Page 81 of Twisted Gift
I nod and smile at him.
Nikolai dips his face and whispers something to Skylar, who barely shakes her head without looking up. He frowns and looks over at Tristan and me, shaking his head.
Sighing softly, Tristan nods and then closes his eyes, so the rest of us follow suit. We stand there for a couple of minutes in silence, remembering our comrade and friend, and saying goodbye to him.
21
That evening once we’re all back at the hotel, we finally call a meeting with the fae.
Skylar had been right when she said having a mutual enemy brought the dark and light together. Some of them still aren’t too thrilled about it, but the tension from the last meeting Tristan and I held isn’t there. However, it’s replaced by a different, rather suffocating emotion: fear.
As my friends gather in the ballroom, I wait outside the door, ready to stand in front of as many fae as we could gather on short notice. I peek inside. Dozens of fae from both sides are here, dark and light conversing amicably. If it weren’t for such a terrible reason, the sight of it would make me happy.
The moment I step into the packed room, eyes swing in my direction, and it’s written clearly on everyone’s face. They know I’m human. Most look thoroughly confused, others look scared, angry, or both. I force a smile and walk to the front of the room where Tristan, Nikolai, and Skylar are standing ready to address the crowd. This is the biggest group of fae I’ve seen. Light and dark are standing shoulder-to-shoulder with no room to move. Everyone wants to know what the hell is going on. They’re here for answers, and I don’t blame them.
Tristan opens his mouth to call the meeting to start, but I touch his arm, stopping him. He glances sideways at me and nods.
“I know you can sense it,” I say to the room. “Me standing here as a human is probably confusing as hell.” I take a deep breath and start over. “As some of you know by now, I was taken by a group of humans called The Experiment. Super original name. Their goal is to rid the world of you—the fae. However, they aren’t aiming to kill every fae. They wanted to see if they couldsavethose faetheydeemed worthy. Those who were turned fae instead of born that way.” I take a second to calm my pounding heart. “That’s what they did to me.”
Some of the fae gasp, others stare at me with wide eyes, but I have everyone’s attention, so I continue. “I don’t know how they were deciding who to experiment on to see if they could reverse the transition. We have more questions than answers at this point, and for that, I’m sorry. I wanted to be able to come in here and tell you all there’s nothing to worry about, that we dealt with the problem when Max—one of your own—destroyed the operation we were forced to experience, but I can’t do that. The odds of that being the only location, the only group of The Experiment—it’s impossible. Just like the world is filled with fae in different places, I’m sure they have their people scattered around the globe as well.”
“What’s going to be done?” someone shouts from the crowd.
“That’s a fair question,” I say. “I’m going to go ahead and assume you’d rather someone else answer it, so I’m going to turn this over to Tristan.” I step back, allowing him to take over.
“It’s going to take time.” He starts in a calm, level voice. “We have a source taken from The Experiment that will be used to gather as much information as we can. I also have calls out to several of my contacts in different places. Trusted members of the fae who take the safety of our kind very seriously. I assure you of that. Until we know more, I don’t suggest traveling alone. Look out for each other—everyone. At a time like this, we can’t be segregated,” he pauses. “As of this moment, I offer to you, my people, that there are no longer dark and light fae. If we continue fighting each other, it only givesthemthe upper hand. We’ve seen this. It’s the reason they were able to inflict so much damage. We were so quick to blame each other for the disappearing fae, we didn’t consider that it could’ve been something else—not until it was too late. We can’t allow that any longer. So, please, consider what I’ve said. Work with me and with each other, with the representatives you chose, so that you can live without the fear of being taken from those you love.”
The room is completely silent.
I close my eyes, praying Tristan’s request works, that the fae—
My prayer is cut off when the room erupts in shouts of encouragement. My eyes fly open as I take in the sight of a room full of fae coming together against the organization plotting against them. Goosebumps rise all over my arms, and the back of my neck tingles as the hair stands straight.
I think...we did it.
My gaze lowers when Tristan slips his fingers through mine. I glance up and look into his eyes, seeing a flicker of hope there. I smile at him and nod.This is a start, my nod tells him.
Later that night, after everyone has gone to bed, Tristan and I sit in front of the fireplace. “Sweetheart?” His smooth voice makes me open my eyes. I hadn’t even realized I’d closed them.
“Hmm?”
He gives my hip a gentle squeeze and leans down until his lips brush my ear. “Let me take you to bed.”
I manage a nod as warmth spreads low in my belly. “Yes, please,” I say with a yawn.
“To get some rest,” he clarifies.
I offer him a sleepy pout. “Pssh, sleep is for the weak.”
The corner of his mouth curls as he brushes my hair back. “Come on, Rory.”
When he reaches for me, I grab his belt and fumble with the buckle.
He chuckles. “Sweetheart.”
I ignore him, still fighting with the damn thing until he places his hand over mine. I lift my face to look at him. “Why’d you have to wear a belt?” I grumble. “Get it off.”
His lips twitch. “You should get some sleep.”
