Page 37 of Tempting the Fae Lord
“Then where are they?”
“You really don’t know?”
My scowl was answer enough. “Know what?”
She continued, “The gate hasn’t opened for them in centuries. They don’t believe in the portal anymore, so they abandoned it.”
“Nonsense.” I hacked through the naked torso of a dead old man. In the mud, his hand still clawed for me, his jaws still snapped at air.
The sorceress’s cackling laughter echoed in my mind, driving me half-mad. “They don’t believe in you anymore either, Gatekeeper. You’re dead to them. As you will be to the rest of the world soon enough.”
Killing her will be a pleasure. Perhaps I’ll do it slowly. More to relish if I take my time. But I must catch her first, and to that end, I must take out the cursed death mage.
My magic dwindles. I’ve been earthside for too long. The air is dead here. The land barren. With nothing to draw from, I weaken.
So I turn to my other strength. If my fae blood can’t help, the vampire’s blood lust certainly can.
It’s late, close to midnight, but the seediest tavern on the outskirts of Tornea is still rowdy with activity. The stench of stale beer wafts into the street where I lurk in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity.
The wait isn’t long. A young man stumbles out alone.
Hello, Opportunity.
Dressed in the brownish felted wool of the peasantry and with a cap flattening curly flaxen hair, he looks a bit like Gale from a distance.
As he rounds the corner, I catch up to him and clear my throat.
He darts his gaze my way and flinches. I must look a fright, but no matter. A bit of vampire lure is all I need to calm him down, sway him to my side.
“Good evening, young sir.”
“Evening.” He dips his head.
“Would you help me, please?” I creep closer. “A small favor, nothing more.”
Smart fellow. He’s still wary despite the pull I’m using to my advantage, but he can’t overcome it. No human ever has.
“I should be going,” he says. “Wife and baby at home.”
I tsk. “If you truly meant to be a boon to them, you’d have been home already, not out drinking at this frightful hour. Regardless, I only need a moment of your time.”
He’s tense, but not overly fearful. “Well, what can I do for ye, neighbor?”
“Not your neighbor.” I crook a finger and compel him forward. It’s easier for them if they come to me.
His cautious steps bring him within arm’s reach, brown eyes glazed over, under my spell.
I clasp a hand around his nape and draw him in. “Be silent. Be at ease.”
He goes lax in my grip, tilting his head and exposing his ruddy throat. He smells of ale and fish, but one mustn’t be picky. He’s a sturdy lad who can afford to spare what I need with no ill effects. A decent candidate.
I bite.
He shudders and grabs my waist. Not to pull me in, but neither does he push me away. I shut my eyes and draw swallow after swallow from his generous vein. My body tingles with life, strength pulsing to every crook and crevice.
He isn’t what I want.
He isn’t Gale.
