“What is it, Pin?” Asher’s deep voice came from the front of the carriage. Two brown mares were steadily pulling it forward. He could tell when his friend had something on his mind.

“Coco Teal…” 

“There’s nothing left to tell. I told you everything that happened.”

“I know. It’s her brother, Raysen. I felt it would be prudent to keep track of his whereabouts. I’ve been tracking him with my magic since you left.” Pin let out an embarrassed laugh. 

An amused chuckle left Asher. “Of course you have.” He should have known Pin would do something like this. He always did what he wanted no matter the consequences. “Is he in danger?”

 Ignoring his friend’s amusement, Pin continued. “No. He’s where he’s supposed to be. Should we tell him the truth?”

Asher gave him an incredulous look. “And break Coco’s trust? If anyone tells him, it’s up to her.”

“Does she know he knows?”

“No. I don’t even know how he found out.”

“Based on what I’ve discovered, he’s already come into his magic.”

“All of it?”

“Yes. And it feels like it’s growing.”

“Things are changing, Pin.”

“Do you think James is right?”

Asher shuddered at the thought. “Let us hope not. If half the things that man says is true, I fear for our future.”

Their carriage rolled to a stop outside a shabby, broken down inn. “What if Coco doesn’t do anything to stop him?” 

“Then that’s that. I can’t force her to do anything. No one can.” Asher glanced at Pin, taking in his thin build and tall height.

“You never told me what business we have.”

Regret danced across Asher’s face. He slumped against the wall of the carriage. “There is old magic binding me to my promise to James. He requested I bring him the young woman that’s staying here.”

“Did he say why?”

Asher met Pin’s eyes, eyes that were still so earnest and open despite all the tragedy they endured. Eyes that were completely brown—human eyes. The result of a sorcerer choosing a human lover which was strictly against their laws.

“He didn’t. I’ve tried everything to break the old magic. The only way I can achieve that is by doing this final request. I don’t know how he managed to invoke such ancient magic. It worries me.”

Pin wisely said nothing. He had been through a lot with Asher. Though none of that involved kidnapping an innocent person. A heavy weight settled on his shoulders.  

~~~

“Mamá, no! I don’t want to go! I can’t go!”

“Monnaie—Monnaie, I am so sorry.” Replied the woman’s mother, hot tears streaming down her face. She grasped her daughter firmly on the shoulders. “Monnaie, he will kill you, me, Papa, little Johnny! If you do not go, we will all die.”    

“Mamá, you can’t know that.”

“Please,” whispered her mamá. “I can’t be responsible for your death. Please, Monnaie. For Papa and little Johnny. I love you, my darling.” 

“I love you, too, Mamá.” Monnaie choked out.

The front door opened unceremoniously. “Is she ready?” Asher’s voice traveled through the air, steady despite his disgust at what he must do.

“Mamá!” Monnaie shrieked as she was dragged out of the building. “Mamá!”

~~~

Coco kept her head down as she slipped outside the inn and walked the few feet to the restaurant next door. She was too terrified to read the name. Only the smell of delicious food kept her from turning around.

She didn’t dare linger outside. Her only reassurance that she didn’t stand out was seeing other people cloaked with hoods hiding most of their faces.

The bell jingled when she opened the door.

A wave of smells greeted her.

“First time?”

“Sorry?”

A tinkling laugh reverberated throughout the small reception area. “First timers usually block the doorway when they smell our food. We’re delighted to have you dine at Fox Fire.”

Coco cast her eyes about until they landed on a tiny, pixie-like creature. It had an androgynous appearance. Delicate wings sprouted from its back and fluttered like a hummingbird’s, keeping it airborne. Its pale-yellow skin glistened like early morning dew. The tiny swoop of yellow hair reminded Coco of a small flower.

“First time seeing a faery?” Its voice was begrudging.

“I’m sorry. You’re very beautiful. I didn’t mean to stare.” Coco managed to hide her ignorance through another truthful statement and hoped she wouldn’t be found out.

Dark patches appeared on the faery’s cheeks. “Why, thank you. Us faeries are often overlooked by many. I’m surprised you managed to find me so quickly.”

“Me too.”

“Dining in?”

“Yes, please.”

“Right this way.”

She followed the faery inside and was amazed to see so many flowers hanging down from the ceiling. If a greenhouse was turned into a restaurant, this is what it would look like.

A delicate staircase wound its way up to the second floor and acted like the main centerpiece in a flower display. A variety of wooden tables and chairs were spaced evenly throughout the restaurant. The lighting was dim, giving a soft ambiance to the place.

