Why Are All the Good Guys Total Monsters?

by De-Ann Black

  He nodded. ‘I lost a ring. It’s not valuable but it’s precious to me. I think it’ll be lying around here somewhere.’ He glanced towards the Cupid’s darts. ‘I thought if I left it until morning it could be washed away with the rain.’

  His manner wasn’t threatening. I flicked on the main patio lights so he could see what he was doing.

  ‘Thanks.’ He smiled at me, and even from this distance, in the misty rain, his smile was dazzling.

  I watched him search through the flowers, his long coat open to reveal his lean, strong physique clad in dark clothing. He fascinated me, and my stomach twisted as I resisted opening the doors to help him look for whatever he’d lost. But Daire had warned me about Sabastien, and he was an intruder after all — again.

  ‘Ah, here it is.’ He smiled and held up a substantial gold ring. It was a man’s ring and it glistened in the light. I couldn’t see the details, though it seemed to be shades of gold. Very unusual. He walked towards me but stopped short of the patio. ‘I would’ve been very upset to have lost it. I’ve had it forever.’

  He sounded genuine. I nodded.

  ‘Sorry for intruding again. I promise not to make a habit of it.’ He smiled at me, and I felt a pang of guilt as he said, ‘I hope I didn’t scare you. And I hope Daire didn’t either.’

  ‘Daire warned me not to trust you.’ The words were out before I could stop them.

  ‘Did he now?’ He slipped the ring on to his finger. ‘How chivalrous of him. What else did he say?’

  I hesitated.

  ‘Do tell,’ he cajoled. ‘I’d love to know.’

  I bit my lip and then muttered, ‘He said you were a master of trickery and deceit.’

  He laughed, quite heartily.

  ‘And he insinuated you’d tricked me into thinking I’d seen faeries.’

  ‘Daire has been chatty, hasn’t he? I suppose my character has been completely slain. You probably think I’m a devious monster.’

  ‘I don’t know what to think,’ I said truthfully. ‘There are so many things I’d like to know.’

  He held his arms out openly. ‘Ask me anything you want.’

  ‘Anything, even if it’s about Daire?’

  He laughed again. ‘Especially if it’s about Daire. No holds barred on that one, I promise.’ His fabulous lilac eyes were shining with wicked intention.

  ‘Okay . . . can I trust you?’

  ‘Yes.’ He was quick to reply.

  ‘Can I trust Daire?’

  ‘Sometimes.’

  I scowled. ‘Sometimes?’

  ‘Keep going, this is fun,’ he said.

  ‘Could I have trusted Daire tonight?’

  ‘Probably not.’

  I gulped. ‘So you’re the good guy, not him?’

  ‘That’s about right.’

  ‘What’s Daire up to?’

  ‘Ruining everything for me, basically.’

  ‘Why would he want to do that?’

  ‘That’s not the question,’ he said, taking me off guard.

  ‘So what is?’

  ‘What you should have asked was — will he succeed?’

  I played along. ‘Will he succeed?’

  ‘He’d better not.’

  I laughed nervously. ‘I really don’t understand any of this.’

  ‘That’s what he’s banking on.’

  ‘But you’ll tell me everything?’

  ‘Oh very likely. I’ve never been any good at keeping secrets.’

  I paused. What did I want to know? What did I really want to know? And then I thought — the letter. ‘Tell me about the letter.’

  ‘Ah, yes, the letter. Unfortunately you didn’t get to read it, did you?’

  ‘No, only the signature. The words on the paper had faded.’

  ‘The words had faded on the envelope, which was the most relevant part.’

  ‘I could read what it said on the envelope,’ I said, but he was shaking his head.

  ‘Two words were missing.’ He seemed adamant about this.

  I thought back to what it said. ‘It was addressed to me, private and confidential, and said do not open until midnight.’

  ‘No, it said — do not open until Midnight is asleep.’

  I frowned.

  ‘Midnight,’ he said. ‘I didn’t want you opening the letter when he was awake.’

  ‘The cat?’

  He was nodding.

  ‘The cat?’ I repeated.

