Born Of Nothing

10

If Ashley or any of the Huntsmen discovered the reason for my trip … it could mean trouble for them, so I’d like to keep them out of it, but I need someone’s help.” She didn’t have to convince me or even explain. I was more than happy to help her in any way I could. “Of course, just tell me when and I’ll be ready.” Becca leaned in to wrap her arms around me warmly. My mom would have had a seizure if she’d seen me hugging a Fae— whether that Fae had started out as a human or not. A road trip with Rebecca certainly would not be received well, and I wasn’t up for another argument. I’d have to find an excuse for my absence from home if I was going to keep the peace. Rebecca needed me, and her friendship was worth the risk of my mother’s wrath. The rest of the night was spent laughing, ogling hot actors, and bonding over face masks and embarrassing childhood memories. I smiled so much my cheeks hurt, and my chest was tight from the love I had for my friends. The museum wasn’t exactly my dream job, but it wasn’t all that bad. I enjoyed working with the children who came to visit and would often assist Rebecca when she organized a craft event or school field trip. Plus, our boss, Fergus, was amazing. He may have been a druid like my mom, but that was where the similarities ended. Fergus didn’t harbor any blanket hatred for the Fae. He was interested in maintaining our druid customs and passing along the knowledge but was eager to forge an alliance with the Fae once the misconceptions about the past had been cleared up. Fergus was a good man, and I was grateful he had offered me a job. As I had told Rebecca at our sleepover a few days prior, I planned to do something more with my life, I just wasn’t sure what that was yet. Until I sorted out what I wanted from life, working at the museum had been the perfect filler. Clacking footsteps stirred me from my thoughts, and I looked toward the elevator to see Rebecca briskly walking in my direction. She worked on the top floor but often came down at lunch to visit. The intensity of her gaze told me that today she had more on her mind than idle chitchat. “Hey, Becca, is everything all right?” I asked as she approached my desk, her eyes scanning the lobby for any listening ears. “There’s been a change of plans,” she whispered to me furtively. “I just got word that Queen Guin has sent over her meathead Beck and some woman to keep an eye on things here. I had hoped to run our errand this weekend, but it can’t wait. Can you get away Wednesday? We could leave straight from work.” “Yes, of course.” She nodded distractedly, and unease settled in my stomach as she continued. “I’ll ask for Thursday morning off, and you can call in sick— that way no one will suspect we were together. I know your family is strict, and I don’t want you in any trouble.” “Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine. I can tell this is important, and I’m happy to help.” “I’ll tell you more on the way there, but the main gist is I freed a man who had been exiled to the Shadow Lands of Faery. He’s a good man, wrongfully punished, and now I need to make sure he stays safe. I was only able to visit once briefly, and with the queen’s guards here now, I need to check on him and warn him to be careful.” My heart raced with excitement and trepidation. I had been so sheltered all my life that a part of me craved adventure, even though I didn’t think naturally I would have been much of a thrill-seeker. It was amazing what a little repression would do to a girl. “Sounds like a plan. I’ll have a bag packed in my car and be ready to leave after work.” My enthusiasm must have shone on my face because Rebecca smirked and softly rolled her eyes. “You really do need to get out more.” “I’m working on it.” “I know you are, just don’t work too hard. I don’t want to be the reason you get in trouble with your mom.” “You leave her to me—she’ll never know I was gone.” OceanofPDF.com 6 At six sharp on Wednesday evening, I drove to a coffee shop around the corner from the Huntsman where I had been instructed to pick up Becca. She stood waiting when I pulled up to the curb, and as soon as I stopped, she tossed a large suitcase into the back and jumped in the passenger seat. “Jesus, I feel like a getaway driver. You sure you didn’t just rob a bank?” I teased as I pulled my old beater car into traffic. Becca smacked my arm with a laugh. “Hey, that’s not a bad idea! You’re pretty good at this driver business, and you are still looking into careers.” “I think my mom would prefer armed robbery than to know I was off consorting with a Fae.” “Did you tell her you were coming with me?” “Absolutely not! Aileen, the girl I’m supposed to room with soon, she’s a weird one, but not a bad sort—she agreed to give me an alibi.” “That doesn’t sound so weird; she sounds cool.” There was a time I would have agreed with Becca, but things had changed over the years. Aileen and I didn’t go to the same school but had always hung in the same crowd at druid family gatherings. She was loud and hilariously funny. My quieter personality was easily drawn in by her boisterous nature. We grew apart around the time I was graduating from school, and ever since, our conversations had been awkward. Even my phone chat with her the night before about giving me an alibi had been odd. “Aileen, I need a favor from you. I’d like to spend the night with a … special friend, but my mom wouldn’t be thrilled, you know how overprotective she can be. Is there any way I can tell her I’m staying with you?” I infused my voice with pleading, knowing I had few other options if Aileen wouldn’t help me. “You’re always welcome with me,” she said in a sing-song voice.