Page 26 of A Hint of Delirium

“You swear what, Ansel?” I shouted as I stalked toward him. “What could youpossiblydo, little brother?” I stopped mere inches from him, pleased to see his nostrils flaring in anger. “You can’t do anything but sit back and watch, and you know it. So why don’t you just sit quietly while I play with your little girlfriend?” I smirked. Just then, an idea popped into my head. I let it show on my face. “Unless … you want to trade her … for the registry?”

Ansel pushed me away with enough force that I stumbled back, losing my balance. “Fuck off!” he yelled.

“Didn’t think so,” I chuckled. “Even though you have yourself a human girlfriend, you’re still a seelie. Such a good little soldier you are.” I moved to pat him on top of his head, but he smacked my hand away. I threw my head back and barked out a laugh, unable to control myself. He was so easy to rile up.

“You’re not going to get the registry, and you will stay away from Violet! If you hurt her, I swear I’ll hunt you down!” Ansel growled, grabbing the front of my shirt with both fists.

“My oh my, aren’t we in a pickle, then?” I tilted my head and offered a sardonic smile. “I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what happens next.” I ripped his hands away and turned to walk toward the door. Before letting myself out, I peered over my shoulder at his scowling face. “A bit of brotherly advice – you might want to look after your girlfriend. Cael has his sights set on her.”

With that warning ringing in the air, I walked out of his apartment and into an open portal.

14

VIOLET

So, I was officially not crazy.

That was good to know.

It might have helped to know a little sooner, but better late than never. I was understandably upset with my mom, which was why we hadn’t spoken much since yesterday’s revelations. I understood her fierce desire to protect me from the fae, as well as from the secret society to which she belonged. But she should have told me long before now. At least when I turned eighteen. But instead I’d lived twenty-five years thinking I was a nutcase. How long had she planned to keep up the ruse? Until I died?

I stood in the bathroom and dumped all my meds into the toilet, flushing with a newfound sense of relief. The bright side to this dark little rainbow was that I wouldn’t have to deal with medication anymore. They made me sick. Yet another reason why I was pissed at my mother. How could she make me take a mountain of pharmaceuticals when she knew damn well I didn’t need them?

Damnit. I couldn’t stop the anger from overflowing.

When all the pills were zipping their way down the drain pipes, I ripped the labels from the pill bottles and tossed them into the recycling bin. I was done with that part of my life. Now that my eyes had been opened, I felt like I could finally live my life. Maybe even get a job that would actually stick.

After a long, hot shower that sadly lacked the sharp tang of eucalyptus-scented soap, I got dressed and decided to go job hunting. I couldn’t sit on my ass all day long. With a newspaper in hand, I made my way out the door and started my search.

Ansel was on the sidewalk waiting for me.

I couldn’t help the lurch my heart gave when I saw him standing there, but I sighed heavily and tried to pretend I wasn’t affected by his mere presence. “What are you doing here?” I plodded down the steps and met him on the sidewalk. Dressed in a pair of dark fitted jeans and a plain black t-shirt, he looked relatively human. The only thing that gave him away were the pointed fae ears that poked out of his hair, which were invisible to other humans.

He shrugged. “Waiting on you, little human. Where are you off to?”

I rolled my eyes and tried to ignore him, turning left and walking down the street at a leisurely pace. “My mom told me to stay away from you.”

“Is that so?” He jogged to catch up to me. “Did you ask her why?” he inquired.

I bit my lip and my heartbeat sped up at the question. I didn’t need to ask her; I already knew why. She’d told me the whole damn story. Problem was, could I trust Ansel? Probably not. I barely knew the guy. I peered over at him and quickly looked away when I caught him staring at me, waiting.

“She wouldn’t tell me anything,” I lied.

“Halflings usually aren’t very powerful, but we should take off your anklet and see what you can do. Then we can—”

“No!” I shouted. Luckily, New Yorkers weren’t the nosy type and didn’t care about my outburst; they continued at a steady stream around us as if nothing had happened. I took a couple steadying breaths and repeated more calmly, “No. We can’t take it off. Under no circumstances can we dothat.”

Ansel frowned. He stopped walking, which made me stop as well, turning to look at him. He looked down at his feet as if pondering life’s biggest questions before glancing back up at me. “What aren’t you telling me, Vi?”

My eyes widened. “What?” I gasped. “Nothing! I just don’t want to take it off, that’s all. I don’t care that I don’t have powers like you. I don’t want to be part of your world. It’s caused me enough trouble as it is.” I hid the wince that threatened to show as I somewhat insulted him and his people. But where was the lie? The fae had haunted me my whole life. Did I really want to go exploring their world? It was probably best if I stayed as close to human as possible.

“Is that really how you feel?” he asked warily, like he didn’t truly believe me.

What could I say? I wouldn’t be earning an Oscar anytime soon.

I nodded, not trusting my voice.

He shrugged as if he didn’t care either way. “Whatever.” He started walking down the sidewalk again. “Where are you off to, dressed like that?” He sized me up and down.

---