Queen of the Fae: Book Two in the Fae Unbound Series (Fae Unbound Teen Young Adult Fantasy Series) Read Free Page A

the crowd to catch up with his flat-mate. 
    As he fell into step with Thomas, Thomas looked over and said, "Who was it?"
    "An elf, like I suspected. But I think they’re only keeping an eye on you right now, not planning a full-on ninja assassination just yet."
    "Faolan must have been a right old sod. We've only just rid ourselves of the monks that followed us here, and now I‘ve got to worry about being mugged by my kin."
    "Yeah, and only a month old, too," James grinned, enjoying his own running joke about Thomas's lack of memory, "I’m sure the elves aren't the only fae who'd like to have a go at you."
    "Maybe we'd best get started working on protection spells instead of healing potions. How many pixie bites am I going to need to heal in London, anyway?"
    "We may not be staying in London, if it's okay with you. I miss my friends and my stuff, to tell you the truth. Plus, Eamon's ‘Underground money’ is close to running out, and I can't get a job here because I can't get a work permit. I've got a job waiting for me back in Ohio, if I want it. Magical pest control is apparently set to become big business, and I could fit it in around school hours. That way I only miss a semester of college and can start back at the beginning of the year."
    "And you want to see Lizbet," added Thomas, with a rare smile.
    "Yes. And I want to see Lizbet," James said, smiling back.
    "It would be nice to meet her," Thomas replied, "It would be nice to meet any of the other half-fae. I've no feelings for London one way or the other. I don't remember a life in England."
    "Yeah, I don't know how she'd feel about that. Tanji—that's Lizbet's friend who's kind of related to me now through Myrrdin—would be happy to meet you, I think. I'm not sure how strong her fae side's feelings are about Faolan, although she'd be…” James stopped and thought for a moment, “…his great aunt, Myrddin’s sister. But if we end up back in the States, I don't know how Lizbet would feel about having you living right next door." 
    James stopped to examine a shop window sales banner. "But, the way I see it is this—Faolan murdered Myrddin, and if Myrddin doesn’t hold it against you, Morgan and her other lives are going to have to let Lizbet alone about it sooner or later."

    Forty-five minutes later, James slid the key into the lock of their shared flat as they arrived at the door. He walked into the flat and then abruptly stopped dead still. Thomas only stopped when he ran into James from behind. The small room was full of elves—a full council, by James's reckoning. It appeared that no one was much intimidated by Myrddin anymore.
    A tall, grayed-haired elf folded his arms across his chest and nodded his head to James in the elvin equivalent to "we come in peace." The other eight elves behind him stood unmoving, their arms also folded loosely across their chests. 
    James returned the greeting with the help of Myrrdin's memories and asked, "Why are you here, Elder?"
    The elves returned their hands to their sides, as did James.
    "You have chosen to associate yourself with the man who imprisoned us for hundreds of years. Our ancient histories tell us you have always dealt respectfully with the elves, Myrddin, but we are unable to stay silent and let this wisp-endowed abomination practice magic near our families and our homes."
    Thomas began to speak, "Elder..." but James held up a hand to stop him. Myrrdin's memories were shoving at him hard not to let Thomas into the discussion. One wrong step and Thomas could lose his life so easily—as easily an as elf, with one liquid movement, can nock an arrow, draw a bow, and let the arrow fly.
    "Elder, with respect, I ask that you call me by the name I wear in this life. If you can address me in the English tongue, then surely you can address me by my proper name. That name is James. Myrrdin is with me, always, of course. I have his knowledge, his memories, and his influence. But I am not Myrrdin as you knew him,