The Torn Wing (6 page)

“And what’s that?” Rieker asked.

The glamoured faerie stepped away from the desk to walk back toward Tiki and Rieker. As she moved a cloud covered the sun and the shaft of light suddenly disappeared like the snuffed flame of a candle.

“Donegal controls the courts through brute force rather than destiny. The stone did not speak for him, because he is not the true heir,” Larkin said. “The last time the stone cried out was during the reign of Finvarra, the first high king of the
Daoine Sidhe
.” She gave Tiki a pointed look. “He was Finn MacLochlan’s father.”

Tiki blinked at the familiar name. Larkin had mentioned Finn MacLochlan before—that the mark on her arm was also the birthmark of Finn MacLochlan—whoever he was. Tiki’s heart pounded like a train racing down the tracks at full steam. “What does any of this have to do with me?”

“Should the stone roar, then all in Faerie, even Donegal, would be forced to acknowledge the Seelie Court has a new, true high king —” through slitted eyes Larkin’s gaze locked on Tiki— “or queen.” The faerie took a step closer. “I need your help because you, Tara Kathleen Dunbar MacLochlan, despicable little orphan girl, are Finn MacLochlan’s daughter and therefore, Finvarra’s, last true heir.”

Chapter Seven

T
iki stood frozen, her mouth ajar. Nothing Larkin could have said would have been more shocking. Even Rieker seemed stunned by the faerie’s announcement. When he finally spoke, it was in a tone of disbelief. “Larkin, what nonsense are you spewing now?”

The faerie moved, as if balanced on air, the silky folds of her dark blue dress billowing around her. “Really, it can’t be that much of a shock.” She sounded as if she were bored by their confusion. “You must have realized by now.”

At their blank stares, her expression shifted. “Fine. Pretend you don’t know. I’ll explain it to you.” She frowned at Tiki. “But repeating the facts won’t change what is necessary at the end of the day.”

“I’m afraid we have no idea what the ‘facts’ might be,” Rieker said in an even tone. His eyes were bright with curiosity. “Are you saying Tiki is descended from a faerie king?”

“William.” Larkin snapped. “Why do you sound surprised? You’re descended from Eridanus, one of the greatest faeries who ever lived. Why should the news that Tiki has faerie blood be any different?”

“I have
a thread
of faerie blood in me,” Rieker protested, “passed down over centuries. You’re suggesting Tiki has significantly more.”

“For the love of
Ériu
she is marked with
an fáinne sí,
after all,” Larkin said. “It’s obvious she’s Finn MacLochlan’s daughter.”

Tiki capped her hand over her arm where the thin black lines of her birthmark twisted around her wrist.
An fáinne sí:
The faerie ring. A rare and undeniable connection to the fey, she’d been told. Yet she
had
denied it. She had not allowed herself to believe she had any connection to that unseen world, even though her mother had hinted many times that another world intersected with their own.

“But I’d never even heard of Finn MacLochlan before you mentioned his name—” Tiki protested.

“That doesn’t alter the facts,” Larkin said in a stony voice, “that you are his daughter.”

Tiki clenched her teeth. “That’s not even possible. I’ve lived in London all my life and—”

“Yes, well—” Larkin swept Tiki with a smug glance. “Where to start and how much to tell—”

Tiki’s breath caught in her throat. Was she ready to know the truth? “Last winter you mentioned that someone named Adasara
hid
me in London. Why don’t you start there?”

“Yes, my dear beautiful sister, Adasara.” Larkin’s voice sounded wistful. “I think you’re exactly right. That is the perfect place to start.”

Tiki sucked in her breath with a hiss. “
Sister?”

A smile flitted across Larkin’s face and she looked pleased with herself. “Oh, yes. Did I forget to mention that?” She smoothed the folds of her dress, her movements effortless and graceful. “Adasara was my older sister. She was very beautiful and very kind.” Larkin flicked a strand of hair over her shoulder and tilted her head. Her eyes were bright as if she were enjoying herself immensely. “Not like me at all.”

“Why did your sister have Tiki?” Rieker asked. “Did she steal her?”

An expression of innocence was painted on Larkin’s features. “Adasara had Tara because she was her mother.” Her enigmatic eyes shifted to Tiki. “Which, if my calculations are correct, makes me your aunt, doesn’t it?”

Time stood frozen, as Tiki stared at Larkin in disbelief.

“
Tiki, Tiki, Tiki.”
Clara’s shrill cry echoed down the hallway. The spell broken, Tiki jerked toward the door, instantly alert to the panic in the four year-old’s voice. She turned back to warn Larkin not to reveal her true identity to the child, but Isabelle Cavendish was gone.

“Rieker—where—”

“Come quick,” Clara gasped as she exploded through the door. Her chest heaved as she grabbed Tiki’s hand and tugged her down the hallway.

“Clara—” Tiki fought a rising panic of her own— “what on earth is the matter?” She pulled back against the insistent tugging of the child. “Stop and tell me what’s wrong.”

“I can’t.” Clara said. “We’ve got to hurry.”

A sixth sense prickled along Tiki’s spine. “Clara Marie, stop this instant and tell me what’s going on.”

Fiona appeared in the doorway, her face knitted in a worried expression. “Hello Wills.” She nodded at the young man who stood next to Tiki. “Welcome home.”

