Doppelganger Blood Read Free

longer in this realm, therefore, we do not know where to look for her.” 
    So, they haven’t done anything except blame me.  With ample reason it seems.  My eyes drift to Taz again.  He’s still digging in the sand, mumbling something about fecal matter.  At least, deciphering his colorful language, it’s what he means.   All the evidence points to Taz being here when the Queen was murdered, as well.  I unconsciously bite my lower lip.  I probably look guilty as hell at the moment.
    Seeing this, Kallen comes to my side and takes my hand in his .  He gives it a small squeeze.  A warning that I need to school my face.  “What would you like us to do?” he asks. 
    Arie sighs.  “I fear there is nothing which can be done.  You are no more able to track the killer than we are.”  She really, really wanted me to be the killer.  It gave her hope that she would be able to avenge her Queen’s death.  Personally, I’m still working under the assumption that it wasn’t me.
    “We may be able to do more.  We will discuss the matter with our King and determine a course of action.  The Fae will do everything possible to help you.”
    A distinct snort comes from Kai.  His wife gives him a stern look before saying to us, “We appreciate any assistance you can lend us.”  Her head bows slightly.  “Thank you.”
    “Taz,” I call to the mumbling devil.  “Time to go.”  I try not to sound too eager.  I fail.  But if I stay here any longer, I may start to believe Taz and I were here.  Beheading a Queen.
    “Are you willing to let us leave without incident?” Kallen asks.  The tone of his voice implies we are ready to fight our way out of this realm if necessary.
    Kai’s answer is written all over his body from his pinched, scowling face down to his twitching tail fin.  He wants to put up a fight.  Arie, on the other hand, has a defeated air about her.  She knows she can’t hold us here against our will.  If I am the killer, it has been proven the Merpeople are powerless to stop me from doing anything.  If I am not the killer and she attempts to hold us here, it is tantamount to declaring war against the Fae realm.  “You will meet no resistance in your departure,” she says, hating every word as they fall from her mouth.

Chapter 2
     
    For the first time ever, I am going to travel through a passageway I did not create.  The nearest passage to the Fae realm is a few leagues from where Kallen and I entered the realm.  At least it’s in the same direction we came from when we arrived.  It keeps us from looking lost as we swim behind our escorts.  Arie insisted we go with them to keep us safe from the angry Merpeople.  I think it has more to do with discovering how I travel between realms than our safety.
    For once, Kallen doesn’t have to lay a hand on my shoulder or squeeze my hand in warning.  I remain as low key as possible, not balking or complaining when we have to swim forever to get to the passageway.  There is no way I’m giving the Merpeople another demonstration of my magic.  I am not worried about Kallen or me getting hurt.  I am afraid a war will start between realms if I demonstrate my ability to do everything the killer did. 
    “You do know my toes aren’t webbed, right?” Taz grumbles.  “My entire body is wrinkled and I am certain my hair is beginning to fall out.”
    “Quit whining,” I tell him, my breathing heavy as my body tires from trying to keep up with our Mermen chaperones.  “Sea water does not make your hair fall out.”
    “Are you a Tasmanian devil?  No?  Then you have no idea what will make my hair fall out.”
    I shake my head.  “You are a drama queen.”
    “Queen?  Are you too daft now to remember I am male?”
    “You’re still a drama queen.”  I get an an gry harrumph in response.
    When my legs feel like they are going to fall off, we finally see the passageway.  I stop swimming to admire it.  How did these exist in my home