"Let's walk," I said. "If no one else minds."
"As long as I have your arm, I'll walk anywhere," Waylon said.
"Of course," I said, and then Ian took my other hand.
“I’m not letting Waylon have all of you,” he said, with a possessive, perfect smile that melted me.
"Won't this...attract some attention?" I blushed.
“You never liked attracting attention, that’s for sure,” Ian said. “Remember when I tried to give her a tiny birthday surprise party and even though it was just family, you turned white and backed out of the door until we promised we wouldn't sing to you or make you sit at the head of the table.”
“Yes,” I said. I had actually been mostly shy as hell because Ian planned a birthday party for me, the only time he ever did, and even though it was small I was freaking out, thinking maybe he did like-like me.
"I think you're going to have to attract some attention," Ian said. "But we're your shields."
"If I'm the Black Queen, can't I stay in the shadows and be all mysterious? I do want to help. I understand the necessity of it now. But I'm not a ballgowns and balcony speeches kind of girl."
We were strolling past the entrance to Wolfwood now and getting into the broad walkway flanked by attractions with people queuing up to take the Night Hunt ride, which was shaped like a giant European lodge. There was a pretty wild coaster on the right named Steel Fang. I could hear the screams of people taking the loop.
"Okay, I hate to state the obvious, but that coaster looks fun as hell," Ian said. "Alistair, are you able to get us to the front of the line or something?"
"You want to ride that thing?" I cried.
"You don't like thrill rides? I'm surprised. I've seen you jump down from that wall behind the apartment."
"Jumping down from a wall isn't a thrill ride. But...I guess I've never actually tried a thrill ride."
"They're fun," Flor said. "A good way to train your nerves to handle anything."
"I'm definitely not interested," Waylon said.
"I'm with you, Waylon,” Alistair agreed.
"Ah, see, lines have been drawn," Flor said. "I don't think a queen should be afraid of anything. We'll beat it right out of you."
"I'm not afraid, I just know what I hate," Waylon said.
"But Frankie's never been on a rollercoaster," Flor said. “She just admitted it.”
I looked to Ian for backup.
"You should try it once," he said. "You're tough, but you tend to stick to your comfort zone, don't you?"
I really, really wanted to impress Ian and Flor, and show up Waylon, but…
Another round of people whipped around the upside-down loop, screaming. My eyes went wide.
People don’t normally die on these things, though, and they only last a couple of minutes.
"Fine," I said. "But if I throw up bacon and eggs on you, you're not allowed to be grossed out, because I warned you."
Chapter Nine
Frankie
"So...Florian, are you the guy I can thank for getting Ian to wear a suit?" As we stood in line, I couldn't resist trying to draw out the cold-eyed bird shifter.
Like, literally could not resist. The longer I spent with Florian, the more I felt a pull to him, but right now it was manifesting as an intense curiosity, a need to make him speak to me and tell me his deal.
So far, I wasn't getting much, but he looked Ian up and down with a smug smile. "Yeah, that outfit he was wearing when he showed up was pretty awful. He cleans up good though."
"He roughs up pretty good too," I said, remembering the little wounds and scars that marked him in the shadows. "So are you two going to tell me exactly what happened that led Ian to a fighting ring?"
"Well, I have a network of guys who bring me fighters," Florian said. "And in this case, they worked for Alistair Merryweather, and he didn't even know. When wolves cross the line, they're fair game to be grabbed by Hunters, Breeders, or me. Ian's lucky. He ended up with me, and I like the guy."
"And I made him some decent money," Ian said, grinning, leaving me more confused than satisfied. I wasn't sure why Ian was so chill about Florian making him fight.
It was like they were friends but they didn't talk much. Florian bore such a resemblance to Ansel that I kept expecting him to be warmer and more outgoing, but instead his cold, close-to-the-vest demeanor felt like a challenge. Ian was a warm fire, Waylon was electric, and Florian...
Does he feel this? Is he a consort, or am I just really into dangerous looking boys who play hard to get?
I mean, either is possible...
I wasn't usually what I considered one of the world's great flirts, but truthfully, the reason I agreed to this rollercoaster ride was that I thought I might get Florian to crack. If I screamed in fear and grabbed his arm, would that stir anything?
The ride attendant waved at us from behind the partition to let us know we were up. The boarding area had a faux log cabin feel, and the attendant had on a Little Red Riding Hood cape and dress, so I guess the theme of Wolf Chase was...to capture the thrill of wolves chasing innocent girls?
We got into the dangling seats and padded braces lowered on our shoulders. I made sure to squeeze in between Ian and Florian, and they certainly didn't stop me.
I glanced at Florian but he looked completely chill, even bored, his pretty eyes half-lowered and his mouth in resting goth face. Most birds were so naturally pleasing that it really turned me on to see how hard-assed Flor looked every second of the day. Ian, to my left, looked totally psyched. "I can tell this is gonna me a good one," he told me. "You're okay?"
"I think it's too late to not be okay," I said, and truthfully, the clamped-in feeling I had with my legs dangling was a little disconcerting, but if Ian thought this was fun, I was sure it must be fun.
The ride made a slow ticking sound as it started to move, with more people loaded in behind us. We were climbing a track out of the covered staging area and out into the open air.
Soon we were high enough that I could see the promenade of the park where we had just left, and I saw Alistair pointing up at us, clearly telling Waylon he could see us. Waylon threw up his arms like he was signaling, Not my fault if you die; I told you.
Maybe rollercoasters just aren't as fun if you're blind, I hoped, as we climbed to the top of the first peak and time seemed to stop briefly before my body was dragged down so fast I thought I might have left a piece of myself back up there, and my mouth opened in a tight little scream before I clamped my teeth shut.
We reached the bottom and slowed down again to climb another peak.
My heart was pounding. I glanced to both my sides. Florian unwrapped a piece of gum and calmly popped it in his mouth, expression unchanged. Ian was grinning and when he saw me he asked again, "You okay, Frankie?"
"Mmhm. Oh yeah."
"You can hold my hand," he offered. "Just relax, okay, here we go!"
We plunged down from a taller height and I gripped his hand for all it was worth. This time I was struggling to hold back my scream as my stomach turned over and over and I felt dizzy, almost faint, with claustrophobic pressure pressing on my body, and the momentum from that plunge carried us right into the upside down loop. I could see it coming and all my grit snapped.