Tiki bent at the knees and scooped Clara into her arms, balancing the frail girl on one hip. “Fi, do you know—”

“It’s Toots.” Fiona said. “He hasn’t returned from wherever he’s got himself off to. Clara got it in her head that he’s disappeared.”

The little girl turned frightened eyes toward Tiki. “It’s true,” she whispered. “Mrs. B. sent me outside to tell Toots to come in an’ I saw those blokes take ‘im.”

“Take him where?” Tiki asked in a sharp voice. Tears welled up in Clara’s eyes.

“That’s just it—I don’ know. I can’t see ‘em anymore.”

“Clara, love, there’s no need to get so upset.” Tiki smoothed a tangle of blond hair from the little girl’s face. “He’s probably just around the corner. I’m sure he’s fine.”

“But Tiki.” Clara hiccupped. “He’s
not
. I was watchin’ from the horse house. They were standing there in the alley talkin’, then one of ‘em took Toots’s arm and all three of ‘em disappeared.”

“Disappeared?” Tiki echoed.

Rieker stepped closer. “Are you sure?”

Clara gave a solemn nod, her blue eyes bright with tears.

Tiki didn’t wait to hear more. She let Clara slide to the floor and clutched her little hand.

“Show me where.” They hurried back toward the rear door, running out through the harness room, past where Geoffrey was brushing one of the black mares, to the large oversized carriage door that led to the alley. Clara pulled her out onto the narrow lane and pointed.

“Down there.”

A tall, dense hedgerow protected one side of the narrow lane that was used to access the coach houses along the back of the building. There was never much foot traffic and at this moment the alley was empty in both directions. Tiki’s heart skipped in her chest as she searched for the red-headed boy. Toots was full of energy and often wandered off. Years of surviving on the streets had made him unafraid to explore. But Clara was suggesting he hadn’t simply wandered off but that he’d been abducted—perhaps by something otherworldly. Or—knowing Toots—had he gone willingly?

“Was he yelling for help?” Tiki smoothed Clara’s tangled curls back from her little face.

“Oh, no, he was laughin’ and ‘avin’ a good time, and then—” Clara motioned with her hands— “gone.”

Tiki clutched Rieker’s arm. “Do you think—”

“I don’t know,” Rieker said. “You check inside again. I’ll look out here.” He leaned down and opened his arms to take Clara. “I’m going to walk down the way a bit and see if I can find Toots. Want to come with me?”

“Yes.” Clara nodded with a serious expression. “I’ll be your ‘elper.”

Rieker lifted her small body over his head, sliding her legs onto his shoulders. “You don’t have to hold onto my ears, either. I’ve got you.” A guilty giggle escaped Clara’s lips as she released her grip on Rieker’s ears. Tiki’s chest constricted with emotion.

“Teek, you stay at the house, in case he returns. And don’t panic.” Rieker gave Tiki a gentle smile. “You know Toots. He’s tough and adventuresome. He’s all right—wherever he might be.” He lifted a tress of Tiki’s hair and tucked it behind her shoulder, letting the silky strands run through his fingers. “We’ll find him.” She tried to force a smile but fear crept through her veins and she shivered.

Rieker walked down the street, Clara bouncing on his broad shoulders. “Toots! Tooottssss!” They called one way and then the other, their voices carrying above the wind. Tiki took a deep breath and forced herself to consider the unthinkable. Last winter Larkin had stolen Clara, intending to trade her for the ring of the truce. If Toots had been taken by Larkin, this time Tiki had nothing to trade for his return. Except, perhaps, herself.

Chapter Eight

“I
’m concerned, Arthur. Even though mother is practically on house arrest and has guards with her at all times, I fear it’s not enough.” Leo led Diablo into the royal stables, one hand gripping the reins under the great black horse’s jaw. The shod hooves were muted against the straw strewn over the cobblestone floor.

“I know.” Arthur walked abreast, leading his own mount. They’d just returned from a ride through the Queen’s parks. The weather had abated enough they were able to ride between downpours. “I’ve had the same worries. When we don’t know how to recognize the face of the enemy we are at a distinct disadvantage. If the weather is any indication, then things are getting worse rather than better in the Otherworld.”

“It’s not just the weather.” Leo handed the reins over to the stable master. “There’s something else.”

“Such as?” Arthur turned his horse over and pulled his leather gloves off as they walked the length of the stables to exit. Horses snorted and poked their heads over their stalls, hoping for attention from the brothers.

Leo leaned close and lowered his voice. “I have this feeling I’m being watched.” He gave Arthur a sidelong glance. “Have you noticed it as well?”

Arthur’s brows pulled down in a frown. “Are you serious? Have you noticed something out of the ordinary?”

“Nothing I can put my finger on. It’s difficult to describe.” Leo paused, searching for the right words. “It’s a bit like having someone breathe down your neck, but when you turn, there’s no one.” He forced a laugh. “Probably my imagination. All this talk of faeries and war has got me spooked.”

Arthur slapped his gloves against his leg. “As we all should be. Best to take extra precautions for now.”

Chapter Nine

T
iki’s thoughts were a whirlwind the next morning as she gave last minute instructions to Mrs. Bosworth about Clara. Could Larkin’s claim be true? Was Tiki Finvarra’s last heir? Was it possible that even now, the UnSeelie king could be coming after her?