Page 6 of Taken By the Fae

“There is a certain protocol to be followed when something like this happens. Keeping you wasn’t a decision Max made. I did. As for your name, we found you in your school’s database.”

My eyes widen, and I shake my head at the complete insanity of this exchange. “I have a family, you know. And I’m no criminology major, but even I know kidnapping is a felony.”

“You’ll find your laws mean nothing to us. We have our own laws—our own moral code.”

“Neither of which frown upon kidnapping, apparently,” I mutter. “Do you plan on keeping me here?”

“No, Aurora, I don’t. But as for the family you mentioned… It seems they are partly to blame for the unfortunate mix-up last night.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

His eyes take on a curious light as they flicker across my face. “You truly have no idea, do you?”

I glare at him. “Does this look like the face of someone in the know?”

“You have fae ancestors. I’d guess hundreds of years back. None related closely enough to make you fae, but close enough that a small remnant of their magic lies dormant in you. That’s why Max thought you were the one he was sent to collect.”

I blink at him, then burst out laughing. “I don’t think you understand how crazy you sound.” The throbbing behind my eyes is coming back, making me squint as tension pulses in my temples.

The corner of his mouth kicks up. “You don’t believe me.” It’s not a question.

I exhale a humorless laugh. “You almost had me. But trying to bring my family into this?” I shake my head. “Absolutely not.”

Fae can’t lie.

No. No. No.

Fae arenotreal. I want to deny it, but the longer I spend here, the more difficult it becomes. It’s hard to ignore what’s happening right in front of me.

Tristan shrugs, as if this doesn’t really matter to him. It probably doesn’t. He steps closer and places a finger under my chin, tilting it upward. I freeze as his eyes dance across my face, studying every inch meticulously. He traces the line of my jaw, brushing my hair back and tucking it behind my ear. “Are you hurt anywhere else?” he asks, his voice low.

I swallow and shake my head.

“Aurora.”

“Tristan,” I level.

He smiles. “You’re not afraid of me.”

I consider that and decide he’s right. As much as I probably should fear him—an alleged fae knight, whatever that means—I don’t. Because as crazy as this entire ordeal has been, Tristan hasn’t hurt me. Hehealedme.

“You silly, silly human.” He shakes his head in exasperation, his fingers lingering against my cheek. “It’s a good thing you won’t remember any of this.” His fingers warm against my skin, and his eyes capture mine in a gaze that goes on too long. Then, his eyebrows lift, and he adjusts his hand, squinting as he peers into my eyes.

I blink at him. “What are you doing?”

He drops his hand and lets loose a surprised laugh. “This is going to be a problem.”

It takes a second for my head to catch up. “What did you mean by ‘you won’t remember any of this?’” I gape at him. “Holy shit, were you trying to give me some freaky ass fae amnesia?”

He offers me a thoughtful look. “It seems my manipulation doesn’t work on you.”

Despite the pounding of my heart, I smile. He can’t control me.

ChapterThree

Tristan is quiet as we step onto the elevator, though he doesn’t need to make a sound for me to feel him all over. His presence alone is overwhelming. Despite appearing deceptively human, the more I look at him—his measured, graceful movements, his vivid eyes and perfect smile—the harder it is to ignore the voice in my head telling me this could bereal.

I press against the wall of the elevator, keeping as much distance between us as possible, and ignore the way Tristan’s lips twitch. I stare at the panel of buttons, holding my breath when he leans over and scans a keycard before pressing the one marked PH—the penthouse. There are forty floors; the thirty-ninth floor has a small black placard next to it labeled WESTBROOK INC. OFFICES, and the penthouse is the only level above it.

---