Fragile Destiny (The Aether Chronicles) (9 page)

Maybe that would keep them off their path.

“Thank you, Noli.” Someone called for Officer Davies. “Have a nice evening.”

“You as well, Officer,” V replied. They walked to the car and got in. James took off.

“So?” James gave them an expectant look as they sped away.

“We’re good.” Noli patted her handbag, the jewel inside. Elation still coursed through her—they’d done it. “Now, let’s go home. I don’t know about you, but I’m exhausted.”

Seven

Complications

A
click startled Steven awake. He rubbed his eyes and peered at the air pirate standing in the doorway of Noli’s guest room, pistol drawn. “Vix, I’m nowhere near Noli.”

Shrugging, she holstered her pistol and left muttering, “Breakfast is ready.”

Steven dressed and padded down to the kitchen. His nose twitched at the smell of pancakes and his mouth watered. Everyone was there—Vix, James, and Jeff, and Noli cooking.

Jeff was sitting at the table reading the paper. The headline read
Jewel Stolen at Museum Ball.

“You’re lucky,” he said, glancing up at Steven. “Apparently two men were caught trying to steal the gem. Then, while the police were busy with them, someone else
actually
stole the gem. The other men disappeared too. Noli was right—the ball was a great cover for a robbery.”

Someone had stolen the fake. A load lifted off Steven’s chest, then slammed down so hard he gasped. “What if they realize it’s fake?”

“Wouldn’t they have to be magic?” Jeff hid behind the newspaper.

Noli handed Steven a cup of tea, flashing him a large smile.

“Those would be the people I’d worry about.” Steven took the offered cup.

“We’ll handle them.” Noli returned with plates of food.

“Are we doing more boring research today?” James stuffed food in his mouth.

Noli sat at the crowded table, on a fifth chair brought in from the dining room. “I need to be at the shop at ten. Jeff, if Jo comes to call will you please tell her where I am?”

“What you should be doing is getting that thing out of here.” Jeff put away his paper so he could eat. “Go hide it in fairyland or something.”

“We will; I’m just about finished. I’m going to see if Quinn sent us an aethergraph. I’m still worried about him and Elise.” Steven took a bite. “Excellent breakfast, Noli.”

Noli smiled, her eyes shining in the morning light. “I appreciate the compliment. I finished my applications this morning. Will you drop them off for me at Mr. Thompson’s shop when you check for aethergraphs? Please?”

“That was fast.” He took another bite of delicious pancake.

“I only completed three. I still have to ask some of my teachers for letters.” Noli paused, fork halfway to her mouth. “Do you think the fact I’m not in school will affect my application?”

“Same as it will mine,” Steven replied. “I’ll send off yours and mine, though I only have one.” It was odd that she could think about going to university at a time like this. But this was her dream, so naturally she’d be excited. “If you write some requests to your teachers, I can drop those off as well,” he offered.

The look on her face said it all. He was actually looking forward to spending four years with her in the mortal realm, attending a university and learning new things. Being together without chaperones. After that, they could take his court back.

“I wish you all the best.” Vix took a sip of tea. “Are you also going to university, James?”

James snorted. “Me, go to school voluntarily? Do you think Hittie and Hattie would let me work with them for a bit?”

Steven nearly spit out his tea. Hittie and Hattie were ornery female air pirate friends of Vix’s. Hattie did seem fond of James.

Vix’s eyebrows rose. “Doing what?”

“Gunning.” James shrugged. “Noli, more sword lessons after you visit the shop?”

“Perfect.” Noli grinned.

They finished breakfast. Noli gave Steven her applications and quickly wrote requests to her teachers. Back at his own house, the first thing Steven did was consult the book he and Quinn used for messages. He’d forgotten to check it yesterday.

The page was blank. His finger traced the spot where there should be a symbol. Two days ago, there’d been a triangle, which had replaced the circle and rectangle that had been there previously.

No symbol. That could only mean one thing.

Dropping the book to the ground, Steven ran all the way to Mr. Thompson’s General Store. Chest heaving, he pushed open the door.

