Chapter 8

As the weight of our conversation settled over the room, a sudden gust of wind carried the enticing aroma of freshly baked bread and sizzling bacon through the open window. The smells wafting from the kitchen starkly contrasted the heavy atmosphere, a tantalizing reminder of the simple pleasures that still existed in the world beyond our daunting quest.

We sat in silence, inhaling the comforting scents and allowing ourselves a brief respite from the challenges ahead. The mouthwatering smells promised a moment of normalcy, a fleeting chance to gather our strength and fortify our resolve before we plunged headlong into the unknown.

With a shared glance and a nod of understanding, we rose from our seats and headed toward the kitchen, ready to embrace this small moment of comfort.

Sean and his wife were a whirl of activity in the kitchen, expertly maneuvering around each other as they prepared a hearty Scottish breakfast. The table was set invitingly with plates of thick, savory back bacon, sizzling square sausages, and golden tattie scones. Fluffy scrambled eggs, grilled tomatoes, and a generous helping of black pudding accompanied the spread. A pot of strong tea steamed beside a basket of fresh, buttered rolls, completing the traditional robust meal.

Sean gestured to the table. "Please, come and sit, my friends. Eat while it's hot."

Justice pulled out a chair for me and sat beside me before my brother could sit between us.

Damon frowned as he settled next to me like a chaperone. He gave Justice a don't-even-think-about-touching-my-sister look.

Sometimes his overprotectiveness was a pain in my derriere.

Justice reached for the teapot, his fingers brushing lightly against mine as he lifted it from the table. The brief contact lit my blood on fire and warmed my cheeks with a hot flush. He filled my cup with the fragrant, steaming liquid, the aroma of bergamot and honey wafting to greet me.

"Thank you," I murmured, glancing up at him through my lashes, a shy smile on my lips.

His eyes met mine, a flicker of understanding passing between us. "You're welcome," he replied, his voice low and gentle, as if he were sharing a secret meant only for me.

Damon tapped his finger next to his cup, breaking the charged moment with a smirk. "Don't mind me, the guy dying of thirst over here," he quipped, his playful tone edged with a hint of sarcasm. "You know, tea for two sounds romantic, but tea for three keeps the peace."

"Say please," I murmured.

Damon leaned back in his chair. "Please."

Justice promptly poured tea into Damon's cup, as well as for everyone else at the table. As I sipped from my cup, I observed him closely. Justice was undeniably a leader, yet his manner was not domineering but marked by a calm assurance that invited trust rather than demanded obedience.

It made me want to follow him. He said he would protect me, and I believed him.

I glanced at Damon. His frown had disappeared, and a glint of astonishment flickered in his eyes. This was something Dad would never do. He was always the alpha.

Damon cleared his throat pointedly, the sound cutting through the silence in the dining room. "We should discuss our plans for meeting with Garrick and Chelby."

Justice resumed his seat next to me. "Last night, I was able to send a message to Chelby."

I gave him a short look. He hadn't mentioned that to me. Why the secret?

Damon frowned. "How?"

Justice didn't back down from his glare. "I had a Fae contact here in Edinburgh. I left in the middle of the night. He returned early this morning, saying she would meet us at the Brews of Bloom Brewery at one o'clock today. The Fae run it. That's how they keep an eye on Edinburgh to ensure it is safe."

I leaned forward, my mind racing with questions. "Why didn't you tell us you were going? We could have helped."

Justice shook his head. "It was too risky. I couldn't put you in danger. Besides, my contact is…particular about who he deals with."

Damon's frown deepened. "And you trust this contact? How do you know it's not a trap?"

"I don't," Justice admitted, his shoulders tensing. "It's the only lead we have, though. Chelby and the Court of Blossoms are in trouble, and we're running out of time."

Brody put down the scone he'd bit into. "What kind of trouble?"

Justice's face turned grim. "According to my informant, the reports you received about the people in the town of Glenraith acting strange. It's happening in the Court of Blossoms, too."

Brody sighed heavily. "Meaning Maci's demons have pierced the veil into the Court of Blossoms?"

Justice nodded. "According to my informant, I'm afraid it's true."

"Then there's Lohraith Cairn," Lisa interjected. "According to our psychic, Maci needs to do a draining spell under the full moon. That's six days from now. I know it has something to do with Aurora and Morgan." Her voice cracked as she mentioned her phoenix and German Shepherd.

Grady sat beside her and clutched her hand. "We'll find them, Lisa. I promise."

She nodded and blinked away tears, her lower lip trembling.

I wanted to reach over and give her a big hug. The pain etched on her face broke my heart. If Maci performed the spell, neither the phoenix nor the dog would survive.

Scott leaned back in his chair, his brows drawn deep into a scowl. "The problem is nobody can find Lohraith Cairn. It's like the place has disappeared."

Justice rubbed his forehead. "Maci must have put a dark spell over it, concealing the place. She's determined to keep everyone out. If we do find it, the cairn will be extremely dangerous. She's going to throw everything she's got at us."

