“I don’t know a whole lot yet, but they said some faeries hid something here in this area, like, centuries ago, and they’re trying to find it. They’re not sure exactly what it is, but they know it’s dangerous and they don’t want it getting into the wrong hands.”
As if Leo being a faerie isn’t preposterous enough, he actuallyisNick Fury looking for a super-pretzel.
I ask, “And they can’t find it themselves?”
“No. They’ve hit a wall. Leo and Robin have been looking for months. They think maybe you, me, and Aaron might be able to sense it.”
So that’s what his and Robin’s supposed research is? Finding this dangerous thing?
Avery continues buttering me up. “They needyou, witchling. You’re the most important person on the team. Remember when we were guessing the Tarot cards? Without you, Aaron and I were hitting the middle of the target. Butwithyou? We got the arrow right in the bull’s-eye.”
I slump into my desk chair. It’s easier to accept the fact that faeries, realms, and dangerous supernatural objects exist than to believe that I can be of any use to the fae. Me. Arm-candy Betts Peterson. A newborn witchling who can’t meditate without getting lost between dimensions.
A clairsentient who couldn’t even sense that she was getting played.
Avery adds, “If you don’t want to talk to Leo about it, maybe you could talk to Rime?”
“So you’ve met him?”
“Yeah. And Topaz. She’s, uh, interesting. I don’t know what to make of her yet, but you’d be safe with him.”
“Um—”
“Just think about it, okay? But not for too long. They’re on the clock.”
“Okay, I’ll think about it.”
I open my mouth to say goodbye, but she cuts me off. “Oh, and Betts?”
“Yeah?”
“Whatever you decide to do, I’m still your friend.”
The tightness in my chest releases enough that I can comfortably breathe. Avery and I have come a long way since that first night when she sneered at me and called me a “sorority girl.” And from when I labeled her a goth and was afraid to introduce her to my parents. I’ve lost a lot in the past half year—Zander and O-Chi, sorority hopes, Leo—and I almost lost Liv. It’s good to know that, at the end of the day, I’ll still have at least one friend.
Unlike me, Avery Bauer isn’t a sucker. There’s not a people-pleasing, peace-at-any-price bone in her body. She’d never let herself get talked into doing something she didn’t believe in, and she believes we should help the fae. Whatever is going on in their realm must be pretty dire, because she’s completely on board. And even though she knows what it would cost me, she wants me on board, too. For three days, her words have haunted me.They need us.
So that’s why, on Tuesday afternoon, I go to the Bobcat for my usual meeting with the Clairs. Except I’m not here on the usual business; I’m here on a reconnaissance mission. It’s a no-commitment venture. I’ve already given myself permission not to engage. The goal? Find out how it feels to see Leo again.
I sneak into the student center via the front doors and blend intothe crowd flowing past the computer lab, past the study rooms, past the bookstore. Finally, I position myself just inside the hallway to the advising offices. I’m a good distance away from our favorite meeting spot, but there’s nowhere closer to hide.
Yes,hide.
I peek around the puce-colored cinderblock wall and, sure enough, I spot Avery’s unmistakable red hair. And there’s Aaron, laughing and pushing his glasses up his nose with his thumb.
My breath catches when I see Rime. I didn’t expect him to be here. He’s leaning forward, his elbows on his knees, talking to Avery and Aaron like he’s known them for years. I can’t see the face of the person behind him, but there’s no mistaking the jeans and Doc Martens. Those stupid shoes alone are a knife piercing my chest. And when Rime sits back and Leo comes into full view, that knife plunges right into my heart.
He’s less animated than Rime. In fact, he seems somewhat deflated. But he’s taking part in the conversation. Both faeries are fully glamoured, of course, yet they’re still beautiful. Girls do double takes as they pass by, but only Rime notices and smiles. According to the novels, fae males like human women. I wouldn’t put it past Rime to enjoy dallying with a few. Why not? Leo did.
You’re incredible.
Lie.
You’re everything I ever wanted.
Lie.
I’d never let anything happen to you.
