“S’all yours.”
Kheelan palmed the key and felt its subtle thrum. Made of ivory, it lay like solidified, chilled cream against his warm skin, full of secrets and promises.
Kheelan opened the locked drawer, took the crystal pendant out of the black velvet charm bag, and hung it around his neck, slipping it under his shirt. His eyes took in the old, cracked leather book, Lore and History of the Ancient Sidhe. His fingers itched to open it and read more while Finvorra snored away. He desperately wanted to read up on the legend of The One.
Best not to do so with Finvorra in the same room, his Guardian might be faking sleep to test him. The Fae were sly tricksters. There would be other opportunities to read the book and look again at the Record of Life and Death. Five months ago, he had found the record entry that revealed he had been lied to all these years – his human parents were not dead. They were alive and kicking somewhere in this very area.
He locked the drawer and put the key on the coffee table by Finvorra. Unfortunately, the sound of the ivory against wood woke Finvorra and he cuffed Kheelan’s arm with a casual violence.
Great, another bruise.
Once he was out of the isolated house in the woods, Kheelan smiled in anticipation, but instantly quelled it. The redheaded human meant nothing to him—he was on the most important mission of his life – to break free from the Fae.
He made his way to The Green Fairy without too much notice from the fairies. At the door, he paused, and ran a hand through his wind-blown hair. Satisfied he could do no more to tidy it, he entered the shop.
The bells over the door chimed and the redhead hurried over to greet him.
“Hi Kyle, I’m surprised to see you on a Monday. Are you here to visit Delia?”
Kheelan stared at her dumbfounded.
Who was Kyle? He continued gazing into the green eyes of the redhead, unable to speak. She reached and touched a lock of his hair that had fallen forward.
“Your hair – it looks longer than usual. Has it grown since last weekend?” She eyed him curiously. “It’s not as curly either.”
Kheelan stepped back from the casual contact—he’d forgotten the sensation of warm human flesh. The Fae were a cold-blooded breed.
The girl dropped her hand and scrutinized his face. “Sorry, I forgot you don’t like to be touched.” She spoke cautiously, as if afraid of upsetting him. “Let’s go see Delia. I bet she’ll fix your favorite – hot chocolate, right? Just follow me.”
He fell in step behind her, too stunned to correct her error. As much as he’d anticipated finally meeting her, had made up dozens of scenarios in his head, this wasn’t what he expected. She led him into a small room that smelled of herbs and sweet pastries.
“Sit right here while I get Delia.”
He sank into the comfortable sofa and took in his surroundings. About eight others sat around at tables, books open, talking quietly. Obviously college students. A grandmotherly-looking woman appeared with a steaming mug and a plate of goodies.
“What a surprise to see you today, Kyle.”
Not nearly as surprised as he was. Yet another person who thought he was someone else.
“I brought your drink and some blueberry scones. Did Melissa drive you here from the group home?”
He took a bite of the scone to buy time before answering. How should he play this? Maybe the best course to solving the mystery was to play along with it, at least for now. He nodded and took a sip of the cocoa.
“Well, I’m glad she did. Enjoy yourself. I’ll bring over your favorite picture books.”
Picture books? How old was this Kyle dude anyway?
Delia returned with a stack of books and set them by his side. “Let me know if you want anything else. I’ve got to go back in the kitchen but come on back later if you want.”
He nodded again and picked up the first book on the stack, A Picture Encyclopedia of Herbs. Kheelan skimmed the pages and looked at the other titles: Fairy Flower Magick, How to Attract Fairies, Picture Book of Fairies Around the World. Kheelan’s mind spun and he rubbed his temples to stop the dizziness. Shock, most likely. He took another sip of the hot cocoa, trying to bring warmth and sanity back in his body.
A scruffy-looking guy in an olive army jacket got up from a table and waved in his direction. “Hey, Kyle. Learning more about herbs and fairies?”
Once again, Kheelan could do nothing but nod his head. He must be part of some mass delusion. Or the fairies might be playing an elaborate trick on him. But if so, he couldn’t imagine the point. He had no idea how long he sat there, mind and body numb with shock and disorientation. The drink and scone were finished, the books in a scattered heap in front of him.