The Orange Cat and Other Cainsville Tales (Cainsville 3.5)

"You liked it before."

"Yeah, because I thought you were my girlfriend. Then I liked it because my girlfriend thought it was hot. You know what's missing in this scenario? My girlfriend. Now tell me where--"

"We don't need her," the fae said, twisting to tickle her tongue up his chest. "It will be better without her. Much better. She doesn't ever need to know. You'll like that. Men always like that."

"Yeah, no, not all. See that?" He pointed down. "The only thing that's rising is my temper. With every second that passes"--he wrenched her arm, making her hiss--"I get more pissed off. Touch me again, and I'll break your wrist. If you don't know where Liv is, then get the fuck out of my way."

"She went in."

"In?"

The fae pointed into the cavern, into the depths and the glow, and Ricky's gut twisted, as Arawn's old terror whipped through him.

"No," he said, forcing the fear back. "She would not go that way. Ever."

"But she did."

Arawn's terror surged, and without even realizing what he was doing, Ricky twisted her arm up hard, pulling her to him. When he spoke, his voice had changed, deeper, harsher, older. "She did not, and you will tell me where she is, or I will crush every bone in your body."

The fae stared at him. Just stared, her mouth working. Finally, she whispered, "It cannot be. It isn't possible."

"Not possible to crush you? Oh, I can. And I will."

"Arawn," she said, breathing the word, her eyes wide. "My Lord."

Ricky blinked. Well, okay, if that worked, sure. He didn't mind using the old guy to get Liv back.

"Y--" He only got out the first sound when Arawn's voice murmured, Perhaps not.

Ricky hesitated.

It seems unwise.

Fine.

Also, old guy? Truly?

"What did you call me?" he said to the fae, and his voice had returned to normal.

"Arawn?" she said, uncertainly now, her eyes searching his.

"Ar-oon? What the fuck is that?" he said. "You're stalling. Either you tell me--"

"I saw her."

"Well, good. That's step one. Step two?"

"She was leaving."

He wrenched her arm, making her hiss again.

"She was leaving. She was."

"You're just saying that because you want me gone. You are going to tell me the truth or . . ." He stumbled on Arawn's threat. "I'll crush every bone in your body."

Ricky felt Arawn's sigh ripple through his head. Perhaps stick with simply breaking wrists. That seems more your style, boy.

Either way, the fae didn't seem to realize the insincerity of the threat and began writhing, her voice taking on a sharp whine. "She left. I tell you, she left. I will accompany you and show you where--"