Page 98 of Welcome to Fae Cafe

“Maybe a little. But I think I’ve fallen for them, too. And crazy doesn’t even begin to cover it.”Lily had been brushing her teeth, but she stuck her head out of the bathroom to say it.

“So how do I keep him here?”

“Cress?”Lily’s spitting had been loud enough to wake the neighbourhood, but she came out of the bathroom wiping her mouth and said,“I guess we have to figure out what’s forcing him to go back and get rid of the problem.”

Even several blocks away, it was still Lily’s voice ruling Kate’s conscience as she kicked through the snow on the sidewalk.

The parking lots at the university were empty of cars, and the buildings seemed like haunted castles at night. Only the student housing across the campus had a few lamps on inside.

Kate wandered into her literature class building, relieved to see the hall lit up with murky yellow bulbs. All the doors were closed, the classrooms left in darkness. Her footsteps echoed as she made her way through.

The crime scene tape remained across the library doors. Kate ducked beneath it and pushed her way in, instantly met with the smells of drywall and fresh paint. The floor was cleared of damaged books, but dust and a few torn page corners weren’t swept up yet. The desks were pushed to the middle, leaving two large aisles down each side where it looked like construction had begun to patch up the holes and fix all the broken shelves.

Kate wandered around the mess and made her way to the back. The map of pink yarn was gone, but she followed her memory to the shelf where theFairy Book ofRules and Masterieswas hidden.

She spotted it on a higher shelf than before. It was almost like someone had tried to make it difficult for her to get it again. Kate grunted and started climbing. She reached for the book, her fingers barely brushing the spine, and she flicked it out inch by inch until the tome tipped off and landed on the floor with abang.

Dust trickled down, and Kate coughed as she knelt and flipped the book open. She got to the page about enslaving a fae, and she ran her finger down the list of names, ignoring the written cautions and warnings. She slid her phone out of her pocket and snapped a picture.

One picture was all she would need when she approached the Shadow Fairies and spoke their names to enslave them. One chance was all she would have to keep Cress from having to go back.

33

Prince Cressica and the Memories He Couldn’t Find

Humans flocked the cathedral in pairs and small family herds. It seemed Thelma Lewis had left quite the impression on many in the realm. From his seat at the back, Cress watched the wooden benches fill with well-aged human females in odd hats and black garments. A few hobbled to where Kate, Lily, and Kate’s-brother-Greyson stood at the side, dressed just as dully as everyone else. Though, Kate’s burgundy hair was down and lovely. A pair of Thelma’s earrings hung from her earlobes.

Cress wore black according to the human custom, but nothing fit quite right. Half his garments belonged to Kate’s-brother-Greyson, and the other half were stolen by Shayne from a “donation bin.” Cress’s sweater was so tight, he was sure he would burst out of it in front of all the mourners.

He’d ordered the rest of his assassins to stay at the café. Cress only came himself to keep an eye on their humans. And perhaps he wished to say one more farewell to Thelma Lewis, too.

Ghastly music filled the space when a human male went to the front and sat at a wooden machine with ivory buttons. A dozen pipes came out the back, riding up the wall into the intricately painted ceiling.

Those standing began to sit. Cress’s nose wrinkled from a prickling sensation as someone passed by in the aisle. His attention was on Kate taking her seat until a male with a head of dark hair slid down the row and took the seat directly behind her. The male turned and looked back, right at Cress.

The wind and sky and earth crashed into Cress all at once.

Bonswick’s glower was glassy and silver. The High Lord of the East cast a wicked, cruel smile toward the back of the cathedral. He placed a casual hand on Kate’s shoulder and leaned forward to whisper in her ear. Kate turned and gave him a faint smile without really looking back.

“Look at him,” Cress whispered. His blood was ice cold. “Look, you foolish human,” he begged her, but Kate stared at the front where a human in long white robes glided across the stage.

Cress clasped his hands. His fairsaber was warm against his back; his fingers itched to grab it.

The humancelebration of lifeservice dragged on. Kate gave a short, teary speech during which Bonswick glanced back again and pouted in mock sympathy. There was nothing Cress wanted more than to spring over the wooden seats and stab Bonswick where he sat.

Lily and Kate’s-brother-Greyson gave speeches, too. Songs were sung, and memories of Thelma were shared that warmed the space, apart from the second bench to the front.

The moment it ended, Cress leapt up and moved around the pews. Humans shuffled his way, and he stopped when he realized he’d stood out of turn. Those at the front came toward the back, so Cress swept to the side to let them pass. He trained his icy turquoise gaze on Bonswick who followed so close to Kate Kole’s back, it was a wonder she didn’t feel his faeborn breath.

Cress let the humans pass.

He let Kate pass.

He slid into the exodus beside Bonswick, his hand beneath the back of his sweater on his fairsaber.

“Prince,” Bonswick said quietly when Cress was close enough to hear. “What’s worse? To be hated, or to be betrayed?” A slow, mean smile spread over the High Lord face. “Or both?”

Cress said nothing as they marched outside.

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