When I only nod, he sighs.
We make the remainder of the journey to my room silently until we come to a stop at the last shut door.
“What are your favorite colors?” he asks, gripping the doorknob.
“Purple and black … Why?”
His lips move as he murmurs something under his breath. Then he twists the knob and shoves the door open.
The bedroom is almost as big as Asher’s. The walls are a deep purple that contrast well with the black hardwood floor that matches the massive bed, dressers, and nightstands. The dome ceiling is painted with glittering silver and violet stars, and along the far back wall is a hologram view of a shimmering field of glowing violets and trees.
“It’s Shimmerland,” East says when he notes me staring at the hologram image. “It’s where I was born.”
“It’s very pretty,” I comment. “Are most faeries from there?”
He shakes his head. “And as pretty as the place is, it’s just as dangerous.” His flirty demeanor has fizzled into sadness, his eyes layered with fear. “Even more dangerous than your world.”
“Then, why did you want me to see it?”
“Because it’s where we’re going first. I want you to get a head start on what you’re getting into.” With a snap of his fingers, the scene alters into a foggy forest crammed with creatures with glowing yellow eyes. “Also a part of Shimmerland and where you’ll be heading.”
I shudder at the sight.
“What’re the eyes?”
He opens and flexes his hands. “The Banished.”
“The what?”
“I’ll explain in the morning and give you more details about that world. For now, get some rest.” An ominous look crosses his face. “You’re going to need it.” He leaves the room, shutting the door behind him.
I swear I heard him whisper, “I’m sorry,” before he shut the door completely.
I wonder what he could be sorry for. For forcing me to make the bargain, or for having to go to Shimmerland, a place that, if what I’m seeing on the hologram is correct, appears to be haunted by thousands of beastly creatures with the longest fangs I’ve ever seen?
Chapter 6
I try to get some sleep, I really do, but I’m wired. Not to mention it feels strange lying in a comfy bed. I can’t even remember the last time I slept in a bed, let alone one that feels as though it was created out of clouds.
After tossing and turning for what feels like hours, I give up and climb out of bed. As I pass by a mirror, I notice a streak of glitter across my cheek. Fey magic, but what kind? I’m not sure.
Just what is that faerie up to?
I wipe the glitter off with my sleeve then wander around the room. To my surprise, the dressers and the closet are filled with clothes exactly my size and match my grungy style, except for a few fancy dresses I’ll never wear.
After searching almost every nook and cranny and not finding anything interesting, I leave the room to see if I can get anything to eat, because I’m starving. Plus, the view on the hologram is psyching me out for what lies ahead.
When I reach the end of the hallway and hear voices, though, I come to a screeching halt.
“She’s asleep, then?” Asher asks from the living room.
“She should be,” East replies. “I left her in the room and put a little bit of sleeping glitter on her pillow.”
That’s what the glitter was? Then, why didn’t it make me feel tired?
I press my back against the wall to eavesdrop, curious as to why they want me asleep.
“Good. She’s going to need a lot of rest,” Asher replies in a quiet tone.
“You sound like you feel a bit guilty, Ash,” Arrow says. “Do you feel bad for her?”
“Perhaps a little bit.” Asher’s answer is shocking.
“You have a soft spot for her already,” East teases. “In all the years I’ve known you, I’ve never seen you warm up to anyone so quickly, let alone a human.”
“There’s something different about her,” Asher mumbles. “I noticed it the moment I opened the door and saw her.”
“You think she’s not human?” Arrow wonders. “Because, my sensors say she is.”
“I’m not sure if that’s it,” Asher says. “She’s definitely different from other humans.”
“She’s very pretty,” East states. “Perhaps she’s one of those artificially-created humans.”
What? Someone is creating humans?
“She’s gorgeous,” Asher agrees. “But I think she’s real. Just has above-average looks.”
Huh?
East snorts a laugh. “I knew you liked her the minute you told her she wasn’t top-shelf. You’re so fucked up sometimes.”
“I panicked,” Asher bites out. “She took me off guard, and I don’t like surprises.”
“I know you don’t,” East muses. “Except for maybe this one, right? That’s why you kissed her for no reason at all?”
I shake my head. So, he lied about the kiss being part of the bargain.
Asher doesn’t answer him. Instead, he says, “I feel like I know her from somewhere.”
“Really?” Arrow wonders. “From where?”
“I’m not sure … But those eyes of hers … and her name … I swear I’ve met her before. Maybe even talked to her once.” Asher gives a brief pause. “I just can’t place from where.”
The air gets ripped from my chest. Afraid I’ll start gasping, I tiptoe back to my room and lock the door. Then I slide to the floor and hug my knees to my chest.
I’ve only notably crossed paths with two genies before, besides Asher. Once when my parents were taken away from me, and the other incident was when I thought I was seeking revenge for my parents’ death, only to be wrong and get blasted by jinn magic. If Asher is right—if we’ve met before—then it was during one of those two times. Only, he doesn’t resemble either of those genies, so perhaps he’s thinking I’m someone else.
What if he’s right, though? What if he is connected to one of those genies? What if he’s changed his looks since then? Paranormals can use magic to alter their appearances, like the fey and their glamour.
