The Darkling Lord: Court of the Banished book 1 (Annwyn Series 4) (15 page)

“For double what I paid.” Instant profit. That was what he’d come here for. But with the dirt only just cleaned from his nails after yesterday’s work simply making money wasn’t enough. He wanted the city to be like it was. He couldn’t do that if he sold up and left. MacGill was here to make a buck, take what he could, maybe make a name for himself.

Were they really that different?

Both had fairy blood.

The longer Henry looked at MacGill the more he realized that they were the same, and Henry didn’t want to be that person. He didn’t want to profit out of the blood of mortals. He couldn’t sit by and watch as they died or left.

He actually wanted the city to be functioning again not lurching around like a zombie after a fix of brains. There were enough cities like that around the world. Most would end up eating themselves and collapsing.

“No deal.” MacGill stood. “You
will
sell to me.” He repeated as he held Henry’s gaze.

The full impact of the words slamming into Henry, then slid off him. He was completely immune to fairy magic.

It would be easy to agree, to start again in another city. It didn’t need to be here. He could enact the same plan in any number of cities across the US. He could make money and help the humans left devastated after the fairy battle for the throne.

However he was tired of living his life in secret. Of conforming and hiding and making sure that he didn’t stand out. Maybe he was more fairy than he realized. He wanted power and acknowledgement of that power. He wanted to be able to use that power to make something worth talking about.

Detroit would be his.

Henry stood and smoothed his suit. “I don’t think I will. Now I want to make you an offer MacGill. Resign.”

“What?”

Henry didn’t answer. He walked toward the door and gave a nod to Kaid. MacGill’s thug was dead before he’d realized what had happened and Kaid was returning the wire to his wrist like a bloodied bracelet.

“I’ll see myself out, MacGill. Touch me or my man and you won’t live to see noon. I have men all over the city; your shooters were noted and targeted.” Well, noted anyway, but it was only a small stretch of the truth. Nothing that a fairy would disapprove of.

“This isn’t our last meeting.”

Yes it was. They both knew that. It was just a case of who ordered the hit and got in first.

Henry and Kaid gathered their weapons and walked out of the building unmolested, and while the shooters were still on the buildings they fired no shots.

“I don’t think he knows what he is.” Henry said once they’d cleared the block and no longer had targets on their backs.

“He sure as hell doesn’t know what we are.”

Henry’s lips twisted into a half smile. “I don’t think he was impressed that his words didn’t work on me.”

“You think?” Kaid walked a few more paces, stepping lightly over rubbish that had been left to pile up. “He won’t let you live.”

“I know. But I plan on getting to him first.” He’d realized that one of them was going to have to die the moment MacGill had stood up. MacGill knew it too. Henry drew in a breath and prepared to give Kaid a direct order, one that he couldn’t refuse. “I have a job for you, kelpie.”

“You bastard, I’d have done it without the order.” Kaid stalked away.

Maybe he would’ve, but Henry wanted to make sure that MacGill died.

H
enry poured
a second generous glass of whiskey and sipped it.

Marlis sat opposite him. “You did the right thing.”

“Kaid doesn’t agree.” There was a difference between killing for food and killing for territory and gain. Ordering Kaid was protecting him from Annwyn. This way it was only Henry’s ass hanging over the line. Actually he was so far over the line he wasn’t sure he could even see it anymore.

“He is stubborn and doesn’t think like we do.” That was an understatement. “Henry…I hope this all works out for you. You have spent such a long time looking.” She placed her hand over his. It weighed nothing and her skin was cold and dry.

Her touch hadn’t always been like that. Nor had she always been so serious. Or maybe he was just remembering the good times. Her laughter and the way they had spent too many nights out partying until dawn. His time with her had been a brief but shining moment in a long and desolate life.

He glanced up from his liquor. Her words were sounding a lot like goodbye. For the first time he noticed how truly frail she was. When was the last time he’d seen her dance? She barely walked. She was definitely shorter than when they’d first met, and there was definitely less of her. They’d met here. She’d spun him around and dropped him just as fast, laughing the whole time. She’d been daring and devious and had managed to teach him a trick or two in bed. When he’d returned to Detroit he’d found her a shell of her former self, much like the city.

“You’re leaving.” He tried to keep the accusation from his voice.

“You can call it that, if it makes you happier.” She sighed. “We had some fun.”

“We did.” He nodded. “Your advice has been appreciated.”

She gave a sharp laugh. “It was more than advice. But I can see it in your face that I am no longer desirable. I saw it the moment we re-met. I wanted to hate Darah… but there is no point. I no longer have the energy.” She sighed. “Don’t be blinded. She is what she is, as are you.”

“What does that mean?” He frowned.

“That I want you to be happy. Now, I want to see your garden. I’d like to sit out under the stars one last time.”

Henry closed his eyes. He wanted to beg her to hold on another day, but when a Grey had decided to give up that was it. She could shrink and last for a few more months…but for what? There was nothing left for her to live for. “I’ll sit with you.”

“I don’t expect that. You have your Court spy to watch.”

