“Which is why you’re still alive, Ms. Lane. Keep cultivating those parts.”
Since I had them both together, for a novel change, I had a hunch I wanted to test. “What is Barrons?” I asked V’lane. “Human, or something else?”
The Fae Prince looked at Barrons, and said nothing.
Barrons shot me a sharp look.
“So, Barrons,” I said sweetly, “tell me about V’lane. Is he a good guy or a bad guy?”
Barrons looked away and said nothing.
I shook my head, disgusted. It was as I’d suspected. Men. Were they the same among all species, whether human or not? “Both of you have something on the other, and neither of you will rat it out, in order to keep your own secrets safe. Unbelievable. You hate each other, and still stick together. Well, guess what? Screw you. I’m done with you both.”
“Big words from a little human,” V’lane said. “You need us.”
“He’s right. Deal with it, Ms. Lane.”
Great. Now they were uniting forces against me. I preferred V’lane disappearing when Barrons appeared. Did this mean V’lane wasn’t afraid of Barrons, after all? I eyed the space between them. If Barrons were to step forward, would V’lane step back? I could hardly suggest it. After a moment’s consideration, I moved out from beneath Barron’s arm, and stepped behind him. I felt him relax a little. I think he thought I was seeking the shelter of his body, using the movement to show that I’d chosen a side. I imagined he looked pretty self-satisfied right now.
I shoved him forward as hard as I could. V’lane glided instantly back.
Barrons jerked a furious look over his shoulder at me.
I smiled. I don’t think many women push Barrons around.
“What games are you playing, sidhe-seer?” V’lane hissed.
The Fae Prince feared Barrons. I tried to process that thought but I’m not sure I succeeded.
“Can you still feel the Book?” Barrons asked, a muscle jumping in his jaw.
“Yes, where has it gone?” demanded V’lane. “Which way?”
“You wasted too much time arguing,” I lied. I still had a faint tingle. It had stopped somewhere. “It passed beyond my radar a few minutes ago.” I wasn’t sure either of them believed me, but what could they do?
Actually, it occurred to me, they both could do something really nasty to me if they felt like it: Barrons could use Voice, force me to tell him the truth, and make me hunt it, and if I understood a death-by-sex Fae’s thrall, V’lane could amp up the sex thing and steer me around like a horny little divining rod.
So, why weren’t they? Because they really were decent guys with decent motives, albeit very screwed-up personalities? Or because they didn’t want each other around when they used me to track it, and neither could think of a way to get rid of the other at the moment?
Were we all letting it get away, to keep each other from getting it? Wow. I used to have a hard time with high school geometry. Life was way more complicated than math.
“Move,” Barrons said. “Get on the bike.”
I didn’t like his tone.
“Where will you go, Ms. Lane, if not with me or him? Back home to Ashford? Will you strike out on your own? Get a flat? Will your father have to come pack up after you, like you cleaned up after your sister?”
I turned and began walking. He followed me, close enough that I could feel his breath on the back of my neck. “He’ll sift you,” he said in a low growl, “if you give him the chance.”
“I don’t think he’ll risk getting within twenty feet of you,” I said coolly. “And you didn’t have to remind me that my sister’s dead. That was a cheap shot.”
I got on the Harley.
Go with V’lane and be punished for violating our bargain?
I’d take my chances with Barrons. For now.