Dealkeeper quietly waits for a response as her eyes return to normal.

At that moment, a strange odor cut through the smell of perfume, makeup and moisturizers. Leanansidhe and Ben stiffened, as did every faery in the room. A couple brownies went scurrying away in terror, and the faery patrons began to murmur and shift restlessly as the foreign smell grew stronger. Metal. There was an Iron faery on the premises.

And then, it walked through the door.

Some of the patrons gasped. The Iron faery was dressed in a dove-gray business suit, and an expressive-looking one at that. Short black hair didnt conceal the long pointed ears, or the Bluetooth phone near his jaw. His skin, green as circuit board, glinted with hundreds of blinking lights, wires and computer chips. Behind thick, wire-rimmed glasses, his eyes shimmered green, blue and red.

"And you're sure?"

She stared at the fae. What is he doing here?

She nods. "Yes."

Smooth as glass, Ben sidled in front of Lise, blocking her view but also shielding her from the faerys gaze.

"Well." The Iron faerys voice, thick with mockery, cut through the room.

"Isnt anyone going to invite me in? Give me a pamphlet? Tell me your services? For such a high-ranking business, the customer service leaves much to be desired."

For a moment, nobody moved. Then one of the satyrs edged forward, shaking but furious at the same time. We dont serve your kind here."

"Really?" The faery put a hand to his chest, feigning astonishment. "Well, I must say, Im rather embarrassed. Then again, I could probably kill you all without even thinking about it, so I suppose a little prejudice is acceptable."

"...How long until it proves true?" She wanted to know how much time she had to come up with a plan.

Lise didn't say anything nor did she try looking at the Faery.

"About an hour before the queen awakens, then about a day before she arrives. Not very long, unfortunately."

Leanansidhe stepped forward, her hair coiling behind her like snakes. "What do you want, abomination?"

"Leanansidhe." The Iron faery smiled. "You are Leanansidhe, arent you? Weve heard of you, you and your little network of spies. Word is, you know the location of Oberons daughters, the Summer princesses."

"I know a lot, darling." Leanansidhe sounded utterly bored and disinterested.

"Its my business to be informed, for my own amusement and safety. I dont make a habit of involving myself. Nor do I make a habit of conversing with iron abominations. So, if were quite done here, I think you should leave."

"Oh, Ill be gone soon enough." The Iron faery didnt seem the least bit perturbed. "But, my boss has a message for you, and an offer. Give us the location of Oberons daughters, and all your crimes will be abolished when we take the Nevernever. You can go home. Dont you want to go home, Leanansidhe?" He raised his voice, addressing the rest of the assembled fey. "And that goes for every half-breed and exile, pure-blooded or not. Help us find the Summer princesses, and your place in the Nevernever will be assured. The Iron King welcomes all who want to serve him."