“Did they?”
Everyone knows that, but I can give Steve the pleasure of thinking he is informing me. He did actually clue me in on the whole CEO thing, so he is not entirely useless.
He grins at me and launches into an hour-long lecture about everything I already know about the fey. It is going to be a long day. But at least Steve is not expecting me to make any contribution to the conversation. I can just zone out and wish the hours away.
He waffles about how insanely powerful the fey’s magic is, and the rumours about all the things the military tried, but how nothing worked. He talks about how maybe the fey aren’t that bad, since it is clear they could probably click their fingers and turn us all into dust, but they haven’t. That comment makes me feel sick. Just because they haven’t yet, doesn’t mean they won’t.
A commotion at the entrance to the stairs catches my attention. A crowd of people are walking in. The three people in the middle are very tall with long, pale hair. The man in the middle has antlers.
Antlers. Actual, real antlers. I blink, but they are still there. I can feel my heart beating in my throat. My stomach is doing cartwheels. All my muscles have gone weak.
Fey. There are actual, real life fey in the office. Beings who claim to be from another dimension, a different realm. Beings that claim they used to walk amongst us and that is where all our stories of fairies come from. They say they have merely returned. I say they are invaders. Alien invaders.
And alien invader overlords striding right towards me is not good, not good at all. I can’t even jump out of the window. The glass is too thick and we are six floors up. All I can do is sit here and try not to wet myself.
Hopefully, one of these terrifying creatures is the new big boss, and he is merely deigning to meet all the staff on his first day, or some shit like that. Please let it be some shit like that.
As they stride closer, I get a good view of their clothes. The style is like something out of my favourite video game, Genshin Impact. Or possibly Assassins Creed. I have to admit it’s hot. All layers of flowing silk and leather. Cinched at narrow waists. It is a damn good look.
And now the bastards are right in front of me. Steve scrambles to his feet. My body copies his. Steve bends into an extremely awkward bow. I’m not copying that. Thankfully, I’ve realised in time and managed to stop my body from being a complete idiot.
My eyes lock with the lead fey. At least I am assuming he is the lead fey. He is standing in the middle, taller than the others. And he is the only one with antlers. Nevermind that there is simply something about his presence that screams authority.
His eyes are amber and the pupils slitted like a cat. I can see bright burning intelligence, but I cannot decipher any emotion at all. Is it because his eyes are too alien for me to read, or because he is that damn good at hiding everything?
“James Broadwith,” he says, and the cadence of his voice makes me shiver.
“Jamie,” I correct automatically.
Oh fuck. Why did I do that? Pissing off a scary alien dude has to be a terrible idea. Even if he is just here as the new CEO. And even if he was just a new regular human CEO, that was still a stupid thing to say. Powerful men do not like to be corrected. And being called James for a five-minute conversation will not kill me.
I swallow, and I swear the sound is audible to everyone in the call centre.
“Jamie Broadwith, you now belong to me.”
His accent is exquisitely exotic. It tingles over my skin and leaves me covered in goosebumps.
Wait. What? I now belong to him? As one of his many new employees? Right? That has to be what he means.
His two companions move swiftly. They stand beside me and take a firm grip of my arms. I’m now a fey sandwich. No one is grabbing Steve. Or any of my other coworkers.
“W…what?” I stammer.
He tilts his head, eyes narrowing. “I, Prince Rhydian Y Mabinogi, claim Jamie Broadwith as my pet.”
Oh no, this cannot be good. Cold sweat trickles down my back. The prince turns sharply on his heels and strides away. My escorts drag me along after him. I’m more being carried upright than anything else, which is probably for the best. I can’t even feel my legs right now, let alone remember how to make them move.
Dimly, I’m aware of everyone in the call centre staring at me in horror as I’m dragged away. But no one is saying anything. No one is helping. They are not brave enough. And I can’t really blame them. But it is leaving a horrible sinking feeling in my gut and a bitter taste in my mouth.
This knowledge sinking into me is true. This knowledge is awful.
No one is going to save me.
I’m on my own.
Chapter two
Buckingham Palace is even fancier inside than I ever imagined. Funny how I’ve lived in London all my life and have never been here. Until now.
