"But there’s a rumor among the Rosari," she says more softly. "That there is a monster in the castle."
I'm careful not to look at Aurora. "Every place has rumors. Silly myths."
"True." She tips her glass toward me. "Some people say there is a leprechaun in the Boston gardens. That the ghost of a young motorcyclist haunts Route 44. That there is a literal underground network of information in Boston, a massive black market run by fae creatures."
"A leprechaun?" I ask with a snort.
Rap nods solemnly. Then she runs a finger around the rim of her glass. "The Rosari's myth of a monster includes the fact that this monster can feed on other fae. That humans, fae, and mage alike disappear, never to be found again."
"Sounds like your leprechaun," I say, taking a heavy draft.
When I put the glass down, Rap is studying me with her cutting green gaze.
"You're not the monster the Rosari speak of, are you?” It’s not a question. “It's her, isn't it?" That one is a question.
Chapter 17
Slap on a Pair of Fae Fabric Gloves and Finger Diddle Me
TALON
Rap doesn't shoot a glance at Aurora, but she doesn't have to.
Every fiber of my being stiffens defensively. Fight or flight in my body is activated, and I'm not sure which mode is necessary.
"She's Rosari, but she’s different from the others." Rap's voice is so low, only I can hear it. "What does she feed on, Talon?"
My lips pull tight. I force down the snarl climbing my throat.
If this woman so much as thinks about hurting or exploiting Aurora, I’ll tear her apart. No one will ever find the body—or rather, the ash.
“You appear human,” I say, echoing her earlier phrasing, “but you’re different from the others?”
I’ve been watching her since the moment we met. She may run a bar in a human city, but Rap is anything but human. Thereare remnants of power in her, but it’s been hacked off, like a limb. The absence of it leaves a bleeding, jagged edge to her.
“I’ve traveled a lot. Met a lot of different beings, Rapunzel.” I use her full name deliberately. “I’ve seen another like you.” My gaze drifts to her colorful braided mohawk with a pointed message. “Don’t think for a second I won’t use what I know to protect that girl over there.”
To her credit, Rap barely flinches. Just the tiniest twitch under one eye.
My blood is ancient, and it is immune to her power, should she choose to access it.
Rap calmly sips her drink, her eyes lowered.
"Good," Rap says. "I may not know what she feeds on, but I know that girl has been locked up for far too long. I know all the signs." Something passes over her face. Something personal and painful. "No one should be locked away for what they are."
Then she looks over at Aura and Snow, who are bent over laughing so hard, tears are streaming down their eyes. Ariel has cast her head into her arm, shoulders heaving with laughter. Something about Aura practicing her bottle skills.
My heart tightens at seeing the unbridled, ridiculous joy Aura is experiencing.
"She's a good girl," Rap says, still watching.
"She is." The words come out rough, weighted with emotion.
When Rap meets my eye again, we are on a different playing ground. "I'm not going to hurt her, Talon. She's a Lost Girl now. She's one of mine. I protect my own."
Respect rises in me for this woman. There is so much more there than I could begin to guess, but I see enough.
I run a hand through my hair and throw back my fourth glass she's poured, wondering if I'm about to yet again cross another line I shouldn't. "Succubus." The word is so quiet, I'm not even sure it passed my lips. "She was cursed to be a Succubus."
