“I’ll get you a glass,” I said then, shaking myself out of my stupor. I hurried into the kitchen and brought back another snifter, handing it to him.
“My thanks,” he said, pouring himself a stiff belt. He slammed it back and then poured another. “Not bad, not bad.” He glanced up at us, the smile still tilting the corners of his mouth. “Nothing to say? I’m not surprised. That’s all right, news like this takes a while to assimilate.”
I held out my hand. “Hand me that bottle.”
He passed it to me and I poured drinks for Angel and me. This time, we didn’t sip the booze, just slugged it back, the way he had. I poured another round, and the liquid fire rolling down my throat seemed to drain some of the disbelief out of my system.
“So, let’s start from the beginning. You were out there in the woods?” I paused, then made a connection. “Did you send the stag to me?”
“Guess again,” he said, as he poured himself another. He held up the glass, staring at the brandy. As I gazed into his eyes, I caught a silver tinge that looked familiar.
“You are the stag,” I whispered.
He just arched his eyebrows and winked, then drained the snifter again. “As I said when I was standing outside of your door, I took care of the bodies for you. They’ll never be found. But that doesn’t solve the problem of the fact that there was a third participant.”
“We were worried about Morte Seers. You didn’t happen to pick up DJ’s wallet and ID while you were there, did you?”
“Morte Seers are a deadly possibility. And no, I didn’t notice it. I was too busy trying to keep you both from being killed.” He turned to Angel. “Your brother is in danger. And you, too.”
“What am I going to do?” Her eyes were wide, and I could feel the fear rising. Angel was brave enough for herself, but if something threatened her brother, it triggered her fears.
Herne stared at the table for a moment before answering. “Your best bet is to send him away.”
Angel let out a faint cry. “I’m the only family he has.”
“That’s why you need to keep him safe. I know a family who will keep him safe and sound and cared for. You do not want to underestimate the treachery of the Fae—either side. They would kill him for spite, as quickly as they’d stomp on a bug.” He glanced at me. “No offense intended.”
I wasn’t sure what to think. He was right about them, and yet he was including me by default. “No offense taken. At least, I don’t think so. You said that Angel and I should join the Wild Hunt? What the hell is that?”
“I’ll explain in a moment. But in order to do so, first, I must explain the nature of the Fae.”
“I know their nature. I was born with it and stay as far away from my kin as possible.”
Herne ignored me. “From the beginning of time, the Dark and Light courts have fought. It is the nature of the balance. As the world grew smaller—and the populations of all beings increased—their battles went underground, and a squad of bounty hunters were formed to keep that war from spilling out into full-scale conflicts that would affect everyone else. We’re stationed around the world. My agency is called the Wild Hunt.”
“So, you’re peacekeepers?”
“In a way,” he said. “Cernunnos and Morgana spearhead the efforts. Basically, we clean up the mess that the Fae make, and when situations arise that could endanger the rest of the world, we put a stop to them.”
“How does this relate to DJ and Angel? Or me?” I was trying to follow the flow of information.
“It wouldn’t, normally. But given the way things played out, they’ll spin it so that DJ will be considered the main instigator—regardless of the way it happened.”
He yawned, stretching. His muscles rippled beneath the form-fitting muscle shirt. I found myself musing as I watched him. He was extraordinarily handsome, in so many ways that I found attractive. He was fascinating. Probably too fascinating for my own good.
He’s the son of a god, after all, I thought. Of course I’m going to find him attractive.
“I have no clue what you’re talking about,” Angel said, startling me out of my reverie. “All I know is that my brother’s in danger and you’re telling me I have to send him away? And then I have to help you stop the Fae from murdering each other? I think you’re barking up the wrong tree, dude. I’m human.”
Herne gave her a dry look. “If I have to, I will take you back to my father and let him explain things. But I guarantee, he’s a lot more intimidating than me. Or I can just let you go on your merry way, until they find you and kill you and your brother.”
“Fucking hell, you’re just full of good news, aren’t you?” Angel let out an exasperated sigh. “Why should we trust you? And what good would it do for us to work for you?”
“You should trust me because without my help, your brother and Ember would be dead by now.” His words stopped us both cold. Arrogant he might be, but he was also correct on that score.
I took a long breath and counted to three before releasing it slowly. “We need a moment to clear our heads. You’re dropping a lot of information on us right now.”
“I realize that,” Herne said. “It’s a lot to take in.” He glanced at the kitchen. “How about some tea to go with the booze?”
Angel nodded, mutely rising to fix a pot of tea. I kept a variety of flavors around, along with a teapot, just for her. I crossed into the living room, trying to collect my thoughts. I had no clue what was happening. Everything from this afternoon on felt like chaos had descended. It had been this way when I came home to find my parents murdered, too. Sudden confusion and the feeling as though my world had turned on end.
A few moments later, we gathered at the table again. Angel brought a pot of peppermint tea over, along with three mugs.
I was trying to sort out things. “So we’re all in danger, especially Angel and DJ? Will the Light Fae ever stop looking for them?”
Herne leaned his elbows on the table. “The truth is, all three of you are in jeopardy from both sides, for differing reasons. The moment you get mixed up in the machinations of Fae politics, you’re fair game. But we can help.”
“And the answer to that is to join your agency?” It didn’t make sense to me. “I mean, thank you—I suppose I should say that because thanks to you, DJ and I are alive.”
“You would never have managed both those assassins.” Herne’s voice was grave. “They’re highly trained.”
“Be that as it may, the fact remains that Angel and I know very little about what you’re referring to. Why should Angel have to give up her brother to strangers? And what good will joining the Wild Hunt do?”
“I can protect Angel—and you—to a degree by taking you into the agency. But as long as DJ is visible, the Fae will have the chance to blackmail Angel. They aren’t above using children as pawns.”
My headache was steadily growing. I realized that I was both exhausted from my encounters out in the woods as well as from the fact that I had only had about six hours of sleep after a busy night of goblin bashing. “I need some aspirin.”
Angel refilled my mug. “Peppermint’s good for a headache.” She turned to Herne. “Please, explain so we understand.”
“All right. I’ll start from the beginning.” Herne leaned forward. “The Fae have been at war since the beginning of time. I don’t know if you know that or not, given your heritage.”
“Mostly, yes. If you want me to be a liaison, it won’t work. Neither side wants anything to do with me.”
“No worries on that. The Light and Dark courts hate each other. It’s a wonder they didn’t kill your parents earlier.” He paused as I winced. “I’m sorry, that was insensitive of me. You’ll find that I tend to be direct. At times, blunt to the point of offensive. It’s because of who I am and what I am here to do. I mean no harm.”