Page 122 of Crown of Darkness
I dwell on the creature. It could have killed me while I was unconscious near the Hallow. It wants something from me. I just need to work out what. “Do you have a name, o Lord of Shadows?”
It’s eyes thin, as if it’s not entirely certain whether I’m being sarcastic. “You may call me… Grimm.”
No fae creature gives out its real name. But…. “That’s terribly original.”
“It will suffice.And your own?”
“Vi.” I resheathe the dagger. “You said you needed my help.”
The grimalkin disappears, and I nearly fall over as it suddenly wends its way between my legs. “Excellent. You’re starting to listen. Yes, I need your help. I have lost my child.”
Oh. “I’m so sorry, I—”
“Not my kit,” it says with some dissatisfaction. “As if I would lose my kit.My fae child. I am its owner, and I have been charged with protecting it from the world. It is foolish—though allowances may be made for its age—and small, and it frequently smells because it has a tendency to fall into bogs and all manner of… messes. But it is mine, and no grimalkin loses its child.”
My mind’s trying to work out the logistics. “You’re a familiar.”
“I amnota familiar. It ismychild. My fae is impossibly sweet. I keep telling her that she needs to grow thorns, but she’s nothing but a rose itself.”He sniffs to himself, as if it’s a despicable thing to be so gentle. “And now she’s in trouble, and I need to protect her.”
“Well, if she’s in trouble, then why are you here?” Grimalkin are curious creatures. They’re not pets—indeed, I’m rapidly learning they consider us to betheirpets—but when they bond with a creature, it’s for life. “How can I help?”
The grimalkin stares into the flames for a long moment. “Because the future tells me I need to be at your side. You’re going to help me rescue my fae.”
“I would help you if I could, but I need to find a crown and slay an evil queen.” A rough laugh escapes me. “And that’s only if I can manage to return to my husband. You’re better off finding someone else to help you. The Heartless are trying to capture me.”
The shadow-cat’s head turns eerily toward me without any corresponding movement of its body. Its eyes remain unblinking. “No. No, I think I shall remain by your side.”
A little shiver tiptoes down my spine—almost like little pawprints. “What do you see?”
The grimalkin’s attention returns to the flames. “A child crying. A princess screaming. And a dark goddess laughing.”It licks its paw.“And don’t ask me to explain any of that, because the future is too broad and nebulous for your puny fae mind to grasp.”
Grimalkin.
“Well this puny fae mind is the—”
“More wood is required.”
I glare murder at it, and then dump another armful of branches on the fire. “I’m sorry that you’ve lost your child, but I’m returning to Ceres as soon as that Hallow recharges.”
“And I will accompany you.” I open my mouth to argue, but it gives me a narrow-eyed look. “Oh, did you think you had any choice in the matter? I can walk through shadows, little fae. You cannot hide from me, not matter where you go. I will find you.”
I swear the fucking thing is smiling at me.
“I protected you while you slept. You owe me a boon, and so my demand is this: You will take me with you until I choose to depart your side.”
“How does that help you find your child?”
“The future is a strange and nebulous thing. Try not to think about it too much. You’ll strain a muscle.”
There’s only one good thing about this entire situation: Grimm is going to drive Thiago and Eris to the edge of frustration.
I can hardly wait.
* * *
I’m almost noddingoff when something suddenly yowls in my ear.
Clapping a hand to my chest, I sit up sharply, but the grimalkin merely bumps its head against me. “Wake up, pudding brain.”
