Gemma was going to shit her pants if she had to live here. It was loud and dirty. The Fairies were like freakin' carnies selling everything from fake Gucci handbags to lime green cotton candy. Not to mention we'd just walked by a duel that ended in death—an ugly bloody death.
"This place is gross and creepy," I muttered to Susu, who sat on my shoulder, hidden by my hood.
"It wasn't always like this. It used to be beautiful and magical," she whispered. "That hoochie mamma shit-for-brains, The Corrine, runs it with an iron fist. No one has a voice here. Now the Fairies just try to get by any way they can."
"Are they all Dark?"
"The delineation is unclear anymore. Thousands of the true Light have been imprisoned or banished, but these Fairies on the street? I'd call them Gray—not Light, not Dark. However, her army and inner circle are so Dark their souls are black."
So much for thinking this might be easy. "How long has she ruled?"
"Since she set up The Dave and had him beaten and arrested for treason—about five hundred years," she replied.
"Was The Dave a true King?" I asked. Good God, was he going to be pissed about Gemma too?
"No, the Fairies are a matriarchal society. They have no Kings. The Dave was basically a placeholder while the Fairies waited for the reincarnation of the True Queen. He's a great guy—kind and fair…and hot."
"Everyone is hot here." I rolled my eyes and continued my questioning. "What happened to the last True Queen?"
"The Corrine happened to the last Queen. She poisoned her and tore her to shreds. Who, if you want to be technical, was your BFF in a past life."
Too much to absorb…I needed to stick with the present facts. I could mull over the past later.
"Do the Fairies worship The Corrine?" I asked as I watched a beautiful female Fairy with sad eyes and a desperate look about her trying to hawk her wares. We made eye contact and she gave me a look so vicious I blanched. They may be pretty, but I would not discount how deadly they could be.
"Worship?" Susu sneered. "Maybe some in her inner circle, but most simply fear her."
"Why are they dressed so well if they have nothing?" I marveled at the ornate robes and kick-ass outfits.
"The Corrine is vain. She wants her people to appear beautiful on the outside, even though she has destroyed their insides."
As we meandered through the streets I was greatly relieved that I knew exactly where I was and where I was going. The more I walked around observing, the more I just wanted to leave. The Magic Mystery Castle was up the hill past the Tilt-a-Whirl and the Flying Scooters on the left. Martha and Jane were somewhere in that castle. I wished I had been given blueprints…I'd just have to go with my gut—or maybe not.
"Do you know your way around the Magic Mystery Castle and the Grand Fun Palace?" I asked my Mini Elf.
"Of course I do," she huffed. "I have a memory like a steel trap…unlike some other people we know."
"Do you want me to squish you or send you home?" I threatened.
"Um, no."
"Well then, shut your cakehole about my memory. Got it?" I snapped and then abruptly shut up as I realized Fairies were staring at me strangely. Why on earth would talking to your shoulder be odd in a fucked up amusement park like Xanthia?
Putting my head down, I continued my conversation. "The Vamps, Martha and Jane, are somewhere in the Magic Mystery Castle."
"Probably in the dungeon. The Dave is down there too. I'm surprised they're still alive."
"Apparently they bargained for their lives," I said as we approached the drawbridge that led to the humongous jewel encrusted doors of the castle.
"I'm simply shocked The Corrine let them live if they are as sexy and as beautiful as you say," she said quietly.
I still wasn't convinced that they weren't Ethan's concubines. Part of me wanted to forget to save them, but that would be wrong and I'd feel horrible. Having a compassionate conscience sucked sometimes.
"Maybe they're as smart as they are hot," Susu surmised.
"Maybe." I shrugged and shoved my jealousy of Martha and Jane to the far recesses of my mind. I had zero time for pettiness.
"I certainly am," Susu added with great conviction.
"You know, a little humility would go a long way. You might actually find some friends."
"I don't need any friends. I have you."
Fucking awesome. "Alrighty then, we're going to slip around the corner and cloak ourselves. It'll be easier to get inside if we're invisible. Are you ready?"
"I was born ready," she said with a giggle that made me grin despite the seriousness of our situation.
"Of course you were."
***
The inside of the castle reminded me a little of Hell—very ornate, very overdone and very dangerous. Huge armed Fairies lined the corridors and roamed the halls. There were massive crystal chandeliers and brocades and velvets everywhere. My lips curled slightly as I thought about how much my Uncle Satan would love the decor in Xanthia until the horrendous pain started. I plastered my invisible body against the wall as I rode out the excruciating muscle pain that ripped through my body at the memory.
"Do you want me to give you your memory back?" Susu asked as she peppered my face with sweet kisses.
"Shhhh," I admonished her.
"Should I speak in your head?"