Imperative: A Quinn Larson Quest Read Free Page A

that fairies couldn’t have babies.
    He looked at the charm again and I saw a bit of lust light up his green eyes. Then he shrugged and looked back at me. “It seems that it just started happening, or not happening if you get my drift. Some of the clans are almost gone.”
    “Shit.” Having clans of the Real Folk die out is bad for everyone. It’s like they take their share of the power with them. When the Vamps were killed, we all lost a little bit of our ability. “So what does this have to do with killing humans?”
    Olan sipped his tea. “I really like that pretty charm, Quinn.”
    There was something desperate in his tone. “Why do you need a protection charm, Olan? You are a pretty powerful being. Who have you pissed off now?”
    “Well, thank you Quinn. I am a powerful creature and I think a mighty handsome one. I have a bit of a problem with the Irish bird.”
    “You pissed off The Morrigan? Man, I thought you were supposed to be smart.” Olan was probably stronger than The Morrigan all around, but she was focused on death and war and sex. Pull your power from three essential aspects and you get what the economists call ‘a multiplier’.
    “It was more a prank that she took offense to. I forgot she has no sense of humor.”
    Despite myself I laughed. “And you should develop a sense of danger. Jeez. Do you have any more information before you go? I don’t want that crow attacking my place to get to you.”
    “No, I don’t have any details. I was thinking we could work together. Between us we could save the day, so to speak.” Olan jumped up and walked along the arm of the chair.
    “Yeah, and I suppose you thought I could protect you from the crow.” I sighed, but Olan knew he’d won. We both had Irish problems, and maybe it would make sense to team up.
    “Yes, if it comes to that, I hope so.” He gave me a wide grin.
    I took down a small silver charm and showed it to Olan. “I’ll go refresh this. Do you think you can wear it?”
    “Of course, it will shrink to fit. I thank you, Quinn.”
    I went back down to my workroom and found the potion I’d made yesterday to refresh my charms. I dipped Olan’s in the pot and dragged a fine silver chain behind it.
     
    After Olan left I crawled into bed. We’d agreed to gather information and get back together later. First I needed to restore my own power. Sleep is the great provider of energy and I’d had too little lately.
    After too short a nap I headed out. I figured the fairies themselves would be the best source of information and Stanley Park, only a few blocks away, was full of fairy clans. I took a bottle of water and some sour candies and sat on a bench in the sun.
    “Wacher got?” I looked to where the sound came from and saw a tulip fairy standing at my elbow.
    “Hello, brother. I need some information. In exchange I have these.” I held out the sour candies and bottle of water.
    “Kinda information?” He kept his eyes on my hands. “I might know what you want.”
    This was the tricky part. I needed to obligate the fairy so he had to give me information, but I needed to know if he had what I wanted. If I gave the candy and he only had information about how to plant bulbs for the best flowers, I was stuck with that. If I told him what I needed, he might decide the price wasn’t good enough.
    “The Irish ones are doing something.” I watched his eyes shift from my hand to flick around the park.
    He licked his lips. “No.”
    I felt sorry for him. He looked like he hadn’t eaten for a while, but I couldn’t give him anything for free or the other fairies would think I was a sucker and I’d never get anything out of them at a reasonable price.
    “Do you know who I should talk to?” It would be worth a few candies if he could get me someone.
    “Yes. For seven sweets I will bring them.”
    “For five.” I had plenty of candy but fairies didn’t trust anyone who didn’t bargain.
    He brightened. “Three now, two when I bring