What the Fae?

Chapter 3 - the first encounter

Beck and Canyon searched the neighboring towns, checking things off the list as they collected them. With only a half an hour before they had to rendezvous with the others, they sat in a park watching the streets lights flicker on as the sun dipped below the horizon. Parents had long since taken their children home, leaving only a couple homeless men sleeping beneath the softball bleachers and a young woman sitting on a bench across the lawn.

Beck couldn't take his eyes off the girl. She wore sunglasses and small, tight clothing humans like to wear when exercising. Her hair was very dark, maybe black, though it was hard to tell with so little light. It was long too, braided in the back and draped over her shoulder.  She seemed peaceful while she sat reading a book, her shapely legs crossed at the knee.

But, there was something off about her, something he couldn't quite put his finger on. The missing piece buzzed in the back of his mind, teasing him, driving him crazy. Beck decided to stop focusing on her, knowing that whatever it was about her would slam into his head later.

Next to him, Canyon sighed. "I can't believe we couldn't find one of those tinkery bells. We must've searched a hundred kids."

Instead of consoling his friend, Beck elbowed Canyon in the ribs. "I don't suppose one of those bums could score us some points," he said, pointing to the men lying by the ball field. "We could still get that heart, after all. And no digging."

"We're not killing a human."

"I don't know. They look pretty dead already." Beck shrugged. "Besides, who would miss them?"

Canyon glared. "You promised."

"Fine." Beck scowled and motioned to the paper in Canyon's hand. "What else can we score?"

"Let's see." Canyon scanned the list and stopped halfway down. "Here's something. Human hair is fifty points an inch. I say we skip the scum and go after that braid."

Beck followed Canyon's gaze back to the reading girl. Her black braid was pretty long, at least 600 points worth. But his gut was telling him to stay away from her. "I don't think so. Let's go check those guys."

"But—"

"No. The bums will do." He rose from the bench, spread his white wings, and flew to the bleachers. Canyon followed.

Canyon kneeled above one of the bums and looked him over. Beck hovered closer to his friend but then quickly backed away, touching back down to the ground. Body odor and booze assaulted his senses, making him gag. He covered his mouth and nose.

He drew his hand away just enough to ask, "So, anything worth taking?" Just as he moved to cover his face again, the aroma of gardenias overpowered the stench. The flower wasn't anywhere at the park, so how could he smell it?

"Back away from the old dude, faery boy," a low, feminine voice said from behind them.

Beck raised his hands in surrender as he slowly turned to face the girl from the bench. His gut had been right about her. She had the Sight if she could see them, and was crazy, too, if she thought it wise to confront two faeries all by herself.

Canyon stood next to Beck, hands up.

Now that the girl was closer, Beck could get a better look at her. She was nearly as tall as him but thicker than a faery's lithe form. A white scar ran down her cheek, stopping at the corner of her full mouth. Without the sunglasses, he could see the light blue of her eyes framed by dark lashes. If it wasn't for the iron in her hand, she would almost be beautiful. Almost.

She held the dagger slightly higher, revealing the mark on the inside of her right wrist—an Eradicator tattoo.

Surprise and confusion warred with the fear rising along Beck's spine that the sight of the iron weapon created. She couldn't be a ruthless hunter. She was a girl—a human girl—and all the female slaves at the palace were meek and soft. But from the hard look in her eyes and the battle scar splashed across her face, this wasn't her first fight.