“You believe so?” I taunted.
“Of course,” she confidently answered.
“I look forward to the day.” I wasn’t simply blowing smoke. I enjoyed a challenge. Every fairy did. The desire to prove ourselves—to conquer—sang through our blood. It was one of the reasons so much of that blood had been shed over the centuries.
Vaydra’s head tilted to the side as she studied me. A hint of a smile graced her lips. “As do I.” Unlike other species, fairies didn’t often shake hands upon greeting or departing. “Happy hunting,” Vaydra offered by way of farewell.
I stood there, watching as Vaydra walked away, leaving me alone within the courtroom. Or perhaps not as alone as I’d thought.
“The damage is minimal,” one of the brownie witnesses said, drawing my attention to the hole in the floor I’d created.
“It is easy enough to repair,” the other agreed.
A shiver of unease attempted to roll down my spine. Only a fool would judge a brownie by size alone. While small and unassuming in appearance, their bodies thrummed with magic. They were the only other creature that truly posed a threat to fairy. Maintaining cordial relations was in everyone’s best interest.
“Apologies for the damage,” I offered.
The brownie on my right didn’t so much as turn to glance my direction. Waving me off, she answered, “It is nothing and easy enough to repair.”
“Still, it will take effort on your part. I am happy to offer compensation.”
“The offer is appreciated but unnecessary. Be at ease and go in peace, Hamish McIntyre.”
Having been kindly dismissed, I took my out and retreatedfrom the courthouse. Another case won. That thought should have made me happier than it did. While Vaydra had argued well, my latest case had been far too easy. My victory felt hollow.
Frustrated, I opened a tear in the fabric of space, creating a portal, and stepped through, heading back to my home in Fairy.
Todrik
This is a terrible idea.It was a persistent thought that wouldn’t leave me alone. Tumbling over and over again in my mind, my doubts continued in an endless loop. Twisting my fingers, I stared at the unassuming words gracefully painted across the window. Hamish McIntyre’s Earth-bound office was so boring, nestled amongst a litany of businesses on the bottom level of a high-rise. I wasn’t certain what occupied the floors above. Most likely, they were apartments. I wouldn’t know. As a dryad, living in a city was anathema to me.
My shoulder was nudged, pushing me forward. I had to place a hand on the pristine window so as not to fall through it. Twisting, my eyes narrowed, and I shouted, “Watch it.”
The human who’d run into me didn’t so much as turn around. They kept walking, phone pressed to their ear. I swear, humans had the least spatial awareness of any species.
With a huffed sigh, I stepped away from the window, wincing at the obvious print my palm left. I took another step away only for someone else to run into me, adding a second palm print. Throwing up my arms, I yelled, “Am I invisible or something?”
This time, the human did turn around. Their slow blink and quirked lips didn’t bode well. “Sorry.” She didn’t sound very sorry. “I didn’t see you there. You are rather…small. Are you a pixie?” To my dismay, the woman circled me. “Where are your wings?” She reached out as if she had the right to search my person for nonexistent wings.
I slapped her hand away. “I’m not a fucking pixie.”
Completely unintimidated, the human leaned in, her gaze fixed on my hair. “You’ve got pink hair like some pixies I’ve seen, although it’s much shorter.”
Eyes narrowed and hands fisted on my hips, I stomped my foot like a child. “My hair looks nothing like a pixie’s. First of all, it doesn’t fall to my ass, and second, the darkest part is near my scalp, not at the tips.” Why in Gaia’s name was I arguing with this insignificant bag of flesh?
“Oh. I suppose that’s true.”
Shesupposedso? There was no supposition about it.
“You’re about the size of a pixie though.” She tapped a well-manicured finger along her jaw.
“I’m inches taller than a pixie.” I pushed my shoulders back and lifted my chin. My claim wasn’t strictly accurate.
The woman wasn’t convinced but eventually shrugged. “Maybe. I guess if you say you’re not a pixie, I’ll simply have to take your word for it.”
Gaia! This human was infuriating.“I’m not a pixie. I’m a—”
“Cindy! There you are. Hurry up or we’ll miss our reservations.” Without a backward glance, the woman who was evidently named Cindy dismissed me and ran off to meet her friend.
