by Terry Spear
(The World of Fae)
Book 1
TERRY SPEAR
Copyright © 2010 Terry Spear
ISBN-10: 1466488816
ISBN-13: 978-1466488816
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.
Discover more about Terry Spear at:
http://www.terryspear.com
DEDICATION
To my daughter, Jennifer, and her love of fantasy.
.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Thanks to my Rebel Romance Writers for always being there for me!
CHAPTER 1
Alicia hadn’t left her girlfriend sunbathing on the South Padre Island beach for more than a few minutes when another hot guy approached Cassie—only this one worried her.
He had dark fae written all over him. Well, maybe not written all over him, but the medallion he wore clued her in immediately.
After grabbing the ice-cold sodas from the snack stand, Alicia trudged back through the mounds of hot sand at record speed, trying not to spill their drinks on the white sugar beach. Cassie still lay on her back on her playful seal beach towel next to Alicia’s colorful golden dragon.
Already five guys had hit on Cassie.
What was it with her and guys? It was if Cassie wore a neon sign that stated in bold, colorful, flashing letters, “Come play with me.”
Was it the way she smiled in such a heartwarming fashion? Not to mention the fit of her hot pink bikini on that silky tanned body of hers. Or the way her dark brown curls whipped around her bare shoulders by the Gulf breeze and her equally dark brown eyes smiled at the guys.
Alicia glanced down at the oversized tie-dyed shirt that covered her pale body. Her shimmering blue bikini and curves could catch the guys’ eyes, too, except if she exposed her skin for a few minutes in the sun’s hot rays, she’d be redder than her mother’s roses. Best to hide the bikini rather than ruin her summer vacation with a roasting hot sunburn.
When Alicia grew closer to their claimed speck of sandy territory, the dark-haired guy drew her attention again. He, of course, had eyes only for Cassie.
This one was different from the other guys though.
This one exuded danger and at once Alicia’s internal alarm bells sounded. He was built rock solid, though he appeared to be around seventeen or so like she and Cassie. But the medallion lying flat against his naked chest, the gold disk catching the sun’s rays...the symbol of the royal house of Denkar of fae kind—forced a chill down her spine, despite the sun beating on her bare arms.
His dark hair and eyes and dangerous smile signified he was of the dark fae, the hunter class, the ones who caused more mischief among the human mortals than any other.
Only this time, he’d targeted the wrong human.
Alicia had always considered it a curse that she could see one of the fae in their invisible form because they appeared semi-translucent at the edges. And likewise she could recognize them when they were solidly visible as the golden ring around their eyes glowed like a burning flame when they were angered, or sparkled like shimmering faery dust when they were not. In this case, the medallion etched with a lion’s head—the same one she’d seen described in her father’s journal—indicated the dark fae belonged to the Denkar.
For the moment, she hoped her abilities might be able to save her friend from pain and suffering. But the situation could turn into catastrophic consequences for her if he discovered she knew he was of the fae kind.
The six-foot tall faery towered over Cassie as she sat up on her towel. His dark wet hair curled at his broad shoulders and his golden tanned chest glistened with water droplets from the Gulf. He was beautiful. Dimples appeared when he smiled and laughed, the sound deeply sensual, drawing Cassie under his spell. And Alicia, too, if she didn’t snap out of it. What she wouldn’t give to have a boyfriend who looked like...
She shook her head at herself. The fae killed her kind—those who had the ability to see the fae who were not immortal like them. Her father had said so.
Cassie was getting ready to stand when Alicia reached the two of them, intent on thwarting the faery.
When targeting its intended victim, the fae appeared incredibly one-track minded. Because of this, the Denkar fae didn’t see Alicia arrive only feet away from him. For the moment, he had eyes only for Cassie.
For the moment.
He certainly couldn’t have expected two cups of icy, sweet sodas to fly in his direction. But when the cold, dark drinks splashed against his naked, golden chest—that got his attention.
Or rather Alicia’s attention.
“Oh, sorry.” She tried to keep the giggles under wrap, unsuccessfully.
Cassie glowered at her.
The fae’s glare worried Alicia more as the golden rings around his dark brown eyes glowed brightly. She’d definitely pissed off one royal faery hunter, and she expected payback to be hell.
“Uhm, Cassie, don’t you think we ought to be going?” Alicia glanced at her wrist, intending to tell Cassie it was time for lunch, but remembered too late she’d left her watch back at the hotel.
Cassie opened her mouth to speak, then turned to look at the dark caramelized carbonated drinks dribbling down the fae’s chest toward a pair of shimmering blue swim trunks. Then she looked back at Alicia. Cassie probably couldn’t believe Alicia would ignore what she’d just done to the fae. “Deveron has asked me to go to lunch with him. He’s here for a week of summer vacation also.”
“No, you can’t! I mean...” Alicia was blowing her cover big time.
Deveron’s square jaw tightened as his eyes darkened.
Not good.
“I mean, okay. So where are we going?” Alicia figured neither Cassie nor the fae intended to take her along for the ride. Especially after she anointed him with the sugary drinks. But somehow she had to protect her friend.
