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“Maybe it’s because I think I always knew, in a way. Finding out the very thing I have always wanted, I have always dreamed about, is actually true, hasn’t felt like a disruption of my life, but rather like a missing puzzle piece has fallen into place, you know? It’s like my life up until this point always felt a little off, a little odd. Learning about this whole changeling thing, it just makes sense. I feel like…yes, this is what’s been missing. This is what my life should have been all along.” He shrugged, and winked at her with a half-smile that sent heat shooting up to her cheeks. “Why don’t you tell me about yourself?”
She almost missed a step, rushed to hide her stumble. “Me? What about me?”
“I’m just curious. You’re actually the first fae I’ve ever met. I’d like to know about you. Your life, your world, what’s it like to be a fae? What do you do for a living? Where do you live?”
“Um…”
No one had ever asked her such questions. No one had ever looked at her with this focus, this intensity, as if he genuinely wanted to know about her. As if he was truly interested in her, as if her life mattered to him. What a novel feeling.
She didn’t quite know how to respond to his questions, his forthright interest in her. She wasn’t well versed in social interaction, and it had been a long time since she simply chatted with someone. Not giving him an answer at all was rude, however. She had to say something, even if it was some lie wrapped in half-truths.
“I’m a bounty hunter,” she blurted out.
His eyes widened.
Her hand twitched with the urge to slap her forehead. Why, Isa, why? What had gotten into her? Telling him the truth… Oh, go ahead and spill the rest of your life story, why don’t you? She was usually so good at evasive answers and protecting her privacy.
“A bounty hunter? For real?” His expression was one of gleaming interest. “Now, when you say bounty hunter, do you mean as in a Star Wars Boba Fett bounty hunter, or more along the lines of modern-day bounty hunters who supplement law enforcement?”
She frowned at him. “I’m not sure I understand the first part of your question. Who’s Star Wars?”
“Who’s—” He stopped dead in his tracks, slapped one hand over his heart, absolute bafflement written in every line of his face. “You don't know Star Wars?”
“Uh…should I? I mean, I spent some time in the humanlands here and there over the years, and I know a little bit about human culture, but I’m not fully on top of things…” She studied him closely. “Are you all right?”
Basil took a deep breath, closed his eyes briefly. “Sure. I just need a minute.” Shaking his head, he started walking again. “I recognize the weight of my responsibility here, you know.” He glanced at her, his expression as serious as someone swearing an oath. “Passing on this sacred knowledge…” He nodded sagely. “This unique opportunity to teach a young Padawan all about the awesomeness that is Star Wars, and the fabulous tale of the Skywalkers.”
“Oh, it’s a tale? Is it some sort of human mythology?”
The corners of his mouth twitched, and the sparkle in his eyes almost did her in. “Yes. Yes, it is.”
She paused, tilted her head. “You are jesting.”
He raised his hands, palms toward her. “I am not. Jedi are a recognized religious group among the humans. And believe me, I take my Star Wars references very seriously.”
She pursed her lips, wry amusement bubbling in her bloodstream, so unexpected, unfamiliar. And yet…not at all unwelcome. “All right then. Are you a Jedi?”
His laughter was like the crack in the clouds that let sunshine spill forth. “Ah, I wish. Don’t tell anybody, but I do pretend I’m using the Force whenever I walk through a set of automatic sliding doors.” He flicked his hand and made a swooshing sound.
Her belly fluttered with lighthearted joy.
“Okay,” Basil said, as they continued walking, “I’ll initiate you into the world of Star Wars after you explain a bit more about your bounty hunter job. How, exactly, do you work? Who do you bring in, and why, and who hires you?” He gestured with one hand. “I’m pathologically nosy, so I need to know all the things.”
She shrugged. “Mostly criminals. Sometimes, when a fae commits a crime, they get the bright idea to outrun the law by fleeing Faerie. Bounty hunters like me are often tasked to go outside our borders, follow the trail of the escaped fae, and bring them back to face justice.”
“Is there no fae police or military to do that?”
“No, not really. There is a bit of a…military, if you want to call it that, but they don’t usually bother to go outside of Faerie just to find an escaped criminal and bring him or her to justice. If it is someone important enough, they will hire a bounty hunter to get it done. That’s what I do. Like I said, I’m good at finding people.”
“I guess then it’s especially lucky I ran into you.” That damnably attractive smile of his lit up his face again. “Seeing as I need help with finding Rose, and the first fae I encounter just happens to be perfect for that.”
Lucky… That was a matter of perspective, wasn’t it? What was one fae’s luck could be another’s tragedy. In a way, of course, she was lucky she had found the changeling she was looking for so easily. If it weren’t for that pesky life debt she owed him…
They’d reached the main road, illuminated here and there by floating will-o’-the-wisps.
Basil gazed up at the stretch of starlit sky visible between the towering heights of the firs left and right of the road, put his hands on his hips, and asked, “What was the hardest case you ever had to bring in?”
Isa bit off her reply before it left her mouth, but it echoed in her head, and in the darkest corners of her heart.
