Queen of the Fae (Dragon's Gift The Dark Fae #3) - Linsey Hall Page 0,4

bit got on me, but it was enough to help direct my premonition sense.”

“What do you mean?” Aeri asked.

“I think my mother sent me a vision.”

Aeri’s gaze was riveted to my arm, then to the torn sleeve that I’d flung away. It lay on the grass.

“Let’s go to P & P,” Cass said. “You can get some water, and Connor can figure out whatever was in that potion that the Fae hit you with.”

Connor was a potions master as well as the owner of our favorite bar, Potions & Pastilles.

“And you look like you need something stronger than water,” Aeri said.

“That’s the truth,” Cass said.

I grinned wearily, then looked at the Thorn Wolf. “Burn, go guard the house, would you?”

He woofed low in his throat, then disappeared. Wally followed.

Our house might have a hole blown in the back wall, but if Burn and Wally were guarding it, no one would get in.

“I’m going to head back to my place to get something to take care of this bastard.” Cass nudged the Fae’s still foot.

“You’re the best.” I smiled at her. Unlike the demons we normally killed in our day jobs, Unseelie Fae bodies didn't just disappear. Having a friend to do the dirty cleanup work—before any cops showed up—was worth a million bucks.

Cass saluted. “Any time, pal.”

She loped off toward the warm golden lights of P & P and her shop. Both were located right across from the park and a few doors down from each other.

“Come on.” Aeri helped me stand. “Let’s get you to P & P.”

We could possibly do it at home as well—neither of us was a slouch with potions—but Connor was particularly good at this sort of thing. He’d probably be faster, too, especially since most of our ingredients were smashed beneath the broken wall.

“The vision was bad, Aeri.” I couldn’t help but play it over in my mind.

“Tell me all about it over some coffee and a pasty.”

My stomach growled, and I grimaced, my gaze going to the body next to me. Connor’s famous Cornish pasties were a rare treat, and apparently I hadn’t eaten in a while. “Yeah. Let’s go.”

I found my stilettos, which had fallen off in the fight. One had a broken heel. “Damn it. I liked that pair.”

I picked up the stilettos, which were midnight black with silver spikes all over them. I used the heel of the unbroken one to scoop up the torn sleeve, not wanting to touch it with my bare skin.

Aeri helped me across the grass. I spotted Cass locking up her shop, and she passed us on her way back to the body, a big bag slung over her shoulder.

She stopped briefly. “I don’t know what to do with this guy, so just send me a message if you want him for any reason.”

“Check if he’s got something that will help locate the queen of the Unseelie,” I said. “Otherwise, just get rid of him.”

“On it.”

“You’re the best. I owe you one.”

“You’ve had my back plenty. Payback time.” She raced off, and Aeri and I continued on.

We crossed the street and entered P & P, which was nearly empty save for a few old men huddled around a table drinking golden whiskey. The rush would come soon, once people made it from the Business District to this side of town for a night out.

The warm interior smelled of pastries and whiskey, an excellent evening combination. Golden light shined from mason jar lamps that hung on wires from the ceiling. Warm wood glowed under their light, and local art decorated the walls. It was a trendy, hipster place, with unrecognizable but pleasant music playing on the speakers.

Connor looked up from behind the counter, his floppy dark hair swept over his forehead. He grinned and waved. Today, his band T-shirt proclaimed him a fan of Worakles, which I’d never heard of. But then, Connor had broad taste in music.

His sister, Claire, pushed through the door behind the counter, coming from the kitchen in the back. She wore her black fighting leathers and had a streak of blood across her face.

“You’re going to have to clean up if you’re working tonight,” Connor said.

Claire grinned at him. “Consider it my night off.”

“Ha-ha. As if.” Connor flicked some water at his sister.

Claire was a mercenary for the Order of the Magica, one of the supernatural governments. She helped out at P & P occasionally, but it was primarily Connor’s baby. He was a hearth witch and potions master, which made