Page 7 of Scales and Seduction

Gideon nods. “Yes, though this town is only one of three in the region. It’s mostly farmland.”

It doesn’t satisfy the itch I have. I want more answers, but Gideon places one of his long, slender claws to his lips. “Shh, you’ll make everyone aware you don’t belong if you keep asking me questions.”

Am I in danger being here with him? How did I even get here? My head swirls in thought, but Gideon’s hand holding mine is an anchor keeping me grounded. He says he’ll tell me more soon; I have to believe him.

He leads me farther until we stop in front of a large building with dark wood shutters and a neon half-moon cutout sign, though it’s off right now. The crescent moon features a wolf in various stages of running, which I think, when turned on, might run across the bottom chasing after a woman. I can see its name: The Annex.

We don’t go in the front door; instead, Gideon leads me around the back of the building, where it appears the bar is settled on top of an underground apartment. The front two windows are open, and there’s an earthy scent of hay and firewood lingering in the air.

“We’re meeting a friend of mine. We need to figure out how to keep you hidden.” Gideon raps his knuckles against the red-painted door twice before saying, “I’ll do damage control after we get you settled.”

Damage control for what? I don’t know what’s going on. I mean, I woke up in a park! I have no choice but to trust him for now. The alternative is that I’m alone in this weird fairytale town with no way home.

Behind the door, there’s a faint thumping of music. It’s so loud that, as Gideon knocks more loudly this time with his knuckles, I’m not sure it’ll work. I can hear something click-clack behind the door, and suddenly the music cuts off. When the door swings open, my eyes widen.

Standing in front of us both is a man, well, kind of. His top half is human, with broad shoulders covered in swirling intricate tattoos that seem to shift beneath his skin. The lower half of his body is that of a muscular horse. Right in the center of his very human face, a single spiraling pink horn juts from his forehead.

He’s a unicorn-centaur.

The man’s violet eyes flick between Gideon and me with a curious amusement. He crosses his arms over his chest with a broom just under his armpit. “What the fuck is this, Gideon?” His voice is gruff but reminds me of someone from the heart of Texas. It’s a thick southern drawl that feels oddly out of place.

“We need your help, Silas,” Gideon’s voice is hushed and tinged with urgency as if he doesn’t want anyone to know we’re here.

Silas raises his eyebrow while his eyes scan over me briefly before landing back on Gideon. “I don’t think you need help playing pretend. Why did you glamor her into a human ‘pet.’” His nose wrinkles up before he says, “I know you’re into some weird shit, but I don’t think I want to be involved.”

I bristle at the word “pet,” squeezing Noodles to my chest. He hisses as if he understands the word and is rightly pissed that I’ve been reduced to a less distinguished title than Mom.Good boy.

Gideon squeezes in closer to Silas in the doorframe as if wanting by. “She isn’t in a glamor, and this isn’t a sex thing.”

Silas’s eyes grow wide a moment before he furrows his brows in disbelief. “How?” He shakes his head, the question clearly rhetorical. He takes several steps backward, making room for us both to come inside.

The inside of his house is sleek and modern with a black leather sofa, though it’s close to the ground. Its gray throw pillows and soft warm lighting makes it feel far more welcoming than I expect. The walls are covered in guitars, each one mounted almost like a trophy. There is a record player and a towering bookshelf with stacks of old albums. Its clear music is this guy’s entire life.

Noodles squirms from my arms, clearly irritated by being held for so long. “No, you can’t get down right now,” I whisper sternly, but it’s no use.

The cat kicks at my chest, his sharp claws scratching until he leaps from my arms. With a soft thud, he hits the floor and prances forward to Silas. He gives a sweet little meow before he nuzzles the centaur’s front leg.

“Noodles!” My face heats in embarrassment as my cat starts to purr. “Oh, my god, I’m so sorry.”

Silas only waves his hand dismissively at me. “It’s fine. Animals love me.” He reaches down and pats Noodles’ head softly. “Now spill.”

I don’t know what to say. It’s clear the app somehow put me here. I was using it, and the next thing I know, I’m here in this weird world with the snake man I swiped right on. My mind swirls as I think harder about what happened before I woke up. I was on the couch; I swiped and then—the voice!

I want to answer, but Gideon beats me to it, and I’m surprised to hear his story matches mine.

“I downloaded an app.”

“What app? Not Fangr, right?” Silas’s eyes narrow, and I feel the weight of his accusation, though it’s unspoken. He knows I’m engaged to be married within the next fortnight, but he also knows neither of us wants the marriage. Avalon and I both have an open arrangement and always have. “Does Ava know?”

“Does the name of the app matter?” I feel my patience growing thin, especially when my mate is here. She’s anxious, in a new place, and now she knows I’m engaged. Great.

I glance over at Ruby as I pass my phone over to him. “She’s the one who told me about the app in the first place.”

Silas crosses over to his kitchen, pulling down several rocks glasses from the cabinet. “With that, I think we need a drink.”

“Stop judging, Silas,” I grumble, watching as he takes his time pouring himself a dram of homemade whiskey.

“Right, because judging the insanity that is your life would be so wrong.” Silas rolls his eyes before bringing the glass to his lips.

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