The Fae bachelor climbed off the statue as dozens of curious eyes watched. Would they recognize the producer? Or us? As soon as Fallon landed on the ground, I rushed over.
“Is he going to be okay?”
“I think so.” His frosty lilac eyes were on the gashes across his face. Then they moved to the darker splotches spraying his jacket. He ran his finger over the marks, and his lips twisted.
“What?”
“Melted ice.” His gaze lifted to Shep’s face again and the thin bloodied slashes. “Father’s ice daggers are his preferred weapon.”
“You think Elrian did this?”
“I’m sure of it.” He shook his head mumbling another curse. “Shep was an idiot to even consider blackmailing my father. Honestly, I’m surprised he let the producer live.”
I gulped. Note to self: never get on the Fae king’s bad side.
Fallon marched through the muttering crowd and away from the central square toward Fay’s diner. The moment the streets grew quiet, the crew appeared.
“Finally,” I hissed when I recognized the all-black clad team. “What took you so long?”
One of the males with an earpiece dangling from his left ear muttered into a hidden mic before turning to me. “We were under strict orders not to intervene.”
“Who’s orders?” Fallon barked as he handed Shep over to the healer.
The guy ticked his head at the producer who was stretched out across a makeshift cot. “Sheppard Hawke’s.”
“That idiot knew my father would come for him.”
“Then why would he do something so stupid?” I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the mottled bruises and open wounds crisscrossing the producer’s face. The moment the words were out I knew the answer.
Fallon spoke the word as I thought it. “Ratings.”
“He can’t seriously go through with airing the footage now, right?”
The Fae shrugged. “Who knows. I’m sure he could find a way to twist it so that it fit into the storyline somehow without directly implicating the Winter king.”
I released a frustrated breath and ran my hand through my hair. It was only my second day in Maginaria, and I’d already had enough of all the drama, but I couldn’t get Fallon’s sad puppy dog face out of my mind. After all this, he deserved to know the truth about his biological mom.
As the crew towed Shep away, I grabbed Fallon’s hand and tugged him down a quiet alleyway.
“What are you doing?” he muttered, dragging his feet.
“We’re going to see a witch or a warlock or someone magical. We’re in the land of powerful magic, Fallon. Don’t you think we can find someone who can undo vampire compulsion? Both you and Fay deserve to know what happened. At least if there’s one thing you’ll get out of this show, it’ll be the truth.”
“So, I take it I’ve ruined my chance with you?”
I slowly shook my head, a pang of guilt seeping into my heart. I’d done a lot of thinking after my fight with the Fae prince, and with the next elimination looming closer, I’d taken a long, hard look at my feelings for the remaining bachelors. Fallon had been intriguing from the start. He was a puzzle I needed to solve, but beyond the obvious sexual attraction, I couldn’t really picture myself with him. “You didn’t ruin anything, Fallon. I’m just not sure we’re right for each other.”
His lips pressed into a thin line, and the brilliant luster of his lilac irises dimmed.
“You have enough shit to handle right now without adding my drama.” I rose to my tiptoes and brushed my lips against his cheek. “But that doesn’t mean I won’t help you find your mom.”
“And then I’m out?”
“Nothing’s certain, I guess. Knox could always royally fuck up my visit and then I’d have to toss his ass out.” I shot him a teasing wink and was surprised when he grinned in return.
He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and crushed me into his side. “He’d never be that stupid. I’ve seen the way that wolf looks at you, and that hunger is real.”
A swirl of excitement bounced around my insides at his words. Which was ridiculous. Knox and I were miles away from a happy ending. But I couldn’t deny I missed the jerk. Shoving back the thoughts, I refocused on my current mission. “So, where would we find a compulsion-removing expert?”
Fallon scanned the quaint Midtowne square with magic shops, bookstores, and cafes on every corner. “Take your pick.”
“How about Poisons and Potions?” I pointed at a cute boutique on the corner across the street.
“Sounds good to me.”
As we crossed the cobblestone walkway, a random thought streaked across my mind. “Don’t you have magic? Couldn’t you do something?”
“In case you forgot that part of the sad story, I only recently discovered my magical prowess. My abilities are erratic and hard to control, on a good day. I’d be of no better use than a first year from Arcane Academy.”
“But what about that impressive light show when those gargoyles attacked at the spa?”
“Luck. My powers are tied to my emotions, and I just acted on impulse. It would take me awhile to harness them. It’s something I would like to work on eventually, especially because my father is so against it. I’ve heard that my Uncle Drake, the King of Spring is quite adept at magic.”
“I wish I had magic—any kind really. Even shifting would be awesome.”
“It’s not that great… Trust me.” Fallon opened the door to the boutique, jingling the bell overhead.
The redhead at the counter straightened, her green eyes scrutinizing. A thick leatherbound tome was stretched across the worn wood. Even at this distance, I could tell it was a spellbook. “I’m just watching the shop for a friend so if it’s anything complicated, you’ll have to come back later.”
I stepped forward when Fallon’s jaw remained clamped shut. “We’re looking for a potion that could erase a vampire’s compulsion.”
She snorted on a laugh. “You must not be from here, right?”
“Nope.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “So, you can’t do it?”
“Oh, I can do it, but it’s no simple potion.” She strutted out from behind the counter, her long legs accentuated by her short skirt and high heels. Fallon’s appreciative gaze did not go unnoticed. “Is this for you, cutey?” She ran her finger across my bachelor’s cheek.
He cleared his throat, crimson coating his skin. Oh, come on. Sure, she was pretty, but she had to have been at least ten years older than us. “No,” he finally mumbled. “It’s for a friend.”
“Well, you’ll need to bring your friend here, and it’ll cost her.”
“I’ll pay for it. Whatever you want.”
“Fallon!” I dug my elbow into his side.
The female grinned, her ruby lips slipping into a wicked smile. “I’m Raine by the way, and you were very fortunate to come when you did. There aren’t many witches in Maginaria as skilled as I am.”
“Lucky us,” I muttered.
“Come back this evening, and I’ll have all the supplies needed to perform the spell.”