  ‘But Daire had faded those words and completely changed the meaning,’ he said, unfazed by my wide eyed stare.

  ‘What did the letter say?’

  ‘It was an invitation. Call me old fashioned, but it was to introduce myself and to ask if you’ll have dinner with me. Oh and I’d added a warning about not trusting Daire. Though I’d like to think I was less scathing about him than he was about me.’

  I paused, needing to think, and breathe . . .

  ‘Are we done?’ he said.

  I blinked. ‘Erm, no. What about the faeries?’ No way was I missing out on that.

  ‘What do you want to know about them?’

  I smiled, nervous, disbelieving, then became drawn to those intoxicating eyes of his, his dazzling smile and charm. ‘Are the faeries real?’

  ‘Absolutely.’

  ‘Is that it?’ I said.

  ‘Pretty much,’ he said. ‘They weren’t happy with you though I can tell you.’

  ‘You’re kidding?’

  ‘No, they had it in for you. They’d have pulled your hair and given you a severe beating.’

  I interrupted him. ‘Hold on there. Is this a joke? I don’t believe in faeries.’

  ‘Hmm, well that solves everything then, doesn’t it? Just pretend you never saw them.’

  I glared at him.

  He sighed. ‘Look, I don’t want to ruin your good mood.’

  ‘Who said I was in a good mood?’

  ‘You looked like you’d found out some wonderful news when I arrived. Had you?’

  Was I imagining the wicked amusement in his eyes?

  ‘No,’ I lied. ‘No special news at all.’

  He lowered his head and then looked back up at me, his eyes scorching, alluring. ‘No word from abroad then?’

  ‘Not a peep.’

  Breath poured from his luscious lips as he sighed while still smiling at me. His eyes searched mine for any hint of guile.

  I’m generally a very poor liar. I’d rather tell it like it is or saying nothing, but I felt the need to defend myself. I didn’t want anyone to know I was here alone.

  ‘Now that I’ve been totally honest, and answered all your questions truthfully, will you answer two for me?’ he said.

  Two? My heart started pounding guiltily. Was he hinting he knew I’d lied? ‘Sure.’

  ‘Will you have dinner with me tomorrow night, if you’re not busy?’

  An invitation to dinner was not what I thought he’d ask.

  ‘I know this wonderful restaurant not far from here,’ he said. ‘Great food, spellbinding atmosphere, quite magical actually.’ His smile seemed genuine.

  I nodded. I could chicken out tomorrow when in the cold light of day my common sense was back. Or I could put on my favourite dress and have dinner with one of the most handsome guys in the city.

  ‘I promise to have you home before the witching hour.’

  I wished he hadn’t said that. Witches, broomsticks and dark magic aren’t my thing.

  ‘I was going to say before midnight,’ he said, as if reading my mind, ‘but I thought that would invariably bring us back to the cat, and I’d rather not talk about him again tonight.’

  I was staring at him, fascinated by his looks, wondering if he knew how he made me feel.

  ‘And no,’ he said, smiling, ‘I can’t read your mind if that’s what you’re thinking.’ He smiled again, as if this amused him.

  Lightning tore across the sky, illuminating the garden. Sabastien didn’t flinch, not one gorgeous muscle. ‘Just one
more thing,’ he said. ‘Do you enjoy flying?’

  I couldn’t imagine why he wanted to know but I told him anyway. ‘I love flying, always have.’ This was true. The flight from London to Edinburgh had been fun.

  ‘Great,’ he said. ‘I’ll pick you up at seven.’

  The morning was bright, and everything was washed fresh from the rainstorm. Even the cobblestones were shining in the sunlight.

  Dreams of faeries, lightning and rain had filled my sleep, but more than anything, I’d been dreaming about Daire. I couldn’t shake off the intense way he’d looked at me, or the fascination I had for him. So I was glad to be out and about in the city next morning to clear away the cobwebs of my tangled thoughts.

  I still hadn’t made up my mind about my dinner date with Sabastien. I had already emailed Lauren, telling her the edited version of events — no mention of guys trespassing in the garden or faeries. I blurred the facts and said I’d met Daire and Sabastien by chance, which was sort of true. She told me I should have dinner with Sabastien. What harm would it do to have some fun? This was not good. Lauren was always wrong about these things — completely wrong, which in the oddest way made her totally accurate. If Lauren said I should go, I really shouldn’t.