“Mr. Thompson, do you have any aethergraphs for James or Steven Darrow, or for Magnolia Braddock?”

Mr. Thompson returned with two papers. “I have one for Steven Darrow and one for Magnolia Braddock.”

“I appreciate it.” Steven handed the shopkeeper a coin. Noli’s was from her mother. But the other …

Stiofán, something is wrong. Come as soon as possible.
—Mathias

Steven’s entire being went cold. Mathias was a very good friend of Quinn’s. As much as he hoped it wasn’t true, this message wouldn’t disappear or change.

Back at the houses, he found Noli and James gone. He moved all of Quinn’s journals and research to Noli’s room, where they’d be safe. After locating a schedule of airships to New York, he returned to town to visit the bank and buy some essentials. This time, he’d bring money before charging off on an adventure.

When Steven came home again, he found James giving Noli a sword lesson in her backyard. Jeff joined them too, his eyes shining with excitement.

“Noli, come quick,” Jeff called.

Noli put down her sword, hiked up her skirts, and followed her brother into the house. Steven looked at James, who shrugged. They followed Noli and Jeff into what had been Mr. Braddock’s office, which looked as if it had been set upon by bandits.

“You found it?” Noli’s jaw dropped.

Steven cocked his head, wondering what Jeff had been looking for.

“You never thought to look in here, did you?” Grinning, Jeff bent under the desk.

She shook her head. “We’re not allowed in here.”

“Which makes it the perfect place to hide things.” Jeff’s hand shot out from under the desk, holding a glass jar stuffed with money. He emerged and waved the jar at Noli. “University fund. This should get you started.”

Noli wrapped her arms around her brother, her eyes shimmering with joy. “You found it.”

Ah, the infamous hidden jar of money. Steven had helped Noli look for it, and yes, this was one place they’d never dared look.

Jeff hugged Noli back, shooting Steven a pointed glance that clearly said
take that
.

“I dropped off the applications and your letters.” Steven didn’t know what else to say. He’d figured he’d pay for Noli’s school. Somehow. He supposed all his father’s money and the house were his now.

Perhaps they could sell the house here and buy one wherever they went to university. Then they could, for lack of a better term, “play house.” Though he might have to marry Noli first. Mortal style, at least. Not that he minded.

He smiled. Yes, he’d marry her. Mortal
and
Otherworld style. Even with everything, he wanted to be with her forever. He was her other half. She made him a better man.

“What?” Noli laughed.

“I’d marry you in a moment.” Steven’s cheeks burned as he realized he’d said that out loud. Immediately, his hands flew up in surrender. “Please, no one shoot me.”

“Please do it,” Vix replied from the doorway, for once not aiming a pistol at him. “That way we could have a double wedding and Noli could plan
everything.
”

Noli looked thoughtful. For a second her eyes took on that blank look that meant she was speaking with the sprite.

Jeff set the jar on the desk with a loud thunk. “We’ll talk about weddings later.”

Noli gave Jeff another hug. “Oh, Jeff, I don’t need you to be a fussy old bodger too.” She slid an arm around Steven’s waist. “Is there any word of Elise and Quinn?”

His good mood faded as he remembered why he’d been looking for James and Noli in the first place. “Something’s very wrong. Mathias needs us to come to New York.”

“Why?” Noli’s eyes widened.

Steven cleared the lump in his throat and shoved away the guilt he had for feeling more for the loss of Quinn than the death of his father. “I have reason to believe that Quinn is dead.”

“Uncle Kevighn, that was fun, can we do this again?” Aodhan’s cherub face practically glowed with elation as they traipsed through the Blackwoods, bows and kill in hand.

Kevighn ruffled Aodhan’s pale hair. “We’ll go tomorrow if your father doesn’t have anything for me to do; otherwise, we’ll go again soon.”

He had to admit, Ciarán was right. Aodhan needed him. Teaching him to hunt had brought back memories of his own misspent youth.

“May I come as well?” Elise trotted behind them.

“Of course.” He gave the little girl a smile. Elise had refused to be left behind, so he’d taught the both of them. Elise was decent for a girl. Creideamh hadn’t been a bad shot either.

