Page 36 of Taken By the Fae

His lips twitch, but his eyes look tired. “You are very brave.”

“And you think too highly of yourself.” I shoulder my bag and step around him. “Goodnight, Mr. Westbrook. I’ll see you next Monday.”

ChapterTen

Over the next few weeks, my life falls into the closest thing to normal I’ve felt since the existence of fae tilted my world off its axis. Going into the second week of October, the weather has cooled down, making it perfect sweater weather—my absolute favorite time of year.

Heading across campus, I inhale the crisp fall air, smiling as Ruelle’s “Exodus” plays in my headphones. My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I chuckle at Grant’s message when I pull it out.

I’m running late and didn’t have time to make coffee. I will owe you forever if you grab me one.

You’re lucky I was planning to stop on my way to class.

*bows down*

Laughing at his message, I slide my phone back into my pocket as I pass The Iron Lounge and head toward the café.

Once I grab our lattes, I cross one of many outdoor seating areas on campus and walk into the Founders Building, where most of the business management classes are. My ankle boots echo on the linoleum floor, and I open the door to my marketing principles lecture, taking my usual seat near the front of the room. I sip on the caffeinated goodness while I scroll through emails on my phone. There’s one from Skylar with homework for me to complete before my internship next week that I flag to read fully and get started on it this afternoon.

“Good morning,” Grant says, greeting me with that perfect smile of his. He pulls out his textbook and clicks his pen against our shared table. He’s been sitting next to me since we met at the party, and the company is really nice. It’s something I look forward to, somethingnormal—a break from trying to figure out the fae world.

I smile, sliding the other latte in front of him. “It will be once I finish this.” I lift my paper to-go cup, then take another sip.

He chuckles and wraps his fingers around his cup. “I owe you my life,” he jokes before he takes a drink, closing his eyes and moaning softly. “Oh, this isgood.”

I laugh, my cheeks warming as he opens his eyes and grins at me.

We spend the class taking notes and delving into a discussion I tune out of, yawning every so often as I fight to stay awake. The latte isn’t helping much this afternoon.

After class, I take the long way back to my room so I can grab dinner from the Mexican grill off campus. With the stress of midterms looming, I’m treating myself to tacos and chips with guacamole.

A short distance away, muffled shouting echoes through the air. Figuring it’s normal Friday evening pre-partying, I keep walking until I pick up some of what’s being said.

“You are pathetic,” a delicate female voice seethes. “No wonder Rowan banished you from the seelie court.”

I freeze at the end of a brick storefront.Rowan?Is that the seelie king?

There’s a walkway ahead that separates the two buildings, and by the sound of it, a couple of fae—presumably from opposite courts—decided this was the place for an argument. I doubt they’ll take kindly to me interrupting it.

A deep male laugh reverberates against the exterior walls, echoing down the alley. “You’re one to talk, considering you betrayed your own court.” His unfamiliar voice sounds pissed. “So why don’t you tell me where your treacherous court is keeping our people?”

The female growls viciously, and the building shudders. “If I knew anything, there’s not a chance in hell I’d tell you.”

“Then this is going to be a brief conversation.”

The male grunts; she must’ve hit him before she spits, “You’re a fucking hypocrite.”

I want to look, but I can’t bring myself to peek around the corner for fear I’ll get caught. They’re too wrapped up in whatever is happening between them to notice my heart pounding in my chest, but I get the feeling they’ll react the second they see me.

Her voice sharpens. “The entire seelie court is—”

A firm hand grabs my wrist and pulls me hard, away from the building. I open my mouth to scream, but it’s quickly covered. Panic surges through me before my eyes connect with Skylar’s. She lets me go once it’s clear I won’t make a sound.

“What the hell are you doing?” she hisses.

“I was walking home.” I look past her. “Why are they fighting?”

Her eyes narrow. “That’s what you’re concerned about?” She scowls. “Typical human. You realize if they’d seen you, you’d probably be dead right now or being fed on.” She cocks her head. “Unless that’s what you wanted.”

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