Changeling

by Victoria Vallo

  “I only remember three things about the night I met Lachlann.

  First, I somehow wound up in a disgusting motel with no memory of how I got there.

  Second, the moment our eyes first met, I realized I was kneeling on the floor preparing to suck the cock of a man I’d never seen before in my life.

  And third, Lachlann made the stranger disappear in a puff of gray smoke before kneeling in front of me and whispering that I was safe.”

  Adam’s world changed forever the night he met Lachlann, and that brief and confusing encounter was only the beginning for both of them.

  Changeling

  by

  Victoria Vallo

  A POISON GIRL PRESS BOOK

  Changeling

  Copyright © 2017 by Victoria Vallo

  Edited by Howard Moore

  First E-book Publication: May 2017

  Cover design by Poisoned Pixels

  All cover art and logo copyright © 2017, Poison Girl Press.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  DEDICATION

  To Henry

  Changeling

  By Victoria Vallo

  Copyright © 2017

  I only remember three things about the night I met Lachlann.

  First, I somehow wound up in a disgusting motel with no memory of how I got there.

  Second, the moment our eyes first met, I realized I was kneeling on the floor preparing to suck the cock of a man I’d never seen before in my life.

  And third, Lachlann made the stranger disappear in a puff of gray smoke before kneeling in front of me and whispering that I was safe.

  After that moment, there’s nothing. I woke up in my bed the next morning. I had my wallet, and my car was parked outside in the driveway. I wore my own pajamas and didn’t seem to be harmed in any way. I checked all around for a note of some kind, for anything that might tell me about what had happened to me. Any clue to the identity of the blond man who’d saved me from a fate I cringed to imagine.

  I didn’t find anything. At that point, I didn’t even know Lachlann’s name.

  I didn’t find out until that night, when he came back.

  ****

  Given my memory loss and the strangeness of the few things I did remember, I made an appointment to see my doctor that afternoon, saying I’d had an episode but not explaining completely. When I confessed all I knew, the doctor ordered all kinds of blood tests, and she did a very thorough physical exam. I didn’t believe I’d been raped, but I didn’t want to say that and sound like a macho jerk, like one of those guys who refused to acknowledge that men get raped all the time.

  Everything seemed to be fine, and she promised to try to push the lab work through as fast as possible since there were numerous possibilities. I didn’t say it, but I didn’t believe I’d been drugged. There had been something surreal about the experience, but not in the drug-induced kind of way. Both the man who’d saved me and my apparent attacker had seemed off somehow, though I couldn’t really explain it.

  As I walked to my car after my appointment, I saw a man watching me. It was raining, so it was hard to see him clearly at first, but I could tell it wasn’t either of the men from the night before. He wore all black, and he didn’t look away when I stopped to stare back. Feeling bold, I crossed the parking lot to confront him.

  And the man disappeared.

  “What in the fuck is going on?” I yelled. No one was around, but I wouldn’t have cared if there had been dozens of people. I’d just seen a person vanish for the second time in twenty-four hours, so I felt a little cursing was justified.

  “Please don’t do that. It’s vulgar. Get in the car before you catch a cold,” a voice said.

  I turned sharply but saw no one anywhere near. “Come out and show yourself unless you want me to keep standing here yelling.”

  My mysterious savior appeared, walking forward through the rain as if a veil of mist had just parted before me. “I only sent my guard to watch you. I meant no harm.” The water droplets from the rain collected in his long blond hair, almost sparkling as he tilted his head, and I swallowed as I again felt there was something off about his appearance. He was incredibly handsome, but that wasn’t it.

  “Who are you?”

  “I’m of no importance. I only appeared to reassure you.”

  “You took me home last night?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why?”

  “Why? Such a human question. You needed help. Why would I require more motivation than that?” He studied my face, as if he wanted to say more, but he remained silent.

  “Human?” I eyed him up and down, taking in his formal posture and the stilted way he spoke. He wore gray, shapeless clothes that reminded me of pajamas in a way. “You look human, too, buddy.” I couldn’t place his accent, but I didn’t think he was American, not walking around talking the way he did.

  He smiled. “I’m a friend, and no more harm will come to you. You have my word.”

  I blinked, and he was gone.

  I considered yelling again, but then I saw one of the nurses from the clinic leaving. I didn’t want to cause trouble or make them think I was crazy, so I simply got in my car and sat, pretending to play with my phone.

  “Won’t you come back and talk to me? I’m grateful for the help you gave me. But now I’m confused.” After a minute passed, I tried another approach. “I’m sorry I yelled like that.”

  I received no answer.

  ****

  The rain wouldn’t stop that night. Usually rain helps me sleep, but I couldn’t stop thinking about what had happened to me. I wanted to know more about the man who’d saved me, but I also wanted to know about the man who’d taken me to that motel. Who was he? How had he gotten me there? Why couldn’t I remember anything?

  I also wondered what would’ve happened after I’d sucked his cock. Had he planned to fuck me? Maybe even kill me? How had he gotten me into that position in the first place? The possibilities bounced around in my mind. I really wanted a drink, but I thought it better to stay clearheaded.

