Page 18 of Twisted Fate

I let out a shaky breath and rake my fingers through my hair. “She stopped,” I repeat to myself. “Now tell me where she is.”

“She’s here. Awaiting my orders.”

“What the hell does that mean?” I bark.

Tristan pushes away from the door and closes the distance between us in a few strides. “Fae laws are much like your own. Actions have consequences, and Allison must accept the punishment for her misconduct.”

“What misconduct?”

He says nothing.

“What did she do?” I say louder. His silence makes it apparent that he isn’t going to tell me why she’s being kept here or what she did. I lift my gaze until our eyes meet. There’s a moment of silence before I say, “please don’t hurt her.”

“I’ll treat the situation as I see fit.” His voice is firm and unforgiving.

“What—?”

“It’s time for you to leave.” Tristan dismisses me with a wave of his hand.

“You think I’m going to leave without Allison? You lost our deal. I found her first.”

“Then you lost her when she almost killed you.” Tristan glances toward the door as Max walks into the suite. My entire body stiffens as his eyes focus on me. A potent mixture of fear and disgust go to war inside of me.

“Back for more fun, blondie?” he taunts. “Let me show you to my room. I promise I’ll be gentle.”

I recoil, revulsion twisting my expression.

“Miss Marshall was on her way out,” Tristan interrupts smoothly.

“You’re letting the human go? Again?” Max questions. “She could open her mouth and put us all in danger. Wipe her memory. We’ve got the girl we were after.”

I look between them and take a couple of steps back, my heart rate kicking up as they turn to watch me.

“I’m handling it,” Tristan says in a firm tone, flicking his eyes over to me. Evidently he isn’t going to tell Max he tried andcouldn’twipe my memories.

“Fine,” Max mutters, his teeth flashing in a snarl when he glances at me.

“Obviously I can’t tell people the truth, so what do you want me to say? You don’t think people will wonder where Allison is? She has friends and a boyfriend. People will question her whereabouts.”

Tristan sighs. “She will return to her life soon enough.”

I try not to let my relief show on my face. At least he said he’ll let her go. “When is ‘soon enough’? After you’re done with her? Because she answers to you?” I say in a tight voice.

“Yes. Just as you do. That’s how this works.”

“I donotanswer toyou,” I snap.

Max whistles and leans against the wall.

Tristan appears in front of me faster than my eyes can register the movement. “I saved your life. Twice.”

“My life was in danger twicebecauseof you!” I wait for him to respond with some high-handed remark, but he stands there with a stoic expression. I notice Max leaving the room out of the corner of my eye before my gaze focuses on the fae in front of me.

“How unusual,” he says thoughtfully, licking his bottom lip.

“What?”

“You’re so responsive. It’s refreshing. Most people I encounter have a healthy fear of me or a high level of respect. It’s clear you have neither.”

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