Cold Days

"Yep. Almost impossible, but simple. And at least you know the when and the how," Bob said.

"But I'm no closer to why."

"Can't help you there, boss," the skull said. "I'm a spirit of intellect, and the premise we're dealing with makes no sense."

"Why not?"

"Because there's no reason for it," Bob said, his tone unhappy. "I mean, when Maeve dies, there will just be another Maeve."

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

Bob sighed. "You keep thinking of the Faerie Queens as specific individuals, Harry," Bob said. "But they aren't individuals. They're mantles of power, roles, positions. The person in them is basically an interchangeable part."

"What, like being the Winter Knight is?"

"Exactly like that," Bob said. "When you killed Slate, the power, the mantle, just transferred over to you. It's the same for the Queens of Faerie. Maeve wears the mantle of the Winter Lady. Kill her, and you'll just get a new Winter Lady."

"Maybe that's what Mab wants," I said.

"Doesn't track," Bob said.

"Why not?" I asked.

"Because the mantle changes whoever wears it."

My guts felt suddenly cold.

(I'm not Lloyd Slate.)

(Neither was he. Not at first.)

"Doesn't matter who it is," Bob prattled on. "Over time, it changes them. Somewhere down the line, you wouldn't be able to find much difference between Maeve and her successor. Meet the new Maeve. Same as the old Maeve."

I swallowed. "So . . . so Lily, who took the Summer Lady's mantle after I killed Aurora . . ."

"It's been what? Ten years or so? She's gone by now, or getting there," Bob said. "Give it another decade or two, tops, and she might as well be Aurora."

I was quiet for a moment. Then I asked, "Is that going to happen to me, too?"

Bob hedged. "You've . . . probably felt it starting. Um, strong impulses. Intense emotions. That kind of thing. It builds. And it doesn't stop." He managed to give the impression of a wince. "Sorry, boss."

I stared at my knuckles for a moment. "So," I said, "even if I frag this Maeve, another one steps up. Maybe not for decades, but she does."

"Immortals don't really care about decades, boss," Bob said. "To them, it's like a few weeks are to you."

I nodded thoughtfully. "Then maybe it's about the timing."

"How so?"

I shrugged. "Hell if I know, but it's the only thing I can think of. Maybe Mab wants a less Maeve-ish Maeve for the next few years."

"Why?" Bob asked.

I growled. "I already have one why. I don't need you adding more." I drummed my fingers on the steering wheel. "Why doesn't Mab do it herself?"

"Oh, I see. It's okay if you add more whys. You have complicated rules, Harry."

I ignored that with the disdain it deserved. "I'm serious. Mab has the power. What's stopping her from tearing Maeve to shreds?"

"Something?" Bob suggested.

"I can't believe I got my tux shredded for brilliant analysis like that," I said.

"Hey!" Bob said. "I just told you something so valuable that it could save your life! Or get you killed!"

"Yeah." I sighed. "You did. But it isn't enough. I need more information."

"You do know a few people around here," Bob said.

I growled. "My physical therapist, who I've known for three whole months, nearly died tonight because she showed up at a party with me-and that was with Mab looking over my shoulder as a referee."

"How is that any different from the last time you played with faeries?"

"Because now I know them," I said. It was actually sort of scary looking back at the me from a decade ago. That guy was terrifying in his ignorance. "Aurora and her crew were basically a decent crowd. Misguided, yeah. But to them, we were the bad guys. They were tough, but they weren't killers. Maeve's different."

"How?" Bob asked.

"She doesn't have limits," I said.

"And you figure you're up against her."

"I know I am," I said. "And she's grown powerful enough to challenge Mab in her own court. I also know more about Mab now, and all of it scares the crap out of me." I snorted, and felt a tremble of winged insects in my midsection. "And apparently Maeve is a threat to her. And I'm supposed to deal with it."

Bob whistled. "Well. Maybe that explains it."

"Explains what?"

"Why Mab was so hell-bent on getting you to be the new Knight," Bob said. "I mean, you're kind of an avatar of the phrase 'Things fall apart.' Mab has a target she wants to be absolutely sure of. You're like . . . her guided missile. She can't know exactly what's going to happen, but she knows there's going to be a great big boom."

"I'm a missile, huh?"

"Her big, dumb bunker buster," he said cheerily. "Of course, you know the thing about missiles, Harry."

"Yeah," I said, as I put the Caddy back in gear again. "They're expendable."

"Buck up, little camper. At least you had a hot redhead jump your bones tonight. Not the right bone, but you can't have everything."

I snorted. "Thanks, Bob."

"Andi totally got the drop on you. Where was your tiny secret service team?"

"I forgot to invite them past the threshold," I said. "Besides, I think she'd hit me before anyone could have shouted a lookout anyway."

"You ever think about replacing them with some real bodyguard goons, Harry? I know a thing that knows a thing."

"Screw that. Toot and his gang aren't exactly gangstas, but I trust them. That means more."

"That means you're a sucker!" Bob said. "Did The X-Files teach you nothing? Trust no one."

I grunted. "Cat Sith gave me almost the same advice."

"Ack," Bob said. "That guy. He still got the attitude?"

"I feel safe in assuming that he does."

"I don't like him, but he's no dummy," Bob said. "At least he gives good advice."

"Mathematically, maybe," I said. "But trust isn't one of those things that lends itself well to math."

"Sure it does," Bob said. "You trust somebody, they betray you, you get a negative value. You never trust, they can never disappoint you, you break even."

I laughed. "Or you trust, it's vindicated, and you're better off."