The Autumn Prince

34. Coming Home

I stared in shock for a full five minutes before noticing another note taped inside the lid.

I really did leave you a gift. It's in the cupboard behind the table. XOXO

"Dammit, Finn" I groaned under my breath and latched the briefcase shut. I considered trying to diffuse the fallout by letting everyone else in on the joke as quickly as possible, but bringing sex toys into casual conversation, along with a selection of visual aids, would invite more discomfort than playing ignorant and allowing someone else to stumble across them. I bravely put the case back where I found it.

I nearly abandoned the Fae's little treasure hunt, but curiosity was stronger than caution, and I started searching for the next surprise. This time it seemed authentic. A black, enameled chest with patterns etched in gold leaf sat inside the first pair of doors. Beneath the lid was a third note, atop a small, silk cloth.

There are many reasons why you might need these, so try not to have a panic attack when you realize what they're for. That said, give me a call if you need more bedrooms.

I sighed again and shoved the note into my pocket with the others. "What did you do?" I mumbled, then cautiously lifted the silk. Beneath it, arranged on a velvet pillow, were seven more rings similar to those the girls had been given, each uniquely and delicately crafted.

It had been days since I'd been properly clean, so once I was given the all-clear I wasted no time queuing up for my turn. It took a few minutes after the girls vanished into their rooms to figure out the controls. They were automated and built into a touch panel seamlessly integrated into the bathhouse's glass wall, far more science fiction than fantasy. Sliders adjusted the temperature and water flow, and a series of toggles determined which shower heads were active. After some experimenting, I cranked everything as far as it would go to get the full effect. It was like being outdoors in a heavy rain, except the water was warm, and instead of pooling around my feet, it flowed toward a wide drain centered in the stone-tiled floor. I felt pampered. We could have been given a washtub with no cause to complain, and I wondered again why they went to all the effort and expense to install such luxurious accommodations.

More than that, however, I felt exposed, in clear view of every window in the building, and despite a strong desire to wallow beneath the torrent, I finished quickly and dressed. While I sat running a towel through my hair and thinking swimsuits might be a decent compromise, a sudden, small voice made me jump.

"Hey Tom."

I recoiled from the sound until I noticed Amy the hob pulling herself nimbly onto the far side of the bench and let out the breath I'd taken in.

"Uh, hi?"

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." She sat dangling her legs over the edge of the seat, wearing what looked like denim overalls over a dirty, sleeveless top, and her long, pale-brown hair was plaited into dozens of braids and pulled into a bundle behind her.

Though fully dressed, I felt suddenly self conscious. "How long have you—?"

"When you live on high alert inside peoples' walls you see all sorts of interesting things that weren't meant for your eyes," she teased. "Don't worry though, I wasn't peeking."

Remembering my run-in with Meg, I cleared my throat and tried to be polite. "I didn't expect to see you. I thought everyone had left."

"That spiteful prick Grim left me behind," she muttered, "so I'm your guest until Finn can arrange to have someone pick me up. I just thought you'd like to know who was haunting you."

"Oh. Uh... I can drive you home if you just need a ride."

She shook her head, "That's sweet, but I'd be breaking almost every rule in the book if I led you to the warren. Besides, I need to let it play out. If I show up tonight this drama will drag on for days. Grim thinks this is a punishment, and he'll relax if I let him believe he's won."