I swallow the lump wedged in my throat. I have no idea what’s going on, but I need to get to the bottom of it. And if it turns out he had anything to do with my parents’ disappearances, I’ll make him pay somehow.
Chapter 7
After overhearing Asher, East, and Arrow’s conversation about me, falling to sleep seems impossible. My body is coursing with way too much adrenaline, and my brain is crammed with worried thoughts of why Asher thinks he knows me. Plus, while I hate to admit it, fear is another reason dreamland isn’t beckoning me. Yet, somehow between freaking out and bursting with frustration, I must’ve dozed off because I’m suddenly being shaken awake.
I jolt awake as a cold, steel hand touches my arm. Then I bolt upright with my fists raised, my reaction borne out of instinct. After living on the streets for years, sleeping wherever I can, like behind dumpsters, I’ve learned that being woken up by someone usually isn’t a good sign.
It takes me several blinks to process my surroundings. I’m in the bedroom East created for me, sitting on the floor, and Arrow is standing in front of me with his hands in front of him.
Jeez. After years of dreaming about what it would feel like to sleep in a bed again, I ended up dozing off on the floor.
“I was just trying to wake you up.” Arrow eyeballs my raised fists. “I promise I’m not going to hurt you.” Despite his mechanical features, his eyes radiate a stream of warmth.
I gradually lower my hands to my lap. “Sorry. You just startled me.”
The wheels in his arms turn as he lowers his hands. “That’s completely understandable. You’re in a strange place with a bunch of strangers. No one can blame you for being on guard.”
“You’re very understanding for a cyborg.” I sweep tangled strands of hair out of my eyes. “Sorry. That was probably rude.”
He
shakes his head. “Not at all. You’ve actually been very nice to me.”
I start to laugh, then falter at the sight of his serious expression. “You’re joking, right?”
“No, I’m not. You’ve been very nice to me compared to most humans and paranormals. Neither are fans of cyborgs. I think it’s because we don’t reveal our feelings very well, so we come off as harsh and cold, which in turn, makes others harsh and cold toward us.”
I discreetly eye him over. He’s dressed in all black, from the leather necklace around his neck to the clunky boots on his feet. He’s also wearing a shirt today, so all the gadgets and bronzed metal in his lean arms aren’t on full display. I’ll admit, he’s very attractive for a cyborg. Maybe even good-looking in general.
“You don’t look harsh or cold.” I stretch my arms above my head and yawn. “And you actually seem pretty emotional to me.”
He offers me a small smile. “That’s because I’m not an average cyborg.”
My brows pull together. “What are you, then?”
Gadgets hum as he winks at me. “A rock star cyborg.”
I smile. I can’t help it. With Asher’s mood swings and Easton’s shameless flirting, Arrow seems like the calmest of the three, which makes me feel more at ease.
Rising to my feet, I stretch out my stiff muscles. “You play the drums, right?”
He nods, stuffing his hands into his pockets. “I do.”
“Is it fun?”
“Yeah. And relaxing. It’s probably the only time I’m ever really relaxed.”
“How good are you?” I wave off my question. “Never mind. You wouldn’t be in a band if you weren’t awesome.”
His lips start to spread into a smile, then curve downward as I massage the back of my neck. “Did you not like the bed?” he asks. “If so, East can make you a new one.”
I shake my head. “The bed’s nice. I’m just not used to having one.”
He blinks, looking lost. “A bed?”
I lift a shoulder. “I’ve lived on the streets for quite a few years, and beds are pretty rare out there.”
He slants his head to the side. “Is that normal in your world?”
“For humans, it is.” I pause. “Wait. My world? Are you not from here?”
He shakes his head. “Many cyborgs come from the planet Steel.” He marches past me and toward the hologram window. The screen is displaying a lavender pool of water stretching between mountains. The scene would be lovely except for the monstrous, fanged beasts looming at the shore. “And we’re not in your world anymore. We’re in Shimmerland.” He lines his palm to the screen. “Show me outside.”
The hologram fades and a window pops up on the wall. Beyond the glass, stretching as far as my eyes can see, is a frost-kissed sky. Silver sunlight reflects along a field of shimmering violets and trees. Fortunately, no glowing eyes are peering from the distance, yet I can’t help wondering …
“Those fanged beasts on the hologram … are they in those trees?”
“They are. They only come out at night.”
I inch toward him. “What do they do, exactly?”
“I … I don’t think I should tell you. It may frighten you.”
“Am I going into the forest to steal an object for you guys?” As afraid as I am, I’ve always thought it’s better to know what I’m getting into. “Because, if so, I need to know about those beasts so I can at least try to be prepared.”
Arrow rubs his lips together, contemplating. “I think maybe I should take you to Asher.”
“Can’t you just answer me?” I plead.
Wariness creeps into his expression. “I can, but I think it’d be better if Asher tells you.”
I frown. “And I think it’d be better if you told me. You’re much easier to talk to.”
A trace of a smile graces his highlighted bronze lips, a startling yet beautiful sight. “As true as that might be, I think you should give Asher a chance.”
I elevate my brows. “And why’s that?”
