Page 21 of Don't Bait Me (Nora Jacobs 3)

He gets a glare as well, but the man shakes his head. “None.”

Nick curses and clenches his hand into a fist. I don’t blame him. Nearly a dozen people have been murdered, and he can’t step in.

“What’s being done to find the killer?” Parker asks.

The man ignores him completely and startles me with a change of subject. “So, the rumors are true.”

I know what he’s talking about, but I still shrug and say, “That depends on what the rumors are.”

“You’re fey,” another man says. “And you’re strong.”

“Very strong,” says another.

I nod. “Apparently so.”

“How?” the first man demands.

I resist the urge to roll my eyes. People have been asking me that all night. I can’t blame them, considering I was supposedly human the last time I came to work. I don’t see the point in withholding an answer. No need to make people more curious about me than they already are. “It was a glamour,” I say. “And before you ask, I have no clue who placed it on me. I was orphaned as a small child and raised by humans. The glamour broke after a werewolf bit me. I’ve only known I’m an underworlder for a week.”

All of the men stare at me so long that I give an irritated huff and match Terrance’s stance. “Is that a problem?”

None of them speak. They all look to the leader. The man fidgets for a moment and clears his throat. “Not a problem. In fact, we need your help.”

I almost laugh. I’m baffled that people—underworlders—keep coming to me for help. I’m just one woman. Yeah, I have a few helpful gifts, but it’s not like I’m Sherlock Holmes.

“No,” Terrance says again.

“But she found the missing underworlders,” the leader says, his tone a mix of exasperation and desperation. “And she helped the werewolves.”

“And almost got herself killed both times.” Terrance growls. His anger suddenly makes all too much sense.

I finally know where I recognize the man from. “You were there. In that warehouse. You were one of the missing underworlders. You were in the cage next to mine.”

The man’s expression turns solemn, and he nods. “And I thank you for saving my life.”

Beside me, Nick and Parker both suck in breaths. Faeries donotsay thank you. To do so means they are in your debt. There is nothing the fey hate worse. That this man verbally acknowledged his gratitude, especially in front of witnesses, is no small thing. “You’re welcome.” I don’t know what else to say. “It’s good to see you again. I’m Nora Jacobs.”

“I am Laagh, head of the Corktown brownie clan. I know it is I who am indebted to you, but I fear I must ask for your help again. A member of my clan was murdered last night, and others are dying all around the city. We have no one else to turn to.”

My heart goes out to this man. To all of them, as I assume they’ve all lost someone, or they wouldn’t be here. But again, I’m just one woman. “There’s no one?” I ask. “What about the Seelie and Unseelie courts or whatever? Those are real, right?”

Laagh’s face flushes an angry red. “The courts care nothing for this realm. Most of us here in the human realm are outcasts or refugees. The courts have forsaken us. We are on our own here, and most of us are solitary. There is no sort of leadership among the different races of fey. There is no one willing to step forward. You found the missing underworlders,” he says again, imploring me with his eyes to do something. “You could help us find this killer.”

“You’re one of us,” another man adds accusingly, as if he thinks I’m going to tell them no. “You’re in as much danger as the rest of us until this killer is stopped. Youmusthelp us.”

I lift my hand to ward off more unnecessary arguments. “Okay. Stop. Of course I’ll help, however I can.”

Terrance growls, but I cut him off with a stern look. “Terrance. He’s right. I’m fey. That makes me a target, too. I know it’s probably dangerous to get involved, but it’s dangerous to sit around doing nothing, too. I’m not only fey, but apparently a very strong one and notorious at that. You think this fey killer won’t be interested in me once he hears the rumors?”

Terrance growls at me again, a real menacing, pissed off growl. He clenches his jaw and glares at me. I smile sympathetically and place my hand on his arm. His thoughts are rife with fear for me, but he knows I could probably help. I sigh and give his arm a pat. “I’ll be careful, T-man.”

He grunts and turns his eyes away from me, frowning at the counter. “Fine. I don’t like it, but you’re right. You are a target.” With one more scolding stare, he points his finger at my chest and orders, “You will take Parker with you. He will not leave your side until this killer is stopped.”

“Of course,” Parker murmurs, a hint of surprise in his voice. He steps up right beside me and nods respectfully to Terrance.

“We don’t need a vampire interfering in our business,” one of the fey says.

I shoot him a nasty look and open my mouth to tell him where he can shove his attitude, but Terrance beats me to it. “Parker is Nora’s clan—myclan—itishis business, and he will protect her.”

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