When they reached the Thirsty Pooka, they entered through the kitchen. A staircase led directly to the hall with the secret passage to the living areas.

“Here, Grandma Luce, will you cook these for our supper please?” Aodhan handed the old woman their kill.

The small, elderly woman who ran the kitchen here took the animals from him. “Of course I will. Kevighn, I’m glad you’re back.”

“Me too,” Kevighn replied. Old Luce had been grandmother and then some to him and Ciarán both. “Let’s get cleaned up.”

As they walked up the staircase and into the little hall, Kevighn could hear Ciarán yelling. He pushed the children through the passage. “I’ll be there in a little bit.”

He followed the voice toward its source—Ciarán’s office, the one where he conducted official dark court business.

The office was very simple for a king. There was nothing but a few wooden chairs, a simple desk, a bookshelf crammed with books and scrolls, and a window covered with a heavy curtain. Ciarán, hood down, sat behind the desk, scowling at a large purple jewel in his palm.

“This is a fake! How could you get me a fake? It was real a few days ago.”

“I … I don’t know,” one of men standing before Ciarán stammered, knees shaking. He was tall and not someone Kevighn recognized. “Perhaps someone else stole it. We weren’t the only fae at the ball.”

“What? Who else was there?” Ciarán’s eyes burned with fearsome intensity.

Kevighn leaned against the doorway, watching.

The shorter man, named Lefty, rubbed his chin. “There were two. A blond boy and a girl … a pretty girl with dark hair and grey eyes.”

The tall man shook his head. “She was a sprite, though.”

“Sprites like shiny things.” Lefty shrugged.

“Sprites aren’t smart enough to steal a gem and leave a decoy,” Ciarán snapped, his scarred face contorting in anger.

A dark-haired sprite and a blond boy at a ball. Could it be?

“Where were you?” Kevighn asked.

“Los Angeles. Why?” Ciarán shot him a look.

Kevighn came over to the desk. “I know a rather uncommon dark-haired sprite, one related to thieves, who unfortunately is sometimes in the company of a blond, sorry excuse for an earth court prince. Both of whom occasionally reside in Los Angeles.”

“You mean the girl.
That
girl?” His eyebrows rose. “Why would she steal a gem?”

“Her brother’s a thief.” Kevighn eyed the gem. “May I?”

Ciarán nodded. “It’s nothing but a hunk of glass.”

“What should it be?” Kevighn examined it. It wasn’t even some mortal semi-precious stone. It was literally purple glass.

“You two had best be off before I hurt you.” Ciarán waved the men off.

“Yes, Your Majesty.” They bowed and left.

Ciarán’s attention turned to Kevighn. “Hunting lessons went well?”

“Aodhan shows promise. We had a good time.” Kevighn set the glass gem down on the desk. “What
is
this?”

Ciarán sighed. “I think it’s part of the staff. Well, if it was the
actual
gem, it would be.”

“Is it?” So little was known about the staff, and the man who knew the most was dead.

“It’s rather powerful in its own right. We can’t let Brogan or Tiana have it.” He frowned. “Who does she work for? Brogan? I need to know what pieces he has.”

“Magnolia would never work for Brogan. But … ” Kevighn sighed and shook his head. “Her brother does, upon occasion. She probably has no idea what it is. I never told her what the pieces became.” While he trusted Noli with his life, there were some secrets he couldn’t trust her with. Yet.

“Go get it from her.” Ciarán said this with the easy air of authority.

Kevighn stared at him. “You want me to do
what
?”

“I need the gem. You like the girl. Go get the girl to give you the gem.” Ciarán rolled his eyes. “It’s simple. I don’t care how you do it. Just don’t come back without it.”

Kevighn bowed. “Of course, my king.”

Now
this
was a mission. After all, he was a huntsman, and he always got what he wanted.

Eight

Mathias’ Place

“We’re going
where
with
what
?” Noli’s nose wrinkled with distaste as Steven ushered her and James through the bustling city street.

James made a noise of exasperation. “It’s just a burlesque hall. It’s a perfectly respectable establishment.”

