too much, you know, though I realize how difficult that is for you.” Her tone was teasing, playful.
Nathan imagined Alex and Jim were met together somewhere near the door, close into each other’s bodies. When Jim didn’t reply but instead Nathan began to hear awkward silence and rather telling,wetnoises, he knew he was right.
He felt proud more than anything. He felt peaceful. Strange to feel something like ‘peaceful’ at the prospect of Jim making out with someone, but that’s what it was—peace. Because it was Alex.
“I just…I can’t disappoint him again,” Jim said, the kiss having ended and his voice back to petulant. “It’s not about me turning evil anymore and becoming…god, I don’t know what. But if Nathan thought it was his duty to make sure I never went darkside, then he better know I’m gonna be just as stubbornto make sure we don’t lose him that way either. I trust him to make the right decision, it’s Malak I’m worried about. I still can’t believe the bastard hasn’t made another play for Nathan yet.”
“Shouldn’t that be a good thing?” Alex asked.
“No news isn’t always good news,” Jim said forlornly. “I have this bad feeling, I don’t know, something that just isn’t sitting right about this changeling we’re supposed to intercept here. He could be really bad news if he’s as close to falling into Malak’s hands as it sounds.”
“Jim, for all we know, this new guy could be a huge asset. And besides,” her tone went flirty again, “there’s no way Malak could contend with that Grier charm. Some of the strongest, most willful people I know have fallen for it.”
Nathan smirked to himself, especially when Jim responded, a smile in his voice now too, “Well, I suppose you do have a point there.” Wet noises again, a contented hum from Alex, a satisfying pop as they broke apart. “You know…I think I might be in love with you.”
