One More Step

by Colleen Hoover

  He chuckled. “It seems your eyes aren’t the only thing changing.”

  “But…but…how? What do I do? I can’t go back to school with pointed teeth. I’ll be labeled a freak! No one will want to study with me or invite me to parties. People will know something’s wrong,” she ranted, hardly taking a breath between each statement before plowing into the next.

  When she finally stopped and glared at him, he knew he could speak. “It’s fine. You’ll be fine. It’s just part of the Fae thing, again, like your eyes. You know what I look like without my glamour and it hasn’t bothered you before.”

  “Well, yeah, but that’s you, not me. I’m not—” She tried to pull the words back in, but it was too late—they had already escaped. It was the first time she had voiced any of her feelings about her transition to being part Fae. She normally kept those things for Ianthe, not wanting to add to the guilt she knew he already felt for determining her fate for her.

  He opened his mouth to correct her, but then thought better of it. Her words struck a chord, pulling at his deepest fears and insecurities. “They may fade when we leave the realm. Does Ianthe have to glamour hers?” His voice was soft, but his golden eyes lacked their normal sparkle.

  “I don’t think so,” she replied, knowing the second she was able to, she would call her bestie and ask.

  “Okay, let’s get you home. It’s been a lot.” He reached out for her hand hesitantly, unsure if she would take it.

  Knowing it would be best if he took her back instead of expending what little energy she had left, she took a deep breath and placed her hand in his. He lifted her without a word and started moving at the same insane speed she had been earlier. She closed her eyes against the blurring scenery, getting lost in her thoughts. She hadn’t meant to hurt him, but the truth was she didn’t know how she felt about any of this. Was she glad to still be alive? Certainly—but at what cost? Sure, everything was new and exciting now, but what about when she watched her younger brother age and die while she still remained young?

  Shivering as they passed through the closest portal, she knew they were back in Colorado. It felt like her senses dulled as they crossed back over, the air not nearly as rich and earthy. She shook her head slightly to clear the disappointment. Strange; that hadn’t happened before. She wondered if it was another side effect of being part Fae considering this was the first time they’d crossed over since they were bound.

  He placed her on the ground as they approached a hiking trail, and they walked back to her car hand in hand as if they were just another couple out for a midafternoon hike.

  “I think I’ll leave you here,” he said as she reached for her car door.

  “Okay.” She was a mix of emotions, but the main ones were disappointment and regret. Usually he was adamant about taking as much time as he could with her when they had days off together, but now it seemed he was in a hurry to leave.

  He lifted her chin and pressed a quick kiss to her mouth. Her lips buzzed with feeling, wanting more, but when she went to press them back to his, she only met air. He was gone.

  TWO

  “YOU’RE SUCH AN idiot,” Evin muttered. He’d been scolding himself all the way back to the Seelie palace.

  “While normally I would agree with you, I am curious what you’ve done this time.” Maddock’s laughter echoed in the great hall.

  Evin sighed. “I need to see my father. Do you know where he is?”

  “Only if you’ll tell me what has your knickers all in a twist.” Maddock smirked.

  Evin huffed. “I don’t have time for this, Maddock.”

  He rubbed his hands together gleefully, his burnt orange eyes sparkling with mischief. “Oh, is it girl trouble? Has your little human finally decided to ditch you and find someone her own age?” Evin flinched, and Maddock’s teasing smile fell. “I know how much you care for her, but you know how it is with mortals.”

  “You know nothing.” Evin hadn’t told anyone about Callie’s unique predicament, and he certainly wasn’t going to start with Maddock.

  “Well, I’d like to think I know a thing or two about the ladies.”

  “Really? When’s the last time you were in a relationship?” Evin retorted.

  Maddock’s cheeks flushed, and he bit his lip to hide his expression. Evin sensed the self-proclaimed bachelor may have actually found someone to settle down with, but now was not the time for such things, especially considering Maddock’s penchant for burying the truth in innuendos and jokes.