Despite her worry, Coco was pleased to see the restaurant packed. Colorful cloaks contrasted against the brown of the wood. It allowed her to relax further knowing she blended in with the crowd.

The faery sat her down at the end of the bar area. “What would you like?”

“Anything you recommend.”

A wicked twinkle lit the faery’s eyes. “To eat or drink?”

Coco realized she must have made a mistake. “To eat.”

“Such a shame. I’ll have the waiter take your order instead.”

She watched the faery fly away. Her heart was pounding against her chest.

“Don’t feel bad,” a crude voice spoke up next to her. “Faeries, even the ‘good’ ones, are wicked by nature. Never ask for their name and never give them yours.”

Coco turned to face the older man. He looked to be in his fifties. His slanted eyes were a fascinating carmine color surrounded by a vivid white. His short hair and goatee were the same color as the rings in his eyes. Rather than a cloak, he wore faded black leather armor. There were numerous rips and mended tears along his jacket. A heavy sword was strapped to his side.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Coco managed to say.

The man leaned closer, dropping his voice to a whisper. “Word to the wise, Coco Teal, learn to conceal your eyes.”

Her heart dropped to the floor. How does he know?!

“Your secret’s safe with me,” he continued, undaunted by her reaction. “Tension is high between the sorcerers and entals. Everyone with a brain’s out looking for you. The Council like to keep loose ends wrapped up nice and neat. Not many like the Council these days. They keep sending our people to their death.”

Hesitant though she may be, her identity was already discovered. “I don’t know what you mean. What’s an ental? What war?”

The man let out a heavy sigh. “Entals are powerful people. Don’t let any sorcerer tell you otherwise. They’re able to wield the elements using their will and are beyond deadly in battle. I’d not fancy a fight with one. Didn’t fare well last time it happened.”

“What does any of that have to do with me?”

“The problem is the Council. Moment they deem someone dangerous, they’re hunted until dead. Only difference here is you’re more powerful than them.”

She doubted that. “And the war?”

“Politics are messy. Sorcerers don’t trust entals. Entals don’t trust sorcerers. Both think they’re better than the other. Those in power want more power. More control.” The man’s eyes pinned her in place. “The Council denounced you. Therefore, the entals rejoice you. Rumors spread as rumors do, Miss Teal. Doesn’t matter where it started. The rumors say you’re the key to ending the war. Enough people believe it that it must be true. Magic works in mysterious ways.”

She remained silent. Better to listen than accidentally reveal something important.

“The fact you’re here confirms a few of those rumors. I imagine you don’t know, so I’ll let you in on a little secret. There are three realms. Rumor says they used to be one. Two of those realms believe you’re their savior. It’s a heavy weight to carry.”

Coco tore her gaze away from the man. She glanced around the restaurant, surprised the amount of people doubled.

“You best hurry on to wherever you came from. Faeries see more than us. You aren’t safe here.”

Heart hammering in her chest, Coco jumped to her feet. “Thank—”

“In order to blend in, never thank those you don’t know.” The man gave another big sigh and rose from his seat. He stood at about the same height as Coco. “I expect we’ll see each other again. Not until the far future, unfortunately. Consider this a favor and be quick.”

What felt like a bucket of ice water drenched her entire body, but she remained dry. “Wh—”

“Be quick. Faeries can break magic like butter.”

Not knowing what to do, Coco decided to trust the old man and fought against the crowd to make it to the front. She didn’t see the faery anywhere, though that didn’t put her at ease. If anything, it made her more frantic to escape.

When she glanced behind her, she thought she saw tiny bodies leave the hanging flowers covering the ceiling. Instinct warned her she shouldn’t stay.

The icy sensation intensified over her body as she got closer to the exit. Coco didn’t know if that meant the spell was wearing off or getting stronger.

With a final shove, she squeezed past a group of women and tripped into the front door, managing to open it in the process. Gasping for air, Coco pulled her cloak tighter about her body.

This wasn’t supposed to happen! Pulser never mentioned faeries!

The streets were packed with people. It was only a few feet to the inn, but Coco found herself being tossed about in the crowd.

Panic set in.

She dashed forward only to be pulled in the opposite direction from the inn. No matter how hard she tried to go against the crowd, it swept her further away until she ended up a few streets over. It wouldn’t have been so terrible, except all the houses in the neighborhood were crafted using the same architecture and white marble.

She didn’t even know which way to turn in order to head back to the inn. Everything looked the same.

Coco struggled to calm down and ease the panic that kept increasing. She frantically stepped sideways and ended up outside the crowd. She was backed into the corner of an empty food stall, but at least she wasn’t being swept away anymore.

At this point, the icy sensation was gone.