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SIXTEEN

SIXTEEN

“Are you…hiding?” Tish asked in disbelief when she finally spotted Nick amongst the wares of a textiles merchant.

She had been browsing the marketplace, taking her sweet time as she had come to the end of the food stalls that had kept her grumbly stomach so enthralled, only to look up and realized that Nick was no longer ahead of her leading the way. For a moment, panic overtook her as she looked frantically about for her absent guide. She ran ahead through the throng of shoppers that overfilled the marketplace in a chaotic blend of colour and sound until she emerged into an open plaza. In the centre stood a large signpost, glowing with magical energy, almost identical to the one she had seen just before entering the market. From this central point, alleyways – including the one she had just emerged from – led off in several directions. Not only were the ways to the realms of Faerie, Dwarf, Elf, and Human pointed out, but additional signs now pointed to Mermaids Bay and Dryads Grove, among others.

Since they had been headed towards the Faerie District, she continued on in that direction, searching for Nick and wishing she were a lot taller. The shoppers here were unusually shaped as humans went and seemed either unusually tall and exceptionally thin, or short of stature but broad of shoulder. One such individual she’d noted was a combination of both, being twelve feet tall and easily her height across the shoulders, and instead of hair, she was pretty sure that it was leaves that peeked out from under his worn hat. In any case it made it hard to see either above or around them in her search for Nick.

She had to concede that this wasn’t working. Turning around, she headed back to the square. Perhaps if she could get to higher ground…

The signpost which marked the way was raised on a stone pedestal. She crossed to it and examined the stonework. The base was the largest stone. Two more sat on top like smaller steps until it reached a pillar which the squared-wood of the signpost was embedded into. It would only grant her a couple feet’s vantage, but if she could just see over the heads of the people in the crowd it’d be worth the effort.

She climbed up on the large stones, and then to the pedestal, using the rough post of the sign for support. From here, she could see over the expanse of the square, and even a bit into each of the alley’s that led off from here.

Perhaps Nick hadn’t gotten as far ahead of her as she’d thought. She turned her attention back the way she’d come, leaning off from the post in the direction she was searching, free hand raised above her brow to block out the sun. Now if she could only spot mister tall, dark, and obnoxious somewhere in the crowd.

She finally did see him; not in the crowd, but within the entry way of one of the tents. She sighed in relief as she climbed down. The tent was situated on the corner between the aisle leading towards the Human Realm and the large market square. In truth he hadn’t gotten too far ahead. It had been the colourful displays of fabric which had initially caught her attention. A slight movement behind the displayed fabric had led her to notice Nick.

Bolts of colourful fabric lay out in thick layers upon tables and hung flowingly from the top of the tent. Nick had moved to the front corner of the pavilion where he was almost invisible amongst the sea of hanging fabrics.

She slugged him on the shoulder in greeting. “You jerk. Why did you leave me?”

“Shh.” He said as he grabbed her suddenly and pulled her small frame behind him. “It wasn’t on purpose. How was I supposed to know you were lagging behind.”

She regarded him suspiciously as he peered out into the crowd. “Wait. Are you… hiding? What are you hiding from?” She peered out at the crowded street from behind him. She could see nothing but the throng of shoppers as they squeezed past one another through the tightly wound maze of booths and tents.

“I spotted a couple of Thorne’s goons.” He said as if that explained everything. “And where there are goons, there’s most likely to be Thorne. He rarely goes out unaccompanied.”

“Who’s this Thorne?” Tish asked intrigued.

Nick seemed to be focused on a pair of tall thin gentlemen dressed in black on the other side of the crowd.

“Kai’lan Raven Thorne, leader of the bráithreachas. He’s had it in for me ever since I beat him at a few hands of poker—that, and I may have slept with his sisters.”

“What’s the brai-their-haus?” Tish asked, sure that she had mangled the pronunciation.

Nick glanced at her; eyebrows raised. “Not bad,” he said, sounding surprised, but clearly pleased. “The brotherhood is an elven crime ring, you know, like the Yakuza or the Mafia.”

She thought about this. “Wait, are you saying that there’s an actual elven crime syndicate?” She glanced up at Nick’s face, to see if he was teasing her again, but he was once again focused on the figures across the market. “Is there really such a thing?”

“Yup, and Thorne runs the magical black market from here in the Elven Quarter. In fact, very little goes on in Kingsford that he doesn’t have a hand in, in some way or another.”

Tish frowned thoughtfully as she took it all in. She looked up in realization. “Wait, so you’re telling me that this guy is the equivalent of a crime lord—but with magic—and you slept with his sister? Why would you do such a thing?”

“Sisters. Plural. Twins, and the only reason he’s pissed, is because he probably would have liked the chance to join in. He’s a complete narcissist and a bit of a perv, which is why I need to avoid him.”

Tish wrinkled her nose in disgust. “Ugh. With his own sisters?”

