13 Secrets by Michelle Harrison

about them,” Rowan said. “So how do you know they’re trouble?”
    Gredin eyed her.
    “You’re right. I don’t know about them. What they do or who they are. But whatever it is they do is so strongly protected by magic—powerful magic—that I know nothing good can come of it. Something shrouded in such secrecy should be avoided.” He cast his eyes on Rowan. “And after you crossed the Unseelie King, you would be wise not to draw further attention to yourself.”
    “I know,” said Rowan. “That’s why I’m trying to put an end to it all, for good.”
    Yet even as she said it, she questioned herself. Was getting involved in one last job really the way to cut off the Coven once and for all? Would it be easier just to say no? But then, what would the Coven do to Tanya and Fabian in light of what they knew?
    “Your choices are your own,” said Raven. Her long black hair fell down her back, mingling with the feather trim on her velvet coat. The feathers had the oily, rainbow-like appearance of the crow family about them, and from the coat’s folds a twitching, glistening brown snout protruded, attracting Rowan’s attention. The rest of the creature’s head followed, its large soulful eyes peering at them. Raven looked down and patted the Mizhog’s head. It sneezed suddenly, then vanished back into the coat. Raven continued to speak. “As Florence’s guardian, I know it would cause her suffering if harm should come to you. But I have no say in what you do.”
    “Or in what
I
do,” said Fabian, shakily. It was only the second time he had ever seen the two fairies, and their unnerving effect on him was evident.
    “Correct,” Gredin said again, his eyes boring into Fabian. Then he turned away dismissively, back to Tanya. “As your guardian, I forbid you to take part in whatever it is you have planned for tonight. Go home, and we will speak no more about it.”
    “You forbid me?” Tanya said thunderously. “You
forbid
me?”
    “Yes,” said Gredin simply.
    Tanya’s hands clenched into fists at her sides. “You can’t tell me what to do.”
    “I can, and I am,” said Gredin. “And that is the end of it.”
    “Really?” Tanya shot back. “Because to me, itseems there’s never an end. Are you ever going to stop interfering in my life and telling me what I can and can’t do?”
    “It’s my duty to protect you,” said Gredin. “To protect your best—”
    “My best interests, so you keep saying,” Tanya said furiously. Rowan had never seen her in such a temper. She put her hand on Tanya’s arm, for Gredin’s face was also darkening. Tanya shook her hand off.
    “What if I think it’s in my best interests for you to just leave me alone?”
    “Then you’re wrong to think that.”
    “No, I’m not. Everything you’ve ever done has made me miserable and I’ve had just about enough of it. I never asked to be able to see fairies. I’d never have chosen the ability. And I never asked to get stuck with
you
!”
    “The feeling,” Gredin said icily, “is mutual. Do you think I chose to be your guardian of my own free will? That I do this out of some kind of love or caring for you? Do you think I
enjoy
having to watch you, day in, day out?”
    “I…” Tanya faltered, her mouth agape. His admissions stung her. And for some reason, they frightened her.
    “I didn’t choose you any more than you chose me,” Gredin continued. “But I was given the task of protecting you. I warn you now—if you defy me tonight, I’ll punish you.”
    “Go ahead,” said Tanya. “I’ve had fourteen years’ worth of your punishments—I’m used to them by now.”
    “Tanya,” Rowan said warningly—but Tanya ignored her.
    Gredin shook his head. “If you think what you’ve experienced so far has been tough, believe me when I say I have punishments that will make the earlier ones seem positively pleasurable. If you willingly defy me, after I have warned you against it, I’ll have no option but to use