He looked away. While he hadn’t flaunted his affair with Darah, Marlis obviously knew. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“I’m not hurt, envious maybe. She gets the man finding his feet and grasping power. But I had the boy who wanted to taste life and who reminded me that not everything on this side of the veil was dull and dying. I hope she doesn’t hurt you when she leaves”

Henry looked up. “You know she isn’t exiled.”

“Of course I do. She doesn’t have a big enough chip on her shoulder. She was too nice. The question is what do you plan to do?”

Henry shrugged. “She isn’t speaking to me so it doesn’t matter.”

“Don’t be a fool, Henry. Their spy can be used against them. Make an effort to win her over. You are more charming than you know.”

Not as charming as the Mayor, though. “You told me once no fairy ever gambles their heart, so how do I win something that is never on the table?” Not even Darah’s husband had touched her heart. In her own words it was unscarred.

“Just because they never gamble with it doesn’t mean it isn’t already in play. Fairies, especially those used to the vicious games of Eyra’s old Court, are masters of misleading actions and clever manipulations.” She pressed her thin lips together. “You need to play smarter, Henry, not harder. She will discover the truth.”

“And if she doesn’t, someone else will.” While he knew he could make a case that it was for the people, the greater good, he’d directly interfered—and killed—for personal gain. That was the kind of thing that Annwyn frowned on. “Maybe I went too far.”

Marlis inclined her head in agreement. ‘It would’ve been smarter to report the Mayor to Darah and let the Hunter deal with him.”

He hadn’t thought of that at the time. “I’ll be lost without your wisdom.”

“You will have to develop your own. Go and see Darah. Perhaps a deal can be made.”

Henry considered her for a moment. The situation must be worse than he thought if Marlis was suggesting he make a deal. Had there been another way? Even if he had involved Annwyn, the Hunter would’ve been too late to stop the Mayor from killing Henry—and that was assuming they actually cared about what the changeling was doing in the first place.

No, he had to believe he’d done the right thing. It was kill or be killed. In some ways the world hadn’t changed much since he was a child. The strong preyed on the weak. The rich on the poor, and even though he’d moved up the food chain there were still bigger, badder creatures out there waiting for him to stumble so they could take a bite.

“You have always warned me not to make deals with fairies.” Including herself and other Greys.

She pressed her lips together for a moment before answering. If she was afraid for him, she wasn’t letting it show. She was however concerned and that was enough to make the hairs on his arms stand up on end. “In this case it might be needed.”

Marlis was correct. It was better to act as though he was in the right and had nothing to fear than to cower and wait for the axe. Henry nodded. “I will speak with her. Then we can spend the evening together.”

He stood up and kissed her cheek. But where once there had been fullness and warmth now all he felt was bone and cold. He was going to miss her. He already missed the way she had been. At least when he died it would be quick; there would be no prolonged wasting away.

Would Darah be in her room? Or talking to the Greys? He passed though the gaming room—not the machines, no fairy was interested in something that required so little skill—but the tables where cards and dice were played.

Ex-Lord Weylin was there playing with a few Greys…as was Darah. He looked at the two supposedly exiled fairies. Were they in cahoots? Lovers? Spies?

No. The body language was wrong. And while it could be for show there seemed to be genuine dislike between Darah and Weylin. Henry strolled over. Weylin smiled, but it was greasy. The man was up to something. He’d love to kick him out of Detroit but that would be hard when he didn’t actually have the city yet.

He chose to ignore the man and instead took Darah’s hand and lifted it to his lips.

If she was horrified or shocked it didn’t show, her smile held an echo of warmth. That was better than what he’d been hoping for. It would be nice to take her downtown where the city was a little more vibrant, however he had generally avoided the area as the Mayor had very strict control…and if the Mayor was no longer in control?

It was still too early to be walking around down there. His minions could retaliate, although without the MacGill’s slippery words would they still be loyal?

“Can I tear you away from your game?”

“Weylin can attempt to win his chips back later.” Darah picked up a pile of chips and turned away from the table.

Henry didn’t miss Weylin’s distinct look of displeasure. That man was trouble…but then weren’t all fairies be they changeling, Grey or Court?

“You’re friendly with him.” Was he jealous? Possibly. The idea of Darah with Weylin was unsettling. If she was going to sleep with anyone for information it should be him, although he’d rather that she slept with him for other reasons. Sometimes he was so human.

Where could they go where they wouldn’t be overheard? His room, but that was more suggestive than he would’ve liked. They needed to move beyond casual sex. He decided on the small lounge near the high stakes gaming room. It seemed appropriate.

“I like to keep my enemies close.” The look she gave him didn’t reveal what she thought he was.

“How close?” He had to force the words out.

“Not as close as you.” A ghost of a smile played on her lips.

That wasn’t reassuring at all. “I’m not the enemy, Darah.”

He didn’t want to be fighting everyone. Why couldn’t people, fairy and human, just let him try something? See if he could make a difference?

“I know, but I’m not sure you are a friend either.” Her voice was soft as if she didn’t like admitting that.

