Page 43 of Fae Trials

“You didn’t see her sitting with the Fated—”

“But things are different now,” I said. “Helen’s one of us, and she wants me to survive these trials just as much as you do.”

Flora twisted her lips. “I didn’t say I wanted to help.”

Warmth spread through my chest, and I gave her a smile. Something about the black-haired girl’s prickly exterior reminded me of Sicily, who used brashness and argumentativeness to hide a sensitive heart.

“Alright,” she strode to the kitchenette. “Beans on toast it is.”

Helen winked. “I’ll make a cup of tea. Do you want human or fae?”

“Human, please.” It had been ages since the last shipment of black tea. Elijah hadn’t been able to get any for weeks.

While Helen walked to the kettle to make the drinks, I strode to where Flora stood in front of the cupboards with a can of Heinz Baked Beans. “Do you know Elijah Meadowhawks?”

“Meadowhawks is one of the lower houses,” she replied. “I think they come from the north. Why?”

“I know one of the half-bloods who works here.”

Helen opened a drawer and pulled out a can opener. “I thought your Lord father changed your memories.”

“It’s a long story.” I didn’t want to lie, but I also didn’t want to admit to being a human infiltrator in case the wards were listening and decided to attack again. “Do you know where they stay?”

“I wouldn’t mix with any of them.” Nodding at a wooden box on the counter, she pierced the can with the opener and twisted a dial that moved the mechanism around its rim. “Could you take out the bread and cut us three slices?”

“Sure.” I flipped open the lid, releasing the scent of freshly-baked bread. Next to a golden loaf lay a serrated knife, and I raised them both out of the box. “What’s wrong with the guys who work here?”

She shook her head. “Most are involved in smuggling, gambling, or something equally as unsavory.”

“Right.” I sliced the bread, wondering what on earth was wrong with any of those activities. If it wasn’t for Elijah siphoning goods that the faeries intercepted from the UN shipments, Sicily and I wouldn’t have had such comfortable lives.

Flora produced three plates, and I placed a slice of bread on each while she warmed up the baked beans. Despite resenting Helen for being a full faerie, Flora grew up the child of a high faerie and had lived in one of the top four districts of the island. It was easy to wrinkle one’s nose at others from a position of privilege.

“Pokeweed seems like a nice person,” I said.

Helen walked over, holding a tray. “He’s different from the other half-bloods working here. Besides, he’s a tragic figure.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“It’s not my story to tell.” Helen handed me a steaming mug of tea. “But promise me that you’ll stay away from those males?”

“Sure.” I took the mug and stared into its contents. Elijah had disappointed me greatly yesterday, but I was sure he recognized me tonight.

I took a sip of my tea, enjoying the hot, fragrant liquid’s slide down my throat. As soon as I got a moment free, I would ask Elijah to help me find Sicily.

Chapter 13

We sat at one of the dining tables around the kitchenette, and the girls introduced me to some more classmates, who wished me luck in the upcoming trials. While none of them had strong magic, they all shared tidbits of information about faeries’ magical attacks.

By the end of the evening, the beans on toast sat in my stomach like lead.

“Are you alright?” Helen piled up the plates and took them to the sink.

I pushed my mug of tea to the middle of the table and huffed out a weary breath. “All this theoretical knowledge is good, but how will I protect myself tomorrow morning?”

Flora raised her arms and stretched. “Dodging’s your best bet.”

“Are their attacks ever invisible?” I asked.