CHAPTERTWENTY-SEVEN
The day before the race, they were running the final checks on the McLaren. They were finally working as a true team, having practiced enough that things moved as a unit. The Council always offered storage for vehicles but only the rare few accepted. After all, it was far easier to slip something onto another competitor’s car if it was in their storage warehouse. Like the majority of the other racers, Muni had paid for her own storage and so that was where they went over the final checks before the car would be transported to the track.
“So, the plan is to find out who is pulling the necromancer’s strings and kill him. Find out who’s pulling that one’s strings and kill him,” Eirik murmured as he checked over the engine to make sure things were as they should be. Though he was more mechanically inclined than the rest of them, he’d still had to learn some of the components Danica had put in the car. After all, cars for the Games often had supernatural elements in them that no human had ever seen before.
“Sounds good to me,” Brin answered as he held his tablet in his hands. They’d put a super tough case on it now so he was less likely to break it, but he was strong enough he still could if he tried. So far, it had lasted against accidental breaks and liquids. One of the earlier tablets had succumbed to a soda death, making the purchase necessary. Muni only worried he would grow tired of the Google program speaking when he wasn’t prepared for her to. He was still convinced she was some sort of demon or witch trapped inside it, no matter their assurance that it was not.
“We must make sure we get the information we need before death,” Vidar reminded him. “If we don’t, we create a dead end.”
Vidar had been far more open since their coupling, openly touching her and kissing her in front of the others. Brin was tickled with the turn, his gaze constantly saying “I told you so” but Muni only smiled at him when he wiggled his brows. She accepted the kisses from all of them, uncertain if it was a wise decision or not, but she couldn’t argue that it didn’t feel right. Something about their dynamic felt as natural as breathing.
With his buttons memorized, Vidar didn’t have to do much. Their car was equipped with the basic weapons, but because they weren’t trying to win, they were mostly offensive weapons rather than defense. They didn’t need anything too large. Only the basics to survive.
They were going back and forth over the plan, discussing what to look for, when a soft flickering interrupted. There was no mistaking the sound of fae wings as the woman landed before them and tucked them down. Muni recognized her immediately, but the others were tense until Muni nodded respectfully.
“Cricket Snapdragon,” she said. “To what do we owe this pleasure?”
The fae before them was bright and sparkly, something that called to Muni, for she understood the draw to glittering things. Cricket, no matter what color she wore, was bright and beautiful.
“Munin.” She smiled, completely open and friendly. “I’ve been anxious to meet you since Theo mentioned we were on the same team. I’ve heard so much about you.”
“Mostly terrible things, I’m sure,” Muni laughed.
“Well, yes,” Cricket chuckled, shaking her head. “But those of us who get spoken of so are usually the best in my experience.”
Because Cricket Snapdragon would have similar people who hated her. She’d been the talk for months, especially after her win with Radley Whiteclaw by her side. Her relationship with the alpha was both criticized and revered. There was no in between for them. They would likely always be in the limelight, the Snapdragon Heir and the Alpha. That alone made Muni respect the fae more. She was strong, far stronger than most gave her credit for. Her appearance made them underestimate her. Her iron will proved them all wrong daily.
“I came to offer what I know, so you have as much information as possible,” Cricket said, running her hand over the fender of the McLaren. “Your car is gorgeous. I’m digging the silver.”
Muni beamed, knowing it for the truth. She had no reason to lie, but those who liked sparkle got it. Cricket’s car, if Muni remembered right, had been a glittering pink.
“Thank you,” Muni replied. “And we appreciate the information.”
Cricket nodded. “The elite run the Games, but I know that doesn’t surprise you. But I didn’t realize how bad it was until Radley opened my eyes. You have to pay to sponsor someone, of course, but if you don’t have a certain amount, they don’t allow you to sponsor. It keeps out anyone who isn’t worth at least a couple million.”
Eirik blinked. “That heavily sways the race. The elite will be the ones eliminating anyone they don’t like.”
“Exactly,” Cricket beamed. “It means those who enter the race with little money are already destined to die. It’s corrupt, and not what the Games were meant for, but the elite successfully found a way to keep the lower masses from infiltrating their circles, broadening the gap. Radley has been advocating for more acceptance but the Council refuses to change the rule they put into place decades ago.”
Muni tilted her head. “How is your father handling your coupling with the alpha?”
Cricket grinned. “He hates it, naturally. But he can’t publicly say a word. Still thinks he’ll be able to use the wolves for whatever he needs but men are always oblivious to the facts.” She looked at the three men standing around her. “No offense.”
“No offense taken,” Brin reassures her.
Cricket Snapdragon was a bright and bubbly fae. It was no wonder so many couldn’t help but follow her relationship as if she wasn’t a celebrity before her win. Rumor had it she’d raced to earn the right to choose who she married and win, rather than act as only heir and incubator. Now she was a thriving businesswoman clearly in love with the werewolf alpha who courted her. They regularly starred in the news. Just the other day, there’d been a video of Cricket dancing on a table in a pub in a chicken costume singing karaoke. Radley had been there cheering her on the loudest. A bet, apparently, but one Cricket had happily taken.
Muni found she liked the fae and hoped to one day call her a friend the same as she did Aerith. Her spirit was bright, and the world needed more like her. it was no wonder Danica and Theo had joined her in their plans.
“I have something for you four,” Cricket said, her smile infectious. They all found their own smiles matching her own. “It’s not much, but maybe it’ll help.” She lifted a medallion high so they could see. It was gold, catching the light as it turned, and stamped into it were fae runes and a star in the center.
“What is it?” Eirik asked, leaning in closer.
“It’s a protection medallion. It won’t protect you from death, but it could help divert a few death blows. The magic will wear off in the race, likely, but it’ll protect you. It’s the best I could do with the rules. No true force fields are allowed.” She passed the medallion to Muni’s hand. “Hang it from the rearview mirror.”
“You honor us, Lady Snapdragon,” Muni murmured.
“I like you, Munin,” she said, her eyes sparkling. “Kick some ass. Get your revenge. And in the end, we’ll all team up to bring down the Council for good.” Though her words were almost prophetic, her tone was bright, as if she had no doubt they would succeed. “Good luck, Lady Spy. I’ll be rooting for you.”
With a final bow and wink, Cricket flared her wings wide and took off into the sky, no doubt back to her alpha.
Eirik gently took the medallion and leaned into the car to hang it from the rearview mirror. Not a single one of them distrusted the fae. They had no reason to. Cricket Snapdragon was the rare fae who you could clearly see her intentions on her face.
She wouldn’t betray them. She was too good for something such as that.
The gold medallion flashed in the light as it settled into its new place.