“One that requires code words and fluffy kittens,” Steven muttered, not believing he was actually having this conversation. At least this time they were dressed like gentleman.

Noli straightened the skirts of her blue dress and scowled at James.

“You could have stayed behind,” James replied, jacket squirming.

She hugged Steven’s arm. “Never.”

The doorman of the unassuming restaurant in a fashionable neighborhood stopped them with a scathing look.

“We have reservations under Gentry.” Steven handed the doorman some coins.

The doorman handed one back and opened the door, his nose wrinkled in slight disdain as he sniffed, “It’s ladies’ night.”

Steven pocketed the change.
Ladies’ night?
Did he even want to know?

They entered and James walked over and gave the unfamiliar girl, clad in not much other than a red corset and bustle, a winsome smile. “Hello, we have a reservation under Gentry.”

She appraised them, eyes lingering over him and James. “It’s ladies’ night.”

“We’re actually here to see Mathias. He’s expecting us.” James patted his squirming jacket. “We brought him a present.”

“Follow me, then.” She turned and waggled her bottom at James, leading them through the red velvet curtain down the hallway, past another doorman, and through more curtains.

Music greeted them, a thumping, wild music far from the waltzes and ballads of their earlier visits. The dim lights gave everything a rose-colored glow.

“V, is a burlesque hall the same as a joy house?” Noli’s eyes went wide as she took in their surroundings.

“Not quite.” He pulled her closer to him. If Jeff found out about this …

The hostess seated them. The tables had been draped in burgundy tablecloths, the chairs topped with velvet cushions. Men wearing nothing but what might be bathing costumes brought drinks and supper to tables filled with women.

Women?

He took another look. Yes, nearly everyone at the tables were well-dressed women. Very scantily clad men wiggled onstage while women cheered and yelled things one normally didn’t hear from ladies.

Oh.
Ladies’ night.

“You’re such a prude,” James teased, openly enjoying his discomfort.

“No, he’s not.” Noli turned her chair so her back was to the stage.

A man came over to take their order. Steven tried not to look at him, since his chest, and most of the rest of him, was bare.

“Whiskey for everyone,” James said, as if nothing was out of the ordinary about this entire situation.

“I don’t like whiskey.” Noli’s nose scrunched. “May I please have some honey wine … If you have any? I think that’s what it’s called. It’s made of berries and honey?”

The man left.

“Have you ever
had
whiskey?” James asked.

“No. But I don’t want any.” Noli’s arms crossed over her chest.

Steven put a hand on her arm. “Noli, what’s wrong? Something’s been bothering you since we boarded the airship.”

Hopefully, it wasn’t more voices.

“My mother expects me to return to Boston for Christmas.” Noli sighed, shoulders rising and falling. “The good thing is that I think she might be marrying off Vix and Jeff under pretense—”

“Under pretense?” James made a face. “You mean she’s going to throw them a surprise wedding.”

“Unless I’m reading too much into the wording, I believe so. However, with Vix’s hatred of wedding planning, it’s better that way. Vix won’t have to plan a wedding, and my mother can play mother to both the groom and the bride, planning everything just as
she’d
like.”

Yes, she’d like it quite a bit. Steven could see it now.

“I wouldn’t miss that for anything. But I have a feeling that … ” Noli’s face fell.

“That she’ll want you to stay in Boston.” Steven squeezed her hand. He knew she loved her mother, but Noli and Mrs. Braddock had very different ideas of how Noli should live her life. In many ways, he understood.

“
Yes,” Noli replied. “After all, why wouldn’t I?” Her hands moved in an empty gesture and she gave a defeated sigh.

The waiter returned with their drinks. He winked at Noli as he set down her wine. Steven hit the table with his fist as the waiter left.

Noli’s net-gloved hand covered his. “No half-naked waiter is going to sway me.”

Then she blanked out for a moment. Steven wasn’t sure he’d ever grow accustomed to this.

“What did the sprite say?” he asked, curious.

Noli’s cheeks pinked. “She’s admiring the men. Also, she thinks we need one of those unseemly red outfits the hostess was wearing, she wants
you
to wear one of the outfits
the men are wearing, and she wants me to dance with you until you’re not sad anymore.” She squeezed his hand. “We don’t like it when you’re sad.”

