Page 18 of Twisted Gift

“Yes. Because you’re feeding on an individual, you must make physical contact. It’s different in crowds, of course, like you saw the other night. Remind me, and I’ll teach you that way, too.”

I nod and follow his instruction, letting my lids flutter shut, feeling the warmth of his hand on mine, and mine on the human woman’s. “Visualize yourself pulling the energy out of her. See her emotions as a physical thing. A ribbon of color. Feel it flow out of her and into you.”

I picture her energy as a bright pink rope that’s wrapped around her. Once I manage to grab a hold of it, I gasp at the influx of energy I feel surging through my body. It’s seeping into me as I continue to pull on the rope.

Nikolai lifts his hand off of mine, letting me feed on my own, praising me in a soft voice as energy keeps flowing into me, easing the aches in my muscles and the nausea in my stomach until it’s gone completely. Waves of emotion trickle through that ribbon. My lips curl into a blissful smile, my shoulders feel light; I feelgood. Oh my god, this is amazing. Euphoric, even. I feel more awake, more alive than I ever have before. I don’t ever want this feeling to stop.

“Aurora,” Nikolai cuts into my warm, fuzzy thoughts. “That’s enough for now.”

My grip tightens on the woman’s arm as if I’m worried he’ll take her away from me. She whimpers under my touch, but I keep my eyes closed, still pulling energy from her. A bolt of panic cracks through my veins, adrenaline shooting to my fingertips, stinging, but I can’t let go. This sensation is all-consuming—I can’t give it up.

“Aurora,” Nikolai snaps, ripping my hand away from her arm. She slumps in the chair, her eyes fluttering before she passes out. The sight of her still form and pale face is like a bucket of ice water being dumped on me.

I suck in a sharp breath and cough on the dryness in my throat. “I...” My legs move on their own, lifting me from the chair and walking in a daze down the hallway and out of the building, ignoring Destiny when she calls after me, her voice all but drowned out by the pounding of my heart.

Someone grabs my elbow and spins me around. My eyes lift to Nikolai’s soft gaze. Understanding fills the bright green irises, which makes me feel worse, as if he was expecting this—for me to mess up and hurt that woman.

“Aurora, it was your first time.”

“Don’t,” I plead. “I don’t want you to tell me what I just did was okay because it wasn’t. I could have killed her.” This isexactlywhat I was afraid of. If I can’t even feed without control, how am I supposed to stand in front of a room of fae and expect them to trust me?

“But youdidn’tkill her.”

I shake my head. It doesn’t matter.

Even as my entire body sings with energy and power, all I can feel is shame wrapping its dark, heavy tendrils around me.

6

When Nikolai asks me to walk back to the pub with him, part of me thinks he doesn’t want to leave me alone after what happened at the feeder unit, but I don’t question him. My plan for the afternoon is to ditch Nikolai as soon as possible, go home, lock myself inside, and try to forget today happened.

When we walk into the pub and I see Skylar standing at the bar, I know my plan is ruined. Despite that, a sliver of excitement peeks through. Skylar wouldn’t come here without a reason.

The bartender throws his hands up and comes around the bar, putting a cigarette between his lips. “I’m going for my break,” he mutters on his way past. The door slams shut behind him. A couple of the patrons turn their heads to look, but lose interest, and go back to eating their lunch.

Skylar huffs out a breath, shaking her head before tossing her pin-straight black hair over her shoulder. “There you are,” she says, facing us now. Her eyes shift past me to one of the booths.

Turning to follow her gaze, I find one of the light fae glaring daggers at Skylar. I don’t expect the fae to do or say anything, not with the human patrons around, but hell, if looks could kill.

Skylar rolls her eyes and turns her attention back to me, crossing her arms over the emerald, knee-length dress she’s wearing. “Where have you been?”

My stomach fills with dread. There’s no way I’m telling her what went down at the feeder unit. Especially in a room filled with faeandhumans. As strong and refreshed as I feel physically, I’m still weighed down with guilt.

“She was with me,” Nikolai cuts in, grinning like a cat.

Her eyes give him a quick once-over. She doesn’t look impressed. It almost makes me laugh. “Wonderful.” The sarcasm is clear in her tone. Skylar hasn’t changed one bit since the last time I saw her—in appearance or personality. The consistency is oddly comforting.

“What’s up, Sky?” I ask, earning her attention again.

“We need to talk.”

I frown. “That sounds unpleasant.”

“Good to know you’re still perceptive as a fae.” She presses her lips together as if she’s making sure the bright red lipstick is still in place. “Perhaps we could have some privacy?” Her eyes slide to Nikolai, who’s still standing at my side.

“We can talk in the office.” Better to do it away from everyone in the pub. I can’t be sure who’s listening, and this doesn’t seem as if it’s going to be a conversation for the entire room to be privy to.

She nods. “Lead the way.”

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