He nodded solemnly, and I left the gym feeling a little lighter but still dreading what I had to do that night.
When I got home, things were normal. Annwyl was nowhere to be seen. Mom was putting the dinner plates in the dishwasher, and Dad was getting ready for work. I paused in the kitchen, watching Mom over the counter, and took a deep breath, preparing myself for the hardest conversation I would ever have.
CHAPTER SEVEN
THE TRUTH
Absolutely not.
We were all three in the kitchen, me sitting on one of the bar stools, my parents facing me across the counter. Both of them wore looks of horror, anger and disbelief.
No, Dad said, as if that was the end of it. Not after the stunt you pulled last week. You think were going to let you go to New Orleans alone? No, Ethan. Out of the question.
A stunt? I tried to hold on to my anger, remembering that Dad wasnt sensitive to the faery world. He tended to truly forget about it, like most normal humans did. Unlike me and Mom, who knew it was out there but tried to avoid it. We didnt talk about it.
Well, that ended today. What do you think I was doing last week? I asked, startling him and causing Mom to straighten in alarm. I wasnt in New York to sightsee. It wasnt some stupid ploy to get attention. I got pulled into the Nevernever because of the fey, because it was either disappear into Faery or get torn to shreds in the real world.
Mom flinched. Dad stared at me like I was crazy...until he remembered that faeries were real, and wed dealt with them before.
I went into the Nevernever, I went on, determined not to stop. Finally, all this would come out; it was no use trying to ignore it. I refused to ignore it anymore. And I met Meghan. Shes the Queen of the Iron Realm and lives in this huge palace with thousands of faeries. Everything she told us was true. And now They all know about me. I wanted to mention Keirran, but Id promised Meghan I wouldnt, and besides, this conversation was awkward and stressful enough without bringing my nephewtheir unknown grandchildinto this.
Ethan, Mom began, but I cut her off.
No, Mom, Im not going to pretend any longer. I gave her a half angry, half apologetic look. Ive tried ignoring Them, avoiding Them, trying not to See Them, and it doesnt work. Im just as much involved in Their world as Meghan was, and no matter what I do, that wont change or go away. Mom bit her lip, looking like she might cry, and I softened my voice. Im not normal, and we both know that. We have to accept that, every once in a while, Theyre going to come for me, and Im going to have to disappear for a bit. This is one of those times.
Why? she whispered, on the verge of tears now. Dad had gone quiet, recognizing, I think, the fact that this was out of his control, that this world was one he had no part in. Why cant They leave us alone? Ive already lost Meghan...why do They have to take you, too?
Theyre not taking me anywhere, I assured her. Never again. Mom, I promise, Im coming home. I have no intention of staying in Faery.
You cant promise me that, she said angrily, pushing away from the counter. Her eyes snapped at me, furious and terrified. You cant control what They do, if They want you to stay...there. What am I supposed to do while youre gone, Ethan? I waited for Meghan to come home for a year, only to lose her to Them for good! How long am I supposed to wait until Im sure youre not coming back?
Im not Meghan! I snapped. Im not part faery. Im not going to fall in love with one of Them, fight Their wars and become Their king. I hate Them and I hate what Theyve done to us. After all this time, you should know that! At a sharp look from Dad, I stopped, getting control of myself again. Even if I was discussing faeries and the Nevernever and things he didnt understand, he still wouldnt let me talk to Mom like that. I took a deep breath and continued in a calmer voice. But I am a part of that world, especially now. Even if I stay on this side of the Veil, They wont ever leave me alone.
Theres a difference between Seeing Them and rushing headlong into Their wars, Ethan. You were doing so well, keeping your head down, not getting involved.
Yeah, well, I cant do that anymore. I swallowed and hoped that the universe would forgive this one small lie. Meghan needs my help. This is something I have to do. Mom gave a choked sob and turned away, making my stomach contract, but I kept going. Im tired of being afraid, and Im tired of pretending. Im not running from Them anymore.
Youre going to get yourself killed, Mom protested, a little desperately now. Or taken away, just like Meghan. I wont lose another child to Them. I will not watch Them drag you into that world. You cant go, Ethan. I refuse to see that again.