Henry sighed and pushed open the door. He flicked a few switches and some of the lights came on. The room smelled dusty and unused. Hopefully that would change in the near future and he could get the deputy Mayor on his side now MacGill was gone. Henry didn’t want to become Mayor himself—far too much red tape.

“If he hadn’t shot me I wouldn’t have killed him. But I needed to heal, and he’d seen I wasn’t human.” Humans didn’t bleed black.

“I could’ve glamoured him.” She sat on the edge of one of the sofas.

“And my wound? I don’t heal naturally.” His body couldn’t. It was another flaw of being a darkling. Minor scratches were okay, they healed eventually. But a serious wound…he’d tried that once just to see what would happen. Absolutely nothing. It was as if the soul he had didn’t have the strength to heal him as well as keep him alive. He sat next to her. “We both know I shouldn’t really exist.”

“But you do, and so do others.”

So she’d heard a about the darkling child, Peri. Or was she talking about the pregnant Grey? He went with simple agreement. “Yeah.”

“You scared me. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

That was probably true. “I’m sorry you had to see it.”

She shook her head, her long black hair sliding over her bare arms. “No. I needed to see it. It’s part of who you are.”

“But not all I am. I’m trying to do something good.” For the first time in his life he wasn’t thinking only of his survival. It had taken him a century to grow up…which by fairy terms probably was about right. In Annwyn fairies weren’t expected to even start vying for power until they were over century.

“I know. But you understand why Felan is interested?”

He did, and he knew that the hit on the Mayor wasn’t going to go unnoticed. “I’m not gunning for Annwyn. No one here is. However I’m sure some of the Greys would like a reprieve or at least a chance at a reduced sentence.” Was it too late for Marlis? He tried not to think about what would happen tonight.

“Weylin is after Annwyn, he’s trying to gather supporters.”

“I don’t have the power to send him packing.” He wished he did. If Detroit was truly his, he’d be able to control all the fairies living here. There would be no jostling for power. No stealing or troublemaking. Only those that could live in peace with humans would be allowed to live here.

“You will. And when you do have that much power I’m sure that Annwyn will try to stop you.”

“Why? Because I’m keeping the Greys in line? Because I’m interfering with the humans? Annwyn made this mess. Annwyn is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands. “I’ve killed only for survival.” He drew in a breath. Had it still been survival today? Possibly, although it was a long bow to draw as it could’ve been idle threats. “I met the Mayor this morning. He is a changeling whose words make people obey.”

Darah actually looked surprised. It was an expression that didn’t suit her. “Did he know what you are?”

“I don’t think he knew what he was. But he wanted me dead.”

There was a pause as she looked at him; her pale turquoise eyes didn’t miss anything. “Is he dead?”

“If he’s not already, he will be soon. I gave Kaid the order.”

D
arah wasn’t
sure what to say. So for a moment she said nothing. “Is Kaid your tamed assassin?”

“He’s…I don’t think he could ever be tamed, but we have an understanding.” Henry frowned. “If Annwyn comes after me, what will happen to him?”

“I don’t know. He shouldn’t be here.”

“But he is. And humans have misused him, used him for their own purposes.” From the way Henry glanced down Darah suspected Henry could add himself to that list. “He deserves a chance to work out what he is, without being controlled.”

Yet Henry had just ordered Kaid to kill. Was he trying to protect Kaid? Henry’s world was as complex as any Court games in Annwyn. He just didn’t realize it. Henry deserved a chance to see what he could do. Felan had ordered fairies to leave Annwyn and help the mortals and that was exactly what Henry was doing. That he was doing it with the help of Greys was the only part that had Felan concerned. Or had been.

The Hunter hadn’t been thrilled to know there was a fairy horse running around as a man. Darah doubted the Hunter would be impressed that Henry had stopped a changeling from controlling humans—although Darah felt Dylis should be as a changeling who had the power of suggestion was very dangerous indeed.

“I think what you are doing is very interesting. I want to see it succeed.” She placed her hand on his leg well aware that beneath her hand there’d be a fresh scar.

He smiled. When he smiled he didn’t look as world weary, and unlike many fairies it lit up his eyes. While he could guard his expression, around her he didn’t seem to. She wished she found it as easy to shake off the constraints of Court.

“However I do need to tell the Hunter about the Mayor.”

“I know. It’s why I told you. I wanted you to hear it from me. I also want you to know that I’m not planning on becoming Mayor. I don’t want that.”

Why not? That would make the city truly his…maybe it wasn’t about ownership. He was already winning the hearts of the people a few at a time. Having their hearts was worth more than having the paperwork.

Again she had the feeling that she was underestimating what Henry could achieve. Was he far more dangerous than he let on? Or did he not realize?

Either way, Henry had plans and potential. The way he took the required risks and then faced her, a known spy, without fear was exciting. If he’d been a fairy she’d have wanted to be by his side, helping and then basking in the power.

But he wasn’t fairy, and they had no future. She had to remember that. Annwyn seemed so far away right now and so irrelevant. Yesterday in the garden with Henry she’d done something useful. Something that people had appreciated. They had thanked her, hugged her. No one had ever done that in Annwyn.