Page 4 of Fae's Mate
“So, what’s the plan?” The woman with ginger hair asks as she joins our little group. I notice she has multiple piercings in her ears and one through her lip.
“Well, Willow here thinks we are experiencing some sort of masstrip, but I don’t know. If we have somehow crossed into a magical realm—fuck, that sounds crazy—then I guess we have to wait and find out why, then work out how to get back.”
“How is she?” Alana asks, nodding her head towards the deaf girl, who lingers close to us, but not quite part of the group.
“Scared shitless.” The pierced red-head replies.
“Aren’t we all?” I add.
“What are your names?” Alana asks.
“I’m Alexi, but I go by Alex, and she’s Yasmin.”
“Did any of you feel that weird thrumming when the leader looked at you?” I query.
All of them stare at me for a moment and I wish I had kept quiet.
“No, I mean… when he glared at me for answering his question, I was terrified. Backing down isn’t usually my style but, shit…” Alex explains.
“Just me then,” I huff.
Looking around, I notice the group has divided up. The four of us have clustered together, and Yasmin stands on her own off to one side. The redheaded man, and the woman from my shop, have joined the woman with the long golden-brown curls—who still looks immaculate, even after hiking through the woods. Off to another corner, in front of a bookshelf, is a black-haired woman, wearing all black and heavy makeup, with a blonde on either side. The blonde with tight bouncy curls looks vicious and is whispering furiously to the dark-haired woman, while the other blonde just stands to one side, looking awkward.
I really should learn everyone’s names…
The door unlocks, and the leader walks in, followed by two of his guards. He’s not as fearsome now, with his armour removed. I spot a dagger at his side, but other than that, he has discarded his other weapons. The guards are still terrifying, wearing full armour and each carrying a multitude of blades. I swallow the lump in my throat.
When the leader scans the room, his gaze eventually settles on me, and it’s like the air is sucked from the room. He holds my stare, his jaw clenched and eyes unreadable for a few moments, then releases me. I draw in a breath.
What the fuck?
The leader stands confidently in front of us all, his arms behind his back. Finally, after taking a deep breath, he addresses us. “You have the right to know what has happened. I have spoken to my brother, who has confirmed he had a hand in opening the portal—”
“Why?” the dark-haired woman by the bookshelf, who is wearing all black, asks.
“Do not interrupt me. I will tell you what there is to be told.” He growls. Her eyes fall to the floor. “I will punish my brother for what he has done, as will his accomplice.” He scans the silent room, avoiding looking at me this time. “The amount of magic needed to cleave a portal is… vast. It will take some time to gather enough magic to do it again. Until then, you will remain here.”
The room erupts. All around comes protests and demands for answers. Behind me, someone cries. I remain silent, watching as the leader glares at the room impatiently. Alex rushes off to Yasmin, signing furiously at her, clearly repeating what has been said.
“Silence!” He roars, and everyone obeys. He glances around the room, again avoiding me. “I will speak to each of you individually, as I wish to know more about the humans now residing in my court. Starting with you.” He points a finger in my direction and before I can protest, he turns and paces from the room.
His guards approach me, and Alana grabs my arm. “He can’t lie, but don’t apologise, and don’t make any deals!” She whispers.
I swallow and nod, then follow the guards from the room.
Chapter 4
High Lord
I can feel her behind me, like a beam of sunlight cutting through the trees, warming my skin. Clenching my fists at my side, I try to shrug off the distraction. A human female is my mate?
Ridiculous!
When we enter my study, I walk around to the far side of my desk. I find two glasses and fill them with wine while I wait until the door closes and we are alone. I take a deep breath to steady myself, then turn to her. She waits, small and frightened, just past the threshold.
I offer her a glass, but she shakes her head. “No, thank you.”
I tilt my head, confused. She must be thirsty. “It’s not poisoned… or glamoured, if that is your concern.”
