Lilly walked behind the Fae named Cyn and the Warlock King, Cypher, AKA her mate, according to him, though the jury was still out on her end. She followed them into a seedy looking bar at the very edge of the forest in the Balkan Mountains, were the Warlock’s lived. Perizada of the Fae, whoever that was, had sent Cyn to them. That’s all they knew, because that’s all Cyn had told them.

Cyn had appeared and stood in the forest knowing that it would alert Cypher to her presence and she had waited. When he finally appeared she’d stated simply, “Perizada of the Fae has sent me to you. I am Cyn, Guard of the Council.” That was it. No elaboration, no hey I’m here to lend a hand, just: here I am, deal with it.

Cypher had narrowed his eyes at the Fae guard, but didn’t question her. Lilly however hadn’t been quite so trusting. Although, Lilly had thrown the Spanish inquisition at her, Cyn had simply ignored her.

Now here they were, walking into this bar, full of shady looking characters. According to Cypher, there was a guy here who knew a guy that might know another guy that could help.

“Do you really think this is a good idea?” Lilly whispered up to Cypher. “I mean seriously Cypher, a guy who knows a guy who knows a guy. Do you honestly believe it’s going to be worth all the work to find the guy at the end of the rabbit hole?”

Cypher looked mildly amused at her questioning, which made her want to stomp on his foot. She didn’t, but it took every bit of her restraint.

“We aren’t in Kansas anymore Little One, you are going to see some things, hear some things and,” he said, before she cut him off.

“If you finish that with do some things I might just slap you, Warlock King or not, and how the heck do you know a reference to The Wizard of Oz?” Lilly raised her brow as she looked at him, waiting for whatever possible explanation he could have for that one.

Cypher winked at her, which did strange things to her stomach that she didn’t want to think about.

“As I was saying, things are different here and information is found in the most unlikely places because the people who have that information usually do not want to be found. And, I like human movies. I’m not a total recluse.”

“That really isn’t comforting or encouraging in any way you know. Not the recluse part, but the people who don’t want to be found bit, that’s a little unsettling.”

Cypher shrugged at her annoyed look and turned back to the bar when the bar tender finally acknowledged them. They spoke in a tongue that Lilly didn’t understand and she was pretty sure it wasn’t any form of human language.

Even speaking the strange language, Cypher still sounded commanding and confident. It didn’t dawn on him to think that someone might not jump up to do his bidding, but then again maybe no one had ever told him no. Lilly smiled to herself andthought: there’s a first time for everything. Oh, King of mine.

Finally, after several more minutes of the back and forth between King and bar tender Cypher turned and walked out of the bar. Lilly started to say something, but then realized that Cypher had taken her hand and was tugging her behind him. She quickly caught her footing as she stumbled behind him and looked back, over her shoulder to see that Cyn was pulling up the rear. Once out in the cool night air, she pulled her hand from his and threw them up in the air in exasperation.

“So?” She asked. “That was it? That really seemed a little anticlimactic.”

Cypher shook his head at her and motioned towards the forest. She followed him into the dark foliage and was quickly swallowed up by the trees.

After walking in silence for several minutes, Cypher stopped abruptly and turned around. Lilly expected him to answer her question, but instead he glared at Cyn.

“Why did Peri send you to me?”

Lilly rolled her eyes, oh now he asks.

Cyn looked around the forest causing Lilly to look as well.

“You may speak freely, I’ve taken care that no one will hear,” Cypher told the Fae.

“She has heard that the witch has come to you with a proposition for your help. She also heard that you were in possession of a certain human.”

Lilly’s mouth dropped open and a sound of indignation slipped out. “In possession? Are you kidding me?”

Cypher held up his hand to stop her, but never took his eyes from Cyn’s face.

“Lilly is my mate.”

“So says the barbarian Warlock King,” Lilly muttered.

Cypher looked at her from the corner of his eye, “I don’t recall you complaining about the intimacy between us earlier and as I told you I have never shared such intimacy with another female.”

“Could we please refrain from discussing our intimacy in front of others?”

The blush that stained Lilly’s cheeks made Cypher smile and he reached out and gently brushed a finger across her face.

“You are such a breath of fresh air little one.”

Lilly let out an unladylike snort as she crossed her arms across her chest gave him her best I am not affected stare, which was the biggest load of crap she had ever fed herself.

Cypher looked back at Cyn.

“As I was saying, Lilly is my mate and therefore not a prisoner if that is what Perizada is thinking. As for the witch,” Cypher stepped back until his back was leaning against a large tree. Lilly could tell he was trying to pick his words carefully, indicating to her that he did not fully trust Cyn. “She did come to me and there was an offer presented. At this point, she believes that I am going to help her. I have to tread carefully, because I have sworn a blood oath to her.”