Titsui turned to him. “We gave it to Faye.”

  So they did know her name. Faye looked into Titsui’s eyes with surprise. “That was all of it you had?”

  Titsui nodded. Faye knew there had to be more. The bag, while it was large bag of drugs, was not a whole lot. To manufacture something in that small of a batch wouldn’t make sense if the idea was to get rid of Tainted in the city. Joel must have had the same line of thought because they shared a glance.

  “Thank you,” Faye said. “We’ve been trying to figure out who’s making the drug, not just distributing it, although that would be helpful, too.”

  “We do not know who makes it. They employ a gang to distribute it.”

  “A Tainted gang?” Faye stared with disbelief, but Joel’s hand on her arm caught her attention.

  “There are a few in town.”

  “Are you serious?”

  He nodded. “But they aren’t the ones with the drugs. They were the first place we checked.”

  Faye turned to Titsui. “Who are you getting the drugs from?”

  “Anyone we can.”

  “The club. Did you get them from Aliya?”

  Titsui nodded. Faye’s chest rose and fell sharply. Turning to Joel, she stared him right in the eye. “Aliya was the one with the drugs first, and she didn’t take them for weeks, not until I went back to get more from her, and even then, she only took it because I gave it to her. Why wouldn’t she take it when she got it? If she’s into drugs…”

  “You think the faeries are behind this?”

  “Maybe not making it but definitely distributing it.”

  Titsui make a noise in the back of her throat. “We do not want more Tainted to die.”

  “Why would faeries want Tainted to die? I mean…we’re all part of the same group, right?” Faye looked from Titsui to Joel, hoping someone had an answer. Both of them shook heads at her. “All right. How do we find the faeries?”

  “Your witch will know.”

  The hate in Titsui’s tone did not go unnoticed. Faye cocked her head to the side. Since she didn’t know when she’d be back down there, she wanted answers. “Why do you hate witches so much?”

  “Your witch, I will not say her name, tortures Lamek.”

  “I know.” Faye shook her head. “I hate it.”

  “Me too,” Joel piped up. “We’re working on getting her to release him, but we don’t have the magic to do it.”

  “She will not.”

  “Do you know why she did it?” Joel asked. When Faye shot him a glare, he shrugged. “What? I can’t get it out of her.”

  “He killed her sister,” Faye muttered.

  “There’s more to it than that. Molly wouldn’t imprison someone for life because they killed her sister.”

  Titsui blew a huge breath on them, silencing them. “Before I was elected official, my predecessor wanted to rise to the surface. He took actions to accomplish this.”

  “Actions, like what actions?” Joel leaned forward, catching every word Titsui said, and Faye would be remiss if she didn’t hear everything too.

  “War on humans. He wanted them gone from this part of the city, making room enough for us to rise.”

  “Shit. There was a war,” Joel muttered.

  Faye raised an eyebrow at him. “Told you.”

  “How did her sister die?”

  “Accident. Lamek is young. He was angry and a believer. He wanted to surface.”

  “So how did she die?”

  Titsui shook her head. “I was not there. I cannot tell you. But it ended the war.”

  Faye shot Joel a look. “All right. Um…are we free to leave? I think we need to go find these faeries and figure out what the hell is going on.”

  At Titsui’s nod, Faye shifted and climbed down her leg. Joel followed her. Faye put her hands on her hips and stared around the building. “We’re really free to go, just like that? Last time you put me in a cage.”

  “You were with a witch. Do not bring him back here.”

  “Got it.” Faye bowed down to Titsui, not quite sure what she was doing or why she was doing it, but she felt as though some type of revere was deserved. “Thank you.”

  “Goodbye, Lamek’s friend.”

  Faye gripped Joel’s hand, and they walked back the way she had come. As soon as they were through the door into the tunnel, she gripped his shoulder. “You’re fine, right?”

  “Yeah. They snatched me about two seconds after I came down this thing.”

