Page 76 of Flirting with Darkness

My curiosity’s sated. I heard the music. I even listened to the whole song. After days of restlessness, I’m eager to return home and sleep, but I wouldn’t want to seem rude, when the owners are so generous with me. I’ll remain here for an hour or so more.

“I accept your thanks,” Jaynus says over the music, just as I reach the edge of the dance floor.

What is it with strange people and stranger expressions today?

“Jaynus!” Cissa screeches, outraged.

Her partner’s no less incensed. He grabs Jaynus by the lapel of his ridiculous jacket and hisses something I can’t hear in his ear.

I’m simply confused by everything.

Jaynus shoves Eochan aside with his shoulders, and shoots a hateful stare at his cousin, each of his features full of warning.

A sense of foreboding in the pit of my stomach tells me to run, to hide. I don’t listen because I don’t understand it. He’s just a big bully, as I suspected from the first glance. It’s never a good idea to back down from bullies. They’ll circle around and get their pound of flesh.

“What’s your damage?” I demand.

“I would be more concerned about yours, sweet thing.” He chuckles low, sauntering up to me, his slow steps so predatory I’m not ashamed of my desire to run.

I still fight it.

“What pretty manners you have. You thanked me for my kindness in noticing the temporary appeal of your rotting mortal flesh.” When his mouth curves into a smile, it’s too wide, and the teeth underneath shine in the dim lighting. “And for the debt you admit to owing me, I shall take the wonted payment. You’ll serve me for a year and a day.”

I cross my arms under my breasts and glare. “Now you listen—”

“Quiet.”

My mouth shuts immediately of its own volition, and cold panic seizes me.

My mouth is shut. Try as I may, I can’t open it. My hands fly to my mouth, and though I can feel it under my fingers, it’s irreversibly closed.

I stare at him in horror.

That he did this to me is obvious. The question is how.

People aren’t supposed to be able to force bodies to react with just one word. It’s just not possible. And yet my jaw remains locked, and the curses I want to yell are stuck in my throat.

“Now that I have your attention,” he says slowly, “let us depart.”

He’s fucking kidding, if he thinks I’ll go anywhere with him willingly! I fully intend to buy a one-way ticket to the other side of the planet just to avoid him.

And yet my steps trail his as he turns and walks right back toward the basement.

The basement I’ve always avoided.

Horror claws my insides, mingling with my fear and anger.

“You can’t do this!” Cissa screams.

“Remember your place,cousin.” He spits the word like an insult. “I was chosen to lead the house, after you disgraced our blood by allying yourself with a sprite. Be glad you’re merely banished to the mortal world and permitted to continue this face.”

She blanches. I want to punch the asshole who dimmed the light in the always cheerful, beautiful woman I know.

“There are rules, Jaynus. Heading the house of winter doesn’t change that.”

“I’ve followed every single one. I came to the old kingdom for a human girl, and one walked right to the doorstep, offering herself to me by all the laws of our kind.”

“Mortals don’tknownot to thank a fairy anymore. They don’t even believe we exist!” Cissa yells.

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