“Ah, well… the Raven-Thornes are a blended family, so they aren’t blood related. They were two opposing crime families who used marriage to combine their power, eliminate the competition, and expand their territories. His father, their mother, it was strictly a business arrangement. I’m surprised you haven’t heard of them; their wedding, it was the talk of the town fifty years ago.”

Fifty years? Just how old did he think she was? Wait. How old was he? Or was this perhaps something that she was just supposed to have been aware of, like the two world wars.

“And why would I do such a thing, well… they are gorgeous,” Nick smiled gently as he reminisced. “They’re both tall and slender, with hair like silk and eyes like silvery moonlight…”

Tish watched his face as he spoke, feeling both jealous and self-conscious. No one would ever describe her with such flowery admiration. She was clunky and petite, with curls the colour of bleached carrots and a splash of freckles across her nose.

“Yeah, okay. I guess I get why you’d be interested.”

Nick’s eyes widened as he glanced at her, and she realized that there’d been a note in her voice that she’d failed to hide. It perhaps hinted at her feelings of inadequacy. Quickly Tish attempted a cover-up. “Still, twins? What were you thinking?”

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“Truthfully?”

She nodded.

He sighed. “I wasn’t exactly in my right mind at the time. It was Mabon, and I’d been celebrating, so when one of the sisters offered me a drink, I stupidly accepted. I woke up tied to the bedposts.” He suddenly looked thoughtful. “Which reminds me, maybe don’t eat the food while you’re here… faerie food can leave you witless or worse.”

She gaped at him. “They abducted you? But that’s against—”

“Elven crime family, remember. Just who was I complaining to? Besides, they let me go a few days later, and the Elven race view the practice of sex a lot differently than you humans. Think of them as the hippies of the magical world – free love and all that. In fact, now that I think about it…” His brow crinkled as he considered. “I’m pretty sure it was the elves who started that fad.”

He shook his head. “But getting back to Kai. The real reason he’s mad is the poker game. He accused me of cheating and got me banned from the game.”

“Well, did you?” She glanced at him eyebrow raised suspiciously, happy to be once more off the subject of sex. “Cheat?” It was true that she had only just met him, but he did seem to have a mischievous side to him. He seemed cocky enough to believe that he might just get away with something like that.

Nick glanced down at her with a slight smirk. “Not in the direct sense of the word.”

“But…” she urged, sensing more.

He shrugged. “I can’t help it if my wolf can read the players like an open book. It’s not like I’m marking cards or anything.”

“An open book huh?” She smiled, thinking perhaps he was exaggerating. He did seem to be blatantly pleased with himself most of the time. He was his own biggest fan.

“They might as well have had subtitles over their heads as they placed their bets.” He looked at her thoughtfully. “Like comic-book thought bubbles.”

Tish was startled. He didn’t seem to be joking. “You could read their minds?”

He shook his head. “No. Not read their minds. It’s more like I can feel their intentions. It’s a wolf thing. I can sense the energy they give off, know when they are lying or telling the truth.”

Nick came out from the curtain of fabric he was hiding behind. “They’ve finally moved on. I think we may be safe.” He held out his hand to her, indicating that she should join him as he stepped out from the tent.

“Is he really that dangerous?” Tish asked with concern as she took up his hand.

“Well, that depends.”

“On what?”

“On the extent of his anger. Kai doesn’t like to look bad, especially in front of the sorts that were sitting in at that game. He feels I made him lose face. He’ll want a chance to redeem himself—at my expense, of course.”

Once more they were weaving their way, hand in hand this time so they wouldn’t lose one another amongst the throng of shoppers. Tish was enjoying herself. The air was warm and sweetly fragrant, and the bright sun overhead felt good on her skin. There wouldn’t be too many warm days like this left. It was already October and fall was rapidly descending. She glanced up at Nick as they went. It was nice to be walking with him. He was such an easy person to be with. He made her feel comfortable and safe.

“If I’m lucky, I’ll walk away with just a beating.” Nick continued.

“And if you’re unlucky?”

Nick grimaced. “I’d rather not run into him and find out—like I said, narcissist and perv. He might insist upon a favor, and he is the last elf I want to find myself indebted to. He can be a bit of a collector.”

“A collector? What do you mean—”

“You know how rich and powerful people sometimes collect exotic or fancy things? Like sports cars or Faberge eggs? Well, Kai collects people, and he has an unhealthy fascination with my wolf. I’d rather not find myself with a chain around my neck and a place at his side if I can help it. So, I’m planning to keep my distance from him until he cools down, so the faster we can get what we’ve come for and get out, the better.” He glanced down at her then. “For the both of us.”

“Wait,” Tish came to a sudden halt. “The both of us?”

