By Fairy Means or Foul: A Starfig Investigations Novel(39)

The scraping of a chair being pushed back from somewhere behind us wasn’t lost on me. Quinn obviously heard it too, though to give him credit, he didn’t look behind us. I ducked my chin approvingly. He nodded back, preparing for the worst. I groaned. We just couldn’t catch a break.





14





I tried not to tense, which wasn’t easy since my dragon side shrieked at me to protect my mate. This mate business was ridiculous if you asked me. Yet, I couldn’t deny the pull Quinn had on me—and not just my dragon side.

Heavy footfalls approached. I propped my elbow on the bar and swiveled my chair slowly to meet the danger head on. An enormous, ugly giant towered over us. His—er, no, her—jaw was slack and her tiny eyes gleamed in the dull light.

“Krofom,” she said to the barkeep, “these two is a little runty to join Burningwood’s zombie army, doncha think? ’Course, giants ain’t dumb enough to venture into Rottingvale Quagmire. Didn’t think dragons was neither, but maybe it’s the fairy blood. Makes one reckless.” She tapped my forehead to demonstrate how brainless she thought I was.

Quinn quivered by my side, a dagger appearing in his hand. It would be too small to make much of a dent in a giant’s thick hide. The fact he owned it at all was rather shocking, though he was full of surprises. He bounded to his feet, standing on the stool. Even so, the giant towered over him.

I remained sitting. The giant ignored him.

“Can dragons even become zombies?” I asked to no one in particular.

The giant tilted her huge head, looked between the barkeep and me. “Dunno, really. Suspect so. Centaurs, leprechauns, fairies, minotaurs, serpents”—she ticked these off on her meaty fingers,”—“fae, goblins, and witches has all fallen to Burningwood’s magic. And you is part fairy.” She shrugged like I should have considered this.

“Yeah, but my dragon’s dominant,” I said. “What about giants?”

“Can we? Sure. Like I said, we ain’t dumb enough to try, though.”

“You aren’t worried she’ll send her army to attack this outpost?”

“Nah. Her reach ain’t this far yet. She’s had to poison the trees first and we got lots of wards on this area.”

“She’ll get here eventually.”

“Maybe. But not today.”

“Tomorrow, then.”

The giant smiled, her rotten teeth resembling nothing so much as ill kept tombstones.

“But that ain’t today, is it?”

“Guess not.”

“’Sides, you’re going to rid the forest of her, ain’t you?” The cyclops chuckled at the giant’s words. Quinn stiffened at the taunt.

“Fuck—”

“Could be,” I broke in before Quinn started trouble. He glared at me. The giant’s smile broadened.

“Nice little human you got there. Sure you want to hand him over to Burningwood? Even if you got protection, he sure ain’t got none.”

I growled deep in my throat. “I’m not handing him over to anyone.” He’s mine, a voice in my head screamed.

Quinn twirled the knife in his hand, drawing both my and the giant’s gaze. “I’m not exactly helpless,” he snarled.

My chest puffed with pride at his fearlessness. I also groaned internally that I would fall for an idiot who would challenge a giant with what amounted to a toothpick. Apparently, you could be book smart without having a lick of common sense.

The giant chortled, reached out and plucked Quinn up by the scruff of his neck, his tunic caught between the giant’s two large fingers. She hefted Quinn until they were at eye level to each other. Quinn swung his dagger, and generally twirled uselessly in the air.

I stayed still. The effort cost me, but Quinn’s life could very well depend on my next actions.

“Well, ain’t you a live one? What’s your name, little man?”

“None of your damn business!” Quinn took another swipe at the giant’s nose. He dangled just a couple inches too far to reach. For the best, really.

“He’s Quinn Broomsparkle. I’m Twig Starfig.”

“Know who you is. Ain’t any more dragon-fairy mixes I never heard of before.”

“I’m famous. How flattering.”

“You is.” She nodded. “You done a good deed for a cousin of mine. Most creatures think ’cause we big, we ain’t got no brains nor no feelings. My cousin, he ain’t a fighter and you helped him. So, I likes you, Twig. You’s alright.” She set Quinn back on his stool and patted him on top of the head. Quinn collapsed under the weight. “Oops. Sorry. I hope I ain’t damaged your pet. He’s a cute little fella.”

“I couldn’t agree more.” I eyed Quinn to make sure he was okay. Quinn’s face flamed bright red and he looked like he wanted nothing more than to tackle the giant. Yep, nothing hurt except his pride. Which was surprisingly formidable. Not that I blamed him. I didn’t take shit from anyone either.

The giant pulled up a stool. “I’m Judag. Nice to meet you. We ain’t received visitors since a month back. Couple orcs who decided to go after Burningwood, just like you. Guessing they make some good zombies. Prob’ly ain’t much difference, you know what I mean?” She guffawed.