Page 69 of Fae King's Secret Baby

A thick, fuzzy blanket fell over my line of sight as I rose unsteadily, willing my movements to go faster.

“I’m out here, Maren,” he called. “Outside.”

As if I was made of lead, I trudged toward the sliding doors of the balcony, none of what was happening making any sense to me.

“Come and find me, Maren. It’s hide and seek.”

I saw my hands unlocking the handles, but from somewhere in the recesses of my mind, a warning screamed at me to stop.

“Come on, Maren, hurry!” he insisted urgently. “We don’t have much time!”

“Who… are… you?” I heard myself mumble, but my own voice was so far away, as if I were eavesdropping on someone in another room.

“A friend. A friend who wants to play with you.”

The door slid to the side, and I raised a weighted leg to step over the threshold, my mind shouting the entire time.

“This way, Maren, quick like a bunny now!”

“I… don’t… want…” My tongue didn’t belong in my mouth, the thickness awkward and lolling.

“It’s fun. Look over the side. Look down!”

Heavier my eyelids drooped, but I did as he commanded, following his voice toward the railing.

“Do you see me?” he cried. He seemed to be right in my ear, but I saw nothing but black cotton in sheets over my eyes.

“No…”

“You’re not looking closely enough,” he sighed, sounding annoyed. “You’re not following the rules. You’re upsetting me, Maren. You don’t want to do that, do you?”

“No…”

“Good girl. Then stand on one of the lawn chairs and look over the railing. Then you’ll see me.”

Mechanically, I turned to locate one of the wicker lawn chairs and do exactly as he requested.

“Step up,” he ordered, his voice harsher. “Right next to the railing.”

“I… don’t… want…”

“DO IT!”

Gone was the chirping, fun, pleasant tones of his commands. But I was powerless against his orders. He was in my head, entrancing me. I had no choice but to do what he wanted.

Oh, my gods… he’s trying to kill me!

Every primal instinct struggled to set in, but maniacal laughter coursed through my head as I instead stood on the chair, directly next to the railing, my knees at the top of the metal.

“Look for me,” he growled. “Look hard.”

“I can’t see you,” I sobbed.

“You’re not looking hard enough. Lean over and look.”

I closed my eyes then as my body involuntarily leaned over, the weight of me toppling my frame over the edge of the balcony.

Then I was falling through the air toward the ground below in a trance I couldn’t wake up from.