H.U.M.A.N.S (The Veiled World Book 1)

by Susan Reid

But once I was truly alone again, my mood changed back to heartache.

  Normally, I would simply call Marq but this was another form of communication that he insisted worked, though I wasn’t sure how or what the physics were behind it. I guess it wasn’t physics at all, it was magic.

  I sighed as the warm, fragrant wind blew my hair lightly across my face.

  “I missed you today, Marq. I can’t stand the thought of not having you in my life at all, so I don’t want you to think for one second that I don’t want to see you or that you aren’t welcomed at the bar anymore. You’re a huge part of my life and you mean too much to me for things to end up like this. I still care about you, a lot, and I do love you like a really good friend does another.” I licked my lips, kind of feeling silly with nothing but the surf to accompany and respond to my words, but I continued on anyway as the cold water continued to lap at my feet and legs.

  “It’s just that, I think that I’d be better off with Gage. He’s a really great guy and I really like and care about him. Now you know what I’ve been dealing with and what’s happened to me. I hope that you can understand this because your happiness means a lot to me. I still want to come down for dinner and to hang out with you at your place just like I promised…if you still want me to.”

  I waited for several minutes, taking in the usual night sounds and scents. Nothing but the surf responded.

  Well, I said what I needed to say. If he decided to call me later, I guess I’ll have to repeat it again but I’d be happy just to hear his voice.

  A sudden, unnatural rush of water sluiced over the sand around my feet, softly bubbling and churning before gently rolling back out with the tide.

  I grinned when I saw what it had left behind.

  Water filled each groove of the letters etched into the sand in front of my toes but I could see the message perfectly in the darkness.

  ‘If you’re happy, I’m happy and I’ll always love you, too.’

  Smiling, I finally returned to the bar to join everyone else.

  “You know what would really work? If we could just add some extra space to the bar and get some pool tables, and maybe put in a small dance floor by the stage. We can have live music and bands playing once or twice a week.” Isis presented with enthusiasm as she plunked down onto a barstool and proceeded to use her break to polish her nails a cotton candy, bright pink color.

  “Live music? That’d be awesome.” One of our regulars, an eavesdropping, young male fire user seated next to her, commented.

  “See?” Isis gestured towards him and grinned.

  “I don’t know, it sounds like a lot of work and expense and you know how I feel about too much advertising, especially right now.” I replied.

  Isis puckered her lips and proceeded to air-dry her nails to a complete and perfect shine in two seconds flat before she spoke again. “What advertising? Do you know how many musicians we have in our circle who are dying to showcase their talents? Come on, Kai, it’ll be a cool addition. We can renovate and get it all done in about a week tops, and all we need is a blueprint and a unanimous decision. I’m sure Cole will go for it. I mean, after a while, you’ve got to think about expansion. It’s getting crowded in here as it is.”

  “I agree. Jax and Stone had to break up two fights and toss four guys out on their asses just last week.” Noemi commented when she came to pick up her order.

  “What does that have to do with the bar being crowded?” I narrowed my eyes.

  “I’m just saying. People tend to get testy when they’re elbow to elbow.” Noemi held her hands up and chuckled.

  “We definitely could use more space and I like the idea of pool tables. We already have karaoke night, why not add some competition with games?” Riza added.

  Gage was listening quietly, amused while sipping on his Cognac.

  He supplied us with a huge stock of it and it wasn’t reserved just for him when he was there. It was now an expensive and special occasion house treat that brought in good money because it was popular.

  “Money isn’t an object if it’s something that you really want to do.” He said to me.

  I appreciated his offer but I didn’t want it to seem like his money was a convenience for us…even if we were officially dating now. There was still so much I wanted to know about him though, like his background, everything about the facilities that he created and what they actually do there.

  “That’s really generous and sweet of you but I don’t want you to think that you need to fund everything that I decide to do. You already got me a new custom Quadski.”

  Actually, the one Gage got me was five times better than the one that I had, so I was definitely happy.

