The afternoon slid away, and I found myself dozing, listening to Alan pace and mutter while Edna goaded him on, poking at him any way she could. Near the end of the day, as the sun was dipping low showing through the one tiny barred window that sat above our heads in our cell, and the other inmates rattling about asking for their dinner, a sound I recognized tugged at my ears.
I sat upright, my back protesting the sudden movement after lying on the hard bench for so long, muscles cold and slack. I twisted around to look at the one window that let fresh, humid air into the small cell. The flutter of gossamer wings and the tinkling of bells were music to the ragged bands of hope I had left in me.
I breathed out her name like a prayer. “Kink.”
4
The fluttering of Kinkly’s wings kept my eyes locked on the window until she appeared, all dressed in black, which was not her color. She was an autumn-toned fairy from her skin to her hair and eyes, and she normally wore various shades of browns, golds, and yellows that blended with and complemented her natural tones. The black clothing only made her four-inch stature look smaller.
“What the hell kind of bug is that? Gross!” Fancy Pants yelled and threw a shoe at Kinkly.
“Stop it!” I tried to grab the shoe in midair but ended up just knocking it to the side, which was better than it hitting the small fairy. I hurried to the window as Kinkly slid through and dropped onto my upturned palm.
I guess just like Crash, Kink made humans see her as something else.
She shuddered as she pushed on one of the handcuffs with her foot. “These are old school iron. They did that because of your fae blood. It dulls your magic.”
Damn, I hadn’t even thought about trying to magic my way out of this other than to boss the officer around. Mostly because I didn’t understand my magic or how to use it. “What’s happening? Corb said you’d tell me.”
“You know your trial is set for tomorrow?” She grimaced. “I mean, trial isn’t really the appropriate word since it’s an absolute farce and they just plan on killing you ASAP.” She drew her finger across her neck for good measure
I nodded. “I know.”
Fancy Pants came to stand at my shoulder. “Um. Are you talking to a bug?”
I turned so my back was to her and found myself staring down at the woman who still lay on the floor. She was staring up at me. “That bug talks. She’s pretty.”
Well, shit, apparently drugs could heighten the ability to see through the glamor disguising the shadow world. Not that I’m suggesting you try it. Don’t do drugs, kids, bad idea that.
Kinkly fluttered her wings, hovering over my hand. “I have a way to get you out of here.”
She shot upward, dodged an amazingly fast swinging fist from Fancy Pants, and slid back through the window. The window was a good two feet above my head so I couldn’t see what was going on outside. I did, however, hear a low growl that could have been Sarge in his werewolf form. My hopes surged again.
Maybe this was a breakout?
As soon as the words passed through my mind, I knew that was the case. This was a damn breakout! Giddiness flowed over me, washing away the fatigue as I danced on the spot with the sudden urge to pee. I locked my knees tight together and focused on my Kegels for a second to get control of my bladder.
“Kinkly!” I whisper-yelled her name, and she peeked back through the bars and down at me.
“What?”
“I’m going to need my bag and all the stuff they’ve got in the evidence room,” I said.
She bobbed her head. “We have someone on it! We got you, Bree.”
Warmth fluttered through my belly and spread outward. My friends were amazing. How in the world had I ever made it through life without them?
Then she dragged a container through the bars that I recognized on sight. “Boy butter? Do you think I’m going to smear it on me and squeeze through the bars on the window? They are way too close together!”
Fancy Pants groaned and stumbled away to the far side of the room. “I’m going over here to lie down because I did not just see a big ass bug drag expensive lube through that window.”