I wrapped my arms around him, and we held each other for a while. Enjoyed this brief moment away from the rest of the world and the dangerous lives we led. For a few minutes, we were the only people who existed. The only people who mattered.
Movement in the corner of my eye caught my attention. I pulled back, startled that someone had approached and gotten so close without either of us noticing. My heart jumped at the familiar blue eyes staring back at me.
"Phineas?"
He smiled. Phineas el Chimal looked exactly the same as when he'd left five weeks ago and seemed none the worse for wear. He wore casual clothes and didn't look tense or worried. Only relieved.
"You're home," I said and launched myself at him. He caught me in a tight hug, and I inhaled the mountain stream smell of him, the scent of flying and freedom.
"I'm home," Phineas said. He pulled out of the hug, probably because of the warning growl from my overprotective boyfriend. "I heard about Tybalt, Evy. My sincere condolences."
"Thank you. Not that I don't like you being back, but why did you come home? Did you find more Coni?"
His expression shuttered. "No. I had no luck in that search. I did, however, find something that will help in our struggles with the Fey."
"What is it?"
"Allow me to show you?"
Wyatt and I followed him down a gravel path toward an older section of the cemetery. A handful of garden crypts stood here, aged and mossy, beneath the shade of an ancient weeping willow. Phineas paused next to one of the crypts.
"If you pull a dead body out, Phin, I swear—" I began.
"My surprise is very much alive," Phineas said. "I need you both to keep an open mind. I believe my companion holds the key to defeating Amalie."
I glanced at Wyatt, whose nose was wrinkled in a way that suggested he smelled fresh dog shit. He looked more suspicious than alarmed though.
"Okay, I trust you," I said to Phin. "What's the surprise?"
"Brevin," he said.
I didn't know the word, which turned out to be a name. A small figure walked out from behind the crypt. About four feet tall, his body inhumanly thin, like he'd been pulled and stretched. Silver hair. Pointed ears and sharp, angular eyebrows.
I'd seen a creature like this once, many months ago. It had sought to destroy me, to destroy everyone I loved, and to stick a demon in my body when it could no longer have Wyatt's. This wasn't Tovin, because Tovin was long dead.
"An elf," Wyatt said, a dangerous growl in his voice. "A fucking elf holds the key to defeating the Fey? Are you serious?"
"Perfectly," Phineas said. "And I believe that once you hear Brevin's story, you'll agree."
To say I was stunned would be an understatement. My first death had been machinated by an elf, his entire purpose to bring a demon over from the other side of the Break where they'd long ago been banished. Everything I am today is thanks to that fucking elf.
This was one story I couldn't wait to hear.
AUTHOR'S NOTE
A lot goes into publishing a novel, and sometimes I think even more goes into self-publishing one. But I absolutely must start with Jonathan Lyons and Anne Groell, who gave Dreg City a chance and who championed it no matter what. I hope this book does them both proud.
Nancy, you are outstanding as a friend and as an editor. Your patience, support, and your hilarious emails kept me sane when I wanted to throw it in, and I thank you for that. Melissa, my best friend in the world, one of my biggest fans, thank you for everything you do. Nick, my biggest fan, for giving me the confidence to try something new.
To my sister and my parents, you mean the world to me. You let me play in imaginary worlds, and you never look at me askance. I love you all so much.
Thank you to all of the bloggers and reviewers who have supported me all these years. I'd try to name you all, but I'd probably forget someone, and I don't want to forget anyone, but you know who you are.
Thank you to my writer friends, especially Kelly Gay and Alison Pang, and the members of the League or Reluctant Adults. We are part of a fantastic community of UF writers, and I'm grateful for the support. More thanks to Howie Weinstein, Bob Greenberger, and all of my Shore Leave/Farpoint writer friends. You guys are invaluable to me.
Robin L., you created a fantastic cover. Thank you for being so true to these books and coming up a beautiful representation.
And a shout-out to everyone else who helped get this book into your hands: Nancy M., Melissa H., Mario A., Jed C., Karen K., and Gabrielle. Thanks to everyone who answered one of my bazillion Facebook or Twitter questions about self-publishing.