Page 50 of Knave

Even made of stone, they were sharp enough to cut flesh. Evidence of which beaded on Tin’s index finger. Ferris could still sense the blood, smell the strange, sickly-sweet notes it carried.

“Well, damn,” Tin murmured. “Let’s avoid getting bit while we’re here.”

Tik-Tok chuckled. “Lucky for you, axe man, they’re easily killed by decapitation.”

“Let’s not rampage through this world if we can help it. Release only their heads so we can talk to them.”

“If I had the ability to turn certain body parts to stone, I would’ve started with your mouth,” Tik-Tok said, raising a brow as if challenging him.

“I dare you to try that shit on me again. Once was enough.” Tin’s gaze fell to the dagger still clutched in Ferris’s hand. “They have fae weaponry.”

“Good,” Tik-Tok said, studying the blade with a smirk. “We’re close then.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

Mouse

Mouse’s flesh was now stone, and she tried to scream, yet nothing would escape her mouth. She couldn’t shift her eyes, only focus on what was directly before her. Which looked to be two males who had come straight through a portal fromA Midsummer Night’s Dream. She wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if Shakespeare had conjured up his play after seeing them. Their pointed ears, the light way their words flowed from their mouths, their elegant movements. Theirmagic. Magic that had turned her and Ferris into stone statues that could still see, hear, and smell. The unwanted guests had said the dagger was fae weaponry… Were they truly fae like in the stories?

“Now,” Tik-Tok cooed, his red irises sparkling with mischief. “Which of these two should we unleash first?”

“Just fucking pick one,” Tin seethed, his shoulders broad like Ferris’s, his muscles bulging beneath his blue tunic. Silver hair hung down his back in a beautiful thick sheet.

Tik-Tok tapped his chest with his hand, one that appeared as if it was constructed of golden metal. And were those bolts she was seeing? “I’m only trying to protect us so webothreturn to our females in a safe fashion.”

Tin’s fingers tightened around his axe. This was no itty-bitty little weapon—either side of its sharp blades could easily slice cleanly through her throat. She would brush her fingers across her neck at the moment if she could.

Mouse’s heart jolted in her chest as Tik-Tok crouched in front of her, cocking his head, studying her. A sandalwood scent drifted up to her, accompanied by a rush of metallic. His blood smelled of pure heaven, the way Tin’s also did. She tried to burst from her stone prison, but not one inch of her budged at all. Only he could free her, if he chose to. Panic set in as she realized this was another prison,trappingher…

Tik-Tok moved his finger back and forth between her and Ferris before he finally spoke. “We’ll go with the female since she’s unarmed.” He glanced up at Tin and chuckled. His attention focused on Mouse but, thankfully, he didn’t try to touch her stone flesh. “Now, listen, and listen closely. I’m going to release you, but you will not attack either one of us. If you can accomplish that, then we won’t have to remove your pretty little head. Do you understand? Tin here never misses with his axe. And if you die, I doubt your friend here will be of much help to us. I’d prefer us not to have to get our hands dirty.” His grin spread across his face, lighting up his red irises before he turned to Tin once more. “I do love it when they have a partner that we can use to threaten them with. Do you remember the game I played with our good friend Jack when I first met him?”

“I would’ve rather come with him,” Tin grunted.

“Too bad he doesn’t have one of these.” Tik-Tok smirked, flashing some type of golden ornament to Tin.

Mouse wanted to hurl herself at his throat, dig her teeth in and rip it to shreds, all while lapping up his otherworldly blood. But his words sank in, and as they did, it made some sense. They wouldn’t hurt her … if she didn’t hurt them. Even in the palace, Rav and Imogen had never given her that ultimatum. It was only hurt, hurt,hurt.

“I’m going to take your silence as a yes.” Tik-Tok chuckled, straightening and popping his back as if he had all the time in the world.

“Do you always talk this much when you’re threatening people?” Tin growled.

“I find it more effective than swinging a weapon around.” Tik-Tok clucked his tongue.

Tin only narrowed his eyes and clenched his strong jaw. The silver scar was twisted like spiderwebs across his cheek, and his blue eyes mirrored pure ice, as though he was used to being feared. But for some reason, she didn’t fear him, even though he held an axe.

“Remember what I said,” Tik-Tok cooed at Mouse while lifting his hand, his fingers covered in thin silver rings with jewels of various colors.

Her body loosened as the stone gave way to her flesh. She fell forward, her fists catching on the grass while she took deep breaths. Ferris rested beside her, still stone, his fangs protruding, and her heart sank at seeing him this way. “Release him,” Mouse rasped, her fangs still lowered, but she didn’t leap forward, didn’t attack, or even hiss. She had to control herself for Ferris’s sake. “Please.”

Tik-Tok tapped his canines. “Now, now, first tuck those little fangs of yours away. From the tales I’ve heard about vampires, I know you can. And as for this handsome fellow—your lover, I assume, since you both reek of each other’s scents—that will come in due time. Depending on you, that is.” He then reached into the pocket of his trousers and drew out a small black vial. “I need you to drink this so you won’t feel the urge to attack us.

Mouse eyed the vial. “What is that?”

“Fae blood. One sip is strong enough to keep your appetite sated for days.”

“So, youarefae,” Mouse murmured. “Like Puck from aMidsummer Night’s Dream.”

“Sorry, can’t say that I know a Puck. Unless he’s dead.” Tik-Tok’s lips curled up at the corners. “But yes, I’m fae, directly from Oz. I’m Tik-Tok, Captain ofThe Temptress, and this grumpy male is Tin, a once-famed assassin.” He motioned at the ground. “How about we sit down and you can tell me your name, then how your friend came across the fae dagger he’s holding.” Tik-Tok lowered himself beside her as if they were to be guests at one of Maddie’s tea parties, then handed her the vial. “And drink up.”

---