Page 4 of Lux

“I, uh, well Altaris sent me over to check on you two. Make sure you found the place ok?—”

“Lie,” I snap. “Spit out the truth mortal or I will send you to Altaris without a head.”

A fair exchange for wasted time. Time I could spend with her. Near her. In her.

Time to try to reclaim what I've lost. Thoughts. Memories. Humanity perhaps. If only to satisfy my curiosity. If only to prove that Cassius isn’t the only one with answers.

“Altaris wanted me to see her for myself,” the mortal says, cutting to the point. He is a smart one, recognizing a threat when he hears it. Yet he isn’t afraid. Beneath the air of booze and exhaustion and sadness is confidence. He is protected by his unseen brethren.

He trusts in them completely. Safe in their web he fears nothing.

Not even me.

“Explain,” I demand.

He sighs. “It’s nothing... I’m sorry by the way—” He looks over my shoulder. “I don’t mean to be rude, talking over you like you don’t exist.”

I don’t even need to see her face to sense her shock and alarm. Her awe. Her entire life has been spent being ignored. Overlooked. Neglected.

Interest by anyone thrills and shocks her. Unsettles.

I take a step closer, toward the man. Watch him swallow. Ah, now he is afraid.

Good.

“I’m not going to hurt you two, if that’s what you’re worried about,” he says. “Altaris just wanted me to swing by and drop some things off. Food and the like. And he wanted me to askyouif you’ve read his book.”

The fae nods, her breath against my shoulder. She’s inched closer, seeking out my hand, entwining our fingers. A useless gesture.

One I return with an even harder grip.

Lines are being drawn. Claims are being staked. Somewhere, unseen figures are plotting and scheming. They want her badly. Badly enough to coddle us both and ply us with lies to keep us still.

All to better rope us in their snare. Just like fucking Cassius.

“Say what you want,” I spit.

The mortal raises an eyebrow. Doesn’t even flinch. “Nothing. Yet. But Altaris is transactional. I’m sure that, as a vamryer, you know that better than anyone. He’ll help you both for a price. I wouldn't tout his expertise, but in your case, you will need it. He is the only one powerful enough to shield you on the outside. My bet is that they have half of the Citadel out looking for you.”

Because of a bounty. Because of Cassius. Because of the supposedly dead male fae who lurks and lingers in the distance.

Too many mysteries to solve. Too many crises I don’t give a damn about fixing.

I only want her. Need her. I’ll keep her, no matter the risk.

I dare anyone to come and take her.

“Aurelia. Night Aurelia,” Niamh says, her voice furtive. Soothing on the soul. The anger in me quiets down. How the hell is that possible? Her nearness makes anything a reality. “You’ve met her?” Her eyes are on the mortal man, and they widen as he nods.

“You could say that,” he admits, his mouth twisted into a frown. “But that’s a story for another time. It’s getting late. I’ll unload the truck, show you guys around the place. I’ll be out of town for the next few days on an…um, business trip, but when I get back, we can have a chat. I’ll tell you anything you want to know.”

Which is everything. Her hunger for knowledge suits her like bloodlust does a vamryre, but it’s just as volatile. She’ll seek out answers to her own detriment. To her own destruction.

The answers glinting behind this human’s eyes won’t soothe her. If anything, they’ll serve to torment her more.

But I want to know.Her thoughts are fleeting and quick. It’s like she’s afraid to voice it even in her own skull. Her own will has been beaten down by stupid fae rules and expectations.

Damn her.

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