Page 67 of Welcome to Fae Cafe

“You’ll have to cut your hair off,” Dranian composed himself long enough to say, and Shayne threw his head back and roared.

“Don’t lie to her, Dranian,” Mor said. “Your trick is cruel enough on its own. And we don’t need the extra curses of falsehoods following us around.” Mor headed into the kitchenette and pulled over the coffee maker.

“I warned you,” Shayne said as he stood from the couch. “You should have just told us about your knitting club.”

“I have to go to a formal dance tonight!” Kate shouted at Shayne this time. Shayne ignored her by scooping the coffee for Mor, so Kate smacked his arm. “I can’t go looking like this.”

“So, don’t go.” Shayne shrugged.

“Ihaveto go. It’s the only way to get Lily back,” Kate said.

Shayne stopped what he was doing and turned to face her. “You care about that human friend that much?” he challenged.

“Yes. And I’m going to make you pay for putting these knots in my hair!”

A wicked smile spread over Shayne’s face. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this upset, Kate Kole. You weren’t even this mad when we tried to kill you at the academy.”

Kate bit her lips together and turned on Dranian.

“Okay. First, you’re going to tell me how to get all these horrible knots out of my hair.”

Dranian tried to keep his lips pinched, but after a second he blurted, “Rinse it with hot water and the paste will melt.” He smacked a cactus plant off the counter as he said it. Then, after dirt and roots scattered over the tiles, he rigidly stomped to the broom closet to clean up his mess.

“Second”—Kate pointed to her hair—“you’re going to redeem yourselves from this terrible prank by coming with me tonight, and we’re going to collectively make my friend have the best night of her life at this stupid fundraiser. Do you all understand?”

Mor’s smirk vanished. “That is a bad idea. One of these fools will cause a scene.” He nodded to Shayne and Dranian.

“Not. My. Problem.” Kate snatched her brush off the countertop and went to flush her hair with hot water.

Whispers of winter arrived. The air ached with prickles of frost, and Kate’s breath became a fountain of pale mist every time she opened her mouth. The last remnants of fall were being swept up by the icy breeze and tucked away to hide until next year. The city was still; Ontarians were nestled into their homes with their fireplaces on, unaware of the creatures that walked the roads of their town as dusk arrived.

“This is a waste of time,” Dranian muttered as Kate and three fae assassins walked into the community centre beneath strings of twinkling bulbs and cheap party streamers. “What if Cress is dead?”

Moonlight glistened into the lobby through the unwashed windows, marking a silver path across an otherwise dark hall. Kate brushed a hand down the front of her sleek black dress, asking herself whether she looked okay or completely ridiculous in such a form-fitting outfit. She missed her fluffy slippers and the yellow sweater she’d given away.

Her first step in sent her wobbling on her heels. Dranian’s hand flashed to her arm to steady her. As soon as she was balanced, he tore his hand away and rolled his eyes. Kate stifled a smile. Dranian still appeared sore about Kate forcing him to spend the morning delicately untangling her hair with a wet brush.

The other half of the morning Kate had spent trying unsuccessfully to teach Shayne how to drive a car he said hebought. The lesson lasted until the fae admitted the car was stolen and Kate had jumped out of it and smacked his shoulder. The shortened lesson was for the best anyway since it turned out Shayne had horrifyingly aggressive road rage. He nearly ripped the steering wheel out of the car when someone cut him off downtown. After they got back to the café, Shayne had gotten abnormally charming, feeding Kate dozens of totally fake compliments which she knew he was only doing so she wouldn’t command him to return the stolen car.

But none of them had complained this afternoon when Kate told them all to dress up and do their hair. She’d come out of the bathroom and was caught off guard by how fast, and howwell, they cleaned up. Their glamourous charm was only the icing on the cake though. It was the comfort of having them walking into this fundraiser beside her that was the biggest relief of all.

The truth was, Kate might not have come if she’d had to walk in alone.

“When are we going to continue looking for Cress?” Dranian muttered in a growl to Mor again as the scent of warm appetizers drifted out from the main hall. The comment sounded like it was meant to be a whisper.

“Listen, if even one of you can make my friend laugh tonight, I’ll help you search for your Prince in the morning,” Kate decided. “I’ll tell you everything I can about what happened, with the exception of details regarding my knitting club.” She didn’t mention that there weren’t many details that didn’t include the knitting club.

Dranian and Mor exchanged a glance. They both looked at Shayne.

Shayne sighed. “Fine. I’ll do it. Point me in the direction of your human friend with the ugly hair,” he said to Kate.

Kate’s jaw dropped. “Lily’s hair isnotugly.”

Shayne didn’t reply, but his face said it all.

“What if Cress is watching us and wondering what we’re doingherewhen we should be searching for him?” Dranian’s hands were in fists. They’d been like that since they left the apartment.

“Stop worrying. Your Prince isn’t watching us,” Kate assured.

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