  He didn’t mention the possibility but I would love to meet his daughter one day too, even though that meeting might not go so well…awkward wouldn’t have even been the word for it.

  “That was nothing. If you need or want it, all you have to do is ask. I don’t throw around money lightly, only to causes and those that matter to me. You, on the other hand, are on a more personal and privileged level with me than the majority.”

  “Aww, how sweet!” Isis squealed with a smile and winked at me.

  Tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, I couldn’t help but smile. “Alright,” I caved. Truthfully, I did like the ideas they all presented. “Write up the plansand offer up the ideas at the next meeting.Cole isn’t hard to convince.”

  Isis clapped her hands together and then raised them over her head, curling her hands into fists as if in victory. “Yes! Also, we need to get together and plan both Cole and Clee’s wedding and baby shower soon, too.” Isis reminded me before turning to tend to a group of regulars that had just seated themselves.

  I shook my head with a smile.

  “Now that’s something you don’t see every day.” Gage suddenly commented. With a quirked brow, I turned and followed his gaze down the length of the bar counter.

  My brows furrowed quizzically.

  No, no we don’t.

  How she had gotten in here and slipped pastJax and Stone —and without the right runes had been my first question, the next was where in the hell were her parents?

  “Excuse me.” Her voice was sweet, like crystals and bells.

  Her arm was raised and she was waving me down with a small hand. With her creamy porcelain skin, egg-shaped face with large, blue eyes, and a glittering pink high-pony tail, she was the very epitome of nursery rhyme adorable. I marveled at the intricate design of the ring of vines, leaves, and colorful flowers that adorned her head like a tiara.

  I didn’t recognize her attributes outright but by my guess on appearance alone was that she had to be the offspring of an Earth elemental.

  Curious, I responded to her beckoning while scanning the floor of the bar beyond for any recognition of similar beings that could be her parents. Maybe they were new here and didn’t know. That was highly possible and I’d give them the benefit of the doubt if that was the case but they still shouldn’t have been able to get in without being given a rune stamp.

  Her presence was already garnering curious jovial expressions from everyone, including the staff, but it was Isis and Jax who decided to head over and inspect what was going on.

  Though she was a tiny thing, she was definitely not unnoticeable. In fact, seeing her sitting on the barstool, reminded me of someone placing a small doll or a puppet on it. The counter was level with her small chin and she could barely see over it. “Um, can I help you, sweetie?”

  She smiled brightly, her colorful hobo style purse strapped across her small body. Her spindly legs were encased in sparkling gold tights, and her gold, low-heeled loafers with shiny buckle accents dangled nearly two feet above the floor. Her sparkling blue eyes beamed and her thin, blue brows rose,

  “I hope so. This is a quaint and cozy little hovel you have here. I’d like peach nectar and gin on the rocks with hibiscus and honey, please.” She ordered.

  The five of us unanimously exchang
ed stunned glances with mouths agape at her eloquence and her concise order. It wasn’t unheard of for elementals not to ever give their children alcohol but I didn’t allow it here, and certainly not after five p.m. That rule had been set in place because of the adult conversation, the smoking herbs, and the fact that Marq was basically a walking pornographic spread for Playgirl magazine sometimes, even in low-hanging, form-fitting shorts.

  “Hovel? That’s a little rude.” I frowned at her.

  Though the bar wasn’t gargantuan, the décor was geared more towards being eco-friendly and everything ran efficiently. The solar paneled windows on the roof, the teak wood walls, a few paintings done by our own patrons, plants and flowers indigenous to the island, and the stained cement floor could all be classified as nothing fancy but certainly not a hovel.

  “No, rude would be calling it a shithole. But lucky for you, decorating is one of my strongest talents and I could definitely help to liven things up here. I also happen to be looking for a job too, so it all works out.” She smiled sweetly.

  I glanced over at Gage, who was eyeing her with peculiar interest as if he were trying to figure something out.

  “A job? Doing what? Shining shoes outside?” Jax grunted.