“Because, while he may come off intense sometimes, he’s actually a really good paranormal. In fact, he’s pretty much the only reason I’m standing here and can function.”
“What do you mean by that?” I inquire, curious about Arrow, but also about Asher.
He starts back across the room, and then opens the door. “Another story for another time, okay? Right now, we need to get you ready for your first mission, which does require Asher’s help.”
I suppress a grimace. “Fine, let’s go talk to the genie.”
He chuckles, as if I’m hilarious, but I’m not trying to be funny. My enthusiasm about talking to Asher is hovering at about a negative one hundred right now. Plus, talking to him means I’m one step closer to endeavoring on my first mission, into the woods filled with creepy beasts. My only hope is that the mission will take place in daylight. Considering the ideal time to steal something is well into the hours of nightfall, though, I’m probably going to see those beasts whether I want to or not.
Chapter 8
We find Asher in the kitchen, leaning over the counter and munching on some bacon, eggs, and toast while reading an article on a handheld hologram. East is nowhere to be seen, and Arrow appears eager to leave, shifting his weight as he and Asher stare silently at each other, exchanging a cryptic look.
“I have some stuff to do to prepare for the mission,” Arrow announces as he backs toward the door. “When you guys are ready to go, let me know.”
I eyeball the two of them. “Can you two speak telepathically or something? Is that what all the silent looks are about?”
“No,” Asher says at the same time Arrow tells me, “We can actually—”
Asher cuts him off with a sharp look.
Arrow presses his lips together. “See you guys later.” He exits the vehicle in a hurry, the door banging closed behind him.
“What was that about?” I ask, plopping down onto a stool at the kitchen island and discreetly eyeballing Asher over.
He’s dressed in all black today, with chains embellishing his jeans, and cuffs adorning his wrists. The metal piercings in his face glint in the low lighting and tattoos peek out from his shirt sleeves. He looks like a rock star. That’s all there is to it. A sexy, ridiculously beautiful rock star.
“What do you mean?” Asher stares down at the handheld hologram while popping a piece of bacon into his mouth.
My mouth salivates as I inhale the aroma of freshly cooked eggs. I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen bacon and cooked eggs, let alone tasted them.
“I mean, what’s up with you guys and those cryptic looks you keep giving each other? And why did you cut Arrow off when I asked about it?” I rest my elbows on the counter filled with sleeping mini water fey and try not to stare at his plate of yummy food.
“Because I don’t want you knowing too much about us.” He taps the screen of the handheld hologram.
I crinkle my nose. “Well, that’s sort of rude.”
His gaze flicks to me. “Why would I want you to know anything about us? You’re a thief who already tried to steal from me once.” He returns his attention back to the handheld hologram. “The less you know about me and my band, the better.”
“That’s not really fair. Not when you know …” I sink my teeth into my bottom lip.
I was about to divulge that I overheard him talking about me last night. How he thinks he knows me. But I want to hold on to that secret for now, poke around a bit and gather more information. Announcing that I was eavesdropping on him will only make him put his guard up more.
His curious gaze elevates to me. “When I know what?”
I give a nonchalant shrug. “I don’t know. I’m sure you know a lot of things.”
He eyes me over dubiously. “You’re keeping something from me.”
“I’m keeping a lot of things from you.”
He sets the handheld hologram down, picks up a fork, and scoops up some eggs, his gaze fixed on me. “You know, I
could get every secret out of you if I wanted to.”
My back stiffens, yet my voice is smooth and even when I say, “And I’m sure you will at one point or another. You are a genie, after all.”
Smoke swirls in his pupils as he sets the fork down and leans forward, his expression as cold as an ice storm. “Are you hungry?”
My lips part to fire a comeback before I realize what he said. “Huh?”
The smoke in his eyes evaporates into sparkling dew. “You’ve been staring at my food like you’re a vampire who hasn’t fed in a decade. I’m assuming that means you’re hungry.”
“No,” I lie, my stomach churning in protest. Despite that, I’m not about to take food from a paranormal who already poisoned me once. Or, well, his trunk did. Not to mention I don’t want to need anything from him. “I’m not hungry at all.”
“Really?” he taunts, bringing a piece of bacon up to his mouth. “That’s too bad. It’s really good.” He slowly licks his lips then takes a bite.
I practically drool all over the countertop, for two very different reasons, one of which really pisses me off.
Stop drooling over him! He’s a genie, for crying out loud!
“I’m sure it is, but like I said, I’m not hungry.”
“Suit yourself.” He stuffs the piece of bacon into his mouth.
My stomach growls as a whimper leaves my lips. So much for lying. It’s been too long since I’ve eaten a real meal.
His lips kick up into a smirk, then he devours another piece of bacon. I watch his jaw work as he chews slowly.
“Mmmm …” He presses his lips together and closes his eyes. “It’s so damn good.”
All my willpower goes right out the hologram window.
“Fine, I might be a little hungry,” I pathetically choke out.
His smirk returns as he lifts his eyelids open. “Well, I might be able to get you some breakfast … if you ask nicely.”
I grind my teeth from side to side. “May I please have some breakfast?”
Chasing Steel: Capturing Magic Books 1-3 Page 6
