Page 121 of Taken By the Fae

Her eyes flick toward him, giving him a quick once-over. She doesn’t look impressed. “Wonderful.” The sarcasm is clear in her tone.

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

“We need to talk.”

I frown, nerves unfurling in my stomach. “That sounds unpleasant.”

“Good to know you’re just as perceptive now.” 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.

“You can use the office,” Nikolai offers.

I step forward to walk across the room, but Nikolai catches my arm. I arch a brow at him. “What?”

“I’m coming with you.”

“You don’t have to. I’m not in danger.”

Skylar snorts, and Nikolai narrows his eyes at her. “Watch it,” he growls.

“Down, boy,” she remarks in a bored tone.

“Okay,” I cut in before they can get into it in front of all these people. “Let’s go.”

Skylar sneers at Nikolai—whose only response is a wicked smirk—before he leads the way toward the hallway. I exhale an uneven breath before following him, with Skylar walking next to me.

The three of us step into the office, and Nikolai closes the door, leaning against it as if he’s guarding the thing. “Speak up, kitten. We don’t have all day.”

Skylar whirls on him. “What the fuck did you just call me?” Her jaw is sharp enough to cut glass.

He whistles, thrusting his hand through his already messy hair. “Easy. Put the claws away.” Her claws are glamoured; Nikolai is baiting her.

“Nikolai,” I groan. This will go downhill fast if he keeps opening his mouth. Turning my attention back to where Skylar has perched on the edge of the desk, I ask, “What’s going on?”

She crosses her arms, looking at me. “The king has summoned Tristan.”

My pulse skyrockets at the mention of him, and anxiety bubbles in my chest, threatening to boil over. “What does that mean?”

“It could mean many things. Regardless, he’d like to see you tomorrow morning at the hotel before he meets with Rowan.”

“No,” Nikolai cuts in. “There’s no way we’re walking into a building full of seelie fae right now. I don’t care that the attacks have decreased since Jules kicked off. It still isn’t safe.”

Skylar doesn’t even spare him a glance. “Nine o’clock,” she tells me.

“Absolutely fucking not.” Nikolai pushes away from the door and prowls closer. “I don’t trust anyone there, especially not Westbrook.”

“And I don’t care, Sterling.” She looks at me with a passive expression. “See you tomorrow.” She slides off the desk and steps past me, but Nikolai blocks her exit.

“We’re not done here,” he barks at her.

She huffs out a laugh. “Oh, yeah?”

I frown at the two of them in the middle of a glaring match. The sight is comical; Nikolai towers over her by at least a foot, even with Skylar in heels. He’s leaning toward her as if he’s ready to pounce. While she looks tiny opposite him, I’m confident she could hold her own if it came to a fight, which I really hope it doesn’t because I’m not sure I’d be skilled—or brave (stupid?)—enough to step between them.

“You think it’s a good idea for her to walk into a building full of your people?” Nikolai shoots at Skylar.

“I walked in here without a problem.”

His eyes don’t leave hers. “She’s not going alone.”

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