"All right." I took a deep breath. "So, what's the plan? We can't walk into a Fae-run brewery unprepared."

Justice leaned in, his voice low. "We go in as patrons. Unfortunately, we can't bring our weapons in. We have to keep a low profile. My contact said Chelby will find us. We need to be ready for anything."

Damon's jaw clenched, but he nodded. "I don't like it, but I'm in."

The rest of the team nodded in agreement.

I placed my hand on Justice's arm. "We're in this together. No more secrets, okay?"

Justice met my gaze with a flicker of guilt. "Okay. No more secrets."

However, I had a gut feeling if he thought I'd be in danger, he wouldn't tell me everything in order to keep me safe. He was becoming more and more like my brother. Sometimes, alpha males couldn't get it through their heads that not every female was a simpering princess. Some of us were warriors, and we needed to be treated like warriors.

As we slowly devoured our Scottish breakfast, I couldn't shake the feeling we were stepping into something bigger than ourselves. The Fae, the phoenix and shepherd disappearances, Lohraith Cairn, Justice's secret contact. It was all connected somehow, and we were about to unravel the truth, no matter the cost.

We left McDuff Manor around twelve-thirty. I couldn't fathom eating more food. My stomach was still stuffed with all the delicious items Sean and his wife had provided us. Justice said we didn't need a car because it was easy to get around on foot. According to him, the Brews of Bloom Brewery was on the Royal Mile.

I tried to behave like a tourist ready to explore Edinburgh, but every nerve bunched up like a twisted cord, and every muscle twitched. Soon, I would meet a Fae from another realm. Even if she'd been a member of the Paranormal Mercenary Corps in the past, she was a queen now. I'd never met royalty, human or supernatural.

I glanced over my shoulder at McDuff Manor, the grand stone facade bathed in the warm glow of the afternoon sun. I wished I could sit on the porch with Justice, enjoying the beautiful view, drinking some cider or malt beer, the tang of the drink on my tongue, and the gentle breeze on my face. That wasn't possible, though. We had a mission that could cost us our lives, and the responsibility weighed heavily on my shoulders.

I braced myself as we wound our way through Edinburgh's bustling streets, the chatter of tourists and locals filling the air. My eyes darted from face to face, searching for any signs of Maci or demons, but I couldn't detect anything. The scent of freshly baked scones wafted from a nearby bakery, momentarily distracting me from my vigilance.

Luckily, my rose tattoo wasn't tingling. That was a good sign. Yet I couldn't shake the feeling that danger lurked around the corner, waiting to strike when we least expected it.

Some of my worried thoughts dissipated as I took in historic Edinburgh. The Royal Mile stretched before us, a vibrant artery lined with historic facades and echoing with the hum of tourist chatter and local banter. Nestled among stately buildings and shadowy closes, the Brews of Bloom Brewery was a warm, welcoming site.

I don't know what I expected. Maybe fairies flittering around or floating magic dust, but this place was none of these things.

From the outside, the brewery exuded a rustic charm with its ivy-clad walls and gently swinging wooden sign featuring elegantly intertwined boughs and blooms. After stepping inside, the atmosphere shifted to an enchanting blend of old-world pub and enchanted garden.

Lush greenery draped from the ceiling and walls, soft moss underfoot, while delicate floral aromas mingled with the robust scent of brewing hops. Fairy lights twinkled, casting a soft glow that made the petals shimmer. The magical meeting place seemed a world away from the cobbled city street outside.

Justice stopped abruptly, his eyes widening as he muttered under his breath, "Oh, shit. He's here."

"Who?" My curiosity rose with Justice's sudden change in demeanor. I followed his gaze and spotted a man leaning against the door, a devilish grin playing on his lips. He was handsome, with light brown hair that captured the warmth of the pub's lighting.

The man's attire was striking, a perfect blend of elegance and edge. His black pants hugged his lean legs, tucked into high black boots that gleamed with a polished sheen. A duster jacket the color of midnight draped over his broad shoulders, adding an air of mystery to his captivating presence.

Yet it was his eyes that truly drew me in. They were a vibrant green, reminiscent of the lush foliage decorating the brewery and something more. A supernatural glint that hinted at hidden depths and untold secrets. As his gaze locked with mine, a shiver ran down my spine as if he could see right through me, unraveling the essence of my being.

An otherworldly quality clung to him, a sense that he belonged to a realm beyond the ordinary. He reminded me of a character from a fantasy movie, stepping off the screen and into reality, blurring the lines between the mundane and the extraordinary.

Justice's jaw clenched, his posture tense as he watched the man with wariness and anticipation. "That's Garrick," he replied, his voice low and cautious. "He's the Unseelie King. Be careful. He's not like anyone you've ever met before."

I nodded, my heart racing as I realized the Unseelie King could kidnap one of us and trap us in his realm forever.