  Though it felt a bit crazy, I’d called out to my supposed “friend” more than once, begging him to come back and talk to me. Outside, the wind howled as the rain beat against my roof and windows. It seemed like the perfect night for a man to mysteriously appear in my bedroom. I smiled at the thought but then rolled my eyes.

  I lay down on the bed and closed my eyes, even though I knew I wasn’t going to be able to sleep. Thinking about my savior had me a bit anxious. I opened my eyes and sat up. I wore only a t-shirt and boxers, and my cock poked out of the hole a little, confirming my arousal. I didn’t really like being turned on thinking about the man who refused to give me any answers, but I couldn’t deny my attraction.

  He was mysterious and downright strange. He didn’t talk like he was from this century. He could vanish into thin air, and do the same to other people. He’d sent someone to watch me. He wouldn’t tell me his name or anything at all helpful. He confused me.

  But my cock really wanted him to show up.

  I closed my eyes as I pictured it. He would show up to finally answer my questions, and then he’d see my erection. He would get down on his knees and suck me as my fingers tangled in all that long, lustrous blond hair. He’d moan when I came in his mouth, and then he’d ask me to fuck him. I would demand answers first, and then he would…

  I moaned as I undid the button on boxers and finally wrapped my fingers around my c
ock. I hadn’t had such a vivid fantasy in a while, and suddenly I really needed to get off.

  “Your powers are emerging more than I realized,” a voice said. “Please, stop doing that. I can see everything you’re picturing in my head.”

  I opened my eyes and saw the man standing by my bed, but with his back turned and his arms crossed. He wore the same boring gray clothes he’d had on earlier. My fingers loosened on my cock, but I had been so close. I tightened my grip again and continued to stroke. “Just pop back out for a minute,” I whispered. I wanted to see if he’d become part of my fantasy, but his posture and tone suggested he wasn’t interested. I sighed, surprisingly aroused by his presence in the room. I’d never jerked off for anyone before, but part of me wanted him to watch. “Can you really see what I’m picturing?” I whispered.

  “Yes. Do you mind stopping before we lose control of this situation?”

  “Mmmm, I’m almost done,” I said as I stroked, wondering if it really would make him lose control.

  He turned on me, his expression exasperated, and then he pushed his breath out in a huff and went into the bathroom, slamming the door.

  The hint of anger only aroused me more, and I stroked faster. I bit back my cry as I came, watching the cum hit my thighs and the sheet beneath me. When I caught my breath, I cleaned up using my t-shirt, and then I threw it in the hamper before stripping the sheet off the bed.

  “You can come back now.”

  The man returned, eyeing me as he did so. “Would you mind dressing?”

  I now wore only my boxers, and he didn’t seem to like that, though his gaze lingered on my deflating cock a bit. I tucked myself away and reached for my robe, shrugging it on but not tying it.

  “Now, would you mind explaining who you are?” I said as I sat back down on the bed. I patted the mattress beside me. “Have a seat. Sorry there’s no chair.”

  “I can stand,” the man said. “My name is Lachlann, and I’m a prince.”

  “From where?”

  “You haven’t heard of it.”

  “Try me.”

  “Lanastel.”

  “Where is that?”

  “Under the ground.”

  I stared at him a moment. “Well, you can disappear and reappear at will, so why can’t you live under the ground in a place I’ve never heard of?” I sat up a bit straighter. “Go on.”

  “If I tell you that I’m your prince, will you perhaps show me a bit more respect and gratitude?”

  “But I’m not from this place you’re talking about.”

  “You are. You just don’t know it. You’re a changeling.”

  My stare turned to a scowl. “I’ll admit I can’t explain anything that has happened since we met last night, but you can’t be serious. You’re a fairy? A fey? Elf? Pixie?”

  Lachlann gave me that exasperated look again. “Yes, but we don’t go by any of those names. We’re called Enchanters, in your language, and as you’ve seen, that’s exactly what we do. We enchant. We use magic.”

  “So I’m one of you? My mom will disagree with you on that. I was born in a taxi, so there’s no chance someone snatched me away.”

  “That’s not when the change happened. I don’t know the exact date, but you were much older. Almost a year, I’m told.”

  “I don’t believe you. Show me something.”

  Lachlann arched on elegant eyebrow at me. He really did belong in some period drama. “What exactly am I supposed to show you?”

  “Do a trick for me.”

  “Trick is a word used by humans, and that is exactly what human ‘magic’ is. Nothing but tricks and illusions. The only magicians who perform real magic are of our race, and they don’t practice very long because we put a stop to it.”

  What Lachlann said did make a good bit of sense, considering how well it fit with and explained what had happened to me and the things I’d witnessed. But I needed more answers before I started buying into any of this. “Who was that other man last night?”

  “Wallace. He’s a friend. Or … he was a friend. Now he’s imprisoned by my father. He met you in a bar and, as he put it, simply had to have you. He felt that you were one of us. After I took you home, I had to interrogate him. He’s always been promiscuous, but I had no idea he was using his powers on people. It’s a very serious offense.”

