to violate my trust again. Not that I placed my trust in him or anything. I didn’t completely object to his nightly visits in the fantasy world, but he needed to make an appointment first and I would check my schedule and see if I could fit him in.
I didn’t like surprises these days, and I for sure wasn’t a big fan of people showing up at my door unannounced.
The arrival of the Summer King and Winter King would screw up my plans if I let them.
I immediately squatted under the counter while everyone else in the club seemed to freeze and stared at Baron and Rowan like they were superstars. Hushed murmurs spread like the summer rain.
“Cover me, Indira,” I whispered. “If the two dudes come to ask about me, you tell them I don’t work here anymore.”
“Are they the assassins?” Indira whispered back. “You’re so screwed, Evie. Even I can’t help you now.”
“No, they’re worse. They told me they’re the silly kings.”
“Seelie.” Indira’s eyes went round. “It’s S-E-E-L-I-E. They’re the formidable, scary, and cruel Seelie kings. They’re big deals. How did you tangle up with them, too?”
“By unfortunate accident?” I said. “I don’t see how they are big deals, but they are stalkers. Don’t look down at me! You’ll give me up, man. And stop talking to me before they’re gone.”
“They’re here,” Indira said and straightened her back.
“Lady Evie, why are you hiding from me?” Rowan said, leaning on the counter and peeking down at me. “I can scent you in a crowd of tens of thousands.”
He was bluffing. No one had that kind of nose.
“I wasn’t hiding,” I hissed. “I was looking for the tips I dropped. Some patrons are dirt cheap here and give meager tips, so every penny counts.” I showed them a dollar bill in my palm that I secretly pulled out from a pocket as I straightened up and rotated my neck. “Found it.”
“This is a bad place for you to work,” Baron growled. “You don’t need to stay in this shithole. I told you that it’d be my privilege to provide for you.”
“Stop it, Baron,” I said. “First, this is the most upscale club in the country. My friend, the legendary barmaid in the supernatural community,” I jerked a thumb toward Indira, “also works here. Don’t insult her as well. Second, when did I become your kept woman? Just because you were in my house once, invited by my sweet little sister, doesn’t mean you have the right to decide my life. And any further invitation to my house is revoked as of this second. For both of you.”
Baron narrowed his darkened eyes on me, and I glared back, my chin held high.
A drunk Fae swaggered to the counter and leered at me. “Hey, sugar.”
Baron swiveled his glare and punched the rogue Fae in his teeth.
The drunk clapped a hand to his bleeding nose, rage in his eyes as he wheeled to his attacker. When he saw who had punched him, he fled.
If the rogue was stupid enough to contest, Baron or Rowan would have gutted him right there. The magical world was like the Wild West.
“You guys need to leave now, seriously,” I growled at Rowan and Baron. “You won’t get me fired. I warn you.”
Indira dragged my sleeve and pulled me aside while K came over to check out the situation.
She whispered into my ear, her hand covering the corner of her mouth to prevent her voice from spreading, “You can’t talk to them like that, Evie. They’re the true Seelie kings. They can break your neck like a twig with a thought. I’ll educate you on what the Seelie and Unseelie courts are like when we’re safe, but for now, stay low and keep your mouth shut.”
“I’m going to kill Rydstrom,” Rowan proclaimed, standing so still I almost thought he was an ice statue. Yet, lethal power rolled off him in spades. “He took what belongs to me. After I kill him, I’ll take back what’s mine.”
“Let’s tear down his despicable establishment first,” Baron said viciously.
A group of Night knights filed in, surrounding Baron and Rowan. Everyone drew their blades, including K.
The kings from the Summer and Winter courts sneered, their powers rippling in the air, and they eased their longswords from behind their backs.
“Let’s kill them all, Summer King,” Rowan said, puffing out fogged breaths.
“Stop!” I shouted, leaping over the long bar to block the kings and knights from advancing on each other. I wouldn’t allow them to