Page 33 of Sharpen Your Claws

“Must fae pop up out of nowhere?” she huffed.

Charmaine’s attention settled on Evera, making her breath catch. Nicholas disliked Evera entirely, but he wasn’t foolish enough to claim others wouldn’t be taken by her beauty. She had an air about her that warranted admiration until she opened her mouth.

“I was on the rooftop just there.” Evera pointed across the street. “It isn’t my fault if you didn’t see me. Care to introduce us, Nicholas, seeing as I sense you’ve involved me in something without my permission?”

“Charmaine, this is Evera Bloodbane. Evera, this is Charmaine Tuckerton. We served together against Fearworn and she is a dear friend of William,” he explained with a beatific smile. “You will investigate the outer banks with Charmaine today. We believe a shadowed disciple is kidnapping humans.”

“So that’s what you’ve been snooping around for.” Evera crossed her arms and pointed her nose skyward. “Why should I help?”

“You’re meant to keep me out of trouble, so why not get a little enjoyment out of it?”

Evera jabbed a nail into his chest. “This isn’t enjoyment. You’re using me.”

“Isn’t it better than stalking me all day?”

Her pursed lips said she agreed but refused to say so. William exited the warehouse. His attention strayed to Evera, who perked at the sight of him.

“This must be William,” she said smugly. “What a pleasure to finally have a face to the name.”

“Yes, I heard about you, too.” William kept a distance from her. “Did Nicholas speak to you already?”

“Yes, it seems this lovely mortal and I will be searching for a shadowed disciple.” Evera smirked at having made Charmaine stiffen. Nicholas bit back a laugh, if only not to earn a lecture from William. Then Evera took Charmaine by the arm and wiggled her fingers. “Have fun with your shade today. Try to keep his leash tight. He’s known for wandering off.”

13

Charmaine

Charmaineneverexpectedtobe alone with a strange fae, Evera Bloodbane especially. William mentioned how Evera and Nicholas were expected to have children together because of deals their parents struck. However, Evera had been nothing more than a topic of discussion. In a way, she was a novelty, a mysterious person and a figure of their imagination. There had never been a face for the name, certainly not one any could accurately imagine.

Evera shared the blessing all fae did; unnatural beauty. Her unusual gray skin made her even more alluring. She wore a plain blouse and trousers with a leather jacket, attire that would look normal on anyone else, but she had the presence of a goddess. If the Broken Soul could take a physical form, Evera could be the closest representation. It was irritating, in a way, forcing her to grapple with the fact that she could hardly take her eyes off the fae and it wasn’t entirely because of distrust.

The fae prowled the streets better than natives, finding thin alleyways perfect for hiding or watching peculiar strangers from afar. If Charmaine didn’t know better, she’d claim Evera took their patrol seriously. She and Evera were given the western side of the outer banks where many abandoned warehouses, factories, and homes presided. Once, the capital must have flourished because the old homes were built sturdy enough to survive prolonged years of neglect. Though their doors had caved in, porches rotted, and glass broke, the less fortunate used their interiors to escape the elements.

All reeked of wet soot, as if a perpetual smog laid over the land. The sun could be high and blazing bright, but the outer banks had a chill to it that seeped into one’s soul. She thought the chill was sadness itself made true, suffering that couldn’t be ignored, though she wished it would travel to the city center where King Ellis sat warm and full on his golden throne.

Evera didn’t understand any of that. She had a nonchalance about her, an effortless aura, and that made Charmaine even more curious.

They walked side by side where she monitored Evera’s every move in case she needed to defend herself. The other night, she sat in front of a candle and let the fire lick her fingertips. She called for the flames to dance, hardly containing the bile threatening to spill from her throat. After a minute, she let go, unable to not see the battlefield, Fearworn looming over her wrecked self, and death sprawled at her feet. Truthfully, if Evera attacked, she doubted she could fight, not the way she once had, and thus she would lose with minor struggle.

“Why did you agree to this?” she asked skeptically.

Evera kept her attention on their surroundings. “Nicholas made a point. I rather investigate the city than follow him, especially if he’s with William. Those two are likely humping in an alley by now.”

“Uh…” She ignored that last remark. “Is this helping? Do you sense anything?”

“Do you disagree?” Evera asked, her eyes blinking rapidly.

“On what?”

“Our companions partaking in sexual activities?”

She forced a contrived smile and wished desperately to be alone. “I am choosing not to agree or disagree because we are not here to discuss that.”

“Do you struggle with multitasking?” Evera examined her like a new found specimen.

“No, but I would prefer if we speak about why we are here, the missing patients, or the shadowed disciple. Let’s focus on that.” She stopped at the street corner. She hadn’t the opportunity to suggest a direction. Evera chose the right.

“I didn’t expect you to be the shy type, but so be it.” Evera walked backwards while maintaining eye contact. “I can tell you a shadowed disciple was here, but isn’t nearby. There are rats everywhere. One is about to run by you.”

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