Page 89 of Fake Dating a Human 101

“He’s joking, right?” Lily asked Shayne as she yanked his coat off and handed it to him. “They’re not actually coming…” Images of Jethwire’s twisted smile filled her head. She turned and looked into the trees.

A small red object soared through the air above. It spiralled down, and Lily flinched as it sped past her face and landed by Shayne’s feet. Shayne looked like he’d been slapped when he stared at it.

“Is that what I think it is?” Cress asked from across the clearing.

No one answered. There was no denying the bright red paper bird resting upon a bed of moss.

It took Lily a second to realize her hands were shaking. She balled them into fists.

“They’re already here for me?” Shayne’s question was quiet, like he was asking himself. “I thought I’d have more time.”

Mycra jumped to her feet. Whatever humour was on her face before had fled. She whirled toward Luc. “I think it’s time to go now,” she urged.

Luc sighed. “Not yet, Dreamslipper. Have some patience.”

“We can’t face off with the House of Lyro!” she argued. “This isn’t funny anymore!”

“What are you two talking about?!” Cress marched between them and looked from one to the other.

“Actually, it’s hilarious,” Luc corrected. “But not to worry…” He sniffed and turned around a few times like he was looking for something in the woods. When he couldn’t seem to find it, he scratched his head.

Just then, a robust fairy with a menacing face and black armour materialized in the clearing.

Cress and Dranian jumped, Mor’s sword buzzed to life, and Lily gasped as Shayne pulled her behind him. Mor took one step toward the fairy with his sword raised before Luc lifted a hand to stop him.

“It took you long enough!” Luc snapped at the Shadow Fairy. Mor slowed his steps while Luc laid his hand flat before the newcomer. “Give me the documents,” he demanded.

The Shadow Fairy looked around at the group, taking in faces. After a moment, he reached into his armour and unearthed a thin scroll. “The vote was close,” he said in a dark voice as Luc unrolled the scroll. “You foxes and your nine lives,” he added with a mutter. The Shadow Fairy took a step back like he was about to do something, like drop to the ground, but Luc suddenly kicked him in the knee.

“Not in front of the others, you fool. You’re ruining the surprise.” Then, to everyone else, Luc shouted, “I would like the record to show that I, singlehandedly, fixedeverything. That none of you fools were clever enough when it was needed, and that every time one of you was in trouble, it was me who showed up. And if you ever forget it, I’ll ruin you.” He rolled the scroll and stuffed it into his pocket.

Shayne put on his coat and pulled out his fairsaber handle. The blade formed with an electric popping sound. “You’re crazy, Foxy,” he said. Then to Lily, he instructed, “Go with my brothers. I’ll hold off my family while you get home.”

Luc’s jaw nearly hit the forest floor. “Did you not hear everything I just said, North Fairy?!” he shouted at Shayne’s back. With a tight-lipped scowl, Luc marched across the clearing andgrabbedLily by the arm. “Try to keep up unless you really want to lose her!” he snapped at the others. “We’re going somewhere dark!”

The last thing Lily saw in the clearing was Shayne spinning and his eyes going wide as he lashed out to try and grab her back. Everyone leapt into motion, but no one reached her.

Lily was sucked into a speeding tunnel of air. Luc’s arm secured her as they flew, veering around shapes Lily didn’t have time to focus on.

At least thirty seconds passed before they slowed. The world spun around her even after they stopped and Luc let her go. Lily grabbed the side of her head and fell into the grass. She held her breath against a wave of nausea before she could look up and take in her surroundings.

This place was dimmer than the forest. A big, turbulent cloud swirled overhead, and cold air swept over her flesh. A long, narrow clearing surrounded them, where a dark line of ash or some other black substance stretched across the space in both directions as far as Lily could see.

“Where are we?” she asked.

“We’re in the Dark Corner of Ever, dear Lily,” Luc told her.

“What?! Why did you bring mehere?” she said back. “And why in the world did you just steal me from the others?”

Luc spun around, knelt, and poked his finger beneath her chin to tilt her face up. His eyes were a little wilder and brighter than normal. The gesture reminded her of a certain white-haired fairy with a flute, and she smacked his hand away, making Luc’s heart-shaped mouth twist. “You make yourself a target for fairies, you know. Being feisty like that makes you more valuable. Even I’m tempted to sell you at this point.” He snarled a little as he stood and turned away from her. “I’m here now,” he shouted at the trees where shapes and shadows shifted.

Lily fell back on her hands when Shadow Fairies emerged from the forest. “Luc…” she said in warning. Or maybe it was a plea, or an accusation; she wasn’t sure. “What’s happening?”

Mor burst out of the air. His fist was up and swinging at Luc as he landed, and Luc hardly dodged it in time. Luc whirled and kicked Mor off his feet. “Get a grip, Trisencor. In a second, you’re going to be very sorry you attacked me here.”

When Luc strode over to join the Shadow Fairies, Lily crawled over to where Mor balanced on one elbow. Mor’s hair had come loose, and a grass stain covered his arm where he fell.

“Just stay behind me,” he warned Lily when she reached him. She realized Mor was trembling as he dragged his feet beneath him and crouched like he was bracing himself. She watched his brown-silver eyes dart between the Shadow Fairies emerging from the forest and drawing their weapons. They slinked forward in silence, making an odd formation that gave Lily the feeling they were being surrounded.

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