Discord (Bound to the Fae Book 1)

by J. Kearston

  He nods slowly. “So we could all go back home and as long as we never plan to tell anyone or abandon each other, we could go back to our normal lives?”

  I waver back and forth thinking it through. “To a degree, I suppose.”

  He pops up with renewed energy, and starts throwing a bunch of my shit into a basket.

  “What the heck are you doing?”

  He gives me a strange look. “Going home. Come on, pack what you need and we’ll come back for the rest.”

  I give him an offended glare. “Who says I’m just ditching my apartment to come live in the human world?”

  He narrows his eyes, and I get the feeling he isn’t used to being challenged often. “And who says we want to live here? Look around you, Cambria. You really think you can fit three more people into this room?”

  “Lucien,” Dorian interrupts carefully. “You’re doing that thing again.”

  “What thing?” he asks flippantly without looking up, snatching a stray bra off of the floor and shoving it into his growing pile.

  Atlas still hasn’t moved from his spot against the wall. “The one where you act like an asshole.”

  Lucien pauses as he contemplates things before sighing and setting down the basket, joining Dorian and I on the edge of the bed. “I apologize, Cambria. I just,” but I wave him off, not needing to hear empty words.

  “Look, I get it, really. You don’t have to explain. But I can’t just permanently stay in the human world; I’m fae.”

  “And that means?” Atlas prompts, but it’s Dorian that answers.

  “She’s magical, guys. She needs to reconnect with her world and recharge or she’ll wither away and die, or lose her magic. Like when the woodcutter tried to take the willow maid from the forest and it killed her because she wasn’t meant to leave.”

  I give him an odd look. “Have you already met other fae?”

  He smiles, bright blue eyes lighting up. “No, but all stories and legends are rooted around some original fact to spark them. So when there’s a huge trend of common themes, it’s a pretty safe bet that they are on the right track.”

  I share a look with Atlas who’s laughing. “He runs a nerd shop full of all that shit.”

  Dorian doesn’t even look offended. “And yet, look which of us is prepared for our new life twist? So kindly go suck a dick, Atlas.”

  Atlas barks out a laugh and even Lucien looks a bit more relaxed. “Okay, you said you needed to pick up your check. From the club or someplace here?”

  I give him the answer I know he’s praying for. “The club. Currency is the same here and there, but our credit cards are different since we use our own banks. And trust me, you do not want to rack up debt with a fae bank, hence why I’d rather go without.”

  Lucien looks as relieved as I thought he would. “Then let’s go. We can figure things out on the way and make arrangements for the time we’ll have to be absent from work and the like when we need to return. Thankfully, I’ve accrued a good amount of vacation days.”

  Now faced with clearer expectations, Lucien falls into the role of gentleman and offers a hand to help me up. Without all of the strain of the unknown and possibility of permanently uprooting his life, he seems to be handling things a bit better, able to start compartmentalizing.

  I head around the room and gather some clothes in a bag, because really, what else do I need to bring? I don’t have much money, and the only valuable things I owned, I left behind when I set out or pawned.

  We walk back toward the fairy ring and I get several looks on the street. They obviously notice and Atlas sidles closer to ask quietly, “Spark note version for the class?”

  I give him a sad smile. “Basically, I’ll always be shamed because of the symbols, but that’s nothing new for me. It was the walk that was the big gossip. Now that that’s done with, people will be curious. The fae believe they are superior in every way, but plenty travel human side to stir up trouble, fuck around, and get fucked. Now that you’re allowed to stay here, they’ll be...curious, what dynamic is going to develop.”

  Lucien gives me a confused look, but Dorian outright laughs. “She means they’re going to be sniffing around to see if she’ll pimp us out for orgies.”

  I shrug. No use sugar coating it. “Not a lot of fae are reckless enough for this to happen. You three are novelties now and we’re shameless about going after what we want, the more taboo and unobtainable the better.”

  Atlas gives me a side eye. “And are you? Planning to treat us like sex toys or just slaves in general?”

