Page 52 of Guardian of Shadows
“My cousin designed it,” Tony said, wrapping his arms around Elle from behind. “Did you really send that flock of ravens to Elle last night? How is that possible?”
“I thought a group of ravens was called an unkindness,” Tabitha said while dishing out a second helping.
“How the hell do you know that?” Tony asked.
“Because I paid attention in school.” She stuck her tongue out at her brother, and Elle giggled.
“I paid attention,” Tony muttered.
Tabitha put one plate in the microwave and pressed a few buttons. She then turned and leaned against the counter with her arms crossed over her chest. Her eyebrows rose, then her face softened. Elle looked between the siblings, assuming they were having a silent conversation. “I know. I’m just teasing.” To Elle, she said, “Tony’s really smart, even if he likes to pretend otherwise sometimes. What would you two like to drink?”
“I’ll take water, please. I don’t think I can handle anything stronger right now.”
When Nekoma also opted for water, Elle motioned to the table. Once they were seated, she asked, “Have you ever been on Earth before?”
“Earth. Is that what this realm is called?”
“It is. It’s quite a bit larger than Evyndral. Tony, can I see your phone?” When he handed it to her, Elle opened a map app and showed Nekoma, who was astounded. Elle didn’t blame him. She still couldn’t believe how big the world was. While Tabitha was passing out the food, Tony got their water as well as silverware and napkins.
Thran rejoined them with a glass of dark liquor. He sat next to Elle, grinning. “Nekoma, I can’t thank you enough for healing our sister. Can you find Grevolus the same way you found her?”
“How did you find me?” Elle asked, cutting her chicken into small pieces.
Nekoma pushed back the sleeve of his tunic, revealing a braided leather bracelet. “A strand of your hair is woven with the straps. So is Grevolus’s. Do you remember the time you were about eight sun cycles and you climbed the auderberry tree and slipped, tangling your hair in the branches?” Elle nodded. “I took a strand then. I already knew Grevolus was your sire, and I wanted a way to find you should he take you without me knowing where he lived. Then the day you went before the elders, I plucked some strands from his head when he was driving off. I twisted them with the leather and cast a locator spell. I can find you anywhere. It took watching Yaricelan and the princess using a portal several times until I could copy the Queen’s magic.”
“That’s scary,” Thran muttered.
“It would be if I were less than honorable. Just because I am Und?nthú does not mean I am evil.”
Elle reached out and gripped Nekoma’s arm while glaring at Thran. “No, he is not. I also have Und?nthú blood running through my veins, and I turned out okay.”
Thran inclined his head. “My apologies. You have proven yourself this day as well as before the battle all those years ago in delivering Elle’s warning. If it weren’t for both of you, the outcome would have been much different.”
Nekoma swallowed his bite of chicken and took a sip of water before responding. “There are many good Und?nthú, just as there are evil D?nthúlú. I have witnessed numerous light fae doing dishonorable deeds all to gain more gold. I really like this red sauce.”
Tabitha, who had gone to the living room to get a drink, sat down next to Nekoma when she returned. “It’s called marinara, and it is yummy. So, not to change the subject, but when are you going after Grevolus?”
Nekoma set his fork down, placed a finger on his bracelet, then said, “He is on the move. I know the general direction he is traveling, but until he stops, I can’t say exactly where he is.”
“That gives Elle time to recover and the rest of us to come up with the plan to go after him,” Tony said.
“Gah, I wish I could ask Cailín to keep this protection job. I want to go with you.” Tabitha popped her neck from side to side. “We need to call Carleigh and get her help in pinpointing Grevolus. You also should call Mason if you haven’t already.”
“I’ll do that after Elle eats. Mason knows what’s going on, and until Grevolus stops somewhere, there’s not much Carleigh can do.”
“At least text her and let her know the sigil has been removed.”
“Yeah, I can do that.” Tony held out his hand, and Elle passed his phone to him. “I’m going to step outside so you all don’t have to listen to me arguing with my cousin. Be right back.” He kissed Elle on the temple before standing.
“How did you meet your mate?” Nekoma asked.
Thran stood. “I’ve heard this from Yari, so I’m going to get some more rum.”
Elle, having finished eating, pushed her plate back. “When Grevolus and I came through the portal after the battle, we were in this strange world. We had no money, couldn’t speak the language, everything was so different.” Elle told her brother about stealing and hiding out, then about Grevolus killing Mr. Johnson to have a place to live. “We had no way of earning money, so we figured out how to take it from machines called ATMs. People don’t use gold to buy things here. They use money made of paper.” Elle looked at Tabitha. “Is that right?”
“It’s actually a mixture of linen and cotton, but we call it paper for some reason.”
“Right. They also use these little cards...” Elle stopped when she realized it would be close to impossible to explain how money worked when Nekoma had no idea what banks or cards were. “Long story short, Grevolus wanted more money than we were getting out of these ATMs, and he tasked me with stealing large sums of it. The sigil made it so that he could track me anywhere. He also spelled it so that if he died, I did as well. I couldn’t get away from him permanently, but I thought being caught by the cops – those who uphold the laws – would be better than living with him, so I put together a plan where I traveled the same distance to each place I stole from on the same day of the month. The human cops were alerted to the thefts, but it was Tony’s cousin who figured out my plan. She hired him to find me and stop me, which he did, only it turns out I am his mate.”
