Page 30 of Hunt the Dusk
“Where did you learn that?” Edwin asked Merry, impressed.
She shrugged. “I used to be fascinated by all things fae.”
It was a strange thing for her to say considering she was half-blood fae herself, but the grotesque head came back to life before I could question her.
“You have been granted an audience. How many require admittance?” He glanced toward Merry once more, and she ducked her head and stepped back.
“All of us,” Holly said. “So five.”
“No,” Merry said. “I…I can’t go in there.”
Everyone else nodded and looked like they understood, but I didn’t have a clue what was happening here. “Why not?”
“She’s unclaimed, that’s why,” Holly said. “I swear the fae are so up themselves.”
The grotesque head coughed. “I can hear you, you know.”
Holly rolled her eyes. “Good to know.”
But I still didn’t understand. “I don’t get it. You’re half-blood fae, and this is a park filled with half-blood fae.”
“Who all belong to a clan,” Merry said. “I don’t.”
“So? We’re not half-bloods and we don’t belong to any clan and we’re all going in.”
“I know, but I’m a half-blood fae who has no affiliation and was raised by humans so?—”
“You were raised by humans?”
She blinked sharply. “Have I not told you that?”
“Merry was raised by the Order,” Padma said.
“From a baby,” Holly added.
Holly knew too? “Shit, I’m sorry.”
“What for?”
“For not taking the time to get to know you.”
She smiled shyly. “You have had your hands full so?—”
“Look,” the knocker said. “Do ya want in or not?”
“We do, all five of us.”
“But—”
I held up my hand to stall Merry. “We’re with the Order. Even the half-blood fae.”
“One moment.” The grotesque went still once more.
Merry chewed on her bottom lip as we waited for the grotesque to get back to us. He animated a second later. “You may enter.” His gaze flicked to Merry. “All of you. Head to the pavilion for an audience with the high clan leader.”
Her cheeks pinkened, and her eyes grew bright.
The gates swung open, and we headed inside.