  I stop in my tracks and look him dead in the eye. The other two backtrack when they see we aren’t following and I’m glad, because I only want to say this once.

  “I not now, nor will I ever, use any of you like that or force you into that position. You aren’t fae, but you’re people. Just because I’m responsible for you doesn’t mean I own you. You’re not my slaves and you’re not lesser, just different. If you want to sleep with somebody, that’s on you. My job is to make sure you keep our race a secret and in this world, you need to live with me. If you get into trouble, I have to deal with the fallout. That’s it.”

  Atlas tilts his head respectfully. “It would seem pretty shitty banging some fae chick in your one room apartment after you stuck your neck out for us, though. Unless it’s like Dorian said and you’re into that sort of thing.”

  I start walking again, feeling a bit better about the situation. “Thank you for not wanting to be a disrespectful asshole. And no, not particularly. I’m not a prude by any means, but I’m also not about to start screwing anyone that gives me the time of day like some of these people around here.

  “I guess I should add it also means I need to make sure you aren’t getting taken advantage of. We have a very diverse set of abilities from one person to the next, and most won’t hesitate to try and manipulate you to get what they want.”

  Lucien turns to look over his shoulder at me. “And what sort of abilities do you possess?”

  Smirking, I wink while waiting for them to step into the ring with me before picturing where I want to go, lest we get separated. “A girl has to have a little mystery. See if you can figure it out; you look like the sort that enjoys a good challenge.”

  His eyes darken, and I’d like to pretend it’s with heat instead of warning. Either way, it’s a fine line I’m dancing with this one, but if a fae is one thing, it’s a thrill seeker.

  My skin tingles as we start to cross the bridge and for the first time in my life, I’m actually excited for what the day might bring.

  Chapter 6

  Lucien

  A complication, but a manageable one; it will just take a bit of adjusting. I knew this girl had trouble written all over her when I first saw her and I was right. I just didn’t expect this by any means.

  We’re leaving the bank after cashing Cambria’s check and heading back towards downtown to drop off Dorian at his shop. It’s going to be our first test on the distance nonsense now that we’re supernaturally chipped like dogs waiting for a shock. Of all of us, Dorian is half in love with the girl already and loving everything about this fucked up situation, so we don’t need to worry about intent where he’s concerned. That man would willingly sell his store, skip happily to the fae world, and never look back.

  I drive slowly and keep glancing at Cambria from the corner of my eye to assess if she gives any indication she’s in pain. Not so much as a blip by the time we need to drop Atlas back at his place. He already missed two days of work and it doesn’t matter how good he is at his job; if he misses another day on the construction site of a project this important, he’ll be fired.

  They never worry about these things, always so convinced that things will simply work out without a plan or effort.

  “Feeling alright?”

  She nods and I breathe easier. This won’t be as much of a problem as I thought.

  We pull up to my house and I quickly throw my cell phone on the charger for
a few minutes while I shower and change, anxious to get back to the office and deal with what will no doubt be a cosmic fuck-ton of messages and problems.

  “Help yourself to anything in the kitchen,” I offer distractedly while tossing her the remote. “Make yourself at home, I’ll likely be back late.” I scrawl all of our numbers on a piece of paper and lay it next to the house phone. “Here, in case there are any problems.”

  She gives me a thumbs up and walks into the kitchen. I shut and lock the door, heading back downtown. Not five minutes later my phone rings and I hit the button on my steering wheel to activate the Bluetooth.

  “Lucien?” Cambria asks and my foot eases up on the gas, anticipating the words that are about to come out of her mouth.

  “At least one of us needs to be near you, I take it?” I sigh.

  I can practically hear her grimace. “Seems that way.”

  Smacking my hand on the steering wheel, I turn around to go back for her. “Be ready in five then and please, wear something respectable.”

  She snorts. “You act like I dress like a stripper. T-shirt and shorts are perfectly normal human attire, I’m not that far removed from your world,” she argues.

