Twisted Devotion: A Fae Paranormal Romance

by Jessi Elliott

  “Murky,” I deadpan, sticking my arm out to stop the elevator from closing before I can get on. “What does that even mean?”

  “Not great. Like you’re dreading this meeting.” Skylar shrugs. “You know how to conceal it. Why don’t you?”

  “Because,” I tell her, “we don’t have to anymore. Why should I?”

  Pursing her deep red painted lips, she pauses before saying, “Fair enough. They’re waiting for you in Tristan’s office, so I won’t keep you. We have eternity, but Tristan doesn’t.” She pats my shoulder on her way past, and it does nothing beneficial for my nerves.

  I let out a heavy breath and get on the elevator, pressing the button to the office floor. I tap my foot the entire ride up, groaning inwardly when the door opens and I have to get off. Flashing my badge at the guy sitting behind the desk, I walk down the hall to the last office—ignoring the way the hair on the back of my neck stands straight at the chilling sensation of being watched. If I look sideways, there will be dozens of eyes watching my every step from behind cubicles. While the Westbrook has some human employees, most are fae and know the role I played in taking down The Experiment. All of us—the ones who fought on the frontlines—are practically royalty now.

  Without bothering to knock, I open the door to Tristan’s office and step inside, closing it behind me. My eyes sweep the room in a matter of seconds, landing on the two of them sitting on one of the couches in the corner of the room.

  Nikolai is facing me and meets my gaze the moment mine lands on him, his emerald eyes mirroring the color of mine. He shoots me a wolfish grin, the dark stubble shadowing the sharp angles of his jaw, and my stomach twists even more.

  I walk over to them and drop onto the couch next to Tristan so I’m sitting across from Nik. “Hi.” My voice is hoarse.

  Tristan smiles at me, and the fondness in his deep blue eyes settles my stomach a bit. “How are you?”

  “That depends,” I say, glancing between them. “What am I doing here?”

  Nikolai arches a brow at me. “What’s with this?” He gestures around me—at my aura.

  “What?”

  “It’s . . . murky.”

  I roll my eyes. “You and Skylar really are perfect for each other.”

  Confusion flickers across his face, but he smirks anyway.

  Tristan clears his throat, catching my attention. “Now that you mention her, Skylar is part of the reason we asked you to meet with us.”

  I glance over at him in question as I lean back against the armrest.

  “As you know, Skylar has been out on assignment. Monitoring the opening of the fae treatment facility just outside of Rockdale,” Tristan clarifies.

  The facility in question was the deal Skylar and Nikolai brokered to initially get information on The Experiment, which ultimately led to our takedown of it. Now, the only standing facility left from The Experiment’s reign is a secluded building where fae can go, pay enough money to put someone through college, and risk their life to become human.

  Granted, the fae life isn’t one I chose for myself, but with the possibilities eternal life has to offer, I don’t think I would give it up easily. Though I can understand why some might want the procedure. This life has its challenges. Between having to feed on human energy to survive and being privy to everyone’s emotions, it has the potential to get overwhelming fast.

  I’d forgotten that Skylar had been overseeing the facility since it opened. I guess I should have been more surprised to see her downstairs, but I really hadn’t noticed her absence. I haven’t seen most of my friends since the battle ended. A pang of sadness upsets the food in my stomach. I really miss Seth.

  “She’s back,” I comment, and Tristan nods.

  “For now. As one of the leaders, she’ll be heading out on a tour of North American to visit highly populated areas of fae. To meet with the communities and keep morale high and tensions low. While she’s gone, we need you to continue overseeing the treatment facility.”

  Nikolai rakes his fingers through his black hair. “It’s a little more than that.”

  Pulse racing, panic trickles in and heats my skin. So much for leaving Rockdale tomorrow. If they’re asking me to work for them, how can I sit here and tell them I’m going away? I struggle to focus on what the guys are saying.

  Tristan sighs at Nikolai. “I was getting to that. We need you to provide protection for those who work there.”

  Oh no.

