“That sounds…right,” Rixaline said as she tipped her head in thought. “The woods is surrounded by city. I know because that’s part of what helped me escape. I disappeared into the crowds, and they didn’t dare take me with all those people around.”
Toni shook her head. “How is that possible? I’ve never heard of any kind of fortress in the park besides Belvedere Castle, which is what I’m guessing the folly is.”
Pierce nodded. “Has to be.”
“Y-you can’t see the stronghold.” Rixaline twisted her fingers together. “Unless you have fae blood or are under fae control.”
“Fae magic is a remarkable thing,” Donna said.
Rixaline nodded.
LV frowned but spoke softly. Like a grandmother. “What does that mean, child? Under fae control?”
Everyone looked at Rixaline.
She seemed to shrink in on herself. “I’m not sure. I think if a fae has ahold of you. Like actually touching you. Or you are under their power in some way. Rico is under their control, so I’m sure he can see the stronghold around him. That’s just how fae magic works. I don’t know more than that.”
“Thank you,” Donna said. “That was helpful.”
Jerabeth raised a finger, the first time she’d interjected since arriving. “I think I have a solution for that. But…I’m going to need some pretty difficult-to-get ingredients. At least one toughie anyway.”
Donna turned toward the witch. “And that would be?”
Jerabeth grimaced. “A live fairy. Because I need their blood.”
Chapter Three
Donna groaned softly. “You said difficult, but a live fae sounds impossible.”
Toni shook her head as she sat up straighter. “There has to be another way.”
“I’m sure there is,” Jerabeth said. “But I don’t know what it would be.”
Rixaline stuck her arm out. “You can have my blood.”
Jerabeth’s smile was sympathetic. “That’s a kind offer, but you’re only half fae. I’m not sure it would work. And this doesn’t seem like a situation where we’re going to get a second chance.”
“I agree,” LV said. “We have to do this right the first time, or they’ll kill him. I have no doubt. And that would lead to war, because I assure you I would not let the murder of my grandson go unavenged.”
Donna leaned her head into her hand, her fingers over her left temple. “I hate to say this, but we need to tell the vampire governor of New York what’s about to happen in his state.”
Toni curled her lip. “A better governor wouldn’t let those fae run rampant.”
With a sigh, Charlie said to Donna, “You’re right, Governor. I hate it, too, but you’re right. I can’t imagine what Fitzhugh’s reaction would be, but I can guess how he’d react if you ran a raid in his state without telling him first.”
Donna groaned softly. “Maybe we’ll get lucky, and he will ignore us.”
Pierce snorted. “Sure.”
Charlie started scribbling something on the legal pad in front of her. “I’m making a note to draft an email to him. Although…” She stopped writing. “A phone call might be better. Considering what happened at the party, the personal touch might go a long way. And then he can’t say he didn’t get the email.”
“Good thinking.” Donna sipped her coffee. “Except a call might make him think I’ve forgiven him. I do not want him thinking everything’s copacetic between us. Because it isn’t.”
Charlie nodded slowly. “I understand wanting to let him stew, but remember he can still press charges against Pierce.”
Donna looked at LV and Toni, who were clearly lost. “Fitzhugh insulted me at a party we attended last night, and Pierce punched him in the mouth.”
Both women smiled. Toni gave Pierce a thumbs-up. “Good job. That jerkwad’s needed a punch in the kisser for a long time.”
Donna’s brows rose. “He’s got quite the reputation, doesn’t he?”
LV huffed out a breath. “No one likes him any more than what’s necessary to get things done. Thankfully, we almost never have to deal with him, since we’re not in his state, but I can promise you the New York pack wants nothing to do with him.”
“Interesting.” She took a moment to organize her thoughts. “Back to the topic of needing the blood from a live fairy. Jerabeth, I’m assuming that’s for a spell?”
Jerabeth nodded. “Basically. I told you it was a difficult ingredient.”
“You weren’t lying. How much will you need?”
Jerabeth looked around the table. “To be effective, anyone who’s going on this raid needs to be able to see the stronghold, which means I have to make enough for everyone involved. I’d say at least three vials. Although once the wolves shift, they won’t need the potion. Fae magic generally seems to be focused on human-based life forms.”
“All right.” Donna followed Temo’s gaze. He was staring at a spot on the table like he was lost in thought. “Temo? What’s on your mind?”
He blinked and looked up. “I might know someone who’d be willing to donate, but he’s going to want something in return. It won’t be a small something either.”
“He’s a full-blooded fae?”
He nodded. “We’re not bros or anything, but he’s been a reliable source so far.”
“When you say he’s going to want something, are we talking money? Favors? Something else?”
He sighed. “I won’t know until we talk to him. That’s the other thing. I don’t think this is a deal he’ll agree to without a face-to-face with you. He’ll want your personal guarantee.”
Donna sat back. A personal meeting with one of the creatures who considered her kind little more than walking entrées. “Have you met with him in person before?”
“I have.”
“You think it’s safe for me to meet him?”
“I hate to say that and then things go poorly, but he’s probably the safest one you could meet with.” He frowned. “I don’t know any other way.”
Donna didn’t hesitate. Rico’s life was at stake. “Set it up. But under no circumstances will I meet with him alone. I want you and at least one other person with me. Which reminds me…” She turned to Charlie. “I need some iron bracelets. Something that doesn’t look like I’m wearing shackles.”
“Right away.”
“Jerabeth, get me those empty vials, but bring me five.”
“You got it.”
Donna’s stomach growled, but it wasn’t necessarily for food.
LV smiled knowingly. “You’re up too late, vampire. You’re going to need something more than coffee to keep you going.”
“I’ll be fine, but we should get something to eat. Coffee isn’t going to sustain any of us for long.”
Charlie opened up her laptop. “I can take care of that. I’ll order us something to be delivered.” She started typing, then stopped and looked up. “Anyone have any food allergies I should know about?”