The Stolen: An American Faerie Tale by Bishop O'Connell Read Free Book Online

triggered.”
    Brendan studied Edward for a moment, then set him down.
    Edward straightened his glasses and looked down at Caitlin. “So, who did this?”
    Brendan rolled his eyes. “I told you already, didn’t I? It were oíche-­sidhe.”
    Edward’s eyes went wide, and for a moment he stopped breathing. “They took Fiona, didn’t they?”
    Brendan muttered something under his breath. “Aye, they got Caitlin’s purse—­”
    â€œHer purse?”
    â€œShe likely had something of herself in it.”
    Edward just stared.
    â€œTo get past the hearth protections?” Brendan said.
    Another blank stare.
    â€œBloody hell, what kind of wizard are you?” Brendan asked. “You don’t know a fae slumber, you don’t know the oíche, and you don’t know the hearth protections. What is it you do know, then?”
    â€œIs, is that really relevant right now?” Edward stammered as he looked away.
    â€œAye, a bit, don’t you think?” Brendan took a step forward, forcing Edward to take one back. “Where’d you learn your craft, then? A fecking mail-­in course? Or did an uncle leave you his magic books?”
    Edward blanched and looked away.
    â€œAh, bloody hell. That’s it, isn’t it?” Brendan laughed. “Jesus, man. What’re you thinking, getting into this business?”
    â€œIt was my Taid, I mean, grandfather,” Edward said. “Besides, I wasn’t even sure there were other—­” He waved his hand. “Others like me.”
    Brendan nodded. “Oh, well, that makes all the difference, then.”
    â€œIs the sarcasm really necessary?”
    â€œYou needn’t worry, amateur night is over.” Brendan moved toward Caitlin. “Stand aside, bucko.”
    Edward put his hand out to push Brendan away, but Brendan caught his hand and twisted it around. Edward fell to his knees with a cry, and Brendan held him there, on the edge of breaking his arm.
    â€œI’m getting these two out of this house before the dark faeries what made off with the child decide to come back and collect them as well.” He pushed Edward face-­first onto the floor. “I suggest you get your arse out of here as well.” He picked up Caitlin. “Or don’t. It don’t bother me a whit, either way.”
    â€œWait,” Edward said from the floor. “Please, I can help!”
    Brendan closed his eyes and sighed. “I’ve got no time for someone stumbling about. This is a dangerous business, and if I’m to get the girseach back from those dark bastards, I can’t be spending time handholding the likes of you.”
    â€œBut—­”
    â€œLook, I can see she’s a friend, and I respect your wanting to help—­”
    â€œWe can take them to my place, they’ll be safe there.”
    Brendan looked away and drew in a long breath.
    â€œI have wards around my house.” Edward waited for Brendan to look back at him. “Those I can do very well.”
    Brendan sighed. What else was he going to do? Leaving them in a dell somewhere wouldn’t work. The oíche weren’t the most nature-­bound fae, but plenty of the Rogue Court fae were, and some of them were friendly to the oíche.
    â€œPlease, I really can help.”
    Brendan looked him in the eye again.
    Edward gritted his teeth, but he didn’t flinch.
    â€œHow far is it, then?”
    â€œNot far.” Edward got to his feet. “It’s just outside of town. We can be there in twenty minutes.”
    â€œAll right, then.”
    â€œI’m Edward, Edward Huntington,” he said, offering his hand.
    Brendan looked down at Caitlin’s limp form in his arms and raised an eyebrow. “You think maybe we should hold off on all the pleasantries till we get them out of here?”
    Edward lowered his hand.
    Brendan nodded at the dark-­haired girl.