  “A man doesn’t kiss and tell,” Maddock replied, confirming exactly what Evin was thinking. However, Evin did know that with enough ambrosia, a certain blond guard would probably tell anyone who was willing to listen about what pretty girl he had conned into his bed.

  “Never mind, forget I asked. Are you going to tell me where my father is?”

  Maddock pouted. “Oh fine—the last time I saw him, he was in the kitchen trying to filch some freshly baked bread.” As if to confirm his claim, he pulled a roll out of his pocket and took a large bite.

  “It’s not filching if the cook gives it to you,” Evin fired back before spinning away from Maddock and striding toward the kitchen. He rounded the corner and bumped right into his dad, who fumbled a hot roll.

  “Damnit,” his father growled as Evin quickly darted out and caught the warm bread before it hit the floor, then handed it back.

  “Getting slow in your old age?” Evin joked.

  “Oh, Evin. What are you doing here? I thought you were off today.”

  “I am, but I need to speak with you.” His gaze darted around the hall, not wanting to be overheard. “Alone.”

  “Okay, let’s head to my quarters.”

  Torin, having lost his elder son Reid, had recently moved into the palace. Evin knew his childhood home held too many memories and was filled with more ghosts than his dad was willing to deal with at the moment, but he hoped his dad would eventually move back. It’d be a shame for his family home to go to waste. He’d stop by later and make sure it was being kept up.

  They entered his dad’s apartment, and Evin sat down on the couch, noting that the blanket his mother had woven for his father as an anniversary present was draped across the back.

  “So, is this where you confess you haven’t stopped seeing that human girl, the redhead who landed you in so much trouble before?” His father’s wizened gaze studied everything about his son’s reaction. He hadn’t become the king’s first in command without keen powers of observation. He could read people rather accurately based on the tiny ticks in their muscles and facial expressions, and his son was no exception.

  “Not exactly,” Evin replied. “Why don’t you have a seat?” And from there he told his dad everything that had happened with the quanlier he had been sent to track, about Callie almost dying, the ancient ritual that now tied their life forces together, and the most recent developments with her blossoming abilities.

  “Well, you never do anything half-assed, do you?” he asked when Evin was finished.

  Evin heaved a sigh of relief, glad to see his dad take it all in stride and not fuming. “So what now?”

  “What do you mean what now? You have to train the girl, obviously. She can’t be dabbling in things she doesn’t know about or she’ll end up getting herself killed and you as well since you’re bound together.”

  Evin stared up into the familiar amber eyes. “I couldn’t let her die, Dad. I just couldn’t. And worst of all, it’s not because I wanted her to live, which I did, but because I couldn’t imagine my life without her in it. It was completely selfish of me. I took away her choice in the matter and I’m not entirely sure she doesn’t resent me a little for it.”

  Torin’s gaze softened. “I understand, son. I would have done anything to save your mother. If I’d known her pregnancy would lead…” He swallowed thickly, unable to finish the thought, but Evin could hear it echo loudly around them.

  “She wanted a daughter so badly,” Evin soothed. �
�You know that. Being pregnant with a girl was the happiest I had seen her since Reid and I were babes ourselves. She always loved being a mother most of all and gladly paid the price knowing exactly the toll it could take on her.”

  Torin nodded, blinking back the sadness that always threatened to overtake him when he thought about his sweet Indra.

  “Besides, it’s best she wasn’t here for Reid’s…” He couldn’t say the word death. “She wouldn’t have survived that either.”

  “You’re right. I just miss her, so believe me when I say I know what it’s like to feel guilty about choices you’ve made for others, but you’ve got to let it go. She’s here now, and that’s all that matters. Besides, if that girl of yours is like I remember from the brief time I met her, she’s got enough fire in her bones to give you a run for your money. Just be patient with her.”

  “And what about the king?”

  Torin scratched his chin thoughtfully. “I say you wait a bit. Let her get adjusted to being Fae before we bring her to Lachlan and tell the truth about how she came to be.”

