Page 6 of Rebel Fae
Becca and Ronnie were the campers I had marked as weak, and Regina and Antonio the ones I thought could fend for themselves.
First, I focused on Becca. She was wearing a tight pink sweater, accompanied by a leather skirt that stopped mid-thigh. Her platform shoes were ridiculously inappropriate for the island, and anywhere else, for that matter. How she walked in them was a mystery to me. I would probably break both my ankles if I wore anything in that style.
She had been the one jabbering to the guards outside, but now she was standing by herself at the end of the food table, chewing on her lower lip and watching everyone with startled, wide-open eyes. Resigned, I walked in her direction. She blinked rapidly as she noticed me approaching. For a moment, she looked as if she might bolt, making me wonder if she was one of those fae haters who thought we were freaks and ate people’s hearts raw.
Pushing my assumptions aside, I introduced myself. “Hello, my name is Tally.”
“Becca,” she said, forgetting her name tag. “Becca Revis.” She peered up at my wings, her mouth falling open. “Your wings are absolutely gorgeous, like stained-glass, except a million times more beautiful.”
This took me by surprise. Most humans didn’t admit they found anything beautiful in my kind. “Um, thank you.”
“How come you’re wearing that?” She wrinkled her nose at my beige uniform.
“Um, I got here earlier today. They took my regular clothes.” Why they hadn’t done the same to these new campers was a mystery to me.
“Oh, no! Don’t tell me they’ll make us wear the same thing.” Her face twisted in genuine horror.
I shrugged, pretending I knew.
“Just when I was thinking it might not be as bad as all that.”
If clothes could get her this upset, I wondered what the heat, bugs, and MREs would do to her. Much less the man-eating monsters. It would be such fun.
“Who is that?” I asked, tilting my chin toward the older man who had greeted me when I first came in.
“Dr. Something-or-other. He’s a psychiatrist, I think. I really wasn’t paying attention. They took my phone, and I can’t stand it.” Becca frowned, considering me. “If you got here earlier, how come you just joined us?”
The Habermanns hadn’t thought this through. They should have sent me here wearing something else. I was about to make up a lie whenDr. Something-or-otherstepped to the middle of the room and cleared his throat.
“I hope you’re enjoying the refreshments,” he said. “There is plenty more to eat, and I would suggest you make the most of it. Once you leave here, things will change a bit.”
“That’s an understatement,” I mumbled, glancing over at the food, wondering if there was anything I could stuff in my pockets for later.
The muscular male with shoulder-length hair, Antonio, took a step toward the doctor, his stance defiant.
“What about me? What am I supposed to eat?” He glanced around with a pinched expression. “I don’t do…humans.”
Ronnie, the smaller boy who was standing next to Antonio, took several steps back. “Uh, wait a minute, what type of Super are you?” His black curly hair seemed damp, and he appeared ill, weak, or both. He had been the one the guards were half carrying into the intake building.
Antonio opened his mouth to answer, butDr. Something-or-otherspoke first.
“This appears to be the perfect time to introduce ourselves to everyone.” He smiled and set his plastic cup on the food table. “As I said earlier, my name is Dr. Henry Watts. I am a psychiatrist. A former Harvard University faculty, specializing in children and adolescents. I am excited to be here on-site to serve as your counselor, helping you rehabilitate and answering questions you might have.” He pushed to the tips of his toes, looking eager to be among us, as if we were the rare species he had eagerly searched for his entire life. “In a nutshell, that’s me. Now, who’s next?”
No one volunteered. I sighed. Since I was an expert at this part, I should show them how to do it. I raised my hand.
“Suck up,” the one named Regina said. She had stepped next to me and was giving me the side-eye. She had short blond hair slicked tight to her head in waves, which complimented her tanned skin nicely. She had large expressive eyes, a down-turned mouth, and a glare that could stop anyone in their tracks.
I ignored her and introduced myself when Dr. Watts gestured for me to speak. “My name is Tallyndra Fyndarelle, but you can call me Tally. I’m fae.”
“Duh,” Regina said. I ignored her once more, getting the impression that she would cause trouble. Just what I needed.
“Would you tell us why you’re here?” Dr. Watts asked.
I paused, an answer running through my mind.I am here because the psychopaths who run this place wanted to capture my aunt, Queen Kiana, ruler of the Seelie Court, but ultimately because someone I thought was my friend betrayed me.
My eyes darted toward Vaughn. The truth passed between us, and my hatred for him flared like a roaring fire. He glanced down and looked embarrassed, but if he felt any remorse for what he’d done, I couldn’t bring myself to care or trust it was real.
“Um, I’m here because… because I attacked someone. A fae hater.” I glanced toward Vaughn again, but he was still staring at the floor.
