Page 17 of Bound By Blood
He smiled, the expression so easy on his face and yet not quite reaching his eyes. "Setting certain wrongs right, my dear. Nothing more. Many have been lost or harmed by blood fae over the years. They can control your blood as it pumps in your veins."
Not if you hit them in the head with a cast iron skillet they couldn't.
"They are swift. Masters of manipulation. The venom in their fangs can sedate or kill, depending on the type and decision. And they are so charming you might not even care until it was too late."
"I've heard the stories." She set the spoon aside as she folded her arms over her broth-stained apron. "But the cottage is protected. Povro told you that himself. And I don't trust strangers quickly. So while it has been such a treat chatting with you, it's time for me to close up and take some time to myself."
"Of course. Thank you for your time." His smile didn't even waver a little bit as he tipped his hat to her and strode away. He passed over the threshold, then turned. "If you should change your mind or find that you do realize there is a blood fae nearby, please inform me at once."
"If there's anything you need to know, I'll certainly pass it on." She closed the door behind him, then stood in front of it, her hands on her waist.
Her stomach refused to calm.
Buttons would have to remain hidden until that stranger left. No chance of pretending she found him in the wilds, was there? Even though she had perfected her own fabricated background and the fact that she couldn't remember anything about who she was before Nan found her, the lies had worked largely because no one cared to press too hard on the facts. The stairways to nowhere in the forest were known for their damaging effects and memory erasure as well as worse side effects. They appeared at random. No one could control them or understand them.
At least, no one she knew.
So a girl in rags with a dead-shock stare and an unwillingness to speak found on the staircase didn't seem that unusual. No one questioned why she panicked when people started yelling or at over-loud voices. It helped that it wasn't yelling the way Ryul did it. Even when he had been upset, it hadn't been full of rage and loathing. Nor had it filled her ears like—
She ducked her head. No. She had to stop this train of thought. It wasn't helping. What mattered for now was what she told Traelan. What would he believe?
Traelan—well—he was obviously suspicious about something. If he could smell blood fae magic, how likely was it that he wouldn't recognize Buttons as a blood fae apparition turned into a dog?
She rubbed her hand over her mouth.
This wasn't good. What would he do if he found out the truth? Would he turn on her? Would he take Buttons away? Maybe it would be better to just admit that Ryul had been here but had left.
No. She shook her head.
Ryul might be a blood fae, but it wouldn't be right to turn him in or speak about him. Blood fae could be dangerous, but that was true of most races who came this way. Peace thrived in these parts largely because people kept to themselves. They didn't interfere with other people's business. Travelers like Traelan could be just as dangerous, if not more so.
Scoffing, she drew her hands up over her eyes and then released a long breath.
Under no circumstances would she trust either of them. She wasn't an idiot, no matter what some might think. There wasn't anything about Ryul that kept her from trusting. She wouldn't trust most people here, on the road, or in the wilds if she could help it.
Besides, she'd made a trade with Ryul. She might lie about a lot of things, but she kept her promises.
Polph. She needed this to not be so difficult. Was there a way to counter the smell of blood fae magic?
Peeking out the window, she satisfied herself that Traelan was gone. Then she let Buttons out, ran back to the books, and began searching for scents that could cover magic. How would she even know if it was working? She couldn't smell blood fae magic at all. Lighting a candle, she set it next to the books and pulled up a stool.
Buttons pawed at her leg, asking to be held. Scooping him up, she kept reading.
"There has to be something," she whispered. "I'm not going to let anyone find you and take you away, baby boy. All right? No one."
He licked her chin.
She kissed the top of his head and resumed scanning the indexes. Nothing. Useless. Not helpful.Nothing.
Groaning, she hugged Buttons closer. "There's got to be a way."
"A way for what?"
Jumping, she gasped. Then she glared as she closed the book with a steady hand.
"Nothing. I just didn't hear you come up."
Ryul was at the window once more. His stare didn't seem quite so sullen.
