Reaching Answers (Artemis University #8) - Erin R Flynn Page 0,48
offered to help. I suggest we call a meeting of those you’ve trusted with this secret and outline the plan. They can see where any problems might be and assist. You need help, and this isn’t the part you should handle. You will beat yourself up constantly if you’re not unfreezing others, and you cannot keep going at the pace you have been.”
I swallowed loudly as I felt lots of heavy, agreeing gazes on me. “No, I can’t. I know that. I can delegate and accept help. I have. There’s just been so much bad that it all couldn’t wait.”
“We know, Tamsin,” she whispered. “You’ve pulled miracles out left and right. It’s what you do. What your people do. You just have support now. They facilitate clearing the darkness in Faerie with Prince Neldor and handle all you have been alone while you keep up appearances and unfreeze more support.”
I bobbed my head as I let that sink in, more than willing to have people tag in. “I think then, the next ones to unfreeze are whatever the counters to the Light Guardians are. We need people who everyday fairies will listen to.” I gestured with my head towards Neldor. “But won’t immediately take over.”
“You’re going to unfreeze dark fairies next? Truly?” Neldor asked, not hiding his shock at all.
I blinked at him, my heart hurting for some reason at what I saw in his eyes. “I know you hold no respect for me and think me a complete disappointment, but I am not a bad person. I might not be like any of you because I didn’t grow up like you, but I’m still fair. Of course I’m going to unfreeze dark fairies too.”
“Yes, of course, but I assumed once all the light fairies were done—”
“You need to start listening to her,” Lucca bit out. “She has said several times that you are all fairies, and she doesn’t give a fuck who is light or dark. She has not done one cruel thing where you should assume that of her.”
I didn’t wait for Neldor’s response, wanting to get a jump on this. “Make the call and let’s see who we can get, even if it’s just for a drink after dinner or whatever. For now, Cluym can speak on behalf of the dark fairies and have input on how we set this up.”
“I agree,” Dean White said but then frowned, reaching in her pocket and pulling out her phone. “Collins needs to speak with you and from the tone of this message, it’s important.”
Great, just fucking great.
10
“Thank you for seeing me,” Dean Collins greeted as he came through the portal in the garage.
“I don’t have much time as there’s a meeting starting soon that you’ll be invited to depending on how this one goes,” I informed him as I led him into the house. “What did you need me for?”
“You asked me for answers months ago and I have them now.”
That was interesting. If they were the ones I wanted, the only ones I could think of I had asked from him, I’d given him that task almost a year ago. He was only giving me answers now?
“I can smell the distrust pouring off of you and I deserve it,” he grumbled. “But it took time to do this right and quietly. I also didn’t want to come every time I crossed off a name or lead.”
“That’s fair.” I gestured at the table for him to sit and then slid onto a chair… The other fairies sitting around me. Even Neldor was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest. I’d warned them about my past with Collins and wanted them to see firsthand how bad things truly were for us.
Which was why they were all wearing telepathy runes.
“Pr-Prince Neldor?” he stuttered. “Damnit. Now I will never get a chance at any of the estates if she has backup. I’ll never have her blood again for sure. Though more of them might be the only way I survive when the council learns I lied to them.”
He was such a wonderful person, I just wanted to dropkick him off that mountain Neldor had taken me to.
We let Collins and his thoughts race, something he seemed to understand, wincing and clearing his throat. “So you’ve clearly gotten into Faerie and found others.”
“What did you need, Collins?” I asked. “Would you like something to drink? Not me ever again, but tea perhaps?”