Free Fae by Jennifer Bene Page B

changing in the human world right now, I’ve enjoyed being there for all of it as well.” Kiernan shrugged and Eryn nodded.
    “True, but many of the men used to look up to you, and I know they’d like to have you back.”
    Kiernan felt the pressure to stay, and he was about to respond when Cole’s voice shouted across the room.
    “Hello, everyone!” His words were followed almost immediately by a yell. Cole had appeared at the side of the room on top of one of the long tables, and he’d landed square in the middle of a game of cards. One of the men grabbed his feet and jerked him off the table and onto the floor. Cole jumped back up, and ended up laughing with the man a minute later.
    “And the fool has arrived.” Kiernan muttered and grinned as he stood up with the duffel, tucking his Discworld book back into the side pocket.
    “I heard that!” Cole sauntered over with a pack on his shoulder, his hair was mussed and his shirt was wrinkled. “I was busy enjoying some time with a lady friend before our manly trip.” Kiernan rolled his eyes and Eryn just chuckled.
    “So that took five minutes, what happened to the other two hours?” Eryn grinned at Cole, and Cole started mocking him. Watching them mess with each other made Kiernan remember what it had been like to be a part of the group, and he missed it. He couldn’t help but miss the camaraderie. This hunt was going to be good for him, it would help him center himself, and maybe keep him from wasting away in his apartment staring at a girl inside a glass.
    It only took about thirty minutes for them to grab Eryn’s bags and collect some well-made bows and combat knives for their hunt.
    Eryn pulled out a map and pointed at a section of South Asia, “This is where we’re headed. I’ll take us there because I scouted it a few weeks back.” Kiernan barely had time to nod before Eryn placed a hand on each of their shoulders and the world blinked out of existence for a second, and then the deep green of the jungle faded in. The air was muggy but clean; there wasn’t a trace of exhaust or industry in the air. It was how the earth had been meant to look, and smell, and feel. Raw and real. Eryn and Cole seemed to be enjoying it too, looking up through the canopy at the sky. Cole immediately started walking forward, Eryn followed him, and Kiernan brought up the rear as they pushed their way through the thick undergrowth.
    “Mind if I show you where I was planning to camp? Or would you like to wander the jungle for a while?” Eryn whispered, his accent showing up even though he wasn’t speaking their ancient tongue. Cole stepped aside and bowed with a flourish, making room for Eryn to walk by. As he passed Eryn shoved Cole’s head to the side and the weight of his pack almost toppled him. Kiernan grabbed him and stifled a laugh.
    “I’m pretty sure I can find a clearing.” Cole hissed out the words, glaring at the back of Eryn’s head.
    “Sure you could, and would it also be near water and in good hunting territory? Oh, and be on higher ground so we’ll be dry?” Eryn grinned and Cole ground his teeth, but he was still smiling. They all had more energy now that they were out in the wild with a purpose. The march wasn’t long before they broke through into an open space about fifteen feet across, the canopy was thin above and provided more light for them to set up camp. As they worked, Cole nudged Kiernan.
    “Are you glad you came out? You have to admit this is better than your sissy apartment.”
    “Yes, I’m glad I came, but just because my apartment is clean doesn’t make it sissy. I’m taking advantage of all of the modern conveniences the mortals have come up with.” He threw a stick at Cole and nailed him in the back of the head. “By the way, you live in a house, it’s not like you’re roughing it like the old days either.”
    “It’s a cabin .” Cole emphasized his term for it. The nice place was nestled in the low mountains of