My fingertips twitch when he pivots his eyes towards me. They turn up with mischief. The dagger on my belt starts to warm through my silk, shouting at me to grab it. It’s in my hand before Tristen can stop me. I aim it at the old man.
“Hey!” Tristen stands. “What are you?—”
“Who are you?” I bark.
“He’s the old man!” Tristen shouts. He comes to my side, his palms filled with shadows.
“Tristen,” I begin; the old man smiles, and suddenly, something about him looks younger.
“That man isnota vampire. He’s a fae!”
Chapter
Forty-Three
Selene
The door seals shut, as does the air in my lungs. Tristen advances, diving to tackle the old man. Arms out wide, he curls them in, but he only hugs air. His head smacks against the stone wall. His magic flares out to protect him. The entire room is blanketed in shadows, hindering my sight.
“Fuck!” Tristen grunts.
“Tristen, let me see so I can help!” I plead.
He lowers his shadows, appearing by my side, sword in hand.
“Where did he go?“ I whisper, as my eyes fix on the two candles on the dresser. If he were near them, his breath would surely shake the flames.
We form a defensive circle, our backs touching. “Titus is gonna kill me,” he mutters.
“We’ll be fine,” I try to assure him. The door is gone! This is a stone cage. “He was a fae.”
“Selene, that guy is a vampire. I saw his fangs.”
“No,” I argue. We both take small steps, scanning the room. “He was fae; his ears were tipped.”
“Tipped? He’s a wrinkled ball; you’re confused. I’m more worried about how he vanished.”
“I’m not a fae.” The old man’s voice rumbles as deep as a dozen warriors singing before a battle. “Not that I find insult in being compared to your kind.”
“Start swinging!” Tristen shouts. He lunges and begins stabbing thin air. His movements snuff out one of the candles.
“Stop!” I hiss. If those lights go out, we’re blind.
“I warned him about being pompous and impulsive,” the man sighs.
My words get trapped behind my beating heart.
“You’re scaring the queen,” the old man mocks Tristen.
“I am not scared.” I lick my lips. “Whatareyou?”
“That’s a loaded question.” There is a smile in his words. “I have never been able to fully solve it.”
“Maybe I can help,” I offer. Dust and mold fill my thirsty lungs.
His laugh is so deep it shakes the air.
I step back, trying to grab Tristen. “Tristen! Stop stabbing blindly.”
