“What kind of dog is he? He’s the biggest I’ve ever seen,” I say, trying for a casual tone. Maybe if I befriend the huntsman, he’ll help me get home.
Silver eyes narrow. A pointy black boot goes tap, tap, tap. “He’s a wolfhound. Well, his father was a gally-trot and about the same size as one of those bears you seem fond of. He was known to rip the heads from horses when provoked.”
“Good to know.”
He watches me shake filth from my clothes as I get to my feet. “You don’t seem hurt,” he comments sulkily, as though disappointed my leg isn’t hanging by a thread.
“No. I think I’m fine. Just hungry.” And wondering what on earth is going to become of me.
“Good, then you can ride.”
“I don’t know how to.”
He gives me a withering look. “Surely, you can sit atop a saddle.”
“I’m not sure. I’ve never tried.”
“If you’re quiet, I shall hold you on. If not, prepare for further bruises when I let you slide off.”
Brilliant.
A piercing whistle comes from his lips, and a black horse trots through the trees, then slows, picking its way down the slope to the edge of the creek.
It’s a beautiful animal. An ornate leather quiver, a sturdy bow, and heavy saddle bags are strapped to its side. Intelligent black eyes assess me as it nickers at fae-boy’s shoulder.
“Your horse?” I ask.
“No, that’s my donkey,” he quips, then flinches violently as his fingers press into his temple.
The sort-of-lie caused him pain, but somehow, he was able to push the words out of his mouth. So, I guess sarcasm is possible for a fae as long as the statement skirts close enough to the truth. I tuck that piece of information away for later.
In one fluid movement, he vaults into the saddle. “My horse’s name is Jinn.”
“And yours is?”
“Never mind.” He presents his hand, extending calloused fingers toward me. “Come. Alight.”
“Nevermind is an unusual name. In case you’re interested, mine is Lara.”
He rolls his eyes. “I’m not.”
The eye roll is an odd gesture for one so haughty, and it makes me wonder how old he is. Beautiful, and with skin as smooth as glass, he could be aged anywhere from twenty years to twenty thousand.
“Take my hand, human called Lara, and mount the horse.”
“Wait. First, tell me where you’re going?”
“We are heading north to my home, to Talamh Cúig.”
“Please. Just give me a minute to think this through. Do you have any idea how I got here? Did you make this happen somehow?”
Throwing his head back, he actually laughs, and it sends hot shivers cascading down my spine.
“Summoning you here would be the very last thing I’d do. I’d rather eat dragon scale stew—with carrots in it.”
The horse snorts, then whinnies.
“Okay, fair enough. I believe you. But does it happen often? Humans appearing out of nowhere, I mean.”
“At times. But there are other worlds where it’s a frequent occurrence.” The huntsman sighs, and then makes a clicking sound. The horse circles around me. “But here? No, it doesn’t happen often.”
“Where are you going now? Are you leaving me here?”
“Sadly, no. Any moment, I’m going to dismount, toss you across my saddle, and tie you to it. And if you continue to prattle, I may also gag you.”
“Don’t do that. Please just give me another minute to think.” As I pace, treading over a thick carpet of leaves, Balor trails at my heels. I really wish he wouldn’t.
“Let me consider my options, Nevermind, the huntsman who neither sweats nor jokes.”
He laughs, and it sounds wild and unhinged. “Allow me to present them to you.” The saddle creaks as he leans threateningly toward me. “First option: you may journey to my home and let my people pronounce your fate. It’s only fair to mention we don’t care much for your kind.”
“Then that doesn’t sound like a great choice—”
“Alternatively, you can stay here and be eaten by your famous bears. Hurry and decide which option suits your mood, for I am in a hurry.”
The urge to punch him boils inside me. Best if I don’t, though.
Time to appeal to his better nature—if he has one—with the truth.
Wringing my hands, I take a deep breath. “To be honest, I don’t know if I can trust you. And all I want is to go home as soon as possible.”
“A sensible concern and a valid desire. Perhaps I’ve underestimated your intelligence.”
There he goes again with the sarcasm.
“Please, Never, do you have any idea how I can get out of this place?”
He huffs loudly, and the wind lifts and slashes through the trees. Balor howls. “For Dana’s sake, human, the same way you came, of course—through a portal.”
“Well, where is this portal?”
“Which one do you speak of? There are many.”
“The one that leads back to the human world, silly, you know—modern Earth? A place filled with cities and skyscrapers and—”
“Oh, hush. Do not speak to me of such tedious things.” He adjusts his sword belt, then thuds his palm against his thigh. “How you bore me, human. If you have any sense, you will mount my steed this minute.”
Violet-gray clouds roil above us, thunder rumbling in the distance. He gives the sky a scorching glance, then spears a large hand toward me, leaving it upturned in a graceful shape between us, like a peace offering. But I know better; it’s a demand.
“Enough nonsense. I have already shown you great forbearance. If it weren’t for my court’s right and duty to assess all intruders to these parts, I would have long ago dealt with you myself. Quickly. And simply.”
The horror of what he means—that if he weren’t abiding by some strict court rule, I’d already be dead—shudders through me.
Still, I don’t have the sense to cower in fear. As I fold my arms and open my mouth, about to badger him with further questions, the chilly breeze picks up, and he goes still as if he’s had a sudden realization.
Oh, oh.
“Am I mistaken, or did you insult me before?” he asks.
My heart thuds.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
“Um.” I scratch my head. “Insult you?”
“I believe you called me silly. I was angered by your talk of technology, and your insolence almost slipped by. But now I remember.”
He snaps his fingers and, suddenly, I can’t draw air in. My hair lifts and weaves above my head, and all I can do in response is gape and choke and convulse. With dawning horror, I realize I’m suffocating, and the beautiful fae huntsman is somehow making it happen.
With a steely gaze fixed on me and two fingers drawing lazy patterns in the air, he’s sucking my lungs dry.
My jaw cracks, and one side of his lips lifts in a mean smile. Chest exploding, my vision tunnels to a pinpoint. This is it. I’m going to die.
Aunt Clare, I’m sorry I didn’t go to college like you wanted me to. Thank you for caring for me all these years. Thank you for everything. I love you, Isla. Joe. And even you, Max. I love you all.