Im almost eighteen, I said softly, watching as she stalked to the dishwasher and wrenched it open. You cant protect me forever.
Mom didnt answer, but Dad finally spoke up, his voice low and controlled. And if we directly forbid you to go? he asked. Not challenging or angry, just seeing where I stood. How serious I really was. I took a deep breath.
Then Ill go anyway and face whatever punishment you give me when I get back.
Thats what I thought, Dad said. He checked his watch and frowned, then glanced at Mom, still standing over the dishwasher but not moving anything from it. Im calling in tonight, he announced, backing away from the counter. Lets continue this talk in the living room, and Ethan can tell us exactly where in New Orleans hes going and what he plans to do while hes there.
Luke! Mom whirled around, aghast. I blinked in shock, too. You cant be serious! He cant go to New Orleans by himself! What if They find him?
Hes not going alone, Dad said. Ill drive him up myself.
Uh. I blinked. What?
He gave me a stern look. You heard me. I realize this is something you have to do, but youre certainly not going to New Orleans alone. At least I can be there if you run into trouble.
Thats not a solution, Luke, Mom broke in. So, instead of forbidding him to go, youre going to drive him up and deliver him to Their doorstep? How is that better?
Melissa. Dad faced Mom wearily. The boy is going, whether we like it or not. Hes been fighting Them since he was a kid. I might not be able to see it, but Im not blind. He sighed, looking much older now, grizzled and tired. Weve always known it was only a matter of time before something like this happened, before They came for him. Id rather have him know he can turn to us for help, instead of thinking were oblivious to what hes getting into.
But... Mom blinked back tears. Meghan...
Is gone, Dad said quietly. And we have to accept that, just like we have to accept the fact that Ethan is involved in her world, too. Or were just going to be fighting this for the rest of our lives.
Mom stood there, staring at both me and Dad, before she walked stiffly out of the kitchen without looking back. We heard her climb the steps to the upstairs bedroom, and then the door slammed with a crash that rattled the house.
I winced. Dad looked at me, haggard and grave. When do you want to leave? he asked in a resigned voice.
Tomorrow, I replied, hoping my voice wouldnt betray me, let him know what I was thinking. Because there was no way he could come with me. Dad was only trying to help, to keep me safe, but he couldnt find out about Keirran or the very dangerous thing I was planning tomorrow night. I thought we could get on the road after lunch, if thats okay.
Is anyone meeting you there?
Damn. No, I said, hating that I had to lie, again, but I wouldnt rat Kenzie out and possibly get her in trouble. And I didnt think even Dad would be okay with me meeting my girlfriend in New Orleans, unsupervised. Just me.
He nodded and glanced to the door of the upstairs bedroom as if steeling himself. I took that to mean the conversation was over and began to slip away to my room.
Ethan.
I paused in the hall, looking back, as Dad scrubbed a hand across his face. Youll be careful, right, son? he asked, sounding uncertain now. I know I dont understand much about this...other world, but your mother has never been the same since Meg left. You have to promise you wont go the same way. It would kill her.
I wont, I told him. I swear.
He went up the stairs, and I continued to my room, shutting the door behind me.
Well, that was about as awful as Id thought it would be. Mental note, Ethan: lets not do that again. Except, I could see more conversations like that in the future, explaining to my parents why I had to disappear this time, because Faery couldnt seem to leave me alone.
Speaking of faeries, where was Annwyl? Id left her sitting on my bed that morning, and shed assured me she had no intention of leaving the room unless it was an emergency. The thought of a full-blooded Summer gentry wandering around my house made me a little nervous, but I trusted Annwyl enough to know that she wouldnt cause trouble or glamour my parents. I hadnt seen her in the rest of the house, and I was pretty sure she wasnt upstairs in my parents room. So where was she?
Annwyl? I called softly as I stepped farther into the room. Are you here?
There was no answer.
CHAPTER EIGHT
THE THIN MAN
I frowned at the mattress, wondering where the Summer faery could have gone. When I left her that morning, she had been curled up on my pillow reading, petals and leaves idly sprouting around her from the bed frame. Worried that she might be bored, as bored faeries were a recipe for disaster, Id gathered a large stack of random books, magazines and novels from around the house, sneaking them into my room for her. Before leaving for school, Id also offered to let her watch movies on my laptop, but she had shuddered at that idea and refused. Though, when she shyly asked if the strange metal device could play any music, Id found a classical music station and left it on, turned down so my parents wouldnt come into the room and shut it off.
