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But while Ash kept the big Therian in his line of sight, Leana barely glanced his way.
“Very blunt of you,” Zee said, uncertain how to take the woman in front of her. She was just so very other. Zee had met Fae and Nightdwellers before, including some of the rarest creatures out there. Save for one creature who may or may not be Fae and who may or may not be a friend, her interactions with Fae tended to be rather brief, and in keeping with unspoken laws designed to minimize conflict, those she came across had been civil. Even if it was only an affected front, one designed to hide snide contempt.
Apart from the Nightdweller Fae, most denizens of the Faelands viewed life through a cynical lens and that snide contempt was a part of it. It was who they were and their view of the other races, especially Nightdweller Fae and humans, was of bone-deep scorn.
Those views were a large reason why most Fae had retreated to Underhill, or the Faelands, before the Slaughters and stayed there until years after the final battles ended. They only emerged because changes to the Faelands had made their once-beautiful sanctuary an inhospitable hell, learning too late that the Fae were intrinsically tied to the earth and since the Faelands of Underhill existed outside of earth in a pocket realm, they’d weakened themselves, and the magic of Underhill.
By the time they emerged, much of their territorial lands in the world they’d once shared with humans and the other Preterns had either been destroyed in the battles or been taken as territory by a Prime who’d been there to fight, while the Fae hid.
With their lands no longer so easy to claim, they had to play nice with the other races if they wanted a chance at reclaiming what they’d abandoned, or at finding a new demesne where no other Pretern had made their mark.
The Nightdwelling Fae had always been different, more a part of this world and not so inclined to dismiss humans.
But Zee had never met a Fae of any sort who was so... blunt.
“Fae and lies don’t mix well,” Leana said, the darkness of her eyes ablaze with a dazzling glow—like lavender lightning streaking behind black glass. “But I’d imagine you’ve learned that lesson.”
Zee hesitated, uncertain how to answer. She’d never been very good at lying either. The few times she’d tried to tell outright lies, they’d always get stuck in her throat, while some deep instinct had insisted not to voice out whatever untruth hovered on the tip of her tongue.
When she’d learned about her Leanan Sidhé blood, that problem with lying had made a bit more sense. There was so much of her Nightdweller Fae heritage she didn’t understand.
What little she did know had been through trial and error and hours spent reading lore and myths. Trying to pick the threads of truth from the knot of lies was exhaustive work. Separating fact from fiction wasn’t easy. It wasn’t like the Fae published books on it and much of the knowledge gathered by humans had been riddled with what she suspected were half-truths shared by the Fae in a deliberate attempt to hide useful information.
Not that she’d know what she was looking for. Maybe something like... So You Discovered You’re Part Nightdweller or You Have Some Fae Blood, Now What? Man, would that have made her life easier.
“I know a little,” she finally said.
“Hmmm.” Canting her head to the side, Leana studied her. “Well, as I said, I despised your father, which we can talk about at a later time if you wish, but my feelings for him have no bearing on you.” Her eyes took on a far-off look, likely focused on a distant memory. “And while Samuel Day was a right bastard, he... helped me once. I owed him a debt. He never came to collect.”
The man next to her stroked a hand down her back before looking at Zee.
“Sam saved Lee’s life,” he said softly, his pale green eyes glinting with intensity.
Surprise hit Zee like a fist. “He did?”
Leana scowled at her lover before shifting her attention back to Zee, face softening with a smile.
“Yes. Like I said, we can talk about it at another time. But I wanted to meet you and take care of that debt.” Stepping closer, she lowered her voice until nobody save for Shale could have heard her voice. “I know some of your history, little sister, enough to know you have little understanding of what you truly are, of what you can do.”
Zee’s cheeks reddened. “Well, it’s not like I was born with a handbook.”
“Wouldn’t life be easier that way?” Leana asked in an echo of Zee’s thoughts, her smile infectious. It made her beauty both brighter and more approachable. “If only. Listen, I’d like to help.”
“Help?” Narrowing her eyes, Zee studied the woman.
“Yes. I can give you information. Unlike you, I wasn’t left to sort things out on my own. Also, I’m human enough to not give a damn about the don’t ask questions of the Fae crap.” She took Zee’s hand and tucked something into it. “Call me. We’ll talk.”
“And if you ever need help... with anything... ” Leana’s gaze slid to Niko and she frowned. “With anything, let me know.”
With a smile at Shale, Leana took her husband’s hand and they left.
Zee looked after her for several long moments, Leana’s tall, slim form easily distinguishable in the dwindling light. It took a concentrated effort to drag her gaze away, but she finally managed.
Looking at what Leana had given her, she saw it was a small square card with simple, elegant font. It held only a number. No name, no title. Just that number. Rubbing her thumb over it, she froze when a jolt of power rushed up her arm.
Shale was there immediately, one hand on her shoulder. “Zee?”
“I’m fine,” she said softly. The rush of what she’d recognized as Fae magic had filled her drained body with renewed energy.
Heart pumping hard, she looked around for Leana.
But both she and her lover were already gone, lost in the crowd, likely already making their way out of the Hollow. They’d done what they’d come for, after all.
“You look like you saw a ghost.”
She opened her mouth to reassure him, but a familiar scent tugged at her nose, along with a whisper of power she’d recognize anywhere.
Spinning, she searched the crowd and delight filled her at the sight of a familiar face.
“Meri!”