  “No,” I concede, “but they aren’t appropriate for an office.”

  “You do realize I didn’t bring any fancy ball gowns with me, right? I packed a bag for a few days and it has the basics.”

  I sigh and rub my temple, pulling up to the house and waiting for her to get in. Pushing the speed limit more than I’m comfortable with, we swing into the first place that’s open. I toss a button up shirt that complements her outlandish hair and a black, pleated skirt into her hands, practically shoving her into the fitting room.

  When she emerges, spinning once sarcastically while flipping me off, I have to fight the stab of irritation her lack of respect instills in me. “There, happy now? Not sure how this is any more respectable; I’ve seen this porno. Do you know how many girls get bent over a desk in a getup like this?”

  I actively ignore her as well as try not to picture it because the last thing any of us needs is to make an already complicated situation messier. She’s gorgeous, no doubt about that, but I’ve gotten by in life just fine until now and I attribute that to not thinking with my dick.

  Paying quickly we leave, soon after pulling up to my office, already over an hour late. As we get out of the car, I realize that in my haste, I never came up with a reasonable explanation of where I’ve been over the last few days or why Cambria would be here with me.

  Something changes in her face, going from annoyed to understanding. “Don’t worry, I can handle this part. Part of my skill set.” She winks and exits the car, following me towards the building.

  My secretary looks visibly relieved when I walk in the door. With as quickly as she hops to her feet, you’d never know she was pushing fifty. Her light brown hair is escaping her bun, looking frazzled already despite the day just beginning; not that I blame her with the fires she must have been frantically putting out left and right.

  She pauses when she catches sight of Cambria. “Sir, where have you been? There are urgent matters that we’ve tried to buy time on, but if you don’t address them soon we are going to lose several accounts.”

  I open my mouth, but Cambria beats me to it. She looks down at the floor submissively and fiddles with her skirt, the simple act appearing to shave years off of her, making her appear no older than a college freshman.

  “Please don’t be upset with Lucien, it’s my fault. My parents were in an awful wreck, and,” she stifles a sob. “And I didn’t have anywhere else to go. I’ve never been on my own before, and I just,” she starts actively crying and it takes me a minute to remember that it’s all an act. After a moment, she wipes away her tears and looks right at Belinda whose hand is on her chest in pity. “Lucien has been a friend of the family for as long as I can remember and I couldn’t think of who else to call. He came to get me and took me in until I can figure out what to do.”

  The secretary looks at me with respect I haven’t earned. “Mr. Avrell has always been the responsible sort. You should see those boys he takes care of, always needing to bail them out of some trouble or another. What’s your name, sweetheart?”

  She gratefully accepts the tissue offered and dabs at her face. “Cambria, ma’am. I apologize for keeping him from his responsibilities, I just wasn’t ready to be alone yet.”

  I bite my cheek, needing to address the age thing. Even if she appears younger at the moment, she still certainly appears legal. “Her family coddled her far too much growing up and now she’s unprepared for the real world. It will take some time, but hard work does wonders.”

  Belinda nods and puts an arm around Cambria’s shoulders while addressing me. “Just leave things to me, Mr. Avrell. I’ll watch over her while you get caught up and start showing her the ropes.”

  I applaud the fact that she reads the room that easily and anticipates what I was going to ask from her before I even had to utter a word. I make a mental note to put in the request to give her a raise; good help is hard to find.

  Turning to Cambria with a stern look, I warn, “Stay out of trouble. I’ll be in my office if you need me.”

  She looks at me with a sly smile and winks. “I’d never dream of causing you trouble, Lucien.” She sobers her expression before turning back to Belinda. “I don’t want to give Lucien any reason to punish me, so please, put me straight to work, ma’am.”

  Cambria follows my secretary behind the desk as Belinda gives me a harsh look, like I’m some cruel monster. I narrow my eyes at Cambria before realizing it isn’t helping my case and give up.