The bed was empty now, a paperback book sitting forgotten on my pillow. The music station still crooned softly, and I clicked it silent.
Annwyl, I called again, wondering, absurdly, if I should check the closet or under the bed. Where are you?
Still nothing. The subtle warmth and scent of flowers that filled my room when Annwyl was present was also gone. I suddenly remembered the faerys words about Fading away, and a sharp ache gripped my stomach. Had she just...disappeared? Ceased to exist? My gut twisted even harder. What would Keirran have to say about that? What would he do if he found out?
Desperate now to find her, I searched the rest of the house, but she wasnt in the living room, kitchen, bathrooms, basement or study, and I definitely wasnt going to barge into my parents room right now. Hoping that she hadnt forgotten the danger and wandered outside, I went to the back door to search our small, fenced-in yard for the vanished faery.
I yanked the door open and froze.
A thin, pale figure stood a few yards away, perched atop the wooden privacy fence surrounding the lot, silhouetted against the night sky. He stood in profile so that he faced me from the side, and one large, pale eye peered down at me from a narrow face.
My heart nearly stopped, but as soon as I saw him, the Thin Man turned, as if to say something to me, and vanished. I jumped, startled and disbelieving. With the exception of an obnoxious gray cat, Id never seen any faery just disappear in front of me.
Oh, blast it all came a high, clear voice out of nowhere. I keep forgetting. One moment, Ethan Chase.
The Thin Man turned back, visible again, and I realized he hadnt disappeared at all, only that he was really, really thin. Like the edge of a paper thin. So thin he could be viewed only when he turned to the side. I wondered how the hell he could stand up straight, let alone walk, if he was basically the width of a sheet of paper. But he was a faery, and things never made sense with the fey.
Good evening, the Thin Man said, smiling and peering down at me from the corner of his eye. Lovely night, isnt it?
I closed the door behind me but did not step into the yard, watching the faery from the top step. The wards might be keeping him at bay for now, but if he somehow broke through them and came after me, I wanted enough time to reach my room and grab my swords.
What do you want? I demanded.
Now, is that any way to greet a guest? the faery inquired, clasping his pale hands in front of him. I have come far to find you, Ethan Chase.
The Thin Man took off his hat and turned it in his long, spiderlike fingers. I have a problem, Ethan Chase, he said, gazing down at his hands. I was hoping you could fix it for me.
And whats that?
Well, you see... The faery fiddled with his hat. Long, long ago, I made a mistake. A very costly mistake, one that is having an impact on both our worlds right now. Are you familiar with the Fade, Ethan Chase? It is what happens to those of us who have either been cut off from the Nevernever or have been unremembered so long, we have forgotten our own names.
I know what it is.
Clever boy. I thought you might. The faery smiled, showing a row of thin, sharp teeth. Then listen well to my story. In the farthest reaches of the Between, the Veil between the mortal realm and the Nevernever, lies a town. And in that town dwell the creatures that the world has forgotten. It is their final resting place, their haven to move peacefully into nonexistence. I was the caretaker, Ethan Chase. The mayor, if you would. It was my duty to see that all those who came to Phaed were comfortable, and to help them ease into oblivion, for however long it took.
Sounds pretty awful, I commented. The Thin Man ignored me.
But then, several years ago, something came through my town that never should have been there, and something left that should have remained there forever. Because I let it go, that ripple awakened a long-sleeping darkness. A darkness that was never meant to stir. And now she is in the world again, and the things that had nearly Faded away are coming back. The Thin Mans gaze sharpened even more. Even worse, because of my mistake, something was born into Faery that never should have been. A catalyst with the power to change everything.
So what does that have to do with me? I asked.
The Thin Man blinked that large, pale eye. It is the smallest things that are often the most important, Ethan Chase, he said. The cornerstones that will topple the whole tower. The prophecy cannot come to pass without him, and if I take away his reason to fight, the flame that keeps him going will flicker and die. The Forgotten will Fade back into the Deep Wyld once more, and all will be as it should.