Page 18 of Court of Evil

“Means? What does it mean?” I question.

“Anger. Good, you will need it. Do not ever let any man tame it or steal it. You are more powerful than you will ever know, daughter.” They all glance at the field before blinking. “It is notyour time yet. That is what we meant. Fear not, we await you. Go, your world needs you. You will see us again.”

“Go,” another calls.

“They need you.”

“There is much to be done.”

“What does that mean? Why am I here?” I ask as the edges of the vision start to fade.

“Remember, Tate Havelock, blood of ours,” the blonde lady calls, “know your own heart. It can never lead you astray, and when you feel alone, find us. We will wait for you.”

The flowers and brightness vanish, and my eyes open, staring up at a stained-glass window above me. A noise has me turning my head, and I meet the rounded eyes of a man next to me.

Instinct has me jerking upright with a gasp, my hand wrapping around his throat. “Who are you? Where am I?” My voice is hoarse, but he hears me.

He makes no move to free himself, and I scan his face, frowning. He isn’t familiar. Where am I? Did I escape? How am I alive?

“Who are you?” I ask, tightening my grip. He should be choking, but he just arches an eyebrow.

“I’m all for a bit of choking, sweetness, but I do not need to breathe anymore. Is this the fun kind of choking or an attack? I’m down for either. I would just like to know.” His voice is even and slick, like water over stones.

He is beautiful, with deep amber eyes, pouty, thick lips, and black hair. He’s also bigger than any man I have ever seen. His skin is pale, and freckles dot his cheeks.

“Who are you? I demand once more. “Where am I?”

“I’m Ronan. You do not know me, but I know you,” he murmurs, and something flashes in his eyes.

“How is that possible?” I hiss, tired of everyone speaking in riddles.

“You could not see me until now, which I presume is either due to the realm we are in, the magic used to save you, or simply because you almost died. I’m a ghost,” he offers, and I drop my hand. “Yes, I know. I’m very attractive for a ghost.”

“No, I was thinking I have never seen a ghost before,” I admit as I stare at him. The realm? Ghost? What is happening?

“Well, you wouldn’t have, would you? Keep up, sweetness. You’re smarter than that. Anyway, you are in the fae realm. Shamus brought you here so they could save you,” Ronan explains, pressing his chin to his hand and looking up at me through ridiculously long lashes.

“Shamus? As in Commander Vilaran?” I question, confused. “Why would he save me? How could he save me? Where is he now?”

He sighs. “You have many questions for someone who was very near death.”

“Wait, the fae realm . . . How is that possible? The fae I know are very secretive about their homeland. They wouldn’t allow a human in, never mind to save me.” I look around as I speak.

“She’s smart, this one,” a female voice calls, and a shuffling sound comes before an attractive older lady leans against a wall, watching me. “This is my house, and I am a healer. You are, in fact, in the fae realm, child, and your commander made a deal to save your life.”

“What kind of deal?” I ask as I swing my legs off the stone table I’m on.

Ronan hurries around, holding up his hands, which are bound by shackles. “You must rest?—”

“What kind of deal?” I repeat, my eyes on him. He averts his gaze, and I know it cannot be good.

The fae hate humans, and they hate hunters even more. The few I know and have been able to befriend made that very clear.They also made it clear that everything has a cost. A deal to save a human?

A high price indeed.

“One you must not worry about,” the fae says. “It was his choice.”

“Why? Why did he make it? Why save me? How?” I ask them.

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