  “One fae in particular,” Tristan adds.

  Please, god, no.

  “You want me to do what?” My eyes jump back and forth between the current and previous fae leader, disbelief heavy in my tone. My mouth drops open. “There’s no—”

  “Just hear us out,” Tristan cuts in. “You will be very well compensated.”

  “For essentially babysitting an egotistical lunatic?” I scoff. “I should hope so.” My gaze cuts to Nikolai. “No offense.”

  He raises his hands as though I didn’t just insult his family. “None taken. I completely agree.”

  “So why are you doing this to me?” Suddenly, I wish I wasn’t so good at my job that they decided to call on me.

  “Because,” he says, “we trust you. We know how skilled you are when it comes to—”

  “Kicking ass?” I offer with a smirk.

  Tristan would know. Being on his security team years ago showcased the skills I’d quickly picked up in training for the position to guard the dark fae leader. The dark and light affiliations have been abolished for some time now, but I still see him as a leader. Human or not. He’ll always have my respect and gratitude.

  Nikolai on the other hand . . .

  He’s growing on me more and more—though this request isn’t helping.

  Tristan chuckles. “For lack of a better phrase. You’ve shown incredible growth since becoming fae, and with your dedication to the team who ensured my own safety, there’s no one I’d trust more with this position.”

  I wipe the smirk off my lips. “As much as I appreciate the compliment, what makes you think I won’t toss him to the first enemy that comes knocking?”

  Nikolai’s lips curl upward, but his tone is level, serious. “Kelsey, we understand this is a big ask. I understand more than anyone how much we’re asking of you.”

  I blow out a breath, considering whether or not to tell them about my plan to leave. Would it matter now? Would they ask me to stay? Though, if I did stay, maybe I could make enough money to move and live for a while without having to find work. After several beats of silence, I ask, “How much are we talking?”

  Tristan pipes in. “Whatever number you’re thinking, double it.”

  My brows shoot up. “You can’t be serious. Why haven’t you asked any other members of your old guard? Or am I the last option because everyone else told you guys to take a hike when you revealed who the charge would be?”

  Tristan frowns. “This is important, Kels.” His eyes are soft, but where I used to see fearlessness, I now see exhaustion. Human life was an adjustment for him, I’m sure, and returning to the fae world as a human even more so. Having a toddler at home probably doesn’t help with the lack of sleep, either.

  I chew my bottom lip. “I was planning to leave.”

  Tristan’s eyes widen slightly. “You were?”

  I struggle to hold his gaze as I nod.

  Nikolai says, “Why?” in the same breath that Tristan says, “Were you going to say goodbye?”

  My chest squeezes painfully. “I . . . of course. But now—”

  “Please, Kelsey,” Nikolai says. “There are very few people we can trust, especially with something so critical. And also because, yeah, the few other guards we asked flat out refused. So, I’ll say it again. Please.”

  Maybe it’s because I’m not used to hearing Nikolai say “please” or maybe it’s because the longer I think about it, the more appealing the money sounds. So long as I can put an expiration date on this arrangement, I can complete the job and t
ake off. The additional money would allow me to lengthen the duration of my travel, and that more than anything is what nudges me to agree to what I can only assume will be the worst job of my life.

  I press my fingers into my scalp and drag my fingers through my fiery curls. “All right,” I say. The beginnings of a migraine are already surfacing, making me want to close my eyes and nap until this whole guarding arrangement is over.

  “Thank you, Kelsey,” Tristan says, squeezing my shoulder.

  “I’ll give you one month,” I say. “That should be enough time to train someone to take over for me.”

  Nikolai frowns. “That’s nowhere near long enough. Five.”

  I shake my head. “No way. Not happening.” The thought of living here for another five months sends my heart racing. I need my fresh start a hell of a lot sooner than that.

  “I was hoping you’d stay for six,” he grumbles. “I was being courteous.”

  Shaking my head, I say, “Six weeks, sure.”

  “Four months,” Nik counters, making me snort.

  “Three. Last offer, or I’m walking.”

