Reaching Answers (Artemis University #8) - Erin R Flynn Page 0,115
tried to hurt the hobgoblins. My suspicions were confirmed when Cluym came in about an hour after we sat down with several other dark fairies, loaded to the gills… With fairy artifacts.
“You were right,” he seethed, setting down a bag in front of me while others piled them up along the far wall. “Everything not held in the trust was completely raided for any fairy magic.”
“Wait, what?” Lucca asked, glancing between us.
I sighed, rubbing my hand over my hand. “Geiger was given dozens of estates to take care of for wealthy light fairies. Those weren’t the only people from Faerie who had residences here. Yes, it was mostly only nobles or people who could afford two houses, just like most supes who can’t afford a second house, but—”
“There had to be hundreds of fairy residences that weren’t wealthy enough to be estates to be protected or put into a trust,” Craftsman whispered in horror. “How could we not know about this?”
“Who would be the first people who would go after them?” I pushed, leading him to the conclusion I had come to a while ago.
“All the corrupt and evil people,” Darby growled. “Like monsters who keep hobgoblins as slaves and won’t let them go, even when their councils order them to. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph! This is un-fucking-real! Why didn’t any of us bloody fucking think of this.” He jumped to his feet and started pacing, his Irish coming out full-blown, he was so pissed.
“Because you’re a decent person who would never steal from fairies, even if you thought they were dead,” one of the fairies muttered, rubbing his neck. “We didn’t even get everything we could have, Princess. We grabbed what we could fast, but we should go back fast and get the rest before they realize what we did and move the items to where we can’t find them.”
“I agree, but talk with Iolas and Taeral,” I sighed. “This wasn’t my show tonight. I said we should check next time we go in so whoever is coordinating this—”
“They weren’t involved either,” Cluym confessed. “I knew Adrian was helping tonight with the dragon royals and we decided to join in on the fun to make sure everyone was safe. We came straight to you.”
“Then do what you think is right without getting caught, but loop in the Light and Dark Guardians to help. None of us can get caught. We’re not ready. Our people are more important than stuff. We can get the stuff later.” I was glad when they all agreed. “For now, bring it all here and we’ll lock it somewhere in Faerie so that Iolas and Taeral can figure out who what belongs to. We need to get it out of bad hands.”
“This is a good win, Princess,” Cluym said with a wink. “One that has helped morale.”
“Mine too.” I smiled at them, shaking my head as they snatched some food on the way out, not caring it was cold.
Hey, I had been eating all day, and they had finally ordered too much for me.
Probably, I’d been more focused on the news and watching it all than eating for once.
“What about the dark fairies?” Hudson asked when we were alone again.
“Neldor keeps telling me not to worry about it,” I admitted, nodding when all of them cursed. “I would guess they had something similar set up with Geiger and the firm, but I could only access the light fairy trust. It’s fine.”
“It’s not,” Lucca bitched. “You let him in on all fairy stuff, and he’s being an asshole, keeping you out of dark fairy stuff. He wants the win of—”
“I know.” I shook my head when he opened his mouth to push. “Let him be petty and a jerk, Lucca. The fairies are as good as everyone told me. They see it.”
“They are busting him fast. They seemed shocked at his behavior,” Darby agreed.
I thought back to what Mr. Rothchild had said to me about how the magic could maybe affect the fairies locked in it, or simply Neldor, because his mother had done it. I sighed. “Another problem for another time. I tried to talk to him about it once and he blew at me. He accused me of trying to have him committed basically. I can’t be fighting with him and unite the races. It’s so stupid there are races of fairies even.”
“You’ll get there. You’re making such progress and we all see it,” Craftsman comforted. “We’re taking the win tonight.”