Page 64 of Riot of Autumn

Ezra helps me off the ground where I’m still sitting, and I blink around in a daze. I brush my fingers over Axil’s head as he leans into my side as though he’s comforting me.

How did this even happen? I don’t even own any candles, so I couldn’t have left one burning. Was there an electrical short?

Something Colton said just before he left the diner comes rushing back to me, his words ringing around my head like a child’s nursery rhyme.

I think I’ll take a page out of your friends’ book.

Rhys and Lena burned down their dad’s house. Is that what that fucker meant? Did that piece of shit do this?

Even though I’m dying to get away from my house, it takes a lot longer than I want. Skeeter doesn’t want to leave me, but when I find out he’s got a lady friend he can stay with, I tell him to get gone. He doesn’t need to watch his life turn to ash, either.

Out of the corner of my eye, I spot Davis and Silky standing near each other, and then the fire snuffs out like a candle being blown out on a birthday cake. The firefighters are still holding a hose, but someone turns off the water as they all gape at my house in surprise.

My head is pounding and my whole face feels puffy. I stare at Silky. He doesn’t look like he’s about to run, but I can’t take that chance.

“Let’s get out of here. Make sure pretty boy comes with us,” I say to my friends, who are standing around me and Ezra in a protective bubble. I need some answers, and I’m done waiting around. It’s time to fight back.

22

EZRA

Once again, everyone is gathered at my house. I enjoy hanging out with my friends, but I’m getting a little sick of having these meetings to discuss how fucked-up everything has become. I need to take a shower and Ruby looks like death warmed over. She still has her apron on from the diner, but Axil is lying across her legs on the couch and she doesn’t look inclined to move. Her eyes keep flicking over to me, like she thinks I’m going to disappear if she doesn’t have her sights set on me at all times. I know the feeling.

Twice in two days, I thought I was going to die. Was it an idiotic thing to run into a burning house to save Axil? Maybe. But I’d do it again in a heartbeat. I’d do anything for Ruby. Sitting around rehashing what the Fae bastards are doing to us and how fucking helpless we all feel, well, that’s a different story. If we start talking in circles again, I will force everyone to leave so Ruby and I can take a shower. Preferably together—again—and then I can take her to bed.

“What the fuck are we going to do about these bastards?” Miri asks as she and Davis waltz in through the front door and stomp into the living room.

Zara and Rhys haven’t arrived yet. They were stopping at Rhys’s place to get some of Zara’s clothes for Ruby. Lena is sitting in the chair with Archer perched on the arm. Miri and Davis give me a hug and a slap on the back, respectively, before they turn to do the same to Ruby, who tries to wave them off. They find seats on the couch, Davis reaching out to pet Axil once he’s sitting down. Everyone is obviously unsettled by tonight’s events, although that’s been a constant feeling lately.

I’m still standing, my thighs pressing into the back of the couch behind where Ruby’s sitting. With a wary eye, I keep watch on the long-haired man who saved my life tonight. His back is resting against my fireplace, and he looks too fucking relaxed in my house.

Rhys and Zara come bustling in through the patio doors before anyone can answer Miri. Rhys is holding a stuffed gym bag, but drops it by the door and follows Zara into the living room. Zara leans down to give Ruby a hug and this time she doesn’t push away the affection. Zara then squats down so she can squish her cheek to the top of Axil’s head. Rhys doesn’t hug Ruby, but messes up her hair, eliciting an exasperated sigh as she swats his hand away.

Zara and Rhys find spots on the other side of the couch and then every pair of eyes turns to our guest. Ruby doesn’t waste time on pleasantries, her tired gaze focused on the man.

“Who are you?”

The guy straightens up. He’s tall, probably around the same height as me at six three. We’ve figured out he’s Fae, but his magic doesn’t smell wrong to me like the other Fae I’ve met so far. Maybe he’s really good at cloaking that part of himself.

“I am Emric Darkstorm.” He steps forward and fucking bows. With his hand on his heart and everything.

Zara makes a small noise, and everyone whips their attention to her. She visibly shrinks under the stares, sinking into Rhys’s side. He gives everyone a death glare and all eyes turn back to Emric.

“Are you here to join the rest of the Fae to help with whatever the fuck they’re trying to make happen?” Ruby keeps on cutting straight through the bullshit to get to the heart of the matter.

Emric clasps his hands in front of him, attempting to look non-threatening. He’s not totally successful. There’s an edge to him that I doubt he can soften. “No. I’m here to help you.”

There are more than a few snorts around the room, which makes Emric’s jaw flex as he waits for us to settle. It feels a little like we’re rowdy kids and he’s our teacher.

“I realize there’s no reason for you to trust me, but I saved your bonded”—he looks directly at Ruby before he goes on—“surely, that should gain me enough trust to tell you why I’m here.”

There’s another bout of silence before I nod. “Okay. But, in case it wasn’t completely obvious, there are eight of us and one of you. Plus, she’s a biter.” I dip my head toward Ruby, who chomps her teeth with perfect timing. “Don’t try anything, and we won’t have a problem.”

“There won’t be a problem. Do you mind if I sit?” He motions toward the chairs pushed under the kitchen island and I nod.

He drags a chair in front of the fireplace and rests on the edge, hooking a booted foot on the bottom rung. As though he’s settling in for a long tale, he tugs a band from his wrist and pulls his dark hair up into a man bun that reminds me of when Ruby does the same thing. Except not the man part.

“To start, I must tell you a bit about the Fae hierarchy. Unless you already know.” He turns to look at Zara, who’s still plastered to Rhys’s side.

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