“Which is why we’re going to drink away our sorrows.” James raised his glass.

Steven suppressed a groan. Between his father’s and Charlotte’s deaths, James had been through a lot, but getting tipsy in a burlesque hall in New York City on ladies’ night wasn’t going to help. Not in a way that would actually be useful.

“Drinking won’t bring anyone back.” Noli patted James’ arm. “I miss them too.” The kitten poked his head through the top of James’ coat. She laughed and scratched the kitten’s ears.

“James, what do you think happened to Urco?” Seeing the kitten made Steven recall Mathias’ hound, which made him think of his own. Urco had been his dog as a child, but he’d had to leave him behind in the Otherworld.

James shrugged and half-drained his glass. “I didn’t see him at the big house, but then I didn’t see any animals—no hounds, horses, or anything. Aunt Dinessa might know.”

“That’s a good idea.” Perhaps Urco was in the palace kennels. Hopefully he was still alive. Steven missed him and should have thought to look for him sooner.

Noli cocked her head. “Who’s Urco?”

“Urco’s my dog. He’s a fae hound. Technically they’re not allowed in this realm, so I had to leave him behind when we were exiled,” he explained.

“Oh. Do you miss him? I’ve never had a pet.” Noli took a sip of wine. It was a beautiful color, a sort of deep purple most unlike the wines he’d seen in this realm.

He thought of Urco; the pup would be full grown by now. “I … I do.”

“Ah, you’re here.” Mathias appeared, well-dressed and elegant as usual. His hair was a blond so pale it was near white, his eyes a clear blue. He looked curiously at Noli.

“Mathias, this is Magnolia Braddock. Noli, this is Mathias. He’s the friend of Quinn’s I was telling you about,” Steven said.

“It’s nice to meet you.” Noli inclined her head politely, but curiosity shone in her eyes.

“Come, join us.” James patted an empty seat at the table.

Mathias looked at the kitten head poking out from James’ jacket. “I summoned
you
; a gift is unnecessary, Séamus.”

James shrugged and handed the kitten to him. “I like catching them.”

Steven smacked himself in the forehead.

Noli’s shoulders stayed hunched. She focused on her drink as the music changed and men came over to the tables and asked ladies to dance. “You have very good taste.” Mathias indicated her glass. “It’s imported from the Otherworld and there’s a very limited supply.”

“What happened to Quinn,” Steven blurted, sick of pleasantries.

Mathias’ lips formed a thin line as he passed the kitten to one of the half-naked waiters. “Quinn and Ailís were on their way here, taking refuge in various safe places. Then … something happened. All I know is that I was to meet him in Central
Park and take Ailís so that he could tend to something. When I arrived … ”

“It was Brogan, wasn’t it?” Noli’s face contorted as she stared into the depths of her glass. “Another death that’s all my fault.”

“It’s not your fault.” Steven squeezed her hand, trying to ease her guilt.

“It was Brogan’s men, but they had no reason to hurt Quinn.” Mathias shook his head. “I fear they may have come for your sister and he died protecting her.”

“Quinn’s dead?” James’ eyes went glassy. Quinn had been many things to them, including a father figure, since their own father was so absent, both figuratively and literally.

They would have to mourn later, especially if Brogan was after Elise.

“Where is she?” Worry swirled inside Steven like a maelstrom. It was his job to protect her; if anything happened he’d never be able to forgive himself.

Mathias shook his head. “I don’t know. I’m so sorry.”

“They didn’t kill Elise, did they? She’s a little girl.” James paled.

Mathias raised his hand. “No. That’s the problem. My attempts to locate her have been unsuccessful.” He shook his head. “Quinn trusted me to protect her and I can’t even find her.” Pain crossed his face. “However, I think she escaped. I traced her to the portal in Central Park.”

“Didn’t you tell us that there wasn’t a public portal here?” Steven’s eyebrows rose.

