Page 38 of Changeling
The woman is stunningly beautiful, her emerald irises lit with an otherworldly radiance. Dark brown waves frame her oval face. Even in the dark, an iridescent glow lights her skin like sun rays striking a hidden pearl.
The second person, a petite man, is also strangely attractive. Straw-blond hair hangs freely around his shoulders, the tips brushing over the tiger’s eye pendant around his neck. Golden-brown eyes shimmer unnaturally bright. His smile reveals the fanged incisors of a vampire.
So does hers.
Vampires have been good to me thus far, but that knowledge does little to settle my nerves. They stole me away from Dominus with that purple whirlwind. He must be worried.
The woman, kneeling close, answers, “I’m Sachi, and this is my friend Remigius. We’re here to rescue you. To bring you to safety.”
Remigius.
My mind locks onto the name. From The Dozen, where I’m meant to go. Ivaz said I would like him. With any luck, this is all a misunderstanding. They certainly don’t look threatening. But why would they think Dominus would hurt me—oh.
“You know what I am.”
They nod in unison. “You’re a faerie. A bit like me,” says Sachi in her ethereal tones, a smile on her face.
I stare at them open-mouthed. “You’re faeries too?” But where are their wings? Their pointed ears?
Remigius shakes his head. “Not quite. Sachi is a halfling, part fae and part vampire. I’m not fae at all.”
“What are you?”
“Witch. Also vampire. And your friend, I promise. Please relax. You look as if you’ve seen a ghost wielding a machete.”
“I was in the market with Dominus, and now”—I glance around—“I’m in a cave. Why am I in a cave, Remigius?”
“Call me Remy, please. I apologize for the cave, but it was the best I could do on short notice. Portaling is dangerous and also quite difficult for me. My magic has unfortunately reached its limit without Laurence to lend his strength.”
“Who’s Laurence?”
Remy gives a warm, delighted grin. “My mate and leader of The Dozen. He sends his apologies, but he couldn’t leave Bran Vigny to make this journey. You’ll meet him when we arrive.”
Sachi chimes in. “There are other faeries in residence. Full faeries, two of them, plus another halfling like me. You’ll get to be with your own kind.”
My mind is spinning. Though I have a million questions—What about Dominus? Can the others teach me magic? Will I get my wings back?—the words freeze in my throat. It’s all I’ve ever wanted. To be included. To belong somewhere. But now that I’m finally close, it’s Dominus who eclipses my thoughts.
I keep my voice stern. “You have to let me go back.”
“What? But why? It isn’t safe for you there,” says Sachi. “He’s an incubus.”
I’m well aware. You should see the size of his… I shake my head. “I know. But he’s kind. He wouldn’t hurt me.”
“There are things you don’t know. Dominus is from the Drusus line of incubi who believe faeries are their enemy. It’s a long story.”
“I’ve been told some of it. He was wary at first.” He still is if I’m being honest, but they don’t need to know that. “But he offered me his protection anyway. Ivaz had to leave suddenly. Something about—”
“—the twins. We know.” Remy rolls his glowing eyes. Will I ever get used to these otherworldly beings and their preternatural features? “That was unfortunate timing. Ivaz is clearly unaware of the conflict between the Drusus line and the fae. The feud goes back centuries. Not all incubi are like that.”
“Like what? Thoughtful? Generous? Funny?” Really good in bed? “He’s treated me well, regardless of my heritage, which we’ve been open about, by the way. I think you’ve got him all wrong.”
Sachi softens. “Maybe we do.”
“Youlikehim,” says Remy, then narrows his gaze. “He may have swayed you.”
I shake my head firmly. “He hasn’t.”
Remy tips his chin. “How would you know?”
