Read dark faerie 06 - ever dead for Free Online Page B

exhausted from the day’s events.
    “I’m sure you are, but who couldn’t use another helping hand?” Nautilus held out three strung up trout, dangling them near the fire. “I brought dinner.”
    Soap’s laughter echoed around the trees surrounding their camp.
    “It’s a date! I’ll take those.” Soap accepted the fish and headed over to a stream to begin prepping them to cook. They were spending the evening at the edge of Faerie. With that damn cop following them around, they had to be more inconspicuous.
    “You don’t know what’s been going down here. There’s been a complication.” Benton stared hard into the fire, his face in a permanent scowl.
    “Yeah? What sort of complication?” Nautilus took a seat near him, but far enough away to give the young Fire Elemental his personal space. All three warriors had an affinity to fire, which was fortunate since the nights were somewhat chilly with the humidity and ocean air constantly pounding the coast. Still, it made for some fiery attitudes.
    “There’s a cop following us.”
    Nautilus lifted an eyebrow. “What’s he want with you all? Glamour not working on him?”
    “He’s not the same as other humans.” Benton’s sullen mood darkened his features, making his dark brown eyes appear obsidian in the flickering flames. “He’s…different. But I don’t know how.”
    “How’s he tracing your steps?”
    “He said something about the ashes. He’s been having them tested and now has one of those medallions we’ve seen on some of the Unseelie in the area. Not sure what it means, but it’s got markings on it, like hieroglyphs or runes or something like that. I’m sure it has something to do with our glamours not working on him. I doubt he’s a sighted human. He didn’t seem to notice things before.”
    “So you’ve seen him before?” Nautilus wrinkled his nose, confused.
    “Yeah. I’d seen him before. He’s been hanging around our hunting ground with that devil reddish dog of his. I hate dogs.” Benton relayed.
    “Dogs are alright. Just need to show them you’re not the enemy.” Soap said, returning from the stream.
    Benton huffed. “Sure, right before they bite your hand right off.”
    Nautilus furrowed his brows at their conversation, looking perplexed.
    “Alright, let’s roast these puppies,” Soap interrupted as he finished cleaning the fish. “Got any spices Benton? You’re the one with all the dried herbs and all.” Soap held out the fish, all neatly cleaned and ready to sear on the cast iron skillet he’d produced.
    “Seriously? You guys need to bring your own salt and pepper.” Benton produced some herbs and the salt for Soap to deal with. He was fed up with this hunt lately. The more Unseelie and Sluagh they put down, the more came. It was an endless cycle that had him worried he’d never see the end of this battle.
    “Look,” Nautilus offered, scratching his head. “I’m sure we can get hold of this guy, see what his motivations are. I don’t think avoiding him will do any good. If he’s got any kind of magic in him, we need to know. We could be in danger.”
    Benton nodded, agreeing with Nautilus’ assessment. When Soap began serving the dinner of fish, potatoes and green beans, freshly picked and chopped up for a meal, he began to feel more relaxed.
    If the guy wanted to kill them, he would’ve already. Something didn’t jive with this human cop, but if anyone could find out about him, they would need some more supernatural help.
    “Nautilus?” Benton looked up to his comrade, his eyes widening with a blossoming idea.
    “What’s up bud?” Nautilus stuffed a piece of steaming hot fish into his mouth without regard to the heat level. Hot food, or hot anything for that matter, didn’t bother any of them.
    “We need help on this. Are there any oracles around here that could enlighten us about other humans with possible magic?”
    Nautilus chewed thoughtfully, silently digesting the idea before he