Page 40 of Faerie Hunted

Onyx appeared at my side, his face pale and grim. “It’s time for us to go now. Forget the car.”

“Get away from the house,” the male continued. “We’re calling the FIB!”

His concern broke through the spell I’d cast and the three-eyed fae slammed the door in my face. We’d been made.

“Tavi,now.” Onyx was half a second away from tossing me over his shoulder and running, which we both knew would be impossible for him in his current state. He sagged heavily against the front porch stoop, white-knuckled.

I nodded and we took off in a quick jog, turning around several corners to try and lose the couple.

“Someone saw you,” he added breathlessly.

“You were supposed to be keeping a watch and make sure I wasn’t interrupted,” I said.

And I had failed. Which somehow didn’t make me feel any better about using my powers against good people. It was the same kind of shame I’d felt after using it on my friend back at the Halfling Academy, Nora Kwan.

I wasn’t sure how long we jogged until Onyx stumbled. “I’m sorry.” He ducked his head. “I can’t go anymore. I’ve gotta stop.”

His face twisted in an agonized grimace and he gripped the wall like a lifeline.

This wasn’t a time for me to give in to the strain, or my own desperation and tears.

I was the only one who could get us out of here. “Okay.” I drew in a shaky breath, forcing my mind to head down a dozen avenues of possibilities.

What the hell should we do?

I ushered Onyx into a tight alcove between two buildings, partially hidden from the street by a portico. “Okay, you stay here. I’m going to fix this.”

He shook his head. “There’s nothing for you to fix, Tavi. We’re not going to be able to steal a car.”

My brow furrowed. “Watch me.”

I just needed a little boost and I’d be able to make my cognitive manipulation work, I knew it.

It was too much of a risk to head back to the last car we saw but there had to be another even in a small town like this one.

Keeping my head low, I trekked down the streets, my magic a thin reed keeping my features blurred if not disguised. It was the best I could manage on my hunt and my heart beat frantically at every dead end. Or in this case, every empty driveway.

Claribel had driven a car so I knew they existed, and not just for Bureau workers.

Finally, between a restaurant and a cobbler’s store, I saw one. A little two-door thing painted a vibrant yellow like a buttercup. I suppressed a groan. We’d be super conspicuous in it but Onyx couldn’t go any further.

And I highly doubted we’d make it far with him strapped to Noren’s back. The direwolf was massive but Onyx was a fully grown adult shifter. Not light by any means.

Before I gave in to my doubts, I went up to the car and tested the door, and found it unlocked. My throat constricted as I slid into the driver’s seat.

There was no typical ignition slot to slide in a key but rather a small indentation in the center of the dashboard.

I searched underneath the seat, in the center console, and anywhere I could think of where the owner might have stashed the necessary crystal but I came up empty.

I glanced out the window, nervous sweat beading along my hairline and upper lip.

Too late to turn back now.

I brought theTotalisout from my pocket and held it up.

Cognitive manipulation worked on fae and humans.

Could it work on inanimate objects if I had the artifact with me? Time to figure it the hell out.

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