Of Blood and Honey (Fey and the Fallen) by Stina Leicht Read Free Book Online Page A

she said. “I’ve never seen the like. May I hold it?”
    He gave it to her, shuffled his feet and gazed down at the street. He was wearing boots this time, she thought perhaps because of the pavement. She knew him enough to know he was uncomfortable in this place of broken glass and steel. It suddenly occurred to her that it was a powerful sign that he’d risked venturing this far into the city.
    Tilting the coin into the light, she thought she could make out “Philip et Mari,” however, the edges were too worn, and she couldn’t read the rest. The stamp on the back was impossible to make out—all but the cross that bisected the entire piece. “I don’t know anything about old coins,” Kathleen said, “but it feels real enough.”
    “Of course it’s real,” he said. “That isn’t the question. Where did it come from? There’s no date upon it that I can find. I must know more.”
    “Why is it so important?”
    He sighed. “The Redcap left it, and I must know the answer to its question.”
    “Why?”
    “I’m to guess his name. If I don’t, everyone—my men, you and Liam—will pay the price.”
    She stared at him. “This is a game?”
    “Not one of my devising, I assure you.” He sighed. “I’m a warrior, Kathleen. Give me a sword and an enemy to fight. A ford to guard. A hunt. I can track boar or stag across anything. Tactics, yes. Give me a battle. It is what I’m made for. Not this. It’s useless, I am.”
    Studying his features, she could see the pent-up frustration in the set of his jaw. He looked poised to hit something. She understood his helplessness and anger. Had she not felt it herself for most of her life? Looking at the coin in her hand, she began to see she had some small power again. At last. “Is this everything—the whole clue?”
    “Yes,” Bran said.
    “May I keep it? I must show it to someone.”
    He nodded. “You’re clever in these things where I am not. Do you think you might discover something?”
    She opened her handbag and fished for her handkerchief. When she found it she tied the coin inside the cloth and dropped it into her bag. “I’ll do my best.”
    “We must find the answer soon.”
    “If I do find something, how do I reach you?”
    “Go to the churchyard. Call out my name. I’ll hear you and come if I can.”
    It was the first time he’d given her a means of reaching him in all the years she’d known him. A ball of gratitude and anger lodged in her throat. She didn’t want to think about what it might mean. “Thank you.”
    He reached out and touched her cheek. “Have you been safe?”
    “I have.”
    “You’ve your bitty cross?”
    “With the red linen thread.” She nodded. “I’ve done the same for the children. I’ve asked Father Murray if he could get a crucifix to Liam, but we’re having trouble arranging a visit.”
    Bran moved closer. His warm breath caressed the side of her face. “Come with me, Kathleen. As the Fallen gain more power this place will only become more dangerous. Let me take you away.”
    “I must get home,” she said, fearful that a neighbor might spy her. “I’ll see you in the churchyard.” She fled the doorway before he could stop her.

    “This is very old,” Father Murray said. “How did you come by it?”
    Kathleen bit her lip. It wouldn’t do to lie. He needed to know all there was to know if he were to help her. She’d confided in Father Murray before, and not only had he treated her as if she were perfectly sane as she’d spoken to him of spooks and fairies, he’d been a great help with her Liam. He’d been understanding of her Liam’s circumstances—more so than she’d ever expected or hoped. If there was someone who could help, Father Murray was the one. It was safe enough. There wasn’t a chance in the world of Patrick overhearing anything she said in the parochial house kitchen. She breathed in the scents of comfort and spiritual home but restricted her gaze to the inside of her teacup.