  “What did he plan on doing with me?”

  “Having his way with you for the bulk of the night. Maybe into the next day. He’s … quite debauched. Apparently you weren’t interested so he used his powers on you. I came along just in time. I’d summoned him and received no answer. He’s one of my council. Or he was. I found him in that filthy place with you under his spell.” He cleared his throat. “Your heightened arousal is probably a side effect. I shouldn’t have blamed you earlier. Desire is nothing to be ashamed of, when properly focused.”

  “Properly focused?” I couldn’t help laughing.

  “Yes. Why are you laughing?”

  “Thing is, that particular hard-on was for you. Had nothing to do with him.”

  “Yes, I know. I was referring to the lingering effects of his spell. As I said, I could see everything you were seeing. That’s why I mentioned your powers. Drawing my attention with your fantasy shows how fast your abilities are emerging. Your contact with Wallace is what stirred the magic inside you.” Lachlann gazed at me with an unreadable expression on his face. “You were puzzled by me. The intrigue naturally turned into a more erotic fascination.”

  “Such a polite way to say you aren’t interested.” I stood up and faced Lachlann. “I don’t know how much of this I believe, but thank you for saving me. However you did it.” I stepped closer. “Will you come again if I call you?”

  Lachlann nodded. “Yes.” He gave me a slight bow. “And I will leave you to think about what I’ve said. I know you have doubts, and I don’t blame you.” He turned to go and then hesitated, a hint of a smile coming to his face, the very first hint I’d seen thus far. “But to be clear, I never said I wasn’t interested in you. I didn’t want to take advantage of you after what happened to you last night. What you’re perceiving as my discomfort was me trying to control myself. We’re a very sensual race,” he paused, “though I can feel your doubts about that as well. I simply said I didn’t think your interest in me was any more than a fleeting thing.” A real smile curved his lips as he lowered his voice, “If your interest doesn’t fade, I’ll be happy to take you to my bed.”

  And he vanished.

  “Seriously?” I whispered to myself as I felt my cock stirring again.

  I hardly slept that night, and when I did, I dreamed of Lachlann smiling at me as his hands roamed over my body.

  ****

  I didn’t summon Lachlann until four days later. Each time I thought I was ready to talk to him again, I hesitated. I had so many questions, and yet all I really wanted to do was find out what Lachlann looked like without those hideous gray clothes. I’d studied him a bit more the second time, and his clothes still reminded me of pajamas, though they seemed to be made of something like velvet or maybe textured linen. I hadn’t really been able to tell in the subdued light of my bedroom.

  I’d done lots of research and found nothing in folklore or even fiction about a race called Enchanters. Role-playing stuff didn’t count. Or at least, I didn’t think it did. I was looking for something much older, but found nothing. I’d been a bit worried someone would stop me, but nothing had interrupted my work online or in the library. I wondered if that meant there was nothing to find, or if this race was so powerful they didn’t even care. My doctor had gotten my results back, and everything was fine. I’d bitten my lip to keep from asking the nurse if there was anything strange in my file. I knew there wasn’t.

  But could I really be a changeling? A member of a different race of beings? Ones that used magic? I found that the hardest to swallow. I couldn’t deny that Lachlann existed and that he could do some amazing things. But I wasn’t completely onboard with
the rest of it just yet. I had never felt there was anything unusual or special about me. But Lachlann? You could tell he was different right away, and it was more than the weird clothes and stiff way of speaking. The room simply felt different when he was in it, and that wasn’t because of my attraction to him.

  I opened a bottle of wine and set two glasses on my coffee table, which I’d cleaned off. I’d spent the day cleaning the entire house, actually. I sat back on the couch and said Lachlann’s name.

  I didn’t have to wait long. He appeared by the couch and looked down at me, then at the bottle of wine. Today, he wore clothes that looked much better on him, though he still seemed out of place. He wore brown linen pants and darker brown riding boots, and the white shirt he wore billowed a bit and seemed to be made of silk.

  “You look nice,” I said.

  He gave me a slight smile and bowed. “The clothes you found weird were my meditation clothes. You might call them exercise clothes. I was training and reflecting that day, after having spent the night interrogating Wallace. It’s our way of rejuvenating. I wore something more like this the night I saved you. Do you remember?”

  “Uh, not really, which is why I want answers. But first, you can read my mind? You said you could see that little fantasy, but that involved you. Okay, fine, I get that. I was using some voodoo I didn’t know about. But I never said anything about your clothes.”

  “I can sense things from you and read some thoughts. You’ll be able to guard your mind soon enough. That’s part of our training. Honing mental powers.”

  I came forward on the couch and poured myself a glass of wine. “Would you care for some wine?” I looked up. “You can sit down, you know.”

  “I didn’t want to presume.” He sat down beside. “And yes, I’d love some wine. I’ll bring you a bottle from our private collection next time.”

  “You’re a prince, but you keep bowing to me. Why?” I said as I poured his wine.