  She’d also mentioned how great it was that my mum and Orlaith had been given wonderful opportunities, but thought it was very unlike them, especially my mum, to be fine about leaving me on my own in Edinburgh. This had bugged me too, a little, but I figured maybe they knew I was capable of looking after myself.

  I breathed in the warm, fresh air, and headed towards the shops in Princes Street. It was already quite busy with shoppers. For a few seconds I enjoyed the potential of a brand new day — and then everything changed.

  To my left was a fortune teller, a man, well dressed, right down to the foppish cuffs of his green silk shirt that hung below the sleeves of his black jacket. I’d seen him before, sitting there, and he was quite popular with tourists and locals. But as I walked past he caught my attention, and our eyes locked. He was shaking his head at me, as if telling me not to do something. I kept on walking, but cast a look back and then stopped. I had to know what he meant. Had he sensed something about me?

  I’d always wanted to have my fortune told, but had chickened out last summer even when Orlaith had encouraged me.

  I decided to turn back, go over and see what he had to say. I didn’t know what I was going to say to him. I needn’t have worried.

  ‘I don’t mean to upset you,’ he said in a deep, caring voice. ‘But I have a strange feeling about you.’

  I gulped. ‘What is it?’

  ‘There’s something you’re going to do — and you should not.’

  Dinner with Sabastien was the first thing that came to my mind.

  ‘Has it anything to do with a young man, or two?’ I said.

  He took a moment to consider his reply. ‘No.’

  ‘You don’t seem sure about that.’

  His dark eyes held my gaze. ‘It’s the only answer I can give you.’

  ‘Has it anything to do with my mum or my friends?’

  ‘No,’ he said emphatically. ‘This is about you.’

  ‘What is it that I shouldn’t do?’

  ‘I don’t know, but . . . you’ll do it anyway.’

  He was studying me, searching deep. It was quite nerve racking.

  ‘Is there any advice you can give me?’ I said finally.

  ‘Go home to London, before it’s too late.’

  The air turned cold and I instinctively wrapped my arms across my chest.

  ‘Edinburgh is fraught with dangers for you.’

  ‘Someone else told me I was in danger from . . .’ I bit my tongue. I couldn’t bring myself to mention about the faeries. He’d think I was crazy.

  ‘But you won’t go home, will you?’ He sounded sad.

  I shook my head.

  He nodded. ‘Good luck to you then. I felt I had to say something. Maybe it’ll make a difference.’

  I reached for my purse. ‘How much do I owe you?’

  ‘No charge.’

  ‘That’s very kind of you,’ I said.

  Suddenly a handful of silver coins were thrown down into the fortune teller’s money box. ‘This should be payment in full.’

  I turned around. Daire was standing behind me, a cold expression on his face.

  The fortune teller looked warily at the cool, blond, statuesque figure of Daire.

  ‘Come on,’ Daire said to me, sweeping me away from the man.

  I glanced back one last time at the fortune teller before Daire and I disappeared into the crowd. He was still watching me, his eyes urging me to heed his warning.

  Daire tugged at my arm, pulling me away.

  ‘What do you think you’re doing?’ I said.

  ‘You have to be careful who you tell your business to.’

  ‘How ironic coming from someone who has repeatedly walked into my life uninvited,’ I said. ‘And are you following me?’

  ‘I . . . I was hoping to see you.’

  ‘So you were following me?’

  He avoided my gaze, and ran his hands through the silky texture of his hair. ‘I wanted to apologize for my attitude last night. I’d like to make it up to you. You asked me things and I didn’t answer but —’

  I interrupted him. ‘Sabastien told me a few things I needed to know.’

  His features hardened like sculpted ice. ‘When?’

  ‘Last night. He came back looking for a ring he’d lost.’

  Daire sneered and laughed. ‘And you believed him?’

  ‘Maybe.’

  He looked distraught. ‘What do I have to do to get through to you?’