  Walking to my office and closing the door, I sigh at the sight of the massive stack of files piled up on my desk before settling in. I turn to my answering machine first, grabbing out my notepad and pen before tapping the button.

  “You have one hundred seventy-two new messages.”

  Fuck, this is going to be a long day.

  ***

  There’s a soft knock at the door before Belinda enters, wringing her hands nervously. My hand stills, my pen hovering just above the paper as I wait for her to explain whatever has her so nervous.

  Cambria just can’t go one day without getting into trouble, can she?

  “What did she do?” I sigh, when she still hesitates to speak. “I apologize on her behalf, Belinda, and will cover any damages.”

  Quickly waving her hand, she dismisses the statement. “Heavens no, that girl is an angel. She’s caught on incredibly quickly and has been a delight all day.”

  I glance at my watch, stunned to find it’s already after six. “Then what seems to be the problem?”

  She bites her lip before rushing out, “I just thought you may want to be aware, but wasn’t sure it was my place.”

  “Just out with it, Belinda.” Rising to my feet, I roll my stiff shoulders.

  “Your friends came by the office looking for you and seem to have a very obvious interest in your new ward. I know the girl is legal, but I imagine it would cause some...tension, if you were to discover your friends taking advantage of such a sweet girl when she’s vulnerable and under your care,” she blurts out in a nervous ramble.

  I pinch the bridge of my nose and she relaxes, interpreting my reaction as frustration to the situation. And she would be right, just not for the reasons she thinks.

  “I’ll handle it. Thank you, Belinda.”

  “Of course, sir. I’m going to head home for the evening unless there’s anything else?”

  I follow her out, weighing my words. “Until this situation with Cambria settles down, don’t be alarmed if I need to take some vacation days. It’s an unprecedented situation and it might take a bit of time to settle into a routine.”

  She nods sagely. “You’re a kind man, sir. I’ll make sure to account for that in your scheduling now that I’m aware.”

  We emerge into the lobby and Cambria’s seated behind the desk while Atla
s and Dorian lean on it, flirting shamelessly. To Cambria’s credit, she remains typing away the entire time, just engaging in conversation while working. Most people can’t multitask so seamlessly and it ticks me off that I find it charming.

  “Atlas, Dorian,” I snap as Belinda makes no show of hiding her eavesdropping to watch what’s going to happen. “There are lines that just shouldn’t be crossed, as you are both well aware.”

  I catch Cambria’s brief smirk and the other two just furrow their brows at me in confusion, which is when I realize the little fae never decided to clue them in on her cover story.

  Clenching my jaw, I add, “The poor girl just lost her parents. It’s hardly the time to start hitting on her.”

  Belinda so helpfully scolds, “Mr. Avrell was sweet enough to take the girl in when he already has enough on his plate with the two of you. He shouldn’t have to worry about you trying to seduce his ward now, too.” She adds the last scathingly enough, bolstered with confidence when it’s clear I’m not mad that she informed me.

  Atlas catches on first and has to smother his smile with his hand and a cough. Dorian opens his mouth to speak, but Cambria cuts him off by rising from her desk to approach me. Her skirt is hiked higher than it was this morning, rolled at her hips, and the other’s eyes zero in on it.

  “Please forgive me, Lucien?” she asks, all faux innocence for Belinda’s entertainment. “I’ll make it up to you when we get home.”

  Belinda’s eyes just about bug out of her head before she turns a seething glare in my direction. Just as she’s about to go off on me, Cambria continues, “I’ll scrub the place top to bottom, just you wait! You won’t regret taking me in.”

  Belinda obviously can’t take anymore because she grabs her purse, hugs Cambria tightly and mumbles something in her ear, no doubt a warning about all of the lecherous bastards around her, before she leaves. As soon as she’s gone, I turn an accusatory glare at the mischievous fae.

  “What was all that about?”

  With a smile, she practically shimmers as she starts to look more like herself. Less young and innocent and more appropriately like she claimed; ready to be banged over a desk.