Page 59 of Eve of the Fae

“Evelyn,” I finally managed say.

“Evelyn. What a lovely name,” he said. The other spirits had closed in behind him. They leered at me over Edric’s shoulder.

“And how are you enjoying my humble solstice party?”

“It’s quite impressive,” I said.

“Has your escort been keeping you entertained?” he asked.

I glanced over at Nigel, and he winked at me. I forced my lips into a smile. “Yes,” I said. “He’s been very…entertaining.”

“Good, good.” Edric released my hand and began looking around the ballroom. “Now, where is our champion?”

My heart raced. I needed to distract him. “Lord Edric,” I said. “I have a question for you.”

Edric turned to face me. His hands rested on his hips, just above his belt, and his chest puffed under the armor plate covering it. I had his attention. Now I just needed to come up with a question to ask. A flash near the arched stone ceiling caught my eye. I assumed it was a trick of the lighting, but I didn’t dare glance away or let it distract me. I needed to keep Edric’s attention on me until Liam returned.

“What is it, girl?” he asked.

“They say that when you were alive, you were the greatest hunter in all of England. Is that true?” A plan had begun to take shape in my mind. If I could get him talking, maybe he might unknowingly give me a clue about the object holding him here.

Edric’s brow wrinkled over his hooded eyes. “I’d say more than just England, girl. Alive or dead, I’m still the greatest hunter. Aren’t I, men?” He opened his arms and glanced around as the spirits surrounding him roared their approval.

I rubbed my damp fingers against the smooth silk of my dress and waited for the cheers to die down. “Of course. I only just wondered if you had a secret to your success?”

He tucked a thumb into the strap on the hunting horn hanging across his chest as he considered the question. “Who needs tricks when you have skill?”

Pieces of what I’d read and what Liam had told me about the artifacts fell into place. “It’s just, I thought you had an enchanted shield that protected you from harm.”

Edric leaned closer, and I took a step back, colliding into Nigel. “Who told you that, girl?”

His nearness reminded me of the knife that had been held at my throat. I shivered, and Nigel slipped a hand around my waist to steady me. “I…I don’t remember…” I shook my head to clear it and find my courage. Then I stepped away from Nigel. “I just thought it odd that such an expert hunter would need an enchanted shield to protect him.”

“Watch it, girl. Your kind aren’t usually welcome here. We’ve made an exception for you on this night, so long as you continue to behave.” Edric glanced around. “Now where are Lilium and the champion hiding?”

Stubby red horns surrounded by black curls bobbed through the figures gathered behind Edric. I panicked.

“Looking for me?” a familiar voice called out, and the spirits surrounding Liam dispersed.

Liam stepped into view, and I reached for him, but Nigel’s strong hand on my waist held me in place. The demon woman emerged from behind Edric at the same time, and she paused to stand just behind his shoulder.

“Lilium,” Edric said without turning to look at her, “I thought you were keeping a close eye on this one?”

“I was, Your Lordship,” she replied, her voice a sultry purr.

“So how is it that he is not with you?”

“The girl helped hide him,” she said.

“Nonsense.” I stepped forward, trying to position myself between Edric and Evelyn. “I just didn’t enjoy being under your spell. It made me a rather dull party guest.”

The demon woman grabbed my arm and pulled me toward her. She placed the fingers of her other hand near my temple. I had a moment to shield my thoughts before she began probing at my mind, reaching for my memories. I couldn’t risk succumbing to the demon woman’s power again. So I avoided her glaring eyes as she searched for a way to break my defenses.

“He’s hiding something,” she said, releasing me in frustration.

Edric stepped closer. “Where have you been, Fae?” He wasn’t close enough to me yet. I needed to draw him within reach so I could stab him with the iron claw.

“In the dungeons.” He knew I couldn’t lie. I could only hope he wouldn’t connect me to Sorcha and ask me about her, or the other prisoners.

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