  “The truth would reveal Ianthe’s identity.”

  “Yes, but I don’t think Lachlan will act on that bit of information. He still harbors resentment for the Unseelie king after his sister’s death, but not enough to take it out on an innocent girl. He may be cold, but he’s not that cold. I know the rumors about his savagery suggest otherwise, but beneath his icy façade is a brokenhearted man who thinks love is a weakness a king can’t afford. Besides, what’s the alternative? Lying to him, which would mean treason and your head if it were discovered? Yeah, I’d take my chances with the truth.”

  THREE

  CALLIE SAT IN her car, unable to turn the key in the ignition. She couldn’t stand the way Evin had left and hated herself a little for letting slip the words that’d hurt him so much. It wasn’t his fault she was now part Fae, not really. He’d only been trying to save her life. In her heart, she knew this was better than the alternative; it was just hard to adjust to so many changes. When she glanced in her rearview mirror, she didn’t recognize her reflection. Her teeth were slightly pointed, and when she tucked a loose lock of hair behind her ear, she traced her finger over one of the now pointed tips. She sighed, closing her eyes and concentrating on her breathing.

  Deep breath in.

  Deep breath out.

  In.

  Out.

  She opened her eyes and licked her lips, her tongue sliding across her now normal teeth. Evin was right—she was going to be okay, but now the force of her guilt about what she’d said slammed back into her. Maybe if she ran, she could catch up to him.

  She climbed out of the car without a second thought and headed up the trail. When she was sure no one was in sight, she sprinted toward the gateway, this one marked by two large moss-covered boulders. She passed between them without hesitation, her only thought of reaching Evin—then she slammed into someone.

  She bounced back off the hard body, hoping it was Evin but knowing if it were, his arms would have caught her before she landed on her backside with a painful thud.

  “Watch it!” A redheaded Fae with blood-red eyes towered above her, smoothing out his cream-colored tunic.

  Shit. She hadn’t thought anyone else would be so close to the portal, she only thought of possibly catching up to Evin. Why does trouble always seem to find me? she asked herself as she stared up at the Fae, trying to figure out what to say to get her out of this mess. Based on the look of him, she decided she would much rather face off against goblins again. “Sorry. I didn’t see you.”

  “Obviously not at the speed you were moving.” His eyes narrowed on her before he thrust out his hand in what she thought was a nice gesture to help her up. Unfortunately she was proven wrong when his hand clamped painfully around hers, yanking her up and back against his body, her back to his front. He ran his nose along the column of her neck.

  “Hey!” she protested as he sniffed her.

  “You smell different. Not entirely Fae…” He inhaled again, his hot breath fanning out against her skin. “Not entirely human, not even half-blood…something…else.”

  She shivered, his words freezing her blood. Goose bumps broke out along her arms as if the temperature around her had dropped. How could he tell she was different?

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she replied, mustering as much courage as she could to calm the trembling of her voice. A breeze swirled through her ponytail as she attempted to wiggle away from him.

  His grip tightened around her. “What’s the rush? We’re just getting to get to know each other.” His nose pressed against her neck for another deep inhalation.

  “Let go of me!” she muttered through clenched teeth, panic unfurling within her. She wasn’t sure if it was the sky or her vision darkening as she fought his hold.

  “What the—?” the Fae asked as a strong gust of cold wind struck them, almost pulling her from his grasp. The sky above them had turned a dark, stormy grey, and his eyes narrowed on her. “Stop!” he ordered.

  Her breath came in short bursts, a foreign energy simmering under her skin. It wasn’t like when she ran with Evin’s speed and felt invincible. This was something else, something wild and untamed, matching her own emotions.

  “No!” she yelled, attempting to jerk away from him again, assuming he wanted her to stop fighting him.