Cassie glanced at Deveron, then back at Alicia. “Well, he only asked me. I hope it’s okay with you, Alicia.”
His glare remained fixed on Alicia the whole time.
Will of nerves?
She couldn’t let the hunter know she knew exactly what he was. For too many millennia his kind had destroyed her kind. She had no intention of being the next statistic.
Should she let the fae play with Cassie’s heart, then break it? Certainly it would be less painful than what Alicia would have to go through if the dark fae knew what she was capable of doing and decided to terminate her.
Nope.
Friends took care of friends and Alicia wasn’t about to let some hunk of a fae hurt Cassie.
Even though at the moment, Cassie appeared pretty annoyed with her and didn’t seem to want Alicia’s help in the matter.
Alicia had never met another human who could see the fae like she could either. Though she’d always wondered about her father. He’d abandoned her mother when Alicia was five. But the journal he’d left behind, describing an unreal faery world, made her think he had the ability like her. That’s how she knew the dark faeries hunted the humans who could see them. And that’s how she knew about the various royal houses scattered across the States each with their own symbol-embossed medallions.
But her mother never spoke of her father after he’d called it quits with her early one spring morning. That was the last Alicia had seen him.
The faery finally glanced at Cassie and smiled warmly, but the smile never reached his eyes. “I’ll take a dip in the water to rinse off, then join you at your room in a few minutes.” He turned to look at Alicia as he continued to
speak to Cassie. “Bring your friend. It could be extremely—interesting.”
His deep voice was meant to be perfectly sensual, disarming, luring, but Alicia sensed the deadliness to his tone.
The fae usually only targeted one human at a time. But she was certain he’d make an exception in her case.
Not only would he attempt to break Cassie’s heart, he’d destroy Alicia’s friendship with her. She would bet her small savings on it. Oh, then he’d destroy her.
Not good.
Cassie smiled at Deveron until he turned and stalked toward the aqua, crystal clear water. Then she grabbed her beach towel and shook the sand from it with more vigor than was necessary. “What was that all about? I’ve never seen you act so clumsy. And then you didn’t even have the decency to apologize to Deveron. Not only that, but he asked me to go to lunch, not you. Why couldn’t you have politely made excuses? Even if he had been nice enough to invite you, too, why would he after the way you acted toward him?”
Alicia studied the fae as he waded into the water. How could she thwart him?
But when he turned and caught her eye, she quickly grabbed her beach towel, avoiding any further eye contact. “He’s a heartbreaker, Cassie. I saw him kissing a blond yesterday,” she lied, hating to, but not knowing how else to warn Cassie the guy wasn’t an ordinary guy and he was evil to the core. “And the day before that, he had his arms wrapped securely around a redhead—a much older redhead.”
“Oh?” Cassie’s voice was laced with skepticism. “I never saw him.”
Neither had Alicia.
Then a golden-haired male fae walked toward her, wearing a green silky tunic, criss-crossed with leather ties, and butternut breeches. This one wasn’t visible to humans. Well, most humans. She quickly averted her eyes so he wouldn’t know she’d seen him.
Her attention shifted to Deveron. His dark brows knit together in a deep frown as he watched her. Did he realize she saw the golden-haired fae? She could have been looking at nothing, the Gulf, the people sunbathing down the beach, a seagull.
She cursed herself inwardly. Better that Cassie have a broken heart, then Alicia face the wrath of a hunter fae who’d seek to destroy her for her abilities.
She took a deep breath of the humid air, saturated with the smell of saltwater and fish. “Listen, Cassie, you’re right. You go out with Deveron on your own. Just be careful. And you know me. I’ll manage just fine.”
As much as she hated to let the fae win at his game with Cassie, it was probably best for all concerned.
“If you’d remove that bulky T-shirt, you’d have guys asking you out also.” Cassie smiled.
“Remember last year? I tried sunbathing on a beach towel like you do. And I got so badly burned I couldn’t move in sunlight for three days as if I was a vampire who would turn into a pile of ashes. Heck, Cassie, it’s just not worth it.”
Cassie nodded. “Yeah, I remember. Then you peeled like a shedding snake for days afterward.”
“Yep, I was just as cute as could be.”
Cassie laughed. “All right, well, thanks, Alicia. I really appreciate your bowing out like this.”
“Yeah, just remember what I said about him. He’s not to be trusted. Three different girls on three different days doesn’t say much for his stick-to-it-ness.”
“It’s just for lunch.” Cassie tucked her beach towel under her arm and grinned at Alicia. “You’re the best friend ever.”
Not really. If Alicia were Cassie’s best friend, she’d glue herself to Cassie’s side. Not run away in the face of danger.
She glanced over her shoulder at the dark fae, who studied her every action. Her heart beat harder and her hands grew clammy.
He was tall, dark, genuinely handsome, and the worst kind of danger.
CHAPTER 2
Deveron, crown prince of the fae kingdom of Denkar, rubbed his naturally smooth cheek as he considered the petite blonde’s backside. She wore a dowdy T-shirt and hid how she truly looked, and he normally wouldn’t have given her a second glance. He was much more intrigued with a girl like Cassie. But what really grabbed his attention was the strict animosity Cassie’s girlfriend had shown toward him—as if she knew just what he was and what he had planned for her friend. A case of jealousy? Or something that went deeper?
