13. Pike

Chapter 13

Pike

I'm rusty in Fae languages, but it's undeniably a dialect from the Winter Court.

"Darling, how about you face me so we can have a conversation?"

The assumed Fae perched on my back tightens their grip around my neck. "Where is he? I haven't been able to sense his life force in a decade and when I do, it's here. Where. Is. He?"

With a sigh, I release Frankie's leash and spin the Fae around to make them face me and set them on their feet. I can't help the gasp, and apparently neither can Frankie. This Fae looks so much like Trick, though, this Fae is more muscular. The other noticeable differences are the hair, where Trick's is pretty bubblegum pink, this Fae has stark white. Then the eyes. Trick's are blue gray, this one has deep jeweled green. They flutter their wings indignantly.

"Who are you, little Fae, and why are you bothering me?"

Their lips twitch and their cheeks go pink, just like Trick's do. "I think I've been clear about why I'm bothering you. Where is my brother?" They stab their dagger at my throat again and I smack it away. "For a decade I've been searching, and he's never shown up in my scrying. I learned how to cut the veils and nothing . But a few days ago I sensed him again. Now his scent and life force are all over you. Did you eat him?" The Fae staggers back and looks at Frankie. "Did your Hellhound eat him?"

The laugh comes without my permission. "I'm trying to help your brother, so I'd appreciate it if you backed off."

"Take me to him!"

"Can't."

"Why not? You know where he is. We've been worried sick about him since the day—" They cut themselves off.

"Since the day you were introduced as a courtesan."

Their eyes go wide. "You do know him."

"I do, but not well. There's something you should know. But first?—"

"Don't try to bargain with me, demon." They lift their dagger again.

I roll my eyes. "Name, pronouns." Since once more I find myself having a whole ass conversation with a Fae instead of getting right to the point.

Their mouth drops open. "Wren he him."

"Pike, also he him."

His eyes go wide again and his hand flies to his mouth. "What trickery is this? How did you get my true name from me?"

"That's all you, buddy." I pat his shoulder as he looks at me, dazed. "But there's nothing to worry from me. I have no desire to use it against you."

He shakes his head. "My brother. Take me to him."

"See, that could be a problem. I can tell you he's in Hex, Indiana?—"

Immediately Wren poofs out.

I sigh and look to Frankie, who just huffs out a breath.

"Three. Two. O?—"

"You lied!" Wren glares at me with his arms crossed. It takes everything in me not to laugh in his face at how much he and Trick pout alike.

"If you had let me finish, I would have told you he has not only a soul tether to an asshole born witch but also said witch has him behind so many magic walls to keep out people looking for him you won't be able to detect him."

What strength Wren has drains from him as his knees buckle. I catch him with my tail so he doesn't hit the ground too hard.

"A soul tether? How?" Wren pushes my tail away. "And how do you know my brother to begin with?"

"Funny story, that." I wave a hand in front of us. "Mind if we walk and talk? Frankie hasn't had a proper walk in a day."

The question must throw Wren off because he nods and we continue down the block. "Your brother, he goes by Trick in the human realm, summoned me the other day to get him home."

"But you didn't help him?"

"I am helping him. Unless you rather I took his virginity then dropped him headless in the Fae lands? Because the soul tether would have beheaded him the moment we left the human realm." I shrug. "Plus, the sacrifice would have been empty, so I denied him."

"You denied him?"

" Temporarily . I'm working on a solution to dissolve the soul tether, but there isn't much information on it. I told him we'd come up with a bargain later. After we get rid of the soul tether."

"I'm here now, so he doesn't need you to bargain a way home."

"You can't even sense him in the human realm. You need me to do more than get rid of the soul tether."

Wren's jaw twitches, and he stops walking. His gaze lands on the swirling thread of magic. "What can I do to help?"

"I think it's a matter of research and getting rid of the tether before anything else. I'll work on the other magic too. But the witch is powerful." Though I don't think it's entirely his own magic. I don't tell Wren that.

"Tell him we never stopped looking." In this moment, Wren looks like a lost child.

"Want a hug? We slept together last night and?—"

"I thought?—"

"Sleep. Just sleep. Nothing more. You might be able to feel him still?"

Wren looks around and plows into me when I open my arms. I let him soak in Trick's energy as long as he wants. I know I want to swim in it myself. Trick is… well, Trick.

"Tell him we love him." Wren says as he pulls away. "We never stopped looking."

"I'll tell him. Once I know more, I'll come to the Winter Court to update you. Or…" I point out my house. "Come any time. If I'm not here, leave a message on the fridge."

"Thank you, Pike." And Wren blinks out as if he was never here.

"Well, that was good luck. I don't have to go looking for Trick's family because they came to me." I'm not sure why I pat my pocket where the coin sits, but it feels right.