Joe just shrugs. “Things are different outside of the fairy courts. People have passion. They’re not these cool customers registering zero on the emotional scale when it comes to things that matter, like a relationship.”

Mother Crone gives him a withering look. “Oh, would you give that tired old spiel a rest? We have passion.”

“Right. Which is why you referred to Geordie Riddell, your lover for the past couple of years, as this ‘human fiddler who visits our court.’ Why, if someone hurts one of your own, it’s a problem of honour and respect, not the deep ache you should feel when someone you care about is in pain.”

“You don’t understand,” she says. “Human lives are so fleeting compared to ours.”

“You’re right,” Joe agrees. “I don’t understand, and I don’t particularly want to. Because what’s important is now. What’s important is the faith and trust and love you build with your relationship to someone else. What’s important is that you take care of your own and make sure wrongs are righted. That’s why Jack’s here at my side, ready to take on all comers even though he’s got casual drinking buddies and lovers in your court. Because we’re friends. Because he’s got a big heart that won’t stand for innocents being hurt. It’s why Grey over there—a guy I’ve never met before—is willing to stand shoulder to shoulder with me to make sure the sister of my heart is brought back safe and sound.”

“But—”

“And, see, that’s where you really don’t get it. Because Jilly is family to me. Just like Jack is. Just like it seems Grey is. We’re bound by the way we take care of each other, no matter the personal cost.”

“We’re not so shallow as you’d like to make us out to be.”

“I know you’re not,” Joe says. “You’re self-centered.”

Mother Crone glares at him, but before she can speak, one of the guards returns with a cell phone that he tosses to Joe.

“Hold that thought,” Joe tells Mother Crone. “I need to make this call first.”

Jilly

I’m scared and I hate it. Ever since I broke free of the terrors of my childhood and teen years, I’ve prided myself on being fearless. I promised myself I wouldn’t let myself get scared again. At least not this kind of scared.

I mean, everyone gets scared. Or maybe cautious is a better word.