“It’s not actually public, even if it is in the middle of the park. From what I can tell, Ailís took it to the Otherworld. I don’t know where she went. I can’t speak wood faery—or tree. I’m hoping she took the portal to your family’s home … or perhaps to your mother.”

Steven sucked in a breath. “Elise doesn’t really understand the Otherworld; she was so young when we came here. She also thinks our mum is dead.”

“Oh.” Mathias’ look turned grave. “Then you should go after her. Keeping her safe was of the utmost importance to Quinn.”

“Indeed.” His blood went cold. Elise, alone in the Otherworld? There was so much she didn’t know.

James finished his drink. “Where in Central Park is it? We need to get her.”

“Of course.” Mathias punctuated this with a nod. “I’ll take you there immediately.”

“What about the body?” Steven asked. Quinn deserved a proper burial.

“What are your wishes?” Mathias folded his hands in front of him on the table. “If you have none, I’ll be happy to take responsibility.”

“I think he should be buried at the House of Oak, next to my father.” His voice wavered slightly as he said that. He thought for a moment, wording his question carefully. “Do you think Quinn needing to tend to something has anything to do with the fact that someone may be … interested in something he once researched?”

For a long moment Mathias stayed silent. “That’s a probability. I’ve heard things that might involve objects best left undiscovered.”

Steven nodded, not willing to offer more information at this time.

“Though Quinn was a man of many secrets,” Mathias added.

Steven thought of the passage in his journal that mentioned Kevighn’s sister. “Indeed.”

Mathias led them out of the establishment and they caught a motorcab to Central Park. Dark was falling and Steven kept Noli close.

They came to a locked iron gate. Mathias gestured to them. “Anyone?”

Steven used his magic to open the lock. They entered the garden and walked through an arch of ivy. The moon’s image reflected on a small pond.

He sucked in a breath. “This is beautiful.”

Mathias led them to a large, old tree. Immediately, little wood faeries poked their heads out of knotholes and other hiding places. Nosey little things. James questioned the faeries. No longer afraid of using magic in this realm, Steven spoke to the tree itself.

Yes, there was no doubt that Elise had gone through here, though it had been used since. The tree said that she remembered where Elise had gone and could take them there.

“She passed through here,” James told him. “The faeries remember her.”

“The tree also remembers. Noli, let’s go.” Steven waved her over; she was speaking with Mathias.

James’ face scrunched. “Should we really just barge into the Otherworld?”

“Swords out, I suppose?” Steven took his pen from his pocket, flicked his wrist, and it turned into his father’s sword.

“Showoff,” James muttered as he did the same to his boot knife.

“I want a sword.” Noli’s lip jut out in protest. “James says I’m doing better.”

“V, I know you have more than one sword on you. Just let her use one of yours,” James said with an easy shrug.

“I don’t have a girl’s sword.” It was difficult to not make a face. No one touched his swords. Not even Noli.

“We’ll find one for you,” James assured her.

“Mathias, we appreciate your help.” Steven gave him a wave.

Mathias waved back. “Good luck with your search. I hope you find her. Please don’t be afraid to come to me if you ever need assistance.”

“That’s a kind offer.” Steven put his hand on the trunk of the tree. Noli and James did the same. He reached out to the tree with his mind.
Please, take us to where you took her
.

Kevighn walked the streets of New York, pulling his coat tighter, favorite cane in hand, top hat poised jauntily on his head. Once, it had been here, not San Francisco, where he sought amusement. This time he tracked Magnolia. Why was she here?

At the door of the club, he frowned. This was a fae establishment. Not what he expected.

Whose place was this? Kevighn sent out tendrils of magic. Oh,
this
was where Mathias was hiding? Figured. But what business would his fair blossom have with the likes of Mathias? He paid the doorman and walked inside.

A very scantily clad girl in red sashayed up to him. “May I help you?”

He smiled at her and tipped his top hat. “I need to speak with Mathias.”

“Oh, do you, now?” Her look grew coy. “Do you have an appointment?”

“I’m here on behalf of Kyran Dempsey.” He passed her a coin. She flounced off. He looked around at the lobby filled with well-dressed men. Some were led to a dining room and others past a velvet curtain behind the podium.