  Tristan sighs heavily. “Nikolai, accept the deal. We’re asking a lot of her, and she deserves to have her own terms.”

  I sneak him a quick, whisper of a smile. Tristan has always had my back.

  Nik groans. “Fine. We’ll reevaluate the situation at the end of the first month.”

  I ignore that and say, “I’ll email you my account information.”

  He nods. “I’ll have Skylar set up your payment.”

  “I assume she’ll also be briefing me on the situation?”

  Another nod from Nikolai. “She will send it to you prior to your arrival.”

  “Okay,” I say, straightening. “Was there more, or am I free to go?”

  Before either of them can answer, the office door swings open, and Allison waltzes in, not bothering to knock or close the door behind her.

  “Sup?” she says, glancing between us. “Oh, crap. Did I—?”

  “Yes,” we all say in unison, and her face goes red. I don’t bother bringing up the fact that I was with her no more than an hour ago, and she knew I was coming here to meet with Nikolai and Tristan.

  “My bad,” she mutters, tying her hair back as she purses her lips. “Aurora called a few minutes ago. Adam’s asking for you,” she tells Tristan, and his eyes light up immediately.

  I fight the urge to chuckle. That kid has Tristan wrapped around his cute little finger.

  “Go,” Nikolai tells him. “We’ll touch base later. Tell the rugrat I said hey. Adam, too,” he says with a grin.

  We all roll our eyes at him.

  Tristan gives me one last thoughtful look and heads for the door, Allison leaving with him.

  “Have you heard from Seth?” Nikolai asks once we’re alone.

  I frown. “Not since he left Rockdale.”

  “I’m sorry,” Nik says. “You know, if you want to talk about it—”

  “Thanks,” I say, and before I can add anything else, Skylar pops her head into the office.

  “I have your brief here. I was going to email it, but I figure you’re here anyway.” She walks into the room and holds out a black file. “Give it a read when you can.”

  With a sigh, I accept it, sliding the thick folder into my bag. I’ll flip through it later. Likely with a glass of wine.

  “See you tomorrow,” Sky says before leaving the office.

  When I turn to look at Nikolai, he’s staring at door that just closed.

  I roll my eyes at his openness to gawk at his girlfriend at work, and stand, shouldering my bag. “You’re like a dog with a bone,” I comment dryly.

  He laughs. “Did you just call my girlfriend a bone?”

  “It’s a metaphor, Nik.”

  “Smarty pants,” he remarks, standing to walk me out. “Listen, I know this wasn’t what you were expecting to do with the next few months of your eternity, but it’s important.”

  “I know,” I cut in.

  “It’s important,” he reiterates, “but so are you. Your job is to keep him alive, which means you have to take care of yourself, too. Understand?” His eyes capture mine, and my throat goes dry.

  I’m definitely not used to seeing Nikolai so sincere and serious.

  “Understood,” I say in a low voice.

  “Good.” His tone is lighter now, and that sparkle I’m used to seeing in his eyes is back, making the tension in my chest lessen.

  “I should go,” I say, slinking toward the door. “I’d rather not spend my last day on the outside in the hotel.”

  Nikolai shoots me a wry grin. “On the outside. Cute. You have full permission to do whatever necessary to keep him in line. Besides, he’s not that bad.”

  I offer him a blank stare.

  “Yeah, okay,” he concedes.

  That night, I toss and turn in bed, unable to get comfortable. When I finally manage to drift off, I dream of annoyingly tousled hair and cartoon frog pajamas.

  Chapter 3

  “Don’t touch her!”

  Shouting from downstairs woke me with a start. My heart raced as the voices grew louder, angrier, and I pushed the sheets off, crawling out of bed as fast and quietly as I could.

  After stepping into the hallway, my hand flew to my mouth to muffle the cry racing up my throat at the sight of my foster sister’s bloodied body in the middle of the hallway. Her eyes were wide open, frozen in fear, and vacant.

