She clears the bowl in minutes, and I stare, impressed. “My, you must have been hungry.”
She nods, wiping the grease from her lips. “Can I have more?”
I watch as she devours another bowl, and the moment she’s finished, she leans back in the squeaky chair, closing her eyes.
She’s a far cry from the helpless girl who was drowning in the marsh just a few hours ago. I’ve lulled her into a false sense of security.
I inch closer, expecting her to recoil, yet she stays put. When I grab the spare chair, she doesn’t flinch. She continues to hug her belly, eyes closed in deep thought.
I drum my fingers on the table. “I hope you don’t mind my asking, but what are you doing all the way out here? You’re a far cry from civilization.”
Her eyes shoot wide open, and then she jumps to her feet, saying with more urgency, “Please, take me to my bags. I wish to leave.”
I regard her curiously. She’s trembling, avoiding my eyes. Is she afraid or something?
“People usually don’t come this far north unless they’re running from someone.Whoare you running from?”
She sighs, “Please…if you would just take me to my bags, then I will be out of your hair.”
I tap my chin. “Are you running from your family?”
Finally, she looks me straight in the eyes, and there I meet those twin flames of green. “I won’t ask you again. Please, take me to my things.”
I watch as her hand slips into her pocket, and I bet she’s looking for her iron cross. Her face blanches when she finally realises it’s gone, and then she throws an accusatory glare in my direction.
I decide to play the dumb card. If we’re going to continue playing this game, then so be it.
Besides, it’s been a while since I got to be the bad guy.
My eyes move to her clothes. Her boots have certainly seen better days, and her nightdress is torn and dirty.
She steps away from the table, extending an olive branch. “Again, I thank you for your hospitality, sir, but I must leave. I have somewhere important to be.”
Again, I disregard her thanks, balancing my chin on my hand. “Let me guess. You’re searching for theVeil.”
She looks at me incredulously. “You…looked through my things?”
I lift my shoulders with a shrug. “I’m a curious creature...”
She becomes visibly flustered, and her cheeks turn an adorable shade of red. “You had no right!”
I give another shrug. “Had to know who I was bringing home to my cave. You could be up to anythingout here.”
She growls, and I’ve never heard anything so inhuman.
Maybe she’s Fae, too.
“Oh, that’s rich, coming from a…”
Her voice trails, and then her face drops five shades lighter as she realises the error of her ways. It’s okay, though. I’m quite the forgiving creature.
Mostof the time.
I rise, throwing down my hood. She stumbles, tripping on her own clumsy feet, and you would think she had seen a ghost with the way she stares at me. But she wouldn’t be far off the mark, I guess. Especially as my ire summons the very shadows of the cave, making them crawl their wicked way towards her. It happens all the time when I’m particularly pissed or threatened.
“I’m awhat, exactly?” I whisper, a low growl vibrating in my throat.
The human stammers, all that previous gusto gone.