  “I’m not a damned Leprechaun!” She turned and shrieked at him.

  “You talk like one. Your parents may not discipline you for your filthy mouth but I will.” Isis corrected her with a threatening finger. “Where are your parents anyway?” she then demanded to know.

  The little girl scrunched her face up and looked at Isis as if she were an idiot.

  “Parents? Why the hell would I need my parents with me?” She spat.

  “Kids aren’t allowed in here in the evenings and watch your mouth. Where are your parents?” I insisted this time.

  Gage scooted closer to the scene and observed quietly, more amused than anything.

  She gave me the same affronted look that she had given Jax and Isis.

  “Do I look like a kid to you?” She held her small hands splayed across her torso and squeaked in offense.

  It was hard to take her or her tone seriously.

  We all answered in absolute unison and nodded. “Yes.”

  Everything about her size, the sound of her voice, and her face screamed little girl.

  “There you are! I am so sorry. How could you run off on me like that?” A high-pitched female voice carried in, heading towards us.

  We all turned to see an elderly, short woman making her way towards the girl.

  “I get lost and you decide to jump through a ring and scare me to death not knowing where you went? You know how dangerous that can be. You left behind ten rings and it took me forever to find the one you used. What is this place anyway? A bar?” She asked, finally looking around in wonder as if her surroundings had just dawned on her.

  “Yes, and an ugly one at that.” The girl commented.

  Isis bit her lip. I could tell she wanted to smack the disrespectful little girl and would have no qualms in doing it if I weren’t standing here.

  “How did they get in without the appropriate rune stamps?” Isis wondered aloud.

  “Teleportation of any kind bypasses your wards. I mentioned that to Erian. Also, they’re Brownie Fayries and they’re immune to Earth magic because it’s one of their specialties. The runes wouldn’t have helped or stopped them from seeing your bar let alone entering it easily.” Gage explained coolly.

  Brownie Fayries? That was news to me because no one has ever seen one in person in a really long time. I myself began to think they were nothing more than a myth, ironic, I know.

  I was fascinated now.

  “What rings are you talking about?” I asked the woman curiously.

  “Oh, Miss Blythe likes to make them in order to travel and explore new worlds. I told her about that because she never knows where she’ll end up. It’s a dangerous world we live in on both planes.” The woman gracefully explained with a smile and then turned to scold the girl.

  “I’m Jewel, her caretaker.” She then introduced with her hand out to shake.

  Her hand was so tiny and soft enclosed in mine, making me feel like mine were boxing gloves.

  “Oh lovely, from a gateway to damn Fayri rings. What next?”

  Isis groaned.

  “Just you wait and see, air nymph.” The girl taunted Isis.

  Isis jerked and tensed, ready to strike her so I had to quickly intervene. So much for my happy and peaceful mood.

  “Stop.” I flashed Isis a warning look to stop the possibility of a magical duel.

  The woman was petite and short, though a little taller than the girl but not by much. Her hair was pure white but her face didn’t appear to match the age that I assumed she was. It was smooth and tan. Her eyes were so pale that her irises looked nearly all white save for her black pupils.

  “Is this your child or granddaughter?” I asked the woman.

  The older woman smiled and laughed cheerfully. “Child? Miss Blythe isn’t a child.” She replied.

  We all shot each other confused glances.

  “I’ve seen stranger beings but I’d be hard pressed to believe that you aren’t a child? Do you have any identification?” Jax demanded.

  “Identification? Are you calling Jewel and I liars?” Blythe squeaked as she spun on the barstool with tiny hands fisted on her small waist. She was fuming at Jax now.

  Instantly, something began to erupt from the top of his head.

  Both my and Isis’ eyes slowly roved to the top of this blond hair, where a huge purple and orange mushroom began to slowly sprout.

  “No, no. Miss Blythe is a true-blood Fayri Brownie. One of the last remaining adults, I’m sad to say.” The woman informed us with regret and a frown.