  My entire body tensed in terror. My family, this safe space I had finally found, was under attack. By whom, I didn’t know. I only knew that I had to get out of there, get help, before I ended up dead, too.

  I ran down the hall, but instead of reaching the staircase to the main level, the carpet beneath my feet didn’t end. The hallway stretched on in front of me as far as I could see and suddenly I was surrounded by the unending horror-filled screams of the only human family that ever cared about me.

  My eyes snap open to the familiar darkness of my room, panic flooding me from a nightmare I’ve had so many times that it’s ridiculous I still wake with a cold sweat and pounding heart.

  I lived the damn nightmare.

  These unconscious flashbacks are nothing compared to the real thing.

  I toss back the soft lavender duvet with a heavy sigh and reach for my phone on the table beside the bed. I fumble with it until I can press the button to wake the screen, and then I set it down with a groan. My alarm isn’t set to go off for another forty minutes.

  Glaring at the ceiling while my pulse tries to return to its normal rhythm, I contemplate rolling over and going back to sleep for the little time I have left.

  “No,” I mutter to the darkness, then swing my legs over the edge of the bed to get up. If I manage to fall back asleep now, I’ll only be more tired when the blare of my alarm pulls me back into reality.

  I grip the gray cotton sheets on either side of me and push my toes through the plush rug at my feet before standing and shuffling into the bathroom. Squinting at the light, I turn the shower on to full heat and strip out of my training bra and sleep shorts.

  As I stand under the brutally hot spray of water, I try to view the assignment I’m about to embark on with optimism. As a learning experience.

  I can do this.

  It’s only three months.

  I repeat the words in my head until the idea of fleeing the city to get out of the job diminishes. Instead, I focus on the money that’s going to make twelve weeks of hell worth it.

  I’ll get in, do my job, and get out. At least I have good practice in adapting to new circumstances quickly—courtesy of the foster care system.

  An hour later, I’m showered and dressed in black leggings and my favorite olive colored knit sweater. Nothing fancy, but I’m going for practical anyway. That, and I don’t care what this guy thinks of my fashion choices. I’m there to protect him, not to impress him.

  Pulling my suitcase out from under the bed, I flip it open a
nd start filling it with clothes. I wanted to stay my apartment for the assignment duration; but apparently, part of this arrangement is me staying on the property in case of emergency. Tristan assured me that the rent here would continue to be paid in my absence, but that doesn’t make leaving any easier.

  You were leaving, anyway, a cruel voice croons in my head, and I shake it away.

  I stop in the bathroom again to load up on toiletries, and I massage product through my hair, deciding to wear it in its natural state of ringlet curls. The product tames the frizz; it’s absolute magic. I seal the bottle and carry my things back into the bedroom. There, I dump them into a plastic container and then into a duffle bag with my laptop and a few books.

  Once I’ve packed everything I can think of that fits in my luggage, I load it into the car and hit the road. It’s a forty-five-minute drive and I desperately need to stop and get some coffee and a donut—or ten.

  Pulling onto the long, winding drive as the sun rises would, under normal circumstances, be a stunning sight. The colors of the sky blending softly, the sun breaking through the dense pine trees lining both sides of the gravel drive—it’s a scene straight out of a movie. Too bad I can’t appreciate it while my stomach feels like it’s full of concrete.

  It takes almost ten minutes to get from the road to the front of the mansion-sized house. The place is at least three stories high and the porch is pretentious enough to have pillars. No wonder this place is hidden. Anywhere else, it would stick out like crazy.

  Who am I kidding? This place is stunning.

  I was placed in some really rough homes, but my last family—the one I lost—was well off enough. Nowhere near as wealthy as this guy, though.

  After finding a place to park between two identical black Escalades, I cut the engine and take a deep breath, exhaling slowly. I grip the steering wheel until my knuckles go white, and then force myself to let go. Glancing in the rearview at my bags, I decide to get my bearings before hauling my things inside. I’ll have plenty of time this afternoon once my coffee kicks in and my urge to get the hell out of here fades.

  Here’s hoping it does.