  “How did they even know?”

  “I have a feeling they know a whole lot more than they get credit for. Trolls deal in information, not goods.”

  Faye snorted. “Did your research, did you?”

  “Some.” He flushed “We going to find these faeries?”

  “Yup.”

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Molly parked the Tesla near the club, slamming the door as she got out. Her chest heaved as she raced toward, not paying attention to Malek and whether he was coming or not. She pushed her way inside, her heels making it difficult to run, and she wished she had changed before leaving the house, but she hadn’t known this was going to happen.

  The giant standing guard gave her an odd look until he recognized her, and then he stepped back without protest. Molly pursed her lips in his direction before clicking her way down the stone staircase to the last door into the club. Malek’s footsteps echoed behind her as he followed.

  With the last door pushed open, Molly froze. It was just as she feared. She pulled her magic from the center of her belly and flung it outward at everyone in the room, freezing them in place. Twisting to look at Malek as the spell worked, she shook her head at him.

  “I’m going to need your help.”

  “You know I can’t.”

  “We can’t let them die!”

  “Put them to sleep and bind them. We’ll do it one at a time as we have magic to spare if we can’t find another cure. But I’m of no use to you.”

  She sent a stream of her magic into every Tainted there, ushering them into sleep. Awake and live bodies fell on dead bodies, crashing onto the moss covered floor below. Molly worked her magic again, binding them to sleep until she herself woke them.

  When all was said and done, Molly sighed and turned to Malek, a grin on her face. “This might work.”

  “We shall see.” His own smile echoed hers.

  “Do you see Joel or Faye? He said they were here.” Molly walked around the bodies on the floor, searching through them for a sign of her staff and her love. Malek walked in a different direction. When she glanced up to check with him, he shook his head at her. Molly went to the back store rooms and found no one there.

  Coming out into the main room, Malek handed Molly her phone. She glanced at it and noted all the missed calls from Ben. She raised the device to her ear. “Benjamin?”

  “I think it’s the trolls.”

  “Distributing or making?”

  “Both.”

  “All right. Would you get Amachon and bring a few vans down to the club. I need you to take these individuals back to the house under supervision. I’ll deal with them when I have a minute.”

  “Umm…okay? Can I get more information than that?”

  “No. But they won’t be a problem.”

  “Whatever you say, boss.”

  Molly pressed the phone into the pocket of her suit jacket and bent down to take a closer look at one of the injuries on a man lying on the floor. Amachon would have to look at him otherwise the injury might end his life before she could cleanse his blood, though she’d make the most injured her first priority if she had to.

  “What are you thinking?”

  Molly stared up at Malek. “That this was planned. Again. This is the second time this club has seen such a fate.”

  “Oh?”

  “Faye was here the first time as well.”

  “She has bad luck.”

  Smirking, Molly turned toward one of the store rooms when she thought she heard a bang and grunting. Holding her hand up to Malek to tell him to be quiet, she walked toward the room and pulled a gun from the back of her waistband. Malek raised an eyebrow at her, and she shrugged.

  “It’s easier than magic sometimes.”

  “I suppose I should take to carrying one of those around if I’m going to continue working with you.”

  “We work together now?”

  “Seems like it.”

  Molly would have scoffed, but voices echoed through the closed door. She cocked her head at Malek before focusing on the room behind the door. Flinging the door open, she held her gun out in front of her to protect the both of them when she stopped short. Faye sat on the floor, her legs dangling down in something, and she pulled backward, falling as Joel popped up and fell on top of her. Joel gave her a funny look and laughed before cringing and whining.

  “What happened?” Molly asked, shoving her gun into her waistband as she moved next to Joel.

  “Princess here, got injured, like he does on any damn mission,” Faye snorted.

  Molly shot Faye a serious look, but Faye raised an eyebrow right back at her in a challenge. “What happened?”

  “He fell down. Twice.”

