Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 109477 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 547(@200wpm)___ 438(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109477 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 547(@200wpm)___ 438(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
Let me know how it works…
Another game. Surely this was a trap of some sort. There was no way she was taking the bait.
Veering right, she gave the knife a wide berth. Decorative stones poked the bottoms of her feet. She still needed to pick up her shoes and knives from where she’d tossed them.
As she passed the object in the center of the walkway, however, her face smacked into a solid surface. The air was acting as a barrier. She couldn’t go any farther.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” she whispered, putting her hands against the invisible surface. “Please be an air elemental. Please be a normal magical type whose weaknesses I’ve already studied—”
You didn’t spring the trap. The fae’s textured voice rang within her mind, his tone teasing. Taunting. Very good. You can never trust one of my kind. You can also never free yourself once you’ve been ensnared. And you, my treasure, are definitely ensnared. By me. Pick up my gift. It is yours.
“If I refuse?”
There is no need to draw attention to yourself by speaking out loud. People will think you’re hearing voices. Think your responses. As long as you are close to that knife, I’ll hear you. The telephone, remember? If you’re ever in trouble—trouble I didn’t create, of course—you can reach me through that means. I will come to your aid. That knife will grant me passage to do so.
She narrowed her eyes, thinking that through. Hearing the unspoken truth.
The knife will only grant you communication, she surmised. My asking for help, and your granting that help, is a deal struck. The deal allows you admittance into this realm. The deal also puts me in your debt. I’d be at your mercy unless specified otherwise, and if I was in actual trouble, I wouldn’t have time to specify.
His mind was quiet for a long beat.
My, my, he thought softly, and she could hear his amusement. You are a quick study. Yes, you are correct. I will be lenient, however. You are mine now. Mine to play with. Mine to break. I do not share. If someone threatens you, they are threatening my property. I will deal with them in kind.
Shivers raced across her flesh. Dread settled in her gut.
Yes, little dove, he purred. It is quite a predicament you’ve gotten yourself into. Do not worry. You were always going to end up in this situation. Fate has had a hand in our affairs, I think. A heavier hand than we might’ve liked, but at least we got that kiss out of it. Don’t you agree? I thoroughly enjoyed the feeling of your lips. The rush of your spiraling out of control. I’ll dream of it often. Now, be a good little pet and pick up your knife. I want to see the extent of your battle prowess. It’ll help me plan.
She ran her thumb across the cloth that used to hold the panic button. She wasn’t proud. She could admit things had gotten out of her control. She desperately wanted help out of this situation.
I removed that, yes, the fae said. And the location device, as you’ve noticed. I am not like others of my kind. I’ve been in and out of your realm for years. I know how your technology works. Your teacher has no idea where you are, what you are up to, or if you are okay. I dropped into his head a while ago and informed him that if he interfered with my plans for you, I’d kill you. He is not handling it well. You can put him at ease if you just pick up your knife.
Anger was a live wire surging through her blood. You really should know better than to bring my family into this. Your death will be my very great pleasure, and I will use that knife when I slice you open.
What fun would it be if I didn’t cheat? She could feel his devious smile in every inch of her body. Good luck, my treasure. You might need it.
She marched over to the weapon, shimmering and beautiful. Without another thought, she bent over and snatched it up. Her palm nearly compressed into the supple leather as she wrapped her fingers around the hilt. She pulled it free and couldn’t help marveling at the sheer beauty of the blade. The edges were like rivulets in a stream, ebbing and flowing down its length. The metal, whatever it was, glowed a phosphorescent seafoam color with lighter streaks running within. Down the center was more metal scrollwork to match the sheath, with intricate designs curving around twinkling gems. Diamonds, if she had to guess.
With her free hand, she touched the blade. The surface of the weapon was ice cold. That certainly boded well for using it on the fae, though she’d thought iron was a key component in the recipe. She wasn’t sure there was any iron in this one, unless that was what made up the scrollwork.