Page 86 of By the Fae

“Sure. So, shadow fae, native to the Midwest Kingdoms. Glamour speciality: appearances, deception. Typically difficult to identify due to the fae’s unique ability to adopt the unfaltering guise of each viewer’s deepest desires . . . Oh. Oh!”

I was glad Abby had understood it straight away, and I wouldn’t have to explain. Such a smart teenager.

“So, Seth’s not summer fae? He’s a . . . He’s a shadow fae? But how did you find out?”

I couldn’t tell her. I couldn’t admit out loud that the person I desired more than anyone in the world was Goldie. I couldn’t even admit that to myself. Could I?

I needed to see him.

Goldie, not Seth.

The succubus I saw him lurking about on South Street with this afternoon?

Gods, what if he wasn’t at home? What if he was . . .

No, Holly, do not let yourself picture him with another woman. Especially a sex demon. The same sex demon that approached him at The Bus Stop Willies’ gig?

“Abby, I’ve gotta go. I’ll call you later.” I hung up the phone before I’d finished my sentence.

Goldie’s apartment was a ten-minute walk from Seth’s mum’s restaurant. I made it there in five. All the while trying to plot what I would say to him. I needed to be honest. Probably. He’d forbidden me from getting emotion involved, but there I was, desiring him more than anyone else. Wanting him, needing him. I couldn’t tell him that. But he’d know, surely. Goldie knew what Seth was, and he’d know what it meant that I saw him when I looked at the shadow fae.

I probably should have gotten the tram back to Westside. Curled up on the lower bunk with Abby and had a good old cry about everything.

I definitely should not have come to Goldie’s.

. . .

I pressed the bell and stared at my reflection in the darkened door window. My curls blown out from the wind I had created, my face red and . . . damp. Oh Gods, Ihadbeen crying. My pits were sweaty, my feet sweaty in my boots, my dress riding up over my thighs, my glasses steaming in the centre from the exertion. All in all, I looked a mess—

But then I heardhisvoice, and my heart leapt into my throat.

“Taur, did you order food?” Goldie yelled.

Had I made a mistake?

The door wrenched open.

Goldie saw me and froze.

“Holly,” he said. A whisper. His arms lifelessly hung by his sides. He was shirtless.

“Hi,” I managed. Not quite the grand speech I’d been preparing in my head on the way over, but it was a start.

Okay, here goes, tell him the truth.

“What are you doing here? Why aren’t you with—”

“He was you. Uh, Seth. I got to the restaurant, and he was you. He looked just like y—”

But I couldn’t say anymore because Goldie pulled me inside, slammed my body into the wall beside him and brought his mouth down on top of mine.

Chapter 30.

Goldie

She saw me. Me! Not some fucking random Summer Fae. Not another guy from work. Some dipshit from the sixth floor.

Me.

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