Radiant Shadows (Wicked Lovely 4)

She put her palms on the glass pane of the door, covering the hours he was supposedly open for business.

Rabbit watched her with his usual taciturn expression. He’d ask her too many questions later, but just then, he saw what she didn’t admit: she was afraid. Her brother had been the one to croon comforting words when she came home sobbing or raging; he’d taught her to cope with a world that confused her. He’d helped her come to the realization that the things that set her apart were strengths as much as weaknesses.

She opened the shop door and went into his arms.

He held her as carefully as he had when she was a little girl, and they’d thought she might turn out to be more mortal than not.

Like Tish did.

“Want to tell me what’s wrong?”

“Maybe.” She stepped away and wandered over to the red vinyl chair in the far corner.

Rabbit flipped the sign on the door to closed and threw the bolt. “Well?”

“I saw Bananach.” She picked at a loo

se thread caught under a piece of black electrical tape Rabbit had used in lieu of stitching one of the rips in the chair. “She wants some things from me.”

“She’s trouble.” Rabbit pulled down the shades so that any passersby wouldn’t see them sitting inside while the sign was turned.

“Aren’t we trouble, Rabbit?” Ani looked up at him. He looked like trouble; stereotype or not, her family looked like the sort who’d be fine bending or breaking a few rules. They had broken both mortal laws and faery traditions. He’d hidden them from the brute that killed Jillian, the High Court, and most of the Dark Court. He’d stolen mortals’ wills and freedom when he’d bound them to the Dark Court in ink exchanges.

“There’s trouble, and then there’s her.” Rabbit sat down cross-legged on the immaculate floor of the tattoo shop. Even out here in the waiting room, he kept it as clean as he possibly could. When she was a child, she’d built Lego cars and Popsicle-stick towns on that waiting-room floor at night when Rabbit worked.

“She wants me to do some things… and…” Ani folded her hands together and clasped them tightly and then forced herself to meet his gaze. “I don’t want to tell you.”

“We don’t cause trouble just for trouble’s sake. Not real trouble. There needs to be a reason. You get that, Ani, right?” Rabbit scooted over so he was sitting at her feet. “I can’t keep you safe now that you’re in the court. You exposed what you are, and they won’t let you live among mortals anymore… not for years to come.”

She tilted her head defiantly. “Irial trusts me.”

“So do I,” Rabbit said before glaring at the door. Someone was trying the handle despite the turned sign and closed shutters. He lowered his voice and added, “So think about whatever she asked of you.”

“I just… I’m scared. If I don’t cooperate…” Her words faded as she thought about drawing War’s anger.

“We’ll figure it out. Come on.” Rabbit stood and pulled her to her feet. “We can talk over dinner. I’ll make dessert.”

He draped an arm over her shoulder.

“Opening ice cream doesn’t count.” Ani tried to lighten her voice. It was what Rabbit did when there was stress: gave her space to relax while he teased out what was upsetting her. She took a steadying breath and added, “I want something you make.”

“Deal.” He opened the door to the private part of the shop, where they’d lived for most of her life. “I’ll call Irial.”

Ani stumbled a little. She didn’t want to tell Irial she’d seen Bananach. Which is why Rabbit’s calling him. Taking care of me. Her brother had always done what he could to keep her safe. That hadn’t changed. His ability to do as much might’ve changed, but the desire to do all he could was still the same.

“I’ll tell him, Rab.” She stepped in front of him. “You don’t need to get involved.”

Rabbit looked older than he usually seemed. “If she wants you in her plans, Irial needs to know. The new king needs to know… and you, Miss Impulsivity, need someone stronger than me to be by your side. You call, or I do.”

She leaned on the wall, took out her cell, and pressed 6. The phone rang only a few times before Irial answered.

“Hey. Long time no chat.” The nervousness in her voice was enough to let him know that it wasn’t a social call.

“Where are you?”

“Home.” She closed her eyes so she couldn’t see the worry on her brother’s face.

“Do I need to tell Gabe anything?” Irial asked.