by ERIN BEDFORD
I took a step back as his third-party reference reminded me once again who was under that pretty face. “Sure.”
He moved a little way down the corridor and gestured at the many doors lining the walls. All of which seemed to be made of solid iron with no lock and no window to peek out of. I supposed they didn’t need a lock if the prisoners couldn’t touch the door, let alone what awaited them outside of their cell. Though, in his current form, he didn’t seem threatening to anyone.
“You came to find the pretender, did you not?” He stopped in front of one of the doors and pointed at a metal nameplate bolted into the wall. “What was her name again?”
“Al–” I started to say but caught myself at his cheeky grin. “I don’t remember.”
He frowned at my lie. “There’s no use lying. We’ve been feeding off her and at one point we knew her name. But this guy’s head.” He wiggled his fingers at his head. “Has gotten us all jumbled up. It’s hard to tell where his memories end and ours begin.”
I marched over to where he stood, anger rising in me. “I thought you said he was a husk of a man. Nothing more than a vegetable? How did you get his memories if that were true?”
He scratched the side of his head with a finger, eyes cast down to the ground. “Well, you see it’s a complicated process. Lots of long words to do with atoms and particle separation and–”
“Make it simple then.” I growled, crossing my arms over my chest. I didn’t like being made a fool, and while I was still wary of the Fae man, I’d rather be angry than scared any day.
“Fine.” He narrowed his eyes at my command. “We are him. Or I am him. Every thought, every memory, and every feeling he has ever had is lodged right up here.” He tapped the side of his forehead. “He exists no longer except when we are in this form.”
I could only gape at him. It was impossible to process the enormity of what he had just admitted to. He, no, they hadn’t just taken on his appearance, they had taken over his body, his very being, and made it their puppet. The Fae that had belonged to that wonderful face didn’t get to pass over to the next world. He didn’t get to die with dignity like they had me believe. It was unacceptable.
“How could you do this? How could you just destroy another living being? One of your own? What have you done? What have I done?” I cried out, the horror of what I had allowed them to do stabbed at me.
It was my fault. I had told them to do it. I didn’t even think twice about what it would mean to take on another Fae’s face. I was only thinking about getting home.
“Now, now. There, there.” He reached a hand out to pat me on the shoulder as the grief overwhelmed me. “What’s done is done. No use worrying about it now. Unless…” he paused, his hand stroking the edge of his chin. “Unless his life was payment enough to make us even?”
“What?”
“You have to admit it seems like a fair deal. His life for your stolen dreams. More than fair I’d say.” He gave a slight shrug of his shoulders.
I stood appalled that he would even try to get out of our deal by playing on my guilt. I was upset with what happened, but I wasn’t stupid. I knew I had the upper hand, and I wasn’t about to give it up for a mistake, no matter how regrettable it was.
“We will be even when I say we are even and as far as I’m concerned, we are far from even.” I pushed passed him to get a better view of the nameplate. I growled at him over my shoulder. “Could you move back a little? I can’t read anything in this light.”
“Our apologies.” I rolled my eyes as he placed his hand on his chest and gave me a half bow. He was as bad as Chess.
I squinted at the markings on the nameplate when his shadow wasn’t blocking it. The name wasn’t a name at all. It was just a set of initials.
“Who the fuck is J. S.?” I wondered aloud.
“Hey! Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?” He frowned, before glancing down at the nameplate.
The fact that a being of ultimate evil, well, in those shoes ultimate was a questionable description, but for him to be scolding me about my language was laughable. Wasn’t cursing a sin? Ranking in the evil category, technically, it would be a minor sin, but any sin I would think would be encouraged, not chastised.
“And that’s the Fae in there. They only label them by initials, because they think it gives me less power over them. Not that they can keep from telling me their name for very long. I am after all very persuasive.” He gave me a lecherous smile that unfortunately had my insides tingling.
Damn my libido.
“How long are you going to keep that face?” I had noticed he had started to refer to himself in first person, which must mean he was losing more of the collective thinking and becoming more like the time wizard he had absorbed.
As I walked down the dungeon hallway, I wondered how long it would take him to become the Fae completely. Would he no longer want revenge on his fellow Fae? I would hardly think it would be that easy.
He strolled down the corridor, glancing at each nameplate as he went. “As long as you require it of me.” He paused in his search and tilted his head so some of his hair fell over his face in such a cute manner; I had to force my eyes to the door next to us.
“Do you not like it?” He held his hands up and twirled about like a model on a runway. “I could take someone else’s form if you wish?”
The smile that was in the process of creeping onto my face went south. “No! I mean, you’re fine the way you are now.” I ended lamely, continuing to search the name plates for Alice’s initials.
“Fine? Just fine?” He frowned, not at all happy with my response. “I took this form for your pleasure. I could have easily chosen someone else and all you can say is fine?”
“What do you want me to say?” I stared hard at the door in front of me. I wasn’t here to pick up guys. I didn’t want to be here at all. So his appearance was the least of my worries. “This is it.” I pointed at the nameplate that had A. L. engraved into it.
“That you find me irresistible,” he continued, disregarding my discovery. “Don’t you?”
