Page 13 of Taken By the Fae

I frown. Allison’s cousin sold her out?So much for looking out for her…What could she have done to warrant that? “Oh? I hope I’m not hindering another kidnapping attempt right now.” My voice is soft, laced with false sweetness. “Maybe you should find another hobby? Perhaps a less creepy one?”

He reaches forward, quick and graceful, and snags my chin. “Would you like to tell me whyyouare here? And while we’re sharing, perhaps you can tell me where the bracelet is? You know, it’s rude to discard a gift from a gentleman.”

My eyes narrow, and I smack his hand away. “You are no gentleman.”

His eyes seem bluer somehow. “I can be.”

“Great, so you’ll let me out of this stuffy storage room, then.”

“Hmm, in a moment. I’m not quite done here.”

I press my lips together, my stomach dipping. It’s not an entirely unwelcome sensation, which is why I grit my teeth against it. “What do you want from me?”

Something I can’t decipher passes over his face. He hesitates before settling on: “Did you find her?”

I stand straighter, forcing myself to meet his gaze. “I won’t let you hurt her,” I say fiercely.

“It sounds like you know this girl,” he muses.

“It doesn’t matter if I do or not,” I shoot back, shifting my gaze past him to the row of a few kegs on the floor near the back row of shelves.

“Come on, now,” he says mildly. “Mysteries have never been my thing.”

“Being held against my will isn’t my thing, and yet, here we are. Again.”

“Answer my question, and I’ll be happy to step aside and let you leave. Though I enjoy your sharp wit.”

My gaze snaps back to his. “You are one twisted son of—”

He tuts his tongue, shaking his head. “There’s no need for that.”

“She’s my best friend,” I snap.

He has the decency to look surprised, though he recovers quickly, his expression smoothing as he pulls at the cuff of his jacket sleeve. “I see. Of course you want to protect her. You’re loyal to her—that’s admirable.” He inhales slowly, taking a moment to consider his next words. “I’ll make you another deal.”

“Oh no,” I cut in before he can elaborate, “we already did that. We’re done.”

His smirk is a flash of perfect white teeth. “I think you’ll find this more agreeable, considering how strongly you feel about protecting your friend. If you get to her first, I’ll ensure she doesn’t face punishment. However, if I find her before you do, she’s mine to hand over to the court.”

Punishment forwhat?

Court?

My thoughts trip over themselves as my heart slams against my rib cage, trying to escape my chest as I’d like to this room. “Why—”

“Not only is she mine,” he interrupts, his eyes twinkling. “As are you—at least for dinner. You are still a bit of a puzzle.”

An exasperated laugh escapes my lips. “And you are absolutely insane if you think I’m going to agree to that.” My tone is firm, and yet, the image of sitting across from Tristan at a restaurant flashes through my head.

“Are you doubting yourself?” He’s mocking me, and I want to slap the smug grin off his face.

I lean in despite my uneven pulse. “You think I’m going to agree to something like this? On the off chance you find her before I do, I’ve not only sealed her fate, but my own as well? You’re out of your mind.”

“Yet you’ve made a deal with me once before.”

“I didn’t have a choice then,” I remind him sharply.

His jaw tightens, and he schools his features into an expression of indifference. “You can agree, or I can use you to get to her.”

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