  Joel winced. “It hurt.”

  “I had to carry him the rest of the way and drag him up the damn ladder.”

  “Where were you?”

  “Talking to trolls.” Faye pulled all the way out of the trap door and saw Malek over her shoulder. She sent him a sizzling glance Molly did not miss and stood up to walked over him, gripping his arm to stand close. “Much better this way than through the sewers.”

  “Hmm, you smell better, too.”

  “Aww, you see that, Molly? He must like me. I don’t know why you keep telling me Malek doesn’t like me.”

  Molly closed her eyes and didn’t look at Faye, knowing the jibing was just that and nothing more. They still had to get information from Malek, and Faye knew how to do it her way best. “Where does it hurt?”

  “Everywhere,” Joel moaned.

  “Joel.”

  “What?”

  “Where specifically does it hurt?”

  He narrowed his gaze. “Everywhere.”

  “He fell about ten feet, Molly. He’s not lying.”

  Molly cast a glance over her shoulder to see Faye hanging off Malek. Keeping her mouth shut, she turned to Joel. “Do you want me to heal it now or later?”

  “When later?”

  “Faye and I have a mission we need to go on.”

  “Do we?” Faye asked.

  “Do it when you have energy, Molly, or Amachon can fix me up. I don’t want you to run out of magic.”

  “We don’t run out of magic, just energy.” Molly stood up and twisted to face Malek. “You will take him home and help with Ben and Amachon.”

  “If that’s what you want.”

  “It is. Faye?” Molly beckoned Faye with one glance and crook of her finger. “You’re with me.”

  “Where are we going?”

  “To finish this.”

  Molly gripped Faye’s hand and took her out of the room. Faye gasped as they walked through the main room with all the bodies and squeezed Molly’s fingers tight. “There’s so much blood.”

  “Ignore it. Mine’s better.”

  “Damn straight. You put them to sleep?”

  “For now, so they’d stop killing each other.”

  “Not a bad idea. What are you going to do when they wake up?”

  Molly shot a look to Faye. “No idea.”

  They walked up the stairs, past the brooding giant at the door, and out of it. Instead of walking toward the exit, Molly took a path that should be decently familiar to Faye at that point. Faye turned and stopped her, shoving her against the wall until their lips crashed together. Molly moaned, gripped Faye’s hair, and kissed with everything she had.

  When Faye pulled away, she grinned broadly. “Where are we going?”

  “Ben called and said he traced the purchases to the trolls.”

  Faye kissed Molly again. “I love Ben, and he does good work, but Joel and I were just down with the trolls. Long story I may or may not tell you. They aren’t the ones doing this, and if you walk down there, Molly, they will kill you.”

  “I can protect myself.”

  “I don’t think you understand how much they want to kill you.”

  “Fine.” Molly put both her hands in the air. “If it isn’t the trolls, who is it?”

  “Aliya.”

  Molly pulled a face at Faye. “Who?”

  “Oh, that’s right, you don’t come to the club with normal people and leave me to fend for myself when I get here, Ms. I’m-too-good-for-those-things.”

  “Faye.”

  “What?”

  “Who is Aliya?”

  “The bartender. Decent fuck, too.”

  Molly’s cheeks flushed, and her chest constricted. She had no idea how to respond, and she hated when Faye said things that knocked her flat on her ass. Clenching her jaw, Molly stood as still as possible and waited for Faye to continue, hoping she wasn’t waiting for some kind of specific reaction.

  “She’s a faerie, Molly. Relax.”

  Molly held her tongue.

  “She’s the one who gave me the drugs the first time. And the second time. But she also didn’t take them until I gave them to her.”

  “You’re speaking gibberish.”

  Faye grinned and pulled Molly back in for a kiss, pressing her hard against the wall of the cavern, their breasts pushing into each other. Every nerve in Molly’s body felt as though it had fire in it. Molly slipped a hand up Faye’s back to try and stop her, but she was so lost, she could only hold on for the ride. Faye’s lips moved from her mouth to her chin to her ear.

