Mistfall(Book One of the Mistfall Series)

5. Like an Old Married Couple





Ten minutes later, Luca gave me the all clear. I grabbed the blanket to cover the front seat, but when I went to climb over, there was no trace of the hemorrhaging blood loss I had experienced the night before.

“Elves and nature magic. I should’ve known you’d have a stain removal spell,” I mused. “Though I don’t think you’re the type to wear an apron and cook and clean for your husband all day,” I said rather pointedly, teasing him.

“What if I was?” Luca questioned.

“Well then, your husband’s going to have to rethink your relationship. In the last half day, you’ve not only kissed me, but you’re running away with me too. That kind of thing doesn’t exactly keep the marriage bed a rockin’.”

My abdomen constricted and I laughed, the hilarity of the conversation making it impossible not to. Luca’s chest shook as he chuckled along with me. I quickly found Luca could give it as well as he could take it.

“So Mags, what exactly does keep the marriage bed going?”

What was he expecting? Was I supposed to clam up and turn bright red? Sorry, not this girl. “Oh you know, hearts and flowers…and ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ type of stuff.” I grabbed onto the door handle and the middle console as the car swerved.

“There was a, uh, raccoon in the road,” he covered.

I guess I won that battle. It was time to change the subject. I’m not a shy type of girl, but sex talk with a near stranger I was already having dirty thoughts about couldn’t end well for my dignity.

“How much farther do we have to go?”

Luca checked the odometer. “We’ve gone about twelve miles, so maybe ten more minutes. Do you know what you’re looking for yet?”

The envelope I was holding was your standard white office type, nothing of note about it. My name was the only thing decorating it. The handwriting wasn’t Melissa’s as I had assumed, but was familiar, even though I couldn’t quite place its owner.

“No, but Melissa was sure I would recognize it. I haven’t been outside Harmony the five years I’ve lived there, so the list is pretty small.”

“Never?” He looked shocked, as well he should. It’s impossible to fathom never leaving a small town once in five years, but hey, it’s me. The rules seem to go out of the window where I’m concerned.

“Extenuating circumstances,” I replied.

“Anything to do with the roller coaster ride I’ve been on since I’ve met you?”

“My entire life has been that roller coaster ride Luca.”


“I’m sorry.”

It was my turn to look confused. “What for? It’s not your fault.”

I could have sworn I saw him flinch as if he felt guilty. You’re imagining things, you’ve just met Luca, I told myself. Probably all hyped up on a day full of adrenaline running through your body and know you’re seeing things.

Luca glanced at me sideways before turning his blue-green eyes back to the road. “Do you ever wish your life was different, normal even?”

I laughed. I loved my life. Sure, it hadn’t been easy, losing loved ones and constantly being hunted, but there was good in it too. I had a best friend who I loved like a sister. Even killing the occasional bad guy was fun. If I had been born an elf, I probably would have joined the Aelfadl.

“Normal doesn’t apply to us Luca, even if I wasn’t the enemy. To answer your question…STOP! Stop the car Luca, we’re here.”

Lo and behold we had arrived and my life over the past five years had come full circle. I was back at the diner I had first set foot in when I ran the night my parents and Willa were murdered. Sadly, I was running again. One day I’m going to stop in here on purpose.

“The diner?” he asked.

“One day I’ll tell you the story. Right now it’s time to find out what’s in this envelope.” I felt a shadow of foreboding close in on me as I opened the letter. Some small part of me realized nothing would ever be the same, let alone end well. I chose to ignore that part and opened it up, girding myself for whatever came next.





Dear Mags:





This is a letter I never hoped you would have to read, for various reasons. The second reason you’re reading this is that something has happened to separate you from all the protections I had in place for you. (The first reason is not relevant at the moment. I will get to that later.

First things first, you need to find shelter. Time is of the essence. You should be at the diner you found after whatever befell me happened. I know what you’re thinking. The long and short of it is that I had you spelled to find that diner if something happened to me.

You need to travel into the forest heading south. A day’s journey from here is a Fae village. They will help you. By the way, don’t worry about eating or drinking their food. You’re immune, except for the fairy wine, stay away from that. Read the rest of this once you are safe.





Love,

Willa





Willa was still keeping me safe, even from the grave. I returned the pages to the envelope, sighed, and turned to Luca. “I guess it’s time for me to go.”

His well tanned arms were rigid against the steering wheel. “I don’t like it Mags.”

“Don’t like what?”

“You, going to see the Fae. They’re a bunch of randy pranksters. I don’t trust them.”

Wow, he was pretty adamant against my visiting the Fae. I guess he’s had a bad run-in or two with them.

“Luca, you don’t have to worry about me. I’m a big girl. I think I can handle a horny fairy.” I had a short bout of the giggles after that and Luca was questioning my sanity.

Puzzled he asked, “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. I was just thinking that if we were human this conversation would be a non-starter. Well, maybe it would, but I’d be having it with you because I wouldn’t be his type!” I continued giggling while Luca groaned and shook his head.

“You’re in a life or death situation and you’re joking?” he asked incredulously.

I shrugged my shoulders. “It’s how I deal. It works for me. Besides,” I looked to both sides, “no one followed us, there’s nothing suspicious in the general area, and I have a plan. Can’t be better prepared, under the circumstances.”

There was something about Luca not wanting me to go to the Fae that caused a vein of ice to form in my soul. It just didn’t make sense. Then again, maybe he was just insecure. The Fae really were a randy bunch. My brain was on high alert, nit picking everything I heard and saw. I decided to go with the simplest answer. He probably thought the girl he’s interested in is heading into Fae territory and the chances of that ending well were gnawing at him.\

While I was mulling that little nugget of truth over, I wasn’t paying attention to Luca. Had I been aware, I would have noticed his face was only inches from mine. It wasn’t until he put his hand behind my neck and brought me in for the kill that I came back to reality.

His kiss was short and frantic. It felt like a plea for me to stay. As quick as he kissed me, he stopped. Luca dropped his forehead to mine. “Come with me. I can protect you. My job, it has resources-“

“Luca,” I interrupted, “this isn’t something to get involved in. I have all of good and evil hunting me down. Do you know what the Aelfadl would do to you if they found out you were helping me?”

“I know very well what they would do Mags, more than you.”

I moved away from him. “What do you mean?”

“It’s just,” he hit the steering wheel out of frustration. “I’m an Elf; of course I know what would happen. Damnit Mags, I’ve seen the treatment they’ve given prisoners. I don’t want that to happen to you. Please quit being so stubborn and come with me.”

Me stubborn? Noooo.

I thought it was fantastic that there was still a chivalrous knight willing to help the damsel in distress. This damsel, however, isn’t helpless and has a wicked sword arm.

I pushed the car door open, ending the conversation. We’d go in circles if we kept on this way. “Luca, do me a favor,” I asked.

“What’s that?” I almost felt bad, hearing the defeat in his voice. It’s not that I didn’t care what he thought. If I didn’t have a plan I knew to be solid in place I may have entrusted him with my life. But, Willa trumps good looking blonde elf any day.

“Please make sure Melissa is okay.”

His shoulders slumped. “I guess there is no changing your mind.”

I shook my head.

“Yeah, I can do that Mags. Stay safe and if it’s at all possible, I’d like to see you again. In one piece preferably.” He gave me a lopsided grin which, under normal circumstances, would’ve been adorable, but just seemed sad now.

I smiled at that. You had to give him credit, he didn’t scare easily. I grabbed my things from the car, waved goodbye and entered the forest to see the Fae.