I should've known that when Eris grinned like that and said that she knew how to get me a spell book, it was really just a way to get me killed. Why did I even think I could trust a Fae?
It was the first rule everyone learnt when dealing with them - never trust a thing they do or say. Even if they can only speak the truth.
Their words are always half-truths, Fae mastering the ability to evade the truth and spin false tales.
Honestly, her telling me to take her to the coven library should've been the first hint that she was up to no good. We should've been going to a witch book store. Not the damn library.
There was no way the coven would have high level magic spell books out for just anyone. They'd all be locked up in the restricted part of the library. And there was no way in hell anyone was letting me near the restricted area.
Glancing over at Eris who was curiously gazing at some books on the book shelf in front of her, I hissed, "Are you trying to get us killed?"
"Witches aren't allowed to kill Fae. That'll break the treaty between us and get the Supernatural Council involved. Which I doubt your coven will want…" Eris stated nonchalantly, turning away from the books. "At most they can put me on trial, but I'll probably get a slap on the wrist for this."
"Okay it may be fine for you, but the coven has been looking for excuses to get rid of me!" I growled back. "This will give them the perfect excuse."
"Come now…" Eris rolled her eyes at me. "This isn't that dangerous or execution worthy. We're just borrowing a book."
I gave her a pointed look. "You want us to 'borrow' a coven spell book from the restricted part of the library! Not even elders are allowed to take them out of this place let alone some outcast?!"
"Fine, take this then…" Eris murmured, plucking a red berry out of thin air.
She handed it over to me and I stared at it, frowning. "Why are you giving me a Fae berry? You know I can't eat this."
One bite of this berry and Eris would have control over my mind and body for the next few hours. Days even, depending on how strong my will was. Fae used this trick to trap others and make them slaves.
I wasn't sure exactly how it worked because Eris would only tell me that the berries came from a special enchanted bush that every Fae grew. Typical Fae keeping their magic secret from everyone else.
"You're not meant to eat it unless you wanna become my slave for the next few hours." Eris said dryly. "Crush it and wipe the juice around your mouth and chin. That way if we're caught, I can say I was controlling you and you won't get into any trouble."
"You're willing to take the fall for this?" I questioned, not believing my ears. "Won't the Seelie Queen get upset if she finds out that you caused trouble here?"
Eris shrugged. "Eh… I've done worse things before and she knows I'm a troublemaker. Besides, this is nothing compared to what I did in my younger days."
I sometimes forgot Eris was a few centuries old despite looking like she was in her early twenties. I guessed that was just part of the illusion magic they use.
Even her human-like look wasn't real. Fae were actually more plant-like looking, but apparently most found their true forms terrifying. So, they kept to looking more human-like.
And while I was curious about her words, I decided not to ask. Because I knew I regret hearing about what bad things she'd done in the past. Eris had a cruel side like every other Fae that existed.
She just knew how to hide that side of her well that sometimes it was easy to forget she had a cruel nature deep within her.
"Alright…" I finally sighed, crushing the berry in my hand. "I'll do this, but if we get caught this is all your fault."
Eris nodded her head in understanding. "Of course. I will take the blame for anything that happens here."
With those words, I carefully wiped the berry juice around my lips and chin, careful on to get any of it in my mouth. It would be bad if I accidentally swallowed any of the juice.
"Okay done." I said as I finished up covering my lower face with berry juice. I waved my hands and muttered under my breath, "Goddess I need to wash my hands. This stuff is sticky."
"No time for a bathroom break now Luca." Eris declared with a mad grin on her face. "We have a book heist to complete."
"Goddess… I should've never trusted you." I sighed, dreading this whole situation.
"Too late for that." Eris smirked. "Now I need you to go over to the librarian there and chat to her. Keep her distracted for the next five minutes okay. Make sure she keeps away from the restricted area and then leave the library. I'll meet you outside. Have your bike ready in case we need to run."
Yeah this wasn't going to go down well, but at least Eris was doing all the heavy lifting. I don't think I would've agreed to this if she wanted me to join her.
"Okay, but watch out for the traps." I stated. "There are a few spells there you may need to disarm."
Eris waved at hand. "That's child's play for me… Now go distract that librarian."
I nodded my head and walked over to the librarian. She looked to be a middle-aged woman, but with witches, you could never really tell if that was their real age.
She was busy reading something, occasionally tucking a strand of her long, salt-and-pepper hair behind her ear, glasses hanging on her nose. A typical librarian look.
Noticing my approach, she looked up from her book and frowned at the sight of me. Not surprising at all. It was the usual reaction witches had to me.
"What are you doing here Luca?"