Collected? The word still made a shiver go through me. She said it so calmly, like it was an everyday thing. Maybe it was for her. My interest in bumping Wade off today was slowly waning as I figured out how bad a mess I was in. They would really just drag me off? What was I thinking, of course they would. And I’d just walked into their lair. This was so not good. I wiped my palms on my jeans, then snapped my arms up to my chest to keep it from happening again. Wade didn’t need to know how I was feeling.

“As I said before, once this job is finished, you will be able to choose if you wish to continue working with us or not. I can guarantee you that the rewards for continuing to help with the Council’s work are extremely beneficial. We are hoping this will be the first of many times you assist, that you may become part of the team eventually.”

Okay, this was a little freaky. Why did they need me so bad that they would offer a deal like this? Something felt off. “So tell me about it. The job. I don’t want to sign on without knowing what it is.” I didn’t want to sign on at all, but if it was something simple and they would leave me alone afterward, it would be worth it. If it was legit.

“Does it matter? Do you wish to be dragged to Faerie and placed in training?”

Good point. I eyed Wade in a sideways stare. I could probably get away from these thugs, but I would have to run for the rest of my life. That could potentially be a very long time. And there would be absolutely no chance of seeing Dan and Nina again. Unless it was at their funerals when the fae took it out on them that I had escaped.

But back to that whole why me thing. Didn’t they have a whole civilization to choose from? Why would they ask me, someone they didn’t know? Might as well find out. “Why do you even want me?”

“Your healing ability speaks for itself. It is an uncommon gift. And you know humans, which could be very helpful. The fae have studied them since the beginning of time and yet they still surprise us. You grew up among them. Also, the job may require someone that can blend in, and won’t be easily recognized by another fae. If you agree to give the job at least some good consideration, I will give you the basics.”

I crossed my arms tighter and slouched back in my chair, which was really uncomfortable. What did they do to these things to make a person want to sit straight? I ignored the ache and held my ground. Distrust the fae or not, it looked like I wasn’t going to be given many options. “Fine. I agree.” That needed clarifying. “To consider it.”

“You must also agree to not speak of what I’m about to tell you to anyone other than those of us on this team. Including Cumat.”

“That means no humans either, Trish,” Wade added.

One of Starren’s perfect eyebrows rose. “I should think that would go without saying.”

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“She grew up with them. She doesn’t know any better.”

Well that was vaguely insulting. This I had to think about for a second. It wasn’t as quick a decision for fae, agreeing to something, because we can’t change our minds whether the circumstances change or not. It had something to do with the no lying thing, but no one had ever really explained it to me. But who was I going to tell anyway? Somehow I didn’t think Dan or Nina would take the news well. They knew I was kind of a brat, they didn’t need to know I was a freak too. “Fine.”

Starren touched something on her desk and a bright color photo of an extremely dreamy guy showed up against the far wall. Dark hair, dark eyes. All fae were good looking, at least the human type ones, according to my mom.

Somehow that seemed to have skipped me. I believed her though, now that I’d met a few. Even after what he’d done to me, I couldn’t stop my gaze from wandering toward Wade. As soon as I noticed, I snapped my attention back to the picture.

“As hard as we try to keep Faerie and Earth separated, once in a while a new breach is formed that allows fae to travel to Earth without going through the proper channels.” She stuck a thumb over her shoulder, pointing to the picture. “This is Jaden Martan. He found one of them.”

Another tap on the desk and the picture changed. In this one Jaden no longer looked nearly as good. His face was haggard, eyes dark with exhaustion. I felt a pang of… something for him. Empathy maybe. That was probably how I had looked Saturday when the fosters showed up to save me from Vince and the Land of No Food but Junk Food.

“Why did he do it?”

Starren stopped talking at my question. I ripped my gaze from the picture and looked at Wade, who had a disgusted look on his still handsome face.

“Who did what?” Starren asked.

“Why did this guy disobey the rules and cross over when he had to know the consequences?”

Starren’s face went stormy. “It’s not for you to ask questions, just to do as you’re told. This is the job you were assigned to, if you’d like the reward promised, you will listen and then accomplish the task.” She took a breath. “He’s a wanted criminal. Considered very dangerous. Several guards were severely injured during his escape.”

“What was he in for?” So curiosity killed the cat. I’d just heal. Plus I was making Wade mad. Bonus.

“I was never told.” Her face got that grumpy look again, and I wasn’t sure if it was directed at me or the Council. She continued talking, but I just cocked my head and stared harder at the picture. What was his story? The fae were mostly a no rules society; except when it came down to revealing themselves to the humans. And listening to the Council if they told you to do something. Sure, if you broke one of the rules, you were pretty much dead, but there weren’t a lot of them. What had he done to get himself locked up?

Everyone had a reason for the things they did, especially the major things like crossing between worlds when the stakes were so high. Maybe that was it. Maybe he thought on Earth he would have an advantage over humans, if he was as dangerous as Starren said he was. And she must believe it or she wouldn’t be able to say it.

“You can act like a human, so you will be used to draw him away from any other humans. While capturing Jaden is high priority, nothing is ever more important than keeping the fae a secret. Then, after you have drawn him somewhere we will have access, you will keep his attention as Wade moves in.”

Obviously the conversation had continued on without me. This slightly troubling bit drew me back in. Wait a second. There was no way I’d heard that right. They were just going to put me out in front of a fae with unknown powers?

No way.