I curled my fingers into my palms, and my resolve grew. It was imperative that Arnel’s entire supply of his nefarious potion be destroyed and any further vamfeers would have to be decapitated and burned. Following that, any additional vampires would have to be uncovered, and all of his notes, books, and research would need to be eradicated. I couldn’t take the chance that another fairy would stumble upon it all and replicate what my uncle was doing.
Which meant I needed to return to Arnel’s estate and uncover just how far his plans had developed, and somehow, I had to hide what I was doing from everybody that I loved.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Master Fistideeous pulled me aside as our time reading everything he’d found came to an end. “Primelle?” he said, his gray eyebrows rising. “I received your dillemsill the other day, asking that I also search the archive for any information about returning a vampire to their original state.”
I held my breath and glanced over my shoulder. Ree had left to use the restroom, but Kole still sat at the table, thumbing through everything.
I subtly pulled the gargoyle around a bookshelf so Kole wouldn’t overhear us. “Yes, and did you find anything?” I asked hopefully.
His wrinkly brow furrowed. “At this time, I’m afraid not. Nothing in our library exists that speaks of how to undo a vampire affliction, but I shall continue searching, consulting other gargoyles at the realm’s libraries if needed.”
The rising hope inside me dimmed, but I forced a smile. “All right, thank you for continuing to search.”
He patted my hand and hobbled off to another shelf.
Not long later, we finally left the Isle of Song as the end of the day drew near. I nibbled on my lip as Master Fistideeous’s dire words continually rang through my ears, but I wasn’t willing togive up hope that there wasn’t a way to undo what my uncle had done to me. And I tried to take heart in all that we’d learned.
The three of us had read countless books, scrolls, and tomes that Master Fistideeous had found, and it only furthered my resolve to return to my uncle’s estate.
Even though I desperately wanted to be returned to fae, I concentrated on the more important matter of stopping Arnel. Everything we’d learned verified that Arnel had no moral compass, and it was entirely frightening to think of what he ultimately wanted to do. With the kind of power he wielded by creating his godly potions, he was an imminent threat to the entire realm.
And to think he’d once sought to kill me, to rid the realm of a fairy who was so powerful. But after he realized he could harness my power, he decided I was better kept alive.
I shuddered as the three of us stood on the wide stone steps outside of the library. Since time moved differently on the island, the sun was still bright, but we knew that back home, evening was nearing.
Kole clasped both of our hands, and in a wink of magic, we rematerialized in the back room of Ree’s home. A cooing sound came from the living area through the door, then a laugh from Bennif as he played with Siam.
“Do you want to say hello again?” Ree nodded toward the noises, to where her family waited.
I glanced out the window that led to their back garden. Their home was small and quaint. Everything about it felt familiar and cozy, yet I was a vampire with a curfew. It was funny to think how laughable that was.
I regretfully shook my head. “If I’m not home soon, my parents won’t be happy.”
At my back, Kole shifted, also looking outside at the darkening sky. “Primelle’s right. We should go.”
Ree sighed and pulled me into a hug. “Next time.” She placed a kiss on my cheek, then pulled back. “Stars, you’re still so cold. Are you coming down with something?”
She tried to touch my forehead, but I stepped out of reach, barely keeping my vampire speed in check. “I don’t know. Maybe I am.” The lie spilled from my lips so easily. “I’ll visit the palace healer when I get back.”
She nodded emphatically. “Good idea. Hopefully it’s nothing serious.”
A shrill laugh threatened to erupt from me, so I plastered on a fake smile and thanked her again for helping. We promised to see each other soon, and then Kole took my hand and mistphased us to my private wing, landing us in my bedchambers.
The second the realm solidified around us, the bed caught my attention. It was crazy to think that only a day ago, the warrior had been driving his cock into me, entirely furious at how I’d responded to Nathaniel.
My awful vampire urges stirred, and thoughts of the warrior taking me again began to burn through my mind.
It didn’t help that Kole’s heartbeat grew stronger, as though his thoughts had also shifted to what we’d done there only the night before.
“I should go see my parents,” I said in a rush. “To let them know I’m back.”
“I’m sure the wards would have alerted them.”
“Oh, right.” My stomach began to curl, and my core tightened. Right behind me stood a tall, virile male. He could pleasure me like no other, make me come so hard I saw stars.
My body was turning toward him, my hands reaching, my fangs wanting to elongate before I even knew what I was doing.