I glanced up into his blinking brown eyes, wondering how in the world a mass of vengeful energy could be self-conscious. Why did he care what I thought? They said they wanted me to be their lady, but certainly they didn’t mean in a physical sense?
Staring up into his eyes and seeing the intense hunger lying just beneath the surface, I realized it did. They had gone centuries without a friend or lover. No one to touch or hold them. Of course they hoped to have me – mind, body, and soul. Emphasis on the soul part.
“Yes, I find you attractive. Now, can we please.” I gestured to the door before us. “Focus on the problem at hand? How do I get into her cell when there’s not a door knob?”
Whether or not he believed me, he leaned a shoulder against the wall and nodded toward the door. “All you have to do is knock.”
“Really? That’s it?” My brow rose at the simplicity of it. “That’s not very secure.”
“To someone like you it’s not, but to a Fae, who are deathly allergic to iron, a single touch would bring on such excruciating pain the very thought of it is enough of a deterrent. Besides…” His eyes filled with a wicked gleam. “The thought of me being out here terrifies them more than being trapped inside.”
The reminder that underneath that silly grin was a force so fearsome Fae would rather be imprisoned forever than face them caused my own fear to spike. There was more to the shadows than they would lead me to believe.
He gave a curious sniff to the air and growled. “I thought we dealt with this already? I’m not going to hurt you, so your fear is unwarranted. How can I get you to trust me?”
I took a deep breath and tried to quell my quaking insides. “Trust is earned, and it isn’t fair to use my scent against me. Not to mention, disturbing.”
“My apologies. I had forgotten how limited human senses are. It won’t happen again.” His head dipped down, his eyes looking up at me thro
ugh his lashes.
I turned from his ashamed face and knocked on the metal door. The heat against my knuckles was instantaneous. I jerked my hand back with a yelp and glared down at it. Unlike the door from the Seelie dungeon, which only led to a mild irritation along my skin, my knuckles turned bright red and stung enough to bring tears to my eyes.
I glanced up from my aching hand when the door began to whine and creak. I took a few steps back as the door inched open at a painstaking pace. I craned my neck as each inch revealed what lie inside.
Alice’s bell-like voice tinkled from the cell. “What took you so long?”
18
Alice
AS FAR AS cells go, especially ones in solitary confinement, Fae had it far better than any human prisoner. The stone walls were draped with colorful curtains and pictures that depicted enchanted forests and faerie getaways. The stone floor was covered with a beige fur rug that looked soft enough to sleep on. Not that anyone would want to sleep on it when the overstuffed bed, covered in pale lavender silk sheets, was available to sink into.
The mirror, which gazed out into the Seelie dungeon, was covered once again, leaving the frame cloaked in red. Next to the mirror was a bookcase. It filled one entire side of the cell and was jam packed with so many books it would make any bookworm drool. Next to the magnificent bookcase, lounging on a long chaise, book in hand, was Alice.
No longer a floating head, Alice’s pale blue tea dress was draped over her lap, while a single barefoot dangled off the edge of her perch. Like her bow, her dress had seen better days. There were holes where moths had gotten to it and stains from what could have been grass, but had faded from time.
“Well? Are you going to stare all day, or were you here to rescue me?” Alice huffed, tossing her book down as she stood from her chair.
“I know why you were put in here,” I blurted out without thinking.
Alice quirked a blonde brow, amusement sparkled in her eyes. “Oh, do you now? Is that why you took so long? Trying to dig up the goods on dear Ole Alice? And here all I was trying to do was help you?” She smirked as her eyes took in my disastrous hair. “Tell me, was it worth it?”
“Like you were trying to help out the prince?”
If it would end with me six feet under, I didn’t think I wanted the type of help she could give. The shadow man gave a silent laugh as he stood just outside the door, out of Alice’s line of view. At least someone thought I was funny. The number of fans I had was dwindling by the minute.
Alice made a noise of disgust. “Of course no one told you the whole story. I can hardly be surprised. Fae just love their half-truths. ‘Isn’t it more fun to figure it out on your own?’” She imitated Chess’ voice perfectly. So, Chess had spoken to Alice on more than just the one occurrence. It made me wonder what else he had bent the truth about.
“Well then, why don’t you tell me what really happened?” I crossed my arms over my chest, tired of her games.
A slow smile spread across her face. It was one of those smiles that I had learned meant whatever she was about to say I wasn’t going to like.
“Let’s make a deal. I’ll tell you my sad story and in return you get me out of here.” She clapped her hands at the brilliance of her own idea.
“But I’m already letting you out in exchange for the faerie key.” I frowned at having to remind her.
“Well, what do you want more? The truth or freedom?” She held her hands out as if to weigh the options. One hand was empty while the other held a small brass key with a red ribbon looped through it to be worn as a necklace.
I took an involuntary step toward the hand with the key, and she snapped it shut, holding it behind her back with a grin. Alice may have been human at one time, but now she was Fae through and through. Games, games, and more games. I wasn’t leaving without that key, but I also wanted the truth so badly I could taste it, but how could I get both without offering up something more in return?
