Seren threw their bag and hit the bed hard. They, for all intents and purposes, were grounded. And they didn’t even do anything to deserve it. They rolled over and stared up at their ceiling. Trying to decide what they were going to do for the rest of the day, rest of the week, month? Year? How long was this going to go on? They sat up and got off the bed. Walking to the closet and opening the door.

“Can I speak to the Waterbearer?” Seren asked. The sprites looked up at them and nodded. One dove into the noticeably larger nest while the rest continued their work. Seren sat criss-crossed on the floor and waited until the Waterbearer appeared. She had grown even more stunning than when Seren had found them in the forest. Her gown now flowed like a light rain.

“Yes, Serenity?” The Waterbearer asked.

“I need to know more about the fae. I need to know from other sources.” Seren said. “Children are going missing and I need to know why. What do you know?”

“I know little I must admit.” The Waterbearer sighed. “The fae take sprites and try to cultivate them. Like farm beasts. If you are insistent, perhaps I could reach out to other nests, see what they know.”

“Yes, if you can.” Seren said, they went to their window and opened it. Letting the sprites out to find out more. The doorbell rang and Seren sighed, missing Mrs. Houper for more than just her emotional support. They went down stairs and to the door. Opening it and being overwhelmingly surprised by Kyi standing at the door.

“Hey, lazy bones. Where you beem?” He huffed. Seren’s mouth dropped.

“I. Wh- why are you here?” Seren asked in confusion.

“Uh, cause we’re friends. Duh.” Kyi said and walked into the house.

“Oh. So that’s how that happens.” Seren said, mostly to themselves. They’d always wondered how people made friends. Turns out they just show up at your door with a declaration. Made things easy.

“What’s going on?” Eric asked, appearing from the staircase.

“Oh, can I have a friend over?” Seren asked. “We won’t cause trouble, promise.”

“I.” Eric paused, looking Kyi up and down. “Yeah-yes. Absolutely. Carry on.” Eric turned and went back up the stairs. Kyi took off their boots.

“You live with your boss?” Kyi asked.

“Not technically.” Seren said. “See, he’s my adopted guardian after my dad died. Also, I’m sort of retired now.” Kyi’s jaw dropped.

“Oh that is not fair.” He scoffed, “How did YOU get to retire?”

“Eric wants me to have time to be a kid.” Seren shrugged. “Whatever that’s supposed to mean.”

“You’re almost an adult.” Kyi laughed, then cleared his throat. “I mean. WE’RE almost adults.” Seren smiled knowingly.

“Sure we are.” They winked. Kyi narrowed his eyes but then lit up with relief.

“You.” He lowered his voice. “You too?”

“Not as uncommon as you’d think.” Seren whispered back. “But did you really just come here to talk about work?”

“Nah.” Kyi shook his head. Relaxing a bit more. “Came to talk about the fae stuff going on.”

“Oh.” Seren said. They felt their chest tighten. Kyi wandered out of the entry hall and into the biggest sitting room.

“This place is huge.” He said, looking up at the chandelier in the room. Then inspecting the marble fireplace.

“No kidding.” Seren said, walking in after him. “Feels like I live in a museum.” Kyi laughed and fell into an armchair.

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“So. Fae. You gotta know something.” Kyi asked conspiratorially.

“I wish I did.” Seren said uncomfortably. They took a seat on the sofa. “But no one wants to talk about it and my only excursion into the forest didn’t yield any real insight.”

“Excursion? You went outside the walls?” Kyi asked. Scooting to the edge of his seat.

“Yeah. There’s no rule against it for fae-touched.” They said, “Got lost, found a pretty looking river, climbed a tree, lost my shoes, got found and brought home and then got grounded. Nothing interesting.”

“Oh.” Kyi said, clearly disappointed. He sat back with a sigh. “Here I thought you had. Y’know, adventures! People talk about you. Like you’re something special.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” Seren asked. Kyi shrugged and readjusted in his seat.

