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"Even on land, they make almost no sound. You'd think it would sound like your grandma putting on hand lotion, but it doesn't. Silence. Anyways, that's why you don't hear me coming. I don't do it on purpose. I'll try to make some noise next time so I don't scare you."
I sigh and lean towards him. When he doesn't pull away, I put my head against his chest. He's a little awkward at my touch, but then he just melts and puts his huge arms around me.
Another car comes by. We both look, our hands sliding into our jackets where the guns are. But the car rolls past.
"I can't believe we set up our own ambush."
"What better way to get all our enemies in the same place?"
Kyran comes jogging across the road, an old newspaper over his head to keep him dry.
"Boss, they're on their way. And I got word the old man isn't doing well. If you're going to call him, now might be the time."
Fabien grumbles. I feel it roll through his chest, into me like gravel being ground down to dust.
"He knows what he is to me," Fabien says, gruffly. "He'll have to settle for that. I don't have time for him to die."
I reach up and brush a loose tentacle from his eyes.
"Fabien...come on. He's yourdad. Listen, my dad is a real prick, but I'd want to talk to him if it was the end. Take a minute. We'll hold down the fort."
His burning coal eyes look at me. The depths of centuries of life lay behind them.
"You really think so?"
"Yeah."
He looks to Kyran. Kyran nods.
Keeping an eye on the roads, Fabien takes out his cell and dials.
"Hey, Pop," he says. "Heard you're on your last legs."
I wince a little at the delivery. He's my monster, but he could use a little more tact. Or maybe that's exactly how you talk to a three millennia old griffin on their deathbed.
"I'll be home soon. Stay strong. If you can’t, I'll see you on the other side of the mountain."
When the call is complete, we gather for the final confrontation. It becomes clear something is wrong. The people who show are too few, and they’re a mix of Fae and humans. I spot some I know real quick.
"That's Rasmussen!" I tell Fabien. "Shit. Harris is here, too. He was my boss before Rasmussen."
"The one who sexually harassed you?" Fabien growls.
"No, that was the guy before him. Harris was just a dick. But why’s he here? And why’re there so few Fae?"
A voice sounds from behind us.
"I can answer that," Octavian says. "I don't have enough people to fight you head on, Fabien. I'm afraid those poor souls down there might have to be sacrificed, but if that's the case, so be it. It's time formeto be running the Raidh. Your father will live just long enough to learn of your betrayal, of your love for thisrat."
"Don't you speak to her that way," Fabien says. His eyes narrow dangerously.
I feel the energy coming off of him, and it's majorly scary. Like he's ready to tear his cousin in half.
"How’d you even find the money for this?" Fabien says.
Octavian smiles a greasy smile.
"We all have our secrets."
