Chapter 14

The streetlights were on by the time Ava pulled up outside the garage. The drive was a blur. She’d been supercharged over the fact that her wings did something. Not just something but had been fireproof. Over the years, she’d hoped they had a use, but that had never been on the list of fantasies she had.

Turning the bike off, she took off her helmet and sat there holding it. The garage door started to go up. She smiled. It was good to be home.

Fauna stood there with Moxy in her arms when the door was completely open. “You missed a lot.”

Each year, one of her friends greeted her like this. “If you’re talking about Queen Jeri, I know.”

She scowled for a moment and then shook her head. “That too, but I meant what happened this morning.”

Ava got off the bike and started to push it into the garage. “What happened?”

“Someone poisoned the donuts in the cafe, and all of the Alterealm women were unconscious and stuck in some kind of dream world.”

Ava put the kickstand down and then turned around. “What?”

She nodded. “They were under some kind of spell. All of them at once.”

Ava pointed down the ally. “Our cafe?”

Fauna nodded.

Ava turned and looked at the door. “Did Capri figure out who?” If so, she would be going back out to visit the sick person.

“No. There were people from Alterealm there looking into it.” She tilted her head. “What’s all over your face?” She made a circle in front of her own.

Ava wiped her cheek and then looked to see the black streak. She’d been driving all day with soot on her face.

Crissy appeared just outside the door. She gasped, rushed inside, and threw herself at Ava. “I’m so happy you’re okay.” She squeezed her tightly.

Ava couldn’t help but smile. “I’m fine.”

Crissy released her and nodded. “I knew Firo would find you. He didn’t come back, so I didn’t know if you were okay.” She huffed out a breath. “I couldn’t come over until now to check because the doctor stared at us all day, making sure we were okay.” She grimaced. “I don’t like donuts anymore.”

“Everyone is all right? Alona’s baby?” Fauna came over.

“Yes.” Crissy nodded. “After we all threw up, we were okay.” She smiled. “Alona says the baby is okay, and she should know; she can sense what the baby feels.”

Ava crossed her arms over her chest. That was weird. “Who is Firo?” Crissy knew the pretty man.

“Oh, Princess Aireese’s guard.” She bobbed her head back and forth. “He doesn’t act like a guard, so I think they’re friends too. Like I am with Bronx.” She smiled.

The pretty man was a fae. Ava felt ridiculous. She should have pieced that together because of his looks. She bit her lip. Now, she just needed to know why Crissy would send him. “How did you know he would find me?”

“Oh—” She looked down. “I didn’t bring my backpack.” She looked distressed by that. “I saw a symbol and knew it had something to do with him.”

“Wait.” Fauna held up her hand. “What are you two talking about?”

“I saw fire and wings,” Crissy said quickly.

Fauna looked panicky and frowned at Ava. “You were in a fire?”

Ava hadn’t wanted to get into right that moment, but now she didn’t have a choice. “A bus flipped into a ditch and caught fire.” She shrugged. “I got the kids off the bus.”

“Oh my god. Everyone is okay?”

Ava nodded. “One little girl cut her head, but the medical attendants were looking after her when I was leaving.”

“Oh, good. So—” She looked from Crissy back to her. “Who is Firo, and why did you send him?” She turned to Crissy again.

“Because I saw it and knew that Ava needed help.”

“Oh, he helped you get the kids out?” Fauna rubbed Moxy’s head, and the cat purred.

“Sort of.” Ava went over to her toolbox and got a clean rag out of the box. She wiped her face, even though she figured a shower was going to be the only thing to clean it.

“Sort of?”

She sighed. “I was trapped inside. He told me to use my wings.”

“Your wings?” She gave her a skeptical look. All of her Gemini sisters knew her wings were useless appendages.

Ava nodded and then looked at the floor. “They weren’t the same.” She looked at Crissy for a second. “They were dark, and I walked through the fire without a mark.”

Crissy’s eyes rounded. “Can you fly now?”

Ava snorted. “I don’t know, and no, I’m not planning on trying.”

“You walked through the fire without injury?”

They all turned to see Capri standing at the top of the stairs.

“I did.”

She came down a few steps. “Do you remember now?’

Ava shook her head. “Nope. Knives still stab my head if I try.”

“Oh.” She looked at Crissy. “Who is Firo?”

“He’s from FaTerra.” She nodded. “A friend-guard of Princess Aireese.”

“I see.”

Ava narrowed her eyes and watched Capri for a moment. I see coming from her usually meant she was figuring something out. At this point, Ava wasn’t sure she needed any more input for her brain. It had been a long day after a confusing one the day before.

“You’re probably wanting a shower.” Capri smiled. “We can talk more later.”

“Did they find out anything at the cafe?” Fauna looked at Crissy.

Crissy shook her head. “Troy saw something in someone’s head, but Kara says they don’t remember how it happened.”

“Magic was used on them?” Capri leaned against the railing. “They tried to take the women out of the picture. That usually means they’re the answer.”

“They think it was magic.” Crissy sucked in a breath and then smiled. “I better get back. Vic doesn’t want me straying far, especially alone.” She looked at Ava. “I’m glad you’re okay.” She vanished right after that.

“Well. It’s been an eventful day.”

Ava chuffed. “Yeah.” Grabbing her backpack, she motioned to the door. “I’m going to grab a shower and something to eat.”

“Jeri said she’d come over in a few.” Capri smiled.

“Over? From Solrelm?” Ava was going to miss seeing her all the time.

“No. Next door.” Capri laughed quietly. “We took a vote and gave her and Trendan the upper floor of the next-door building. I knew you’d agree.”

Ava’s eyes widened. “That’s great.”

Capri smiled. “We knocked out a door in the wall so she can just open it and be home.” She shrugged. “The prince wasn’t happy that he couldn’t come through the door, but he’s not our concern.”

Ava laughed. “How is she?”

“Uncertain about a lot of things but managing it beautifully.” Capri turned and went up the stairs.

Fauna went over and hit the button to close the garage door.

“Is there anything else I missed?” She was afraid to ask, but at the same time, she took pride in looking out for her sisters, and lately, that was getting harder to do. The others went inside, and she stood there in the quiet space. His name was Firo, and he was from FaTerra. She knew more than she had this morning. Now, if she could just find out why he’d been there when she was born, she’d be a lot closer to answers she never thought she’d find.