  “Don’t worry. I’ll always come back to you.”

  “You better,” Molly whispered, relief flooding through her. “Who is Aliya?”

  “She’s a faerie, and I’m pretty sure the faeries are the ones making this drug.”

  “Why?”

  “Haven’t figured that one out because it would pretty much kill business at the club, but considering they own and operate it, and it’s back up to running weeks after the first massacre, I’m really betting they’re it.”

  Molly’s tongue dashed against her lips, Faye’s taste dancing in her mouth. “So we go to the faeries.”

  “Yup.”

  “Do you know where to find them?” Molly trailed a finger down Faye’s cheek. “Or do I still know more than you?”

  “Smart ass.”

  “Where’s your bike?”

  “Outside. Are you going dressed like that?”

  “Don’t start with me, Faye.”

  “It’s hot. I’m just saying it’s not very practical.”

  “I was not anticipating Joel’s SOS.”

  Faye snorted. “Kid can’t handle blood.”

  “And you live on it. Is that too much of a surprise?” Molly pushed Faye away from her and started toward the entrance. They slipped out the door and down the street toward Faye’s motorcycle, catching sight of Ben driving a van.

  Faye waved before she pulled the helmet over her head and handed the other one to Molly. “Don’t want to smash your pretty face.”

  Molly carefully slipped a leg over the back of the bike and wrapped her arms around Faye’s middle. “Just remember how much of a distraction I can be.”

  “I’d like to see you try. Where are we headed?”

  “Lion’s Park.”

  ###

  Faye pulled up at the park and helped Molly off the bike as she teetered on her four inch heels. Biting back the retort, Faye turned toward the play equipment and back to Molly.

  “The faeries live in a park?”

  “In it is a precise way of saying that.”

  “What does that mean?”

  Molly winked at Faye as she walked around her and into the grass, her heels sinking in as she went.

  “No, seriously, what does that mean?”

  “You really need to finish your training for the job, Faye. It’s been four years since you started working for me. You should know these things.”

  “Do you know how much information you jam packed into that stupid training class? For someone who had no involvement with Tainted life until you, you have to give me a break.”

  Molly spun to face Faye, humming as she looked her over. “And here I thought you were smarter than that.”

  “Than what?”

  “Procrastination.”

  Faye growled. “You overestimate my ability for the mundane.”

  “Hardly, Faye. You enjoy classes. You have received numerous degrees from universities. Why would I think my specifically designed course would be any different?”

  Thoroughly chastised, Faye put her hands on her hips and stared around the park. “Well? Where are they?”

  “Close your eyes.”

  “What?”

  “Close your eyes. I don’t want you getting sick all over my shoes.”

  “Molly. This is stupid.”

  “Fine. Have it your way.” Molly stepped under a large maple tree and smirked. “Coming?”

  Faye moved in close to Molly, who held her tightly around her waist. Molly raised her fist above her head and touched the tree with her palm, pushing in. All the air in Faye’s lungs was sucked out of her. She squeezed tight to Molly, holding on for dear life as they did whatever the hell they did. Faye groaned as they stopped moving, the tense pressure that had felt as though it was trying to burst her relieving, finally.

  “What the hell was that?”

  “I told you to close your eyes.”

  “Like that would have helped.”

  “Don’t get sick on my shoes.”

  Faye shook her head. “I’m not going to get sick. Just trying to breathe normally.”

  Molly turned sharply and held up a hand to silence Faye. Faye complied and watched as Molly glanced around. The mood turned from teasing to tense in an instant. Faye’s stomach clenched as she held her breath and looked around. They were somewhere, she wasn’t sure, but it didn’t look like a park at all. It looked like a city. They were on a street, lamps lit to ward off the dark, but the street was completely empty.

  “Where is everyone?” Molly whispered.