Page 41 of Fallen Star

“Or maybe you canpartlylie,” I shoot back. “Since you’re onlypartfae. And also part vampire, judging by that air magic you’ve been using.”

A breeze passes through the room, as if he’s saying yes without actuallysayingit. “You’re exhausting,” he says instead.

“You’re the one who kidnapped me. And who’s looking at me like I’m the best piece of bacon at a breakfast buffet.”

My stomach growls at the thought of bacon.

“Look,” he shoots back, his tone sharp. “If I wanted to feed on you, I would have. If I wanted you dead, you’d already be buried. Is that clear enough?”

“Crystal.” I glare at him, my mind racing. “But that doesn’t answer the question. Why not just leave me to drown in that waterfall? Why did you take me? And why did you bring mehere?”

I motion around the room, as if what I’m referring to isn’t obvious already.

He crosses his arms, leaning casually against the bedframe. “You’re not ready for that answer.”

I narrow my eyes. “Try me.”

“I’d rather not waste my breath trying to explain things you’ll only understand later.”

“Well, lucky for you, I’m a quick learner,” I snap. “So, go ahead. Enlighten me.”

Zoey

Aerix sighs,pinching the bridge of his nose. “You ask too many questions.”

“And you give too few answers.”

“You say that as if you’re entitled to answers.”

I glare at him, since he’s right—I’mdefinitelyentitled to answers.

“You made me stop struggling earlier with just your voice,” I continue. “That’s not fae or vampire magic.”

At least not that I’m aware of, given what I’ve picked up so far from Sapphire and Riven’s conversations.

“Very observant.” He settles onto the edge of the bed, and I scoot back, maintaining as much distance as I can. “Humans aren’t usually aware of my kind’s influence.”

“Then sorry to break it to you, but your ‘influence’ must be a little rusty,” I reply, not backing down. “Maybe you should workshop it? Because so far, the thing I’ve been the mostinfluencedto do is to stab you. Well—tryto stab you.”

He lifts a hand, silencing me with a flick of his fingers. “I’m night fae,” he finally says. “An ancient hybrid of fae and vampire.”

“So, you drink blood.” A pit of fear forms in my stomach that probably should have been there since being dragged into this palatial bunker. “Human blood?”

“Human blood is preferred, yes,” he says, so casually that it’s like he’s discussing his coffee preference.

My stomach twists. “Great. So, you’re saying you could’ve drained me dry if you felt like it.”

“I could have,” he says, watching me with those infuriatingly calm midnight eyes of his. “But I didn’t.”

“What incredible restraint.” I roll my eyes, since refusing to back down is probably the only thing that’s emotionally getting me through all this insanity right now. “Really appreciate not being someone’s midnight snack.”

“I also could have let you drown at that waterfall,” he continues. “But I didn’t. Because that’s what would have happened, you know. Your friends weren’t going to get to you in time. Theonlyreason you’re alive right now is because of me.”

I glare at him in response.

Aerix smirks. “You’re welcome.”

I clench the blanket tighter, forcing myself to stay composed. “So, why did you save me?” I try again.

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