Page 7 of Taken By the Fae

Tristan trains his gaze on me when he says, “You’ll have to forgive me for Max’s behavior.”

I press my lips into a tight line, avoiding his eyes. “Forgiveyou?” I fold my arms over my chest, slowly forcing my gaze over to him. “Max’s actions are on him,” I say in a low voice. “I blame you for the fact I’m still here.”

He crosses one ankle over the other, sliding his hands into his pockets and leaning against the wall as the numbers on the panel beside me continue to climb. “I see.”

I swallow hard. “You can’t keep me here.” My voice comes out quieter than I want. It lacks assurance, and I hate that. Allison and Oliver are going to wonder where I am, why I disappeared from the party and didn’t come home last night.

“I had no intention of keeping you here once I adjusted your memory. This may come as a surprise, but I don’t particularly enjoy forcing the company of someone.”

I exhale through my nose, loathing the next words to come out of my mouth and for how little control I have over the situation. “What happens now?”

“I’m still figuring that out. I can’t let you go knowing what you do about the fae.”

I grip the handrail until the hard metal bites into my palms. “How is that my fault? I didn’t ask for this!”

“I understand that,” he says, his voice strained.

I shake my head and lower my voice despite the privacy of the elevator. “I won’t tell anyone what happened or about you, okay? You don’t have to be concerned about me running my mouth. Trust me, I’d like nothing more than to forget this entire experience, but since that isn’t an option, you’ll just have to take my word for it.” I would’ve preferred my memories to be wiped at this point. I don’twantto know the things I’ve learned, but I wasn’t lying—I would keep them to myself. No one would believe me if I told them what happened, anyway.

Tristan’s chest rises as he takes a deep breath. “This isn’t an ideal situation for me either, but I put my people above all else.”

The pressure in my chest grows. Trying to wrap my head around the existence of the supernatural is moving me dangerously closer to hyperventilating.How many fae are there?I’m assuming less than there are humans, but maybe I shouldn’t be. “I can’t—Youcan’tkeep me here. Find some way to convince your people I’m not a threat.”

His expression remains impassive as he watches me, tapping his shiny black dress shoe idly against the floor. “Aren’t you?”

At the burn of tears in my eyes, I want to turn away, but I force myself to hold his gaze. “Tristan,yourguy kidnappedme. I don’t have the upper hand here.”

His brows tug closer. Silence lingers, and it makes me shift my weight back and forth. Finally, he says, “I’m going to offer you a deal.”

My breath hitches at the same moment my eyes widen. “What kind of deal?”

“There’s a fae on your campus I need located.”

“Why?” I ask without a second thought.

“Not your concern. Locate the fae and contact me to collect her. End of story.”

“And that would make you trust me?” I ask as we glide closer to the top floor.

Tristan smiles, almost as if to himself, as the elevator slows to a stop. “That’s the idea.” He steps forward as the door slides open to reveal a large entryway and gestures for me to walk ahead of him. My eyes narrow, and I make no move to push away from the wall. With a faint smirk, Tristan exits before I follow reluctantly.

“How do you expect me to do this, anyway?” I ask as we walk across the black marble floor from the elevator to a set of solid white double doors.

He pulls his keycard out. “I’m going to provide you with a charm that will allow you to identify the fae.” He taps the keycard against a panel on the door, and it makes a softbeep.

“I don’t…” I shake my head, then my eyes widen. “Magic?”

He glances at me over his shoulder and nods, then opens one door and steps inside. I follow him, taking in my surroundings as I walk farther into the lavish apartment suite. A golden sunset beams through expansive windows that overlook a cluster of skyscrapers and some green space and illuminates the living room.Sunset.Fuck, how long did Max have me knocked out?I shove that thought away with a shiver as my eyes roam around the room. Plush black furnishings frame a glass coffee table, and a TV hangs on the wall above a fireplace with floor-to-ceiling black brick. The suite smells fresh and a bit like lemons, as if it’s just been cleaned. It also smells likehim. A crisp, alluring scent I haven’t quite figured out, and one I’m fighting not to like.

“Of course you’re rich,” I mutter, unable to stop my gaze from wandering around the space.

He faces me, shrugging. “I’m a successful businessman.”

My cheeks burn. “So what? You use your fae… whatever, and trick people into giving you money?”

His expression darkens, his eyes narrowing. “I have earned my wealth here honestly.”

I walk past him and stand against the wall. That way, I can’t be surprised from behind. I prop my foot against it, trying to look casual despite my uneven pulse. “Where ishere?” My gaze flits toward the window again. “Earth? Narnia? Wonderland?”

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