Page 31 of Ella's Masquerade
“You’re part Midnight Fae,” I continued. “The Council expects you to attend the Academy next year.” And they wouldn’t be taking no for an answer. Another item to explain later. After I had a chance to thaw her a little to the Midnight Fae life.
The limo slowed as we approached the estate’s main gates. Stone gargoyles guarded the walls, their eyes alert and scanning for danger just like the vines.
Ella gaped up at them, goose bumps filing down her arms and disappearing into the gloves she still wore. “They’re moving,” she whispered.
“Yes. They’re gargoyles.” And unlike the ones humans enjoyed as ornaments or decorations, these were very much real.
“Do they fly?”
“Only when going on the attack.” Which never happened. A fae would have to be suicidal to approach these grounds with negative intent. My father was the Midnight Fae King. He took his security very seriously.
We continued down another winding path after being permitted through the gates, Ella’s undivided attention on the changing surroundings.
Black water lakes reflecting the light.
Acres of stones and trees intertwined.
Walking paths.
“Is that a phoenix?” she breathed, eyeing a firebird in the distance.
“Similar,” I replied. “Not as big as the ones from your legends. The firebirds only grow as large as your standard eagle.”
“Right.” She visibly shuddered. “This…”
“Is real,” I finished for her.
“Uh-huh,” she replied, eyeing a horde of water sparks dancing over the lake. “Fairies?”
I grunted. “More like gnats, only larger and they sting. I definitely don’t recommend touching one.” Unfortunately, they were an infestation that couldn’t be eradicated even with magic.
“And you’re a fae,” she said slowly.
“As are you,” I returned.
She glanced at my head, frowning. “Your ears are round.”
I gave her a look. “As are yours, Ella.”
“I thought fae had pointed ears.”
“Some do,” I agreed. “Midnight Fae do not.”
“So there are other types of fae?”
I nodded. “Many, yes. This is just one realm of several.”
“Oh.” She went back to staring out the window, her shoulders stiff. “Do they all drink blood?”
“Only Midnight Fae because of our access to the dark arts.”
“Why?” she pressed. “Why only Midnight Fae?”
“Because it fuels our access to the dark arts,” I explained patiently. This was a lot for her to take in, so there would be some necessary repetition in responses. “Some see it as a moral punishment to satiate the harsher side of our existence. Others embrace it as a sustenance to fuel our energy reserves.”
“And how do you view it?” she glanced at me. “And how often do you… you know?”
“It’s a natural part of our existence that I accepted long ago, and I feed once a month or so. It’s not often and it doesn’t require much. And before you ask, no, we don’t kill humans. We just borrow some of their life energy every now and then. Most of them live to enjoy it.” Blood exchange tended to result in heightened sexual sensations. Something I would eventually need to explain. Or maybe I’d show her, if she let me.