“I heard stories about you. When you get on as an enforcer you hear about this fae scourge that will come in like a shadow. With the precision and sharpness of a scalpel.” Kyi said while looking around the side tables for something interesting. “Hard as flint and cold as the sea. But then you hear the stories about this fae miracle that’s a warm breath of sunshine. Soft as velvet and warm as summer. Sweet and generous as the song of the bluebird.”

“People talk about me in riddles?” Seren asked sarcastically.

“Nah, I’m just smashing a bunch of ‘em together.” Kyi laughed. “I see where the stories come from. You’re fun. Keeps me entertained.”

“I’m… glad?” Seren asked. Still trying to puzzle out how they felt about the stories. They knew there were stories, sure. That wasn’t surprising. Everyone had stories told about them. It was just hearing them had Seren confused.

“Good. Dude, it’s boring without you in the streets.” Kyi sighed and sunk into the chair. “People all have this weird hoarder mentality, like someday you’re gonna come back for all the dues.”

“I’ve been gone for two days.” Seren shook their head. “I can’t have been missed that much.”

“You’d think but I’m telling you. Everyone’s on edge.” Kyi leaned back and crossed his legs.

“I bet that has more to do with the kidnappings going on and less to do with me.” Seren said, “Why are you out anyway? Aren’t you at risk?”

“Sure, but it’s not like anyone’s actually policing it.” Kyi shrugged. “It’s up to the parents. Which mine aren’t that big on stepping on my independence.”

“That’s irresponsible.” Seren said. They scooted closer to the edge of their seat. “Have you been approached by strangers yet?”

“Have you?” Kyi sat forward and the two stared at each other. Seren knew they had, but they couldn’t tell if Kyi had or if he was bluffing.

“I asked you first,” Seren said. Kyi narrowed his eyes before pouting.

“No.” He said with a disappointed sigh.

“That’s probably for the best,” Seren said, “I’ve met them. They are.” Seren paused. “Strange. Not overly so, but strange.”

“We are going to be such good friends.” Kyi said. “I bet we could solve this kidnapping problem too.”

“What do you mean? How would we do that? Where would we even start?” Seren had a rush of questions but they were on board with the idea of putting an end to the kidnappings.

“You in?” Kyi asked.

“Of course I am.” Seren agreed. They looked around for anyone who might be listening. “But we should move to a more. Quiet place.” Seren stood up and motioned Kyi down the stairs to the basement. Creepy, dark, but empty as the housekeepers were all home for the night.

“Okay, we can talk here. Eric doesn’t come down here and no one else will until tomorrow.” Seren said. “Did you have a plan or are we at level zero?”

“Of course I have a plan. We go into the forest, find their lair and kick their-” Kyi started so proudly. But Seren scoffed loudly enough to cut him off.

“There’s tons of fae and only two of us.” Seren pointed out. “We need a way better plan… we know they want. Kids. I heard they make them into gold or new fae via some magical sprite water.”

“What? Where’d you hear that?” Kyi asked.

“Library. Good source of information in the archives.” Seren lied, hoping that they sounded convincing. “I’m sure there’s more information out there. Maybe the king and queen know something, I imagine they have access to a way bigger and older library.”

“I heard the rumors that you were in good with the king. Have you really seen the queen?” Kyi asked, wide eyed.

“And the heir apparent.” Seren nodded. Kyi’s jaw dropped again.

“They had a baby?!” Kyi shook his head and then laughed. “And you don’t think you have adventures?”

“I really don’t.” Seren shrugged. “Back on topic. More information. We could meet up at the library and try to get through those old archives and big tomes. They’re huge and boring but they might have some good information.”

“Or we could write to the king and make him tell us what he knows!” Kyi said deviously. “We have blackmail.”

“OR…. we could just ask and share what we’ve already learned and see if there’s anything we can glean.” Seren suggested.

“Then we use blackmail!” Kyi finished. Seren shook their head.

“C’mon, let’s go write the letter.” Seren said, leading Kyi up from the basement and into the second floor library.