My own lips curled into a smile to rival her own as an idea formulated in my mind. Keeping my eyes on Alice I called out behind me, “I’ve been horribly rude making you wait in the hall. Why don’t you come on in?”
I didn’t need to turn around to know when Alice saw him, the blood draining from her face and the slight back step made it easy enough to guess.
“You!” She stuttered, clenching her hands to her chest. “What are you doing here? I haven’t been bad. I haven’t been bad, I promise.” When my companion did not answer, her eyes turned to me in desperation. “You can’t let them take me. I’ve done nothing wrong.”
“Ah, but weren’t you just going to try and trick me into taking a different form of payment?” I turned my head to look back at the shadow man, who had an amused grin on his face. “I did hear her correctly, didn’t I?”
“That’s what I heard, love.” The sound of his voice had taken a threatening edge that didn’t match the smile on his face.
Alice searched between us, confusion on her face. “Wait. You’re together?”
“Well, I wouldn’t say that–”
“Yes, don’t we make a lovely couple?”
I glared at the shadow man for interrupting me. “Not yet, we aren’t.”
“Ah, yet. That only means a when not an if, and I have plenty of time to wait. I’m a patient man after all.” His voice was full of promises, but his eyes had not left the Fae girl before us. The hunger in his eyes had nothing to do with Alice’s appearance and everything to do with food.
Alice gulped at the intensity of his gaze and turned to plead with me. “You can’t trust them. They’re liars. They don’t want to help you–”
“And how is what you’re doing any different?” I interrupted her with a shake of my head.
“But I was human once. I know what it’s like to be tricked by them.” She pointed a shaky finger. “They’ll make you believe they can give you exactly what you want, but you’ll end up regretting it in the end. Look what happened to me.” Her fear turned to anger as she whipped her arms around the cell. “I’m stuck in this hell hole because I listened to them. I should have been a good little girl and went home to my mother.” Alice buried her face in her hands and cried. “Being a Fae was supposed to be romantic and exciting, but it’s not. It’s boring and it never ends. I should have died a long time ago. I just want to go home!”
I sighed. I hated crying women. As a woman, crying was not something I liked to do. Tears were meant for children and mourners, not everyday problems. Especially when the tears were unwarranted, like Alice’s were right then.
“Oh, pull yourself together.” I crossed my arms becoming angry at my own discomfort. “It’s been over 100 years, there’s nothing for you to go back to, so there is no use crying over what can’t be changed. You’re a Fae now. Suck it up and deal.”
“How can you be so cruel?” She sniffed, peeking up from her hands, her face puffy and red.
“Lady, is right.” I jerked my head to the shadow man, who had stepped into the cell, his presence causing Alice to take a few more steps backward. “She’s not being cruel, she is being practical, but if you are really dissatisfied with your existence I could easily end it for you.” He reached a hand out as if to touch her.
Alice shook her head, eyes wide, and once more filled with terror. “N-n-no. Don’t come near me. Don’t touch me.”
I watched with mild fascination as she became more hysterical the closer the shadow man came to her. I could understand her fear, I had been before the masses and knew the sound of their collective voice, the feel of their touch on my skin and their breath on my face, but unlike her, I still had options. She could only die, and with her death, her key would be free for the taking.
“Please, no.” Her eyes sought me out, begging me to help her. “Help me and I’ll tell you! I’ll tell you what happened. Just keep them away from me!”
I was half tempted to let him have her. I was tired of making deals, but I also wanted to know. Damn my curiosity.
“Stop,” my voice rang out just as he was about to touch her golden head. “I still need her.”
He turned to me with a frown on his lips. “Are you sure? I could just…” He held a hand out as if to touch her anyway.
“Yes. I’m sure. Are you questioning me?”
He frowned harder at the authority in my voice and something in his eyes flickered at being commanded. He didn’t like my demanding tone. Not at all.
“No, but if you change your mind…” He dropped his hand and stepped back to stand beside me.
“I won’t,” I snapped, my eyes locking onto his, daring him to question me again. I kind of liked being in charge. Being the one that made the rules. I could get used to this.
I turned my attention back to the blubbering girl before me and grimaced. “He’s not going to hurt you, so stop your crying. I’d like to get out of here as much as you.” I exited the cell, not waiting to see if she followed.
“Which way do I go to get out of here?” I asked the shadow man. Hands in his pants pockets, he rocked on his heels looking this way and that. “You do know how to get out of here, don’t you?”
“Just hold on a second.” He waved a hand at me. “There are many ways out. I am thinking of the best one. I wouldn’t want you to end up somewhere unpleasant.”
“No, you wouldn’t want that.” A sarcastic voice said from behind me. Alice had finally decided it was safe to leave her cell and stood in the doorway glaring at the shadow man.
“How did you change so fast?” I eyed her new attire.
No longer was she clothed in a stained and torn blue dress, but instead, she wore a black dress covered in red heart and spade patches. Her legs were encased in black tights with small red buckled shoes. She had small red tea gloves and a miniature red top hat adorned with a black feather.
“Isn’t it lovely?” She held the knee-length skirt out around her. “I thought it up myself a while back, but hadn’t had a chance to wear it until now.”
