Cruel Fate by Kelley Armstrong

Author:Kelley Armstrong [Armstrong, Kelley]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: urban fantasy, cainsville, mythology, private investigator, mystery, Kelley Armstrong

Ten

Olivia

Gabriel and I talked for the next hour. My panic passed; I’d moved back to the sofa, lying on his lap as we worked through it. He was right. No human knew where to find that body or how it connected to my father. A fae moved it, and now they’d hold that threat over us in return for a favor. Of course.

We were Matilda and Gwynn, and we were still navigating that. We needed to strike a balance between using it to our advantage and not being taken advantage of. We weren’t just humans—we were young humans. To the fae, that was like having a child crowned queen without any vice-regent to guide her. The perfect pawn to exploit.

I could bitch to the elders about this—See what a shitty position I’m in, for your sake—but in truth, Gabriel and I reveled in it. We’d get what we could out of the arrangement. Making sure the balance stayed in our favor only added challenge.

Earlier, Gabriel had assured me that if my father was arrested, he’d “fix” it, but this was where it could be fixed. Before any arrest. We knew what was happening. We were prepared for our fae opponent’s next move. It would be an anonymous e-mail or a newspaper left on our step, someone calling attention to the discovery of Kirkman’s body. The fae involved would sit back and let us stew and work ourselves into a frenzy. Then they’d make contact with the offer. Oh, hey, about that body—I know your dad did it, Matilda, but I’ll keep that to myself, in return for…

In return for refuge in Cainsville.

In return for an audience with the Cwˆn Annwn.

In return for one million dollars.

The last was unlikely—fae traded in favors and favor—but it could happen. It didn’t matter. We knew what was coming and only had to sit tight and wait.

I was rising to refill my wineglass when I noticed the parlor window darkening as night fell. I checked my watch and scrambled up. “Todd went for a walk after dinner. Two hours ago.”

“I thought I heard him in the kitchen. He may have come back and heard us talking.”

That made sense, and someone was in the kitchen—TC, chowing down. Otherwise, the lower floor was shrouded in darkness, lights out. I flicked them on as I walked.

“Dad?” I called.

I jogged up to his bedroom. The door creaked open when I knocked. Empty. I clambered back down the stairs as the patio door whooshed.

I exhaled in relief and strode into the kitchen only to find Gabriel locking the sliding door.

“I thought he might be out there,” Gabriel said. “But I’m sure it’s fine. The elders probably stopped him to talk. I’ll give him a call, though.”

He was already on his phone. Before I could say anything, Todd’s phone in the front hall rang.

“He left it behind,” I said. “I saw it, but I didn’t want to make a big deal. Damn it. I should have gone after him.”

Gabriel squeezed my elbow as he passed.

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