Breandan was asking me to do what Devlin wanted? Why? I looked between them. Something else was going on in front of me, wasn't it? Thoughts swirled in front of my eyes. Devlin had joined the Sect a month ago. The sightings of fairies at the Wall by the Temple had increased in the last month. Breandan had been looking for me and the vampire a month. Devlin had not reacted to Breandan's presence, or his strangeness with shock or fear. The fairy-boy had done some freaky stuff, like strutting around bare foot, glowing and growling. These were not human traits. More than this, Breandan had revealed himself to Devlin, even spoken to him.
"You know each other," I said, the challenge for denial clear in my voice.
"Yes," the boys replied.
I blew out a breath. "May I ask how?"
"Ye-"
"Not yet," Breandan said.
They were both on edge again. I had a feeling this was only remaining peaceful for my benefit.
"I don't like not knowing what you're dragging me into. I don't think I'm so curious anymore."
"I told you, you are safe." Breandan seemed annoyed I had not trusted his word. "There are other things you need to know and see," he explained, "Before I can tell and show you everything."
"And right now you don't want me to see how you got in here," I guessed. After a few moments of stubborn silence, I shrugged and did as Breandan asked. "I don't see how this is going to-"
My eyes flew open and I gasped. Breandan's lips were pressed against mine. His eyes were open, watching me. He leaned away a little and made a low humming noise.
"This would be easier if you trusted me," he murmured. "I'll come back soon. Behave until then." He leaned back in, but paused. "And Rae, do not agree or give anything you don't want to." His eyes flicked to Devlin and his eyes narrowed into slits. His gaze darted back to mine. "Alright?"
Confused, I nodded and closed my eyes as his lips met mine again. When I opened them again he was gone. My first kiss, and it had made my toes curl in my boots and my heart swell. I swallowed thickly and looked to the west. The sun had nearly set. My vampire-boy would rise soon.
Devlin stared at me, considering. "I can almost see the questions tumbling around that head of yours."
"I'll even tell you a few. At best guess you're some kind of demon pet," I said and paused deliberately. "A human spy feeding the fairies information, I mean." I didn't give him a chance to answer. I started to walk away but then I spun around. "You haven't told anyone about the person you saw me with this morning have you?" He said nothing for a long while and I looked up in alarm. At the steady, appraising look he was giving me I felt a tide of stupid rising inside me, and I stared to babble, "You're not double crossing demons are you? By working for the Sect and pretending to be the demons inner eyes and ears, because that would be really dumb."
"As dumb as stashing a vampire in a wardrobe?"
I swear my face must have turned the colour of snow again. Devlin rocked on his heels, sucked his bottom lip into his mouth and chewed it thoughtfully. I caught the smile he tried to hide.
"No," he said finally. "I haven't told anyone. And you've got me all wrong." His eyes became wicked keen, fixed on my face. "You should stay away from him. He could be dangerous."
"The vampire or the fairy?" I asked before slapping myself on the forehead.
He laughed. It was a delicate, carefree sound. "Both."
My fingers curled into claws, and I squeezed them so tight my nails split skin, gouging out a chunk of my palm. My blood trickled down my wrist before my whole hand burned and the skin repaired itself, spreading over the cut. Healed, I froze and slowly raised my gaze. Devlin didn't look shocked or scared. Simply amused. He quirked an eyebrow and motioned with a sweep of his hand 'lead the way', it said.
I stared at him, waiting. He stared at me, waiting.
He broke first and did a good imitation of a long-suffering huff. I could see he was having a good time at my expense.
"Am I to keep what just happened a secret too?"
"What just happened?" I said evenly.
I felt crazy confused. It was like there was this big, obvious thing dangling in front of my face that I was too silly to see.
