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Cait’s lips curve. “It’s amazing how resilient people are when they know they’ll forget the trouble they cause... or the enemies who become friends, just for a night.”
“Seems a little counterintuitive.”
Her gaze softens on me. “You’ll get used to it.”
“I keep telling myself that, but things keep changing.”
“I’ll make you something special to cheer you up.” She collects two bottles and two glasses. She keeps glancing at me from beneath her lashes as she prepares the drinks.
“Figure it out yet?” she asks. “Where I’m from?”
“Nocturna?” I guess, glancing at the redheaded vampire luring another man into a dark passageway. Interestingly, the big brute bouncer who broke up the fight is brooding as he regards her from a doorway. Kai, I think his name was.
Cait slides two glasses my way, each with a straw and a tiny umbrella.
“What’s in the drink?” I narrow my eyes.
“Vodka and Orange juice. Mortals used to call it a Screwdriver in the old days.”
I’m familiar with the ingredients from Crystal City. But Alfie warned against trusting Cait. I’m not sure how much of myself I should reveal.
“Nothing else in it? No surprise enchantments?”
“Just that.” She salutes me. “Scout’s honor.”
“Who is Scout?” I put the straw to my lips and take a sip. It’s nice. Sweet.
Cait laughs. “I thought you’d be all over the old-world lingo with who your mother is.”
I tense. “Who told you about my mother?”
She leans against the counter. “I know plenty of things about you, Willow O’Leary-Nightstalk.”
Taking another sip, I study her again. Is she psychic or something else? Our first conversation comes to mind.
“Fox told you.” Another sip. “You’re friends.”
“Clever girl. What else have you deduced?”
I raise my brows at Sorcha, then glance at Cait’s duo-tone skin and tail. “I don’t think those would fit the Old Code’s mandates about flawless appearance.”
She flicks the gems dangling from her nose chain. “I help people fit the code in Avorlorna.” She gestures around her face, and suddenly, her ears and tail disappear. The white patches on her skin become the same color as the rest of her.
“Your charms glamour away flaws?” I ask. Maybe I can buy or barter for some to help Geraldine and the others. “How much does it cost?”
“Only your eternal soul.”
I blink. She doesn’t.
“So... when you said you could help me with my... this.” I gesture at my face. “The price is my soul?”
Her smile reveals the tip of her white canines. “But you won’t need my help. Not yet, anyway.” Before I can press the subject, her humor dissipates. She leans forward to speak in ahushed, warning tone. “I’ve never seen Fox so unhinged before. If he loses it like that in public, his little secret is not so secret anymore. Do you understand?”
My eyes widen. “His wings will be clipped like the others.”
“Oh, much worse than that ifeveryonesees it. Titania hides their true identities for selfish purposes. But if her court finds out he’s a Nightmare, the only way to wash her hands clean is to pretend they’re all infiltrating on Oberon’s behalf.”
“She can’t execute them. They don’t die.”