He’d sent his bodyguard Herlenkis in close to her to see her reaction and he couldn’t decide. It was as if she had seen him, and then quickly realized her mistake and had tried to cover up her reaction.
He had to know for certain. The way she looked at Deveron’s medallion and acted so hostile toward him, he swore she knew what he was up to, what he was, and where he was from.
Yet how could she?
Mortal humans had no way of knowing about the immortal fae. But the way her gaze shifted to observe his bodyguard, forced him to consider otherwise. What if by some strange coincidence, she could indeed see his people?
He glanced up the beach. A hundred yards away, Herlenkis studied bathing beauties, tanning under the strong rays of the sun.
“Herlenkis!”
The golden-haired fae turned to face him.
Deveron motioned for him to join him in the water.
Herlenkis vanished, then reappeared chest deep next to him in the gentle swells of the Gulf. “Yes, my lord?”
“I have a task for you. Get Tandora. We have a date.”
“Date, my lord? You know what Queen Irenis said about stirring up the humans.”
Deveron cocked a brow as he folded his arms. “Do you not work for me?” He was the crown prince after all, and he had hand-picked Herlenkis for his loyalty and his good natured ways—for a dark fae.
“Yes, my lord.”
“Good, remember that.” Deveron considered asking Herlenkis if he had ever known of a human who could see the fae, but dismissed the notion. He had no intention of telling anyone his plans, yet. If the girl could see them, she’d expose her abilities within the hour. Then he could have some real fun. But not with Cassie as he’d intended. With Alicia instead.
Herlenkis looked after the two girls, turned to Deveron, bowed low, then vanished.
In fact, it didn’t really concern Deveron if Alicia knew what he was. Because she had anointed him with sticky sodas, she was all his to do with as he pleased. Didn’t matter if the queen had forbidden him to trifle with the human girls.
This one had declared war on him. To think she hadn’t even apologized, just stood there trying to suppress a giggle as her blue eyes sparkled with pixie mirth.
He looked back at the stucco Spanish-style hotel as the sunlight glinted off the red tile roof. When his reinforcements arrived, he’d see if she thought the situation was truly that funny any longer.
He smiled, dove under the water, then vanished.
***
Alicia tugged off her oversized T-shirt as Cassie took her shower first. The salt and sand felt grimy on her skin and hair, and she couldn’t wait to wash it all off.
Cassie sang some nonsensical tune at the top of her lungs. Alicia shook her head and smiled.
But then her smile turned bitter.
More than anything, she wanted to stop the fae from hurting her friend. But how could she? She had no idea where Deveron was taking Cassie for lunch even.
Maybe she could find out before they left. Then she could follow them. Maybe.
Cassie walked out of the bathroom with a white towel wrapped around her head, the rest of her dressed in a pale green dress, her feet still bare. “Your turn.”
Alicia glanced at the door to their room. “If he comes before I’m finished showering, let me know where you’re going to lunch.”
“Worry wart.”
Alicia frowned at her.
“All right. Get cleaned up. I promise I’ll tell you before I go.”
Would the fae distract Cassie enough so she didn’t remember to tell Alicia? That’s what worried her. She hurried into the shower, intending to take the quickest one she could.
T
he whole time the peach-scented soap slipped over her skin, she listened for the sound of Cassie speaking, or the fae’s dark voice penetrating the quiet.
Nothing.
She turned off the shower, then quickly dried her skin. Then she realized all she’d brought into the bathroom was a change of panties and bra and the long T-shirt she wore to bed.
She threw them on, then hurried out of the room.
Cassie raised a brow. “You’re going to bed?”
“No.” Alicia couldn’t help the annoyance in her voice. “I forgot to take a change of clothes in there.” She yanked on a pair of jeans shorts, then as she pulled the nightshirt off, a knocking on the door sent her heart skittering.
Before Alicia could pull her nightshirt back on or dart for the bathroom, Cassie yanked the door open.
But Deveron’s eyes didn’t focus on Cassie. Instead he concentrated on Alicia, who covered her lacy bra and dashed into the bathroom, cursing under her breath.
She swore she heard the fae chuckle. But what was worse, two blond-haired males accompanied him. What had he intended to do to poor Cassie?
Luckily, though she saw the others as clearly as she saw Deveron, she had the foresight not to look directly at them. Still, the notion he’d brought reinforcements disconcerted her.
“Alicia wants to know where we’re going for lunch, you know, in case my parents call while I’m out,” Cassie said to Deveron as Alicia paced across the bathroom tile floor.
She had no shirt to cover her at all now and was stuck in here until the fae and his friends left.
“She’s not going with us?” Deveron asked, his tone of voice surprised.
Why would he be surprised? She knew he hated her for what she’d done to him. And surely he didn’t want her to tag along. Or did he?
Sure, for revenge after what she’d pulled. After all, he was a royal fae, and she was certain not too many would have risked insulting him by dousing him with very ice cold sodas.