  “Told you.” Gage said with humor lighting his eyes. Even he seemed drawn in with interest and wonder at the sight of the both of them.

  “What else do you know about them?” I asked.

  “Not much. I thought they had the misfortune of having gone extinct to be honest.” He replied softly, not wanting to seem rude in talking about them while they were right here.

  “So did I.” I whispered.

  Jax, anxiously ran a hand up the length of the mushroom from base to tip, pausing at the tip where his fingers began to assess the familiar bulbously domed shape.

  “What the fuck? Hey, why the hell didn’t anyone tell me that I’ve got a damned cock growing out of my head!? Did you do this!?” Jax jabbed a finger at the little Brownie with an accusing glare.

  Then, he began to freak out with macho rage, all while scrambling to tear the magical fungus from the top of his head.

  “Oh jeez, Jax it’s just a mushroom, harmless earth magic.” Isis said as she began to hover, reaching for and pulling at the mushroom.

  The force of her jerk pulled Jax’s head with it.

  “Ouch!” he exclaimed.

  Isis’ face turned serious. “That hurts?”

  “Hell yeah it hurts!” Jax grunted with a grimace of discomfort and anger.

  Her eyes snapped to the Brownie. “So help me, I will rip…”

  “Isis.” I warned.

  “Aw, don’t be such a dickhead. Consider it a gift. No woman can resist a man with two.” the misbehaving Brownie teased with a gleeful grin and giggle.

  Jewel tsked and frowned at her.

  “You’re going to quickly wear out your welcome, Miss Blythe.” She said to her in warning.

  “She already has! Remove it now, you little perverted cupcake troll!” Isis demanded through clenched teeth.

  Blythe ceased her tinny chuckling and looked at Isis as if she were sizing her up and contemplating something.

  “Don’t even think about it!” Isis threatened with a pointed finger down at the lewd Fayri.

  If I were her, I’d take the threat seriously. Sylphs have pretty powerful magic and they don’t play, especially Isis. This little—woman was treading thin ice with her, including me right now.


  Sighing and giving Isis a severe eye roll, she gave a nonchalant side glance up at Jax and the phallic mushroom began to shrink.

  “Who’s the cute little girl?” Marq asked upon joining the slightly comical scene.

  Marq? I hadn’t even noticed him come in but I was so happy to see his handsome face.

  “I am not a little girl! I am Blythe Flora, true born Princess Fayri Brownie! I’m probably older than all of you!” She gritted her teeth in clipped words and mounting frustration.

  “Princess my ass! You’re not in Brownieville anymore, you perverted shoe shiner.” Isis quipped.

  Blythe simply glared at her and probably would have done or said something in return but her attention had been completely diverted by Marq’s arrival.

  Hopping nimbly from the barstool down to the floor, and landing fluidly on her feet with hands on hips, she approached Marq, sizing him up with a much different premise.

  “But you are obviously in no need of any extra appendages. Don’t let my looks and size fool you. I’m all yours, tall, dark, wet, and gorgeous.” She said dreamily, batting her lashes up at Marq.

  Her doll-like face morphed into a borderline creepy, lecherous grin as her starry-eyed gaze glossed over Marq’s entire physique… starting with his crotch since she was already ay eye-level.

  Gage continued to look on with passive amusement; Isis was still scowling and annoyed; and Jax was cursing her out mentally with teeth clenched. I could only raise my brows in surprise, struck speechless yet honored that this rare being decided to pay the bar a visit by chance. I couldn’t help but stifle a giggle at the completely confused and uncomfortable look on Marq’s face while he glanced down at her.

  Oh boy, things just went from dangerously dramatic to adorably fascinating — at least, I hoped that it turned out that way.

  I certainly hope that you have enjoyed the first book and the start of the H.U.M.A.N.S series! If you have, leaving a review would be the most generous and helpful compliment, as well as spreading the word that you can pay an author as a reader and reviewer.

  More chronicles to come! Stay on top of all the updates, information, releases dates, and giveaways on the series at both: