Ghost Light

“I don’t know,” I said.  “There’s too much I don’t know about wisps.  I’ve read everything I can get my hands on, and those stories involve either treasure or trickery, sometimes death, but nothing about kidnapping.”

“Wisps don’t eat kids, do they?” Jinx asked.  “You know, like ghouls.  No offense, Ivy.”

I sure hoped wisps didn’t feast on little kids.  It was hard enough getting used to the idea of having faerie blood running through my veins without being related to cannibals.  I placed a hand on my stomach, wishing I hadn’t eaten an entire plate of toast and eggs.

“No, wisps are not child eaters,” Ceff said.  “It would seem that these wisps are either stealing children for monetary reward or amusement.”

“Reward?” I asked.  “As in, working for someone?”

“Yes, it’s a possibility,” he said.  “Wisps are attracted to treasure.  With your father gone, and no one to tell them differently, it’s possible these wisps may have bargained their services for gold.”

My chest tightened, as if a crushing weight had settled there, and I curled my hands into fists.  If I had found my people and assumed my role as princess sooner, this mess may never have happened.  Those children would be home safe with their families instead of huddled somewhere scared, or worse.

“So who would want a bunch of faerie children?” Jinx asked.

I shook my head.  Who indeed.

Feeding on children went against vampire law, but I didn’t trust bloodsuckers.  For the long-lived undead, the blood of faerie children would be a potent delicacy to break the boredom of immortality.  I wouldn’t put it past a hungry vampire to use hired help as bait, if they had the means.  And most of the dust bags I’d met were loaded.  I’d have to pay a visit to the head of the local vamps.  Oh.  Joy.

As for fae who may wish to steal a bunch of kids, I was stumped.  Faeries were known for abducting human children, not their own.  The victims included both Seelie and Unseelie fae, so it wasn’t a case of one court attacking the other, and the list of fae races represented by our clients was vast.  I couldn’t see how kidnapping such a diverse group of kids would aid in any political maneuvering, but with the fae nothing was as it seemed.  I’d have to ask around, just in case.  Kaye said local fae leaders gathered at Club Nexus.  Maybe things would seem clearer after a trip to the club.

But I’d have to wait until dusk to interview any vamps or fae royalty.  That left searching the homes where the children were abducted and nearby burial grounds.  I picked up my phone and scanned the map.  A large number of faeries who live in Harborsmouth reside on Joysen Hill.  Many of these families were targeted by the kidnappers, and there are two large public cemeteries and three small graveyards on The Hill.  With its close proximity to Club Nexus and the entrance to the head vamp’s lair, it seemed like a good place to start.

I was going back to Joysen Hill.  Hopefully this time I could avoid the attentions of deadly fae and a run in with the law.  With my track record, I wasn’t so sure of that.

Chapter 11

Twenty-four hours ago, I’d juggled an armful of shopping bags while Jinx shopped on The Hill.  Now I walked Market Street again, Ceff at my side.  He was a lot more fun to look at than my roommate.  My kelpie king boyfriend climbed the hill in a fitted dress shirt tucked into dark blue jeans that showed off some of his most attractive assets.  I licked my lips, pulse racing.  How did I, a grouchy half-breed, end up with such a dreamy guy?

I shook my head and turned my attention to The Hill and its inhabitants.  I took a quick double-step forward to bring myself alongside Ceff.  Walking behind him, and his gorgeous butt, was a distraction I couldn’t afford.

We both scanned the streets for clues and any sign of Melusine, wisps, or the cat sidhe.  To passersby we probably looked like a couple out trolling for fun before hitting the bars.

I let my arms hang loose, alert to any threats.  My leather jacket covered the throwing knives strapped to my wrists and the stakes tucked into my belt.  I had additional anti-fae charms securely stashed in my pockets and an iron dagger in my right boot.

Ceff was also armed.  Before leaving the loft, I’d asked for a closer look at the weapon he had strapped to his leg.  He’d pulled up his pant leg and slid the weapon from an ankle sheath that looked suspiciously like it had been crafted from thick seaweed.

I’d been correct earlier.  Ceff’s weapon was a trident, a deadly three-pronged spear.  With a flick of Ceff’s wrist, the piercing end had shot out from a telescoping handle.  The weapon, like the man, was impressive.

Now Ceff walked the street with sinuous grace, his weapon and the speed of a race horse at the ready.  I pulled my phone from my jacket pocket and double-checked the map.  We were close to the first home on our list.