City of Fae

Reign—darkness to her light—scooped an arm around her waist and reeled her into an embrace. “Never, Shay.” She melted against him, her body clearly familiar with his.

The others unfurled from their various positions and drifted closer to Reign. They ignored me, as though I was invisible, and yet I couldn’t shake the crawling sensation of being watched. A sensation like someone, somewhere, could see right through me. A shiver quivered my skin. I crossed my arms and shut myself down. Before I realized I’d moved, I found myself in front of a tapestry and slid my fingers down its tightly woven surface. I’d expected to feel the snap of tingles, but felt only the weathered fabric. They were old. I could smell the age in them. One showed a tranquil scene of a path snaking through the diamond-tipped trees, another depicted a crowd of fae at a celebratory feast, and a third represented a bloody battlefield. The tapestries were all beautiful. Intricate in their construction. I lingered by the last tapestry, and peered up at a scene of monsters. Hideous, half-human, half-beast creatures tore into each other. A wolf, a spider, a harpy; ugly half-fae mutations of each, dripping gore, talons glinting, and teeth black with blood.

“You brought that here?” A male voice, deeper than Reign’s, abrasive with age, drew my attention back to the group. The male fae, with skin a rich mocha color, peeled from the others and approached. His narrow, disgusted glare might have wounded had I cared. He limped, but in trying not to notice I stared a little too closely at his face. The wicked slash of a scar ran from his chin to right ear. He wore red and black, like a warning. Steel buckles strapped a leather overgarment from his waist to his neck, leaving little room to breathe. Stopping a few strides from me, he jerked his chin. “They don’t last.”

Reign stood inside his curious crowd, looking perfectly at ease among his own kind. “Say hi, Alina.”

“Uh, hey …” Having the glares of a dozen fae pinned on me dried my throat and fluttered my heart. I’d never seen so many in one place. They truly were exotic, and I felt entirely too human in their space. The scarred one, more than any of the others, poked at my instincts to run and hide.

“You shouldn’t be here,” he growled. “Your presence offends. How does it feel to be lesser among the superior?” As he spoke, the sneer on his lips tugged at his scar. It must have been a vicious wound; evidence of an attack meant to kill.

“Warren,” Reign said, “I have it under control.”

Warren snorted, “I’m sure you do. Like you had your party under control?” He turned and limped to the bar area.

“I tried,” Reign growled.

“You didn’t try hard enough. Caroline is dead. An accident, they say.” I didn’t imagine the suspicious waver in Warren’s tone, or how he snagged Reign’s gaze, forcing Sovereign to glance away. “I should inform the FA of your presence. They’d lock you up, revoke your roaming rights. There are far more deserving fae who’d appreciate the freedom you have and wouldn’t squander it away.”

Reign stilled. His eyes narrowed, cutting into Warren. “Try it.”

For a second I feared I was about to witness a brawl like the one on the tube train, but Warren laughed it off, instantly diffusing the tension, and said, “You know I don’t adhere to any rules but my own. Caroline should have been more careful. I warned them about her, about you.” He seemed more interested in the contents of his glass than giving Reign up to the FA. “Don’t think you can bring a human here. How did you get her inside?” He grunted. “Never mind, I don’t care. Just take her away.” He fluttered a dismissive gesture my way. His fingernails were sharp. “Sovereign, you’re a wanted fae. You can’t be here.”

Reign shook off Shay’s grip. “It’s nice to see you too, Warren. I’ve so missed your sparkling outlook on life.” He strode to the bar and held out a hand. Warren looked at Reign’s peace offering like he’d prefer to stab a dagger through his palm, and then gripped Reign’s arm in one of those masculine forearm greetings. He grinned back at Reign. “I certainly haven’t missed your ego, Sovereign.” They shook, smiles all round. So, friends then … ? Friends who baited each other. Obviously a male-bonding thing.