Page 7 of Twisted Fate

My eyes widen. This guy is certifiably insane—they all are. “I have a family, you know. And the last time I checked, kidnapping is a crime.”

“You’ll find that your laws mean nothing to us. We have our own laws—our own moral code.” He seems to believe what he’s telling me. Or he’s a damn good actor. “As for the family you mentioned . . .” He rubs his jaw as if he’s deciding what to say. “It seems they are partly to blame for the unfortunate mix-up.”

I lick the dryness from my lips and shake my head. “You’re insane.”

“Maxcanbe a little unfocused at times, especially under the circumstances last night.” He huffs out an agitated sigh. “He wasn’t exactly sober, but I can understand how he mistook you for the intended target.”

This keeps getting crazier. “What are you talking about?”

His eyes take on a curious light as they flicker across my face. “You truly have no idea, do you?”

I glare at him. “No, I don’t.”

“You have fae ancestors. I’d guess hundreds of years back, and considering your surname, they’d be on your father’s side. None related closely enough to makeyoufae, but close enough that a small remnant of their magic lies dormant within you. That’s why Max thought you were the one he was assigned to collect.”

I burst out laughing. “I’m not sure where you’re getting this shit from. I don’t think you understand how crazy you sound.” The throbbing behind my eyes returns, but more from the stress and how fast my head is spinning than from Max’s assault.

The corner of his mouth quirks. “You don’t believe me.” It’s not a question.

“I just met you,” I say in a quiet voice. “I don’t believe anything.” He’s trying to use my family to make me buy his story.

He steps closer and places a finger under my chin, gently tilting it upward, as if he’s concerned he’ll hurt me.

I freeze as his eyes dance across my face, as though he’s studying every inch meticulously.

He slowly traces the line of my jaw, brushing my hair back and tucking it behind my ear. “Are you hurt anywhere else?” he asks, his voice soft.

I swallow and shake my head. “No.”

“Aurora.”

“Tristan,” I level.

He smiles. “You’re not afraid of me.”

I consider what he says and decide he’s right. As much as I probably should fear him—the alleged leader of the fae—I don’t.

“You silly, silly human,” he says, shaking his head in exasperation, his fingers lingering against my cheek. “It’s a good thing you aren’t going to remember any of this.”

His fingers warm against my skin, and his eyes capture mine in a gaze that goes on too long. Then, his eyebrows rise, and he adjusts his hand, squinting slightly as he peers into my eyes.

I blink at him. “What are you doing?”

He drops his hand and lets loose a surprised laugh. “This is going to be a problem.”

“Hold on. What did you mean byyou aren’t going to remember any of this? Holy shit, were you trying to give me some freaky ass fae amnesia?”

His lips twitch. “It would seem my manipulation doesn’t work on you.”

Despite the pounding of my heart, I smile. He can’t control me.

Tristan seems civilized for a fae, not that I’ve come across any before today. I’m finding it hard to wrap my head around the possible existence of them. He looks deceptively human, aside from his vivid eyes. It makes my head spin, more so when I consider there’s a tiny chance he’s being truthful. I could be living among the fae without any knowledge. I could havefamilytiesto the fae.

I scan the undecorated hallway outside the elevator, searching for a sign of hidden cameras, but find nothing. I’m cold, disconnected from my body, as if someone is going to jump out and tell me this whole thing is a prank. Or I’ll wake up any second, lying in my dorm room in a cold sweat, shivering from this nightmare.

Tristan asks me to follow him, and I concede, figuring I have a better chance at escaping if I’m somewhere with a window or a door. We step into the small elevator, and I put as much distance between us as possible. Tristan’s lips twitch in amusement, but I ignore him.

He doesn’t look at me as he speaks. “You’ll have to forgive me for Max’s behavior.”

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