  He spun her around to face him, moving to grip her shoulders in a painful, vise like grasp. She cried out as a flash of lightning struck a nearby tree, the crack loud enough to cover her own scream. He stared at her face, his red eyes swirling like molten lava, and she felt her energy draining from her as if his hands were pulling it out at their point of contact. He breathed in deeply, his chest filling, closing his eyes. When he opened them, pure fire glared down at her. “Sleep,” he commanded, and with her limbs pouring out what was left of her energy, she collapsed into his arms, sinking into oblivion.

  • • •

  She awoke in a strange room. It contained minimal furniture, but the quality of the décor still suggested wealth. The bed she was laid on was the softest she’d ever felt, and unless she was mistaken—based on the authentic, Baroque furniture dominating the room—she was still in the Fae realm.

  “Crapola,” she whispered, slowly standing up. Her body felt sluggish and slow to follow her commands. She tiptoed to the door, not wanting anyone to know she was awake, then heard footsteps approaching. Quickly and quietly, she dove back into the bed and feigned sleep.

  The door opened. “Seriously Angus? What is this?”

  “I didn’t know what to do, Maddock! I was out by one of the gateways when she came barreling through and slammed into me at an inhuman speed. When I tried to question her, she gathered a storm around us—a storm! She could have cooked me alive with that lightning, so I pulled out some of her energy. I guess I must have taken too much, because instead of just becoming compliant, she collapsed. She’s different. I’ve never come across anyone who smelled like her.”

  “Smelled like her? Excuse me if I don’t fully trust your sense of smell.”

  “I don’t know how else to explain it. She looked human, smelled part human, part Fae, but not like Conall or any other half-blood I’ve come across. I figured the king would want to know about her since she was on our land.”

  Callie inhaled more sharply than she had intended when he mentioned the king. If he discovered who she was, it could ruin everything. She was in over her head, but she hoped Maddock might help her. They’d only met twice before, but she knew he had a soft spot for Ianthe and was willing to withhold information from his king if it meant avoiding a war. She stilled against the sudden silence filling the chamber.

  “We know you’re awake over there, so you can stop pretending.” Maddock’s voice dripped with censure.

  Callie rolled over and sat up, staring down the two Fae. Maddock’s eyes widened in recognition while the redhead—Angus, she assumed—glared at her like an equ
ation that wasn’t adding up.

  “Angus, get Torin,” Maddock ordered, steel lacing his words.

  “What? Why? I brought her here—I should let the king know.”

  “Don’t be an idiot. What if there’s nothing wrong with her? Do you want to be the one to explain to the king why you fed off an innocent girl’s energy to excess, abducted her, and brought her here?”

  Angus blanched. “Fine. I’ll get Torin.” He turned and marched out the door.

  “Hello, Callie. I’d like to say this is a pleasant surprise, but we both know everything that is in jeopardy with you here. Now, want to fill me in on what’s different about you and why a Lampir can’t figure out your scent?” Maddock pulled a chair over and sat down across from her.

  “A Lampir?”

  “My redheaded friend there.” He jerked his thumb toward the door. “He fed off your energy earlier, which is what caused you to pass out. You may still feel a little drowsy, but it will fade. I’m not sure how much time we have, so talk fast.”

  “I don’t know anything about my scent, but remember the quanlier?” Callie carefully considered her words and all she had discussed with Evin, but her gut was telling her to trust Maddock. Ianthe trusted him, and he had helped them the last time she ran into him.

  “Like I could forget the monster you two were tracking, especially after all that followed when I confronted Bronwen.” Callie knew there was more to that story, but this was the time for her to share, not him.

  “Well, even the best of plans have flaws, and unfortunately while we hunted the quanlier, it hunted me— only it was faster.”

  Maddock pressed a hand over hers when she paused, the memory of that night flashing through her mind. His eyes glowed orange as he saw her memories.

  “Gods, Callie. I’m sorry.”

  She smiled at him sadly, sneaking her hand out from under his. While his comfort was kind, it wasn’t his touch she wanted. “Well, as I lay bleeding out, Evin took matters into his own hands and summoned a Djinn who owed him a favor.”