Author Unknown
Idon’t bother hailing a carriage to bring me back to Nia’s, instead using the time it takes to reach her street to compose myself and rack my brain for solutions. I’m empty, completely drained, my steps trudging, my heart floundering.
My aunt and uncle are outside, along with Nia and a few of the neighbors.
Aunt Cordelia must be sick over my disappearance, and now I’m going to have to explain where I’ve been or come up with some other plausible excuse for going missing. If she learns the truth, she is sure to kick me out.
Nia breaks away from the group, running toward me. It isn’t until she’s nearly at my side that I see the tears tracking down her ashen face. “Kerris! Oh, thank heavens you’re back safe. I’ve been at my wits’ end.”
“Why? What’s the matter?”
A man steps out from the crowd, his dark curls damp against his brow and eyes red-rimmed. Why is Nolan crying as well?
Heavens, whatever happened must be terrible, indeed.
Nia’s hand envelopes mine, her voice breaking. “It’s Trevor. He’s dead.”
He’s dead.
He’s dead.
He’s dead.
No… That cannot be true. “We just spoke to him a few hours ago.”
“I know. I know we did?—”
Nolan lays a gloved hand on Nia’s shoulder, silencing her with a stern look. “Kerris? I need you to come with me.”
“Why?”
“The inspector has questions.” A muscle in his jaw feathers as he withdraws a pair of silver manacles from his belt. “I do not want to detain you but will if I need to.”
Nia shrugs him off, stepping between us, her spine rigid and tone biting. “You must be joking.”
“Step aside, Nia. This does not concern you.”
“It sure as hell does. She’s my cousin, and?—”
“And she was the last person to see our friend alive,” he grits out, his voice breaking.
“I was there too. Are you going to threaten to detain me as well?”
“You said you left the two of them alone in the cottage.”
“Well, yes, but?—”
Can’t she see? Nolan doesn’t want to be here; he’s only doing his job. “It’s all right, Nia. I didn’t do anything wrong, remember? I’ll be fine.” Perhaps I’ll be able to help them find whoever did this. Not that I know where to begin, but if I can assist in any way, I owe it to Trevor to try.
“You’re damn right you will, because I’m coming with you to make sure of it.” She links our arms, but from the incredulous look on Nolan’s face, it’s clear that he isn’t going to let that happen.
I pat her hand before prying free. “It’s best if I go on my own.” The fewer people that know of her involvement, the better.
I promise to be back soon, hoping it isn’t a lie.
* * *
Although he doesn’t chain me up, Nolan and two other guards escort me through the center of town like some sort of criminal. Although the town is mostly empty because of the impending curfew, there are still a few fae leaving the pubs and restaurants. When they see us, they fall silent. By morning I’ll be even more of a pariah than before.