“Well, you are with me.” He looked her up and down scrutinizing her. “Incidentally, if we do get stopped by Kai or his goons, try to act innocent. Don’t let him know you’re a witch—pretend to be human. Be boring, and he may just leave you alone.” He reached out suddenly and tapped her on the tip of her nose. “And try not to be so damn cute, either.”

Tish felt the blood rush to her cheeks and was glad when Nick once more started walking. His gaze was intense, and she wasn’t used to being fawned over. That sort of attention was usually reserved for Faith.

Wait. Act innocent? The meaning in his words finally caught up to her.

“Hey!” She said suddenly, racing to catch up to him. “I am innocent. I wasn’t a part of any of this.”

Nick shrugged. “He won’t care. If he thinks you’re with me, that’ll be enough.” He stopped outside a beautiful market stand that was brightly framed by flowers and basket upon basket of brightly coloured spices. “Let’s check here,” he said as he disappeared within the darkened tent.

Tish followed but was feeling uneasy. She didn’t like the idea of being the potential target of some elven godfather. Not only were elves known to be strong with magic; they were the soldiers of the faerie world, expertly trained in both long and short-range combat. If this Kai’lan was as unscrupulous a kingpin as Nick suggested, the idea that he would have interest in her as well, made her queasy just thinking about it.

She glanced back at the entranceway, her eyes darting across the crowd, looking for the figures in black. Nick had moved to speak to the shop clerk, a thin man in a blousy flowing shirt and tailored pants. His hair was light blond, long and done up along the top in a series of small tight braids. If it wasn’t for the slight point at the tip of his ears, one would hardly guess that he wasn’t human.

Tish moved to join them, all the while looking over her shoulder as she did. As she reached the two who were standing by a make-shift counter: a few empty crates stacked upon one another, she was just in time to see the store clerk shake his head apologetically.

“Thanks for your help,” she heard Nick say before he stepped back, bumping into her and setting her off balance. Tish gave out a little squeal before Nick reached out and caught hold of her, pulling her in close.

“Are you okay?” he asked as he looked down at her.

For a moment, she found herself pressed up tight against him, his arms gently encircling her. She marveled at the heat coming from him. It would be easy, she thought, to disappear into this warmth. Quickly, she pulled herself free.

“Wolf!” A booming voice cut through the crowd as a tall and slim figure soon appeared. Seeming oblivious to the concept of personal space, he got right up into Nick’s face, so much so that Nick had to take a step back. “What have I told you about showing your face around here?”

Tish too, took a step away from the two men who were now standing chest to chest. The new man was easily as tall as Nick, with long dark tresses falling bone straight down his back. He had an angular face with pronounced cheek bones and a sharp chin. His eyes were a piercing grey-blue and locked on Nick’s with a hawk like intensity.

“Ah, but Kai,” Nick glanced at Tish and winked knowingly. “My face is my best feature.” He flashed Kai a smug grin.

Kai shook his head bemused. “Always with the mouth.”

“Hello, Frost.” Nick soon called out to a second man who came to stand beside Kai. He was slim and tall like the first elf, but that was where their similarities ended. Unlike Kai, this new elf’s hair was pure white and hung just past his shoulders. Instead of black, he was dressed completely in white. His violet eyes, which seemed aglow with a magical intensity, glanced between Nick and her with a face void of emotion.

“Hello, Niko.” Frost politely replied. His voice had a pleasant lilt to it. “What brings you to market?”

“Faerie whiskers. Seems I’m completely out.”

Frost looked to the sky then in a contemplative fashion, and Tish wondered what it was that he saw with those remarkable eyes. He scratched the underside of his chin as he seemed to consider things. “I suppose I could lend you a few If you’d care to drop by.”

Kai snorted. “You really don’t think we’re giving him a choice?” He frowned as he glanced between the two, as a second pair of black-clad figures soon joined the group to stand silently behind Kai.

“It should please you to know that I brought beans.” Nick reached into his jacket and pulled out the small bag.

“Stop ignoring me.” Kai’s brow had somehow managed to furrow even deeper than before.

For the first time, Frost appeared mildly interested. “Really? From the human world?”

Nick passed him the bag. “Yep. Just for you.”

“I’m touched.” Frost tilted his head slightly as he regarded Nick. He brought his hand to his breast. “Honestly, you are too kind.”

“Seriously, Wolf. You should be on your knees and begging for mercy right about now.” Kai now appeared to be speaking through clenched teeth.

Nick smiled politely at Frost and shook his head. “Anything for a friend. Shall we off then?” He turned to Tish and reached for her hand.

“I am warning you both—”

“Yes. I think it time. The wind is beginning to sound rather blustery; don’t you think?” Frost turned and began walking through the crowd. Bystanders stepped widely aside as he approached.

“Indeed. It is practically howling.” Nick said as he fell in step behind him with Tish at his side.

“I hate you both.” Kai remarked loudly, shoulders drooping as he reluctantly followed.