Well, then. 

At her voice, the knife in my submerged hand melted back into the royal blue bands that decorated my fingers. Silver and blue against rich brown skin contrasted so beautifully it was almost hypnotizing. Unfortunately, Dani’s cutting voice yanked my attention to her looming form. Dropping my head back against the rim of the tub, I stared blankly at her stormy expression.

“You’re going to make me blush if you keep complimenting me, Babes.”

“Did you really think I wasn’t going to find out? Were you even going to tell me?”

“You’re right. Cheating was in poor taste, I should have just dumped you.”

Pink eyes rolled in annoyance, “Just tell me, you’re not actually going to see that crazy bastard?”

Pressing a hand to my chest, I jutted my chin out in an appalled expression. “First of all, there is only one crazy bastard in history and that’s me. Secondly, why are you upset? You like Afric.”

“No, Macha. You like him. Afric is a certified lunatic, who you never should’ve made a deal with.” She announced, sitting on the bed a good distance away.

Shaking my head, I stood and gave her my back while using a spare tunic to dry off. With only a few hours of sleep in my system, I wasn’t in the mood to listen to her talk down at me for a deal she was there for. Popping open the wooden chest, I dug around for something appropriate to wear to Afric’s den. 

Sliding on a pair of matching undergarments, I muttered, “I didn’t hear you complaining when I made it.” 

“That’s because I never thought you’d ever actually call it in.” 

Wiggling into a pair of grey leather trousers, I snorted, “You don’t actually believe that, do you?” 

“For once in your life, Macha. Be serious.”

“What do you want me to say?” I sighed, grabbing a black long sleeve. 

“That you’re not going to collect on a Death Deal with a Den Head Banshee tonight.”

Shrugging on the tunic, I finally turned around to face her. “I can’t do that.”

“Damned to the ground, Macha!” Dani shouted. Jumping from the bed, she pointed a sharp nail in my direction. “Afric is not to be toyed with.” 

“And neither am I. So, back off.” I gritted out between pointed teeth.

For a moment it looked like she was going to scream at me again until her shoulders slumped. Smoothing a hand over her pink and black curls, she groaned, “Look, I’m not trying to piss you off. You can obviously handle yourself, it’s just...”

“Just what?” 

“You and Afric play an intense game of who’s crazier, Macha. Are you sure you’re up for that?” 

An honest to Divines, genuine grin spilt my face followed by a hysteria tinged laugh. “Oh. You don’t have to worry about that, Babes. Trust me. It’s Afric who should be concerned.” 

Pink eyes searched my face, “Okay. If you’re really doing this then I’m coming too. And despite what you want us to believe, you’re not crazy.” 

Rolling my eyes, I slipped on my boots and walked around to the other side of the tent. Why did people always assume that my personality was an act? Maybe I was certifiable and maybe I wasn’t but that didn’t change who I was. If I had an urge to go toe to toe with a most definitely insane Den Head for a little thrill, why did it have to be an act? Why couldn’t it just be me?

“I don’t want you to believe anything but the truth, Babes.”

Silver chains rattled as they unwound from the desk chair to wrap around my waist. Grabbing the handles of my swords, I shivered in delight when the cool blue metal snaked around my fingers and wrists. Bracelets tinkling, I waved at her to follow me from the tent. 

“Wait, did you have dinner yet? I brought a bowl of coddle.” 

To lie or not- Oh, who am I kidding? “I already ate.”

As soon as I stepped out from the tent, fresh air heavily scented with smoking vegetables greeted me. Nodding to the nearby fae, some with blue ribbons and some without, I continued on my way to the outskirts of the camp. The small bonfires scattered about lit our path out from the tents and into the tree line where a small group waited for us. Dougal, General Erick, and a few soldiers spoke in low tones as we approached. 

One of the soldiers, sporting teal colored hair and a blue ribbon around his wrist, spotted me first. Sliding out from the group, he stepped in front of me with a nervous look. Chest tightening, I watched as his eyelids lowered and his head bowed, “My Queen.” 

Once the words left his mouth, the others were quick to turn my way and repeat the gesture. Uncomfortable, I nodded in respect to the soldiers and caught sight of the blue ribbon they all wore. Before I could panic, they fanned out so that we could see each other clearly. Each soldier had their preferred weapon strapped to their body and a serious expression hardening their features. 

“We’re ready to go when you are, My Queen.”

Nodding at Dougal, I glanced over the rest. “Does everyone here know where we’re headed? And who we’re meeting?” At the reassured ’yes’s, I continued, “If you don’t want to go, stay here. No one will think any less of you.” 

“These soldiers know the risk, My Queen.” General Erick announced.

“Perfect. So, then listen closely. None of you will be harmed on this little mission if you follow the blue rules.” 

A soldier with rose petal eyes tilted his head, “The blue rules?”

Laughing at Dani’s groan, I fluffed my shiny hair, “Blue’s a thousand times better than gold, don’t you think Babes?” Scanning over their amused looks, I pushed on, “Going into any banshee den but especially Afric’s, these will be your tools of survival. Rule One, Show absolutely no fear. Rule Two, Never at any point separate from the group. Rule Three, Do not and I repeat do not drink or eat anything offered to you.” Locking eyes with each of them, I added the most important rule of the night. “This last rule is only for tonight but I need you to follow it to the T. No matter what is said or done tonight, you will not intervene in my conversation with Afric.” 

Dougal immediately went to disagree, “Fahbt Siúcra, you can’t ask us to just standby.” 

“I can and I am. If your reason for wearing my color is true then you will listen to me. Afric isn’t someone you can handle.” 

“But you can?”

Turning to the General, I raised a brow and stated point blank, “We have a Death Deal. Afric is Den Head because of me. I took out his brothers in exchange for a future favor. He now owes me a large debt that I plan on collecting, plain and simple.”

While a few of them looked impressed as a Death Deal wasn’t something to balk at, Dougal was angry. Holding his gaze, I waited for him to say something but he seemed to bite his tongue. I knew he would be pissed when he found out exactly what kind of deal it was. Instead of sealing the deal with a jolt of magic, a Death Deal with a banshee required both participants to die. Me and Afric’s death had only lasted a couple of minutes but it was enough to seal the deal. 

“Why would you make that deal?” Dougal snapped, aggression lining his tone.

Oh, he was soooooo not going to like my answer. 

Giving him my best ‘please don’t be mad’ smile, I admitted, “I could say the old Den Head was giving me trouble. But really, I was just bored.” 

Seconds went by where he just stared at me but right when I caught sight of pointed teeth, Erick jumped in. “We should go. We still have a fake travel trail to create before we head to the den.” 

Taking the exit he was giving me, I replied, “Let’s head out. Remember the rules for tonight and after you’ve established a fake trail, meet at the entrance of Garran Tolglainne.” 

The men and women in front of me nodded in agreement before one by one, we all disappeared.