Page 23 of Faerie Hunted

“Sure.” It couldn’t hurt, after all. At least if we got to the bottom of this blood disorder, I’d be back in fighting shape for whatever would come once Barbara spilled the truth. “Hey, you look worried. I know you didn’t just come up here to check on me. Is something else going on?”

Bronwen shifted from foot to foot and the air stilled in my chest, my lungs seized.

“What is it?”

“Okay, well, at least you’re sitting down for this,” she said at last.

“And I’d feel a little better if you sat, too.”

“I’m too nervous to sit. I heard some disturbing rumors during our last meeting of the Claw & Fang, things trickling in from cities outside of our district.”

I pushed myself up until I sat cross-legged. “What kind of rumors?”

“Apparently, there are some factions of shifters who have walked away and crossed the wall into Unseelie territory. The enchanted wall that we’re not supposed to be able to cross. But they’ve left, just abandoned the rest of us.”

This didn’t bode well. Clearing my throat broke the awkward silence that had settled over us. “You mean, they’re aligning with Dorian Jade?”

Bronwen frowned. “Yeah, we think so. Why else would they risk going over the wall? There’s nothing for them in Unseelie territory except for him and his ridiculous rebels.” She scoffed, but she’d gone pale.

“Does Selene know about this?” I asked.

Bronwen shook her head. “Selene left this morning to go on a trip back to her hometown. She won’t be back for a few days.”

“Hey, instead of getting all in your head about this, it might be best for you to wait until Selene gets back and talk to her, see what she knows. She’s the best person to keep everyone else in line.”

I was one to talk. I’d delved so far into my own head, I wondered if I’d ever get out.

“Ah, you’re right.” Bronwen deflated. “Of course you’re right. It just seems like things are really boiling over at his point. I mean, why would our people want to join Dorian Jade?”

“Your guess is as good as mine. And I’m no help to anyone in this bed.”

“Right, right. I’ll go and find the dukun as soon as possible. Melia’s been really wanting to find some way to help you. I’d take her with me but it seems like it might put her into more danger,” Bronwen continued. “She’s going crazy wanting to see you but we all know it’s not really safe.”

I couldn’t risk having her come to visit me. “Tell her I miss her but she needs to stay away. Things are going to boil over, like you said, and sooner than we think.”

“It’s been hard to keep her back.” Bronwen gnawed on her lip. “She’s really worried.”

Melia had a reason to be worried. “She’s a great friend,” I whispered, my eyes going teary.

“You know we’re here for you, Tavi. We’re all here for you. I promise I’ll hunt down the witch doctor and—” She stopped short at the sound of heavy footsteps in the hallway.

I waved my hand to get her to be quiet.

“Hey. Hey!” Baldric’s voice sounded from the hallway. “You can’t just barge in here. Step back, please—don’t!”

“Get out. Get out right now,” I hissed to Bronwen. “Hurry.”

Her face blanched further. Noren leapt up, his hackles raised and a low whining howl erupting from his maw.

Bronwen shifted in an instant and flew out the open window as I ripped the needle out of my arm. I needed to be able to move, to fight.

To do whatever it took to make sure they didn’t follow her.

Within seconds, the guards I’d been expecting burst into the room with their weapons drawn and aimed at me. “Tavi Alderidge? Come with us. You’re under arrest for crimes against the royal family.”

7

Crimes against the?—

---