Page 2 of Falling in Love with A Tiny Bat

And, for whatever reason, he’s here by order of thelocalfaerie princess, Alana. Who happens to be my boss, Kassandra’s, friend.

My heart rate picks up as a thousand things go flying through my mind.

Last autumn, at the small private school where I work, we got a new student: Andromeda Strahk, an unseelie faerie known as adream eater. Through a convoluted course of events—which included kidnapping, adult-size playgrounds, evil princes, andcoming into magical powers—Kassandra learned that she wasn’t the only special snowflake at our little school.

While she was only part sandwoman until she accepted becoming fully fae, I’m still part asteriai, AKA astar nymph.

Being part faerie, so far, has only meant the ability to hear past the natural fae glamours, which has resulted in decades of listening to voices with no origins, and subsequently believing myself a touch insane.

But…

Maybe something has changed?

If Alana is sending someone here onofficial business, maybe I’m about to get my wings?

Butler guy continues, “My name is Alexios Vox.”

All my grand delusions of purpose and answers grind to a marvelous halt.

My nose scrunches. “You’reAlexios?”

Gentle baffle softens his regal features. “You said that with atone. Would you mind clarifying what you meant to convey with it?”

“When we met four months ago, you were rude.”

“Rude?” His head tilts, clueless innocence gleaming in those gray eyes of his. “I remember complimenting you. Extensively. When was I rude?”

“You refused to drop your glamour so I could see you. Don’t act like you didn’t spend the entire day teasing me because I can hear faeries even though I can’t see them.” That littleside effectof being part asteriai got me diagnosed withschizophreniaas a child, proceeded to ruin all my chances of adopting when I learned I couldn’t have kids, nearly destroyed my ability to become a teaching assistant, and basically annihilated my self-perception growing up.

Alexios has the audacity to smile as though our brief meeting at the end of winter break is a fond memory. “We’re getting offtopic.”

Off topic?

Off topic?

Well. ’Scuse me.

Arching a brow, I push my door closed on top of him, turn on my heel, and head across my foyer to my kitchen. Whaddya know? Those cinnamon roll danishes were actually strudels.

My front door opens and shuts while I’m plating a strudel to pop in the microwave for a few seconds. When footsteps encroach, I say, “Aren’t there faerie rules about entering someone’s house uninvited?”

Alexios cocks a hip against my kitchen island’s white marble countertop. “You’re likely thinking of human myths surrounding vampires, but even if there were such a rule, you did invite me in.”

I mutter a curse under my breath.

“As I was saying,” he plows on, “I am a member of the Villain Protection Program, a secret organization Alana established. Our mission statement is: seeking to rehabilitate local villains using the magic of friendship, empathy, and love.”

I snort.

Without pause, he proceeds, “I’m sure you’ve heard about Castor, our local villain in need of many hugs?”

The microwave beeps, and I pull my strudel out as half a smile hooks my lips. “Yeah, I’ve heard of Castor. He’s the big bad unseelie prince who’s got beef with Alana’s husband,PrinceCael. Given how he’s been forgiven for multiple kidnapping offenses, I’m convinced he has excellent cheekbones.”

“He does.”

“I knew it.” I lift my chin toward the half-decimated package of strudels on the counter. “Want me to heat one up for you? They’re going out of date soon.”

Alexios’s gaze lingers on the box for a judgmental moment.Then he says, “No. Appreciated.” Adjusting his cuff links, he takes a slight step back from my counter. “For several months now, I’ve been monitoring Castor as his aide.” His gaze locks on mine. “Please understand this information is sensitive and cannot be shared with anyone under penalty of retaliation.”

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