  ‘He answered everything I asked him. And he’s invited me to dinner.’

  He pulled back from me in disbelief. ‘You told him no, I trust?’

  I was silent.

  As the truth sunk in, I saw a storm rise up within the beauty of his pale grey eyes.

  ‘You must be mad. You don’t know anything about him. Do you even know his full name?’

  He had me pinned to the ropes on that one.

  ‘No. I didn’t think so,’ he said.

  ‘I don’t even know your surname.’

  ‘Grey.’ He looked at me and then said, ‘Don’t have dinner with Sabastien tonight. He has no honour, no chivalry.’

  The way Daire spoke, the things he said and how he phrased them was so old fashioned and yet he seemed totally modern. If I could’ve taken him back with me to London, he’d have been the coolest guy at my school.

  ‘I wish you’d stop being so pushy and let me do what I want,’ I said.

  His face was beautiful but haunted. ‘Be careful what you wish for, especially tonight when you’re with Sabastien L’Fae.’ He walked away, anger burning in his wake.

  My blood was boiling and my nerves were rattled. I stood there in the street, my stomach churning, not knowing what I wanted.

  It was then that I noticed the window display of the large department store beside me. The display had changed from yesterday. Now it was filled with fantasy woodland faeries with purple, blue and green hair, wings entwined with leaves, and shimmering dresses advertised as being part of a summer sale. I’d always loved browsing in this store, so hoping this would calm my senses, I wandered in with no intention of buying anything, especially not a fairytale dress, no matter how temping a bargain it was.

  A short time later I couldn’t work out what was wrong with me. I’d succumbed to the sale rail of gorgeous dresses. I liked the misty purple and blue ones, and then I saw one I’d never have imagined I’d choose.

  It was cocktail length, not too short, not too long, a flattering style made from silver and grey material.

  The shop assistant encouraged me to try it on, especially as grey was so flattering to someone with blonde hair. This was true, and although I still had no intention of buying a dress, I found myself in the changing room trying it on. I looked at myse
lf in the mirror. Wow! This dress was perfect. It flattered me in all the right places, but more than that, it made me feel fantastic.

  I was tempted to buy it, especially as it was a real bargain, to take back with me to London. No one there would have anything like this. It was totally unique. When the shop assistant said she could reduce the cost even further, I couldn’t resist. And so, convincing myself that I was definitely not buying it to wear for a dinner date with Sabastien, I paid for it and left the store.

  Sunshine was heating up the day and so I decided to take the longer route back to Orlaith’s house. I walked up towards a medieval cathedral, avoiding a cobbled alley which had always given me the creeps even in broad daylight. Then I headed back along the busy shopping area with its modern, bright and colourful shops. It was only a twenty minute walk but by the time I got to the house I was feeling a lot better about things. I’d made up my mind not to have dinner with Sabastien. Taking into account Lauren, the fortune teller, my own common sense and yes, grudgingly, Daire’s warning, I wouldn’t go.

  I’d only just got back to the house when there was a knock at the front door. A delivery man was there with a floral corsage for me. I signed for it and took it inside to read the small card that was with it. I recognized the purple ink. It was from Sabastien. Looking forward to seeing you tonight, Vesper.

  I was flattered, surprised and excited all at once. No one had ever sent me flowers before, and these were lovely cream, pink and red roses and deep green foliage. They smelled out of this world.

  Even though I’d made up my mind not to have dinner with Sabastien, I wanted to try on my new dress just to see what it looked like with the silvery, high heeled shoes I’d brought with me.

  Hmm, not bad, I thought. I ran a brush through my hair, had fun with a little makeup, and wore the flower corsage on my wrist.

  I hardly noticed that the sky had darkened again, and it was only when I heard the patio doors blow wide open that I realised the change in the weather. The net curtains on either side of the doors were billowing in the wind, and as I hurried to close them, I saw Sabastien in the garden, walking towards me.

  Sabastien L’Fae . . . now that I knew his full name I mulled it over in my mind. His long, dark, thorn edged coat, unbuttoned to reveal a black silk shirt, caught the wind. He looked like a creature of the night, hauntingly handsome.