A Human’s Guide to Surviving Magical Mishaps

With my dad's permission, George escorts us down to where the fae are being held. Dad would have come himself but the moment he tried to leave the office his phone started ringing again causing him to sigh and give in. Always on the ball George immediately volunteered to take his place. The two fae assassins are being kept in secure and mostly empty interrogation rooms on the third floor. The only furniture in the rooms is a table and chair which are bolted to the floor. From what I understand they are being kept here to make sure there's no chance of anyone removing their magic shackling necklaces. I don't know how they're sleeping. I would guess that they are being provided with bedding and stuff in the evening and it's being taken away in the morning, for safety reasons. I also assume someone is taking them to the bathroom a few times a day. We don't bother stopping to talk to the imp, I doubt that he has anything more to say than he did last time. I'm pleased to see that the officer guarding the fae woman's door is a woman. She shouldn't be able to use her magic, but I appreciate the precaution. We're about to go in but I catch Ashton's hand and stop him. "Yes?" He asks.

"Don't let her touch you." I tell him quietly. He frowns.

"I did not intend to. But you do not need to be concerned. The necklace she wears will make it impossible for her to use magic. She can likely barely stay awake most of the time." He reminds me.

"I know, but just to be careful..." I trail off and Ashton nods.

"Very well." He agrees.

We enter the room where the fae woman is sitting on the edge of the bolted down table. She has no glamour and even though she is absolutely still stunning, she also looks kind of terrible. Like her features are flawless but there are shadows under her eyes and she looks pale and sickly. She is tapping her claws on the edge of the table by her leg and her hair which was glossy before now looks limp and a bit greasy. She has no glamour, I assume she can't use one while under Ashton's necklace charm thing. She sneers at me as I enter. Interesting, she didn't have that reaction to Ashton or Fin. She mostly just ignored them. I guess she didn't appreciate my interference.

"What is your name?” Ashton asks her, I would describe his tone as almost monotonous. Like he is actively trying not to show any emotion but by doing so he is still showing his displeasure. I can't imagine how it would feel to be face to face and talking to someone responsible for murdering my dad. I take a step closer to him and take his hand and squeeze it encouragingly. He clutches it tightly and the fae woman's eyes dart to the point of contact between us and her eyebrows shoot up.

"Huh, interesting. Okay, I'll tell you my name if you tell me yours." She says with a sly expression. Ashton tilts his head in confusion.

"You already know who I am." He responds. The woman rolls her eyes.

“Not you. I already know who you are, your highness. No, I was talking to the human.” She turns to me pointedly. She is smiling in a way that should be pleasant but somehow feels threatening. Ashton uses our joined hands to pull me back then steps in front of me slightly.

"Why do you want to know about her? She has no connection to this. She is my guide.” He insists. The woman laughs.

“I beg to differ. That human girl was able to see through my glamour and interrupt my magic. It only takes me a moment to use. I should have had you. Something about her stopped me and I want to know what.” She sounds genuinely curious. I step out from behind Ashton, ignoring his sound of displeasure. I actually agree with the fae woman in this case. I might not have had anything to do with Ashton when the assassination took place, but now I'm invested in him and as such I'm invested in these crimes. I'm not completely unconnected anymore.

"If I answer your questions will you answer Ashton's? I ask, a little nervously. She considers a moment before nodding.

"I will." She agrees.

"Okay. Then my name is Katerina Fall." I answer. Ashton frowns and his grip on my hand tightens until it's almost painful.

"Your name." he demands. He doesn't sound monotonous anymore, he sounds pissed off.

"My name is Ailsa Dianthe." She answers simply, offering no other information. I get the impression that she is going to answer the bare minimum. So I guess I'll do the same.

"Okay Ailsa. Ask another question then." I prompt her.

"Are you human?" She asks and I stare.

"Huh? You already know I'm human." I respond and she rolls her eyes as if I'm slow.

"I mean are you only human? Could you be part fae or something else?" She explains. Wait... Something else? What else is there? I didn't know there were any other options. What else could I be? Still, she doesn't need to know how confused I am.

"I'm human. Just human." I confirm and her brow furrows.

"That is strange. Do you have any magic?" She asks. I shake my head.

"It's not your turn. Ashton?" I prompt.

"Where is the remaining assassin hiding?" He asks.

"I don't know, we split up when we got here. Do you have any magic?" She repeats, directing her words back to me.

"No. Humans don't have magic." I point out and she just shrugs. She turns to Ashton pointedly and waits for him to ask a question.

"What can you tell me about the remaining assassin?” he asks.

"Many things. You will need to be more specific if you want any useful information." She argues.

"What kind of magic does the remaining assassin have?" he corrects. She shakes her head.

"No, it is my turn. How long have you known our prince?" She asks me. I frown.

"Uh, not long. I met him the night he got here." I respond and she taps her claws on the desk again, as if agitated.

"Answer my question." Ashton demands.

"I do not know the details, but the magic allows the fae to produce a toxic substance in many forms and strengths. The time frame varies depending on the dosage and administration method but it is always deadly." She answers. Ashton's face darkens. I know his father was poisoned. So while all three of the fae might be responsible for his father's death. The remaining fae is the one who actually committed the murder.noveldrama

“What kind of relationship do you share with the prince?” Ailsa asks and I blink at the strange question.

"We're friends? And I'm working for him as a guide and host while he's staying here." I answer. The fae woman glares at me.

"You are lying to me. I know humans can do that.” She accuses. I shake my head.

"No I'm not. That's the truth." I insist and she shakes her head.

"It cannot be. It would take a more intimate relationship than that to deter my magic. Admit it, you have done something to him." She says this aggressively, hopping off the desk and taking a half step closer. Ashton immediately pulls me back away from her.

"I haven't done anything. You're the one who manipulates people, not me." I insist and she snorts in disgust.

"Liar. I will answer no more questions. Leave." She says imperiously. I'm about to argue but Ashton shakes his head.

"This is a waste of time." he sneers at her and tugs on my hand to pull me from the room.