Page 24 of Kiss of Smoke

Jack opened it, allowing a blue pixie to flutter inside.

“Message delivery for Briallen Appletree,” the pixie announced, then caught sight of Sisse sitting on an overturned glass. He gawked at her until I snapped my fingers, catching his attention again.

“That’s me,” I told him, exchanging a silver coin for the message. He tipped his hat and flew off, casting a glance backwards at Sisse, who was preening at the attention.

I unfolded the piece of paper, discovering a message in unfamiliar writing. A pang of sadness went through me as I read.

“What is it?” Robin asked, clearly dying to look over my shoulder.

“It’s from Carabosse. She’s leaving, and she’s left Beans—that’s her cat sìth—in my care.” I’d never known the little fairy cat had a name, let alone that she’d called him Beans. “She doesn’t think he’d do well in the human world.”

I refolded the note and tucked it inside my jacket. Despite her prickliness, I had a deep affection for the old woman, and the idea of never seeing her again was a painful one. I wished I could’ve had one last conversation with her that wasn’t an argument.

But at least I’d have Beans as a reminder, and I was glad she trusted me to keep him safe and happy.

“We’ll get him,” Robin said, pulling on his jacket. “We need to check the harbor, make sure the Fae are willing to deliver humans out of Avilion.” He gave Titania a sharp look. “Some of us have to prevent a bloodbath.”

Titania didn’t react, only toasted him carelessly with her teacup. “There was already a bloodbath. This is just a taste of their own medicine.”

9

I only managedthree enormous bites of pasta before Gwyn and Jack whisked me out the door, while Robin retrieved one of the cars from his underground garage.

I glanced between the two of them. They both had their own means of transportation, and Gwyn was already astride his horned bike.

Both of them looked at me expectantly.

By the trees, why did something so simple have to be such a difficult choice?

“I’ll ride with Gwyn for now,” I said, climbing on behind him. “I want to see what’s going on in the city.”

Jack nodded, only the tiniest trace of disappointment in his fine features. “I’ll meet Robin at the Harbor, and join you at Carabosse’s house once we’re sure the Fae will take the humans.”

He vanished, leaving nothing but a sparkling gust of snowfall behind him, and Gwyn revved his bike.

Moments later we were flying over Thornwood, and from this height, I saw something I’d never seen before.

“What in the trees isthat?” I demanded, craning my neck upwards.

The sky, bright blue and full of cheerful, fluffy clouds, as though totally oblivious to the mayhem happening beneath it, had a shimmer.

It glittered directly overhead, slowly creeping downwards like molten glass.

“That’s the Veil.” Gwyn dropped down further. “She’s pulling it back down.”

Since the Unveiled Accords had been signed before I was born, I’d never actually seen the Veil in person. It was beautiful, but I had nothing but a sense of impending doom.

If it came down before all the innocent mortals left Avilion…

“We have to go faster.” I hugged Gwyn tightly around the middle. “Let’s try to view the Harbor on the way.”

Gwyn nodded, riding between the buildings of downtown Avilion and towards Acionna Harbor, where the Eridanus River sparkled in the distance as it flowed towards the ocean.

The sense of total helplessness only intensified as the ships came into view.

Gwyn hovered over the white buildings of the Harbor. I thought I caught sight of Robin on the docks below, arguing with a nereid captain.

The harbor had never been this packed before. Hundreds of humans lined the streets and docks, some empty-handed, others dragging suitcases and backpacks. Entire families huddled together, and one large group even had ropes tied around their waists, connecting each other in a chain so they couldn’t be separated.

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