Fairy-Struck

by Amy Sumida

  Almost on cue, the band begun to play a slow, hip-grinding, tribal song just as we reached the dance floor. Tiernan looked a little shocked when I turned to face him, like he was unsure of how he'd ended up in the middle of all these dancing humans. So I took his hands and put them, none too gently, on my waist, and his look transformed, intensifying into something dark and damned sexy.

  His startling eyes were bright in the shadowy atmosphere and so was the delicate scar on his cheek. They both caught the roaming lights and flashed as he settled his hands more firmly around my waist, one of them sliding up my back to pull me against his chest. I was about to protest when my hands moved up onto his shoulders of their own accord and I found my face inches away from his.

  “Tell me what you came to say,” I swallowed hard when I heard the low timbre of my own voice.

  “It doesn't make any sense,” his face lowered half an inch further and his chest pushed into mine. I could feel the steady pounding of his heart through the fabric between us and a sweet, woodsy scent lifted up from his warm skin to taunt me.

  “What doesn't?” I blinked up at him, fascinated by the curve of his lips. Perfect, not too full, not too thin. Masculine but still sensual.

  “My fey never disobey me,” his breath caressed my cheek with a crisply clean scent, like a clear stream, and his hand slid over my back in lazy circles. “If you hadn't killed them, I would have for insubordination. So why risk that just to kill one dryad?”

  “Maybe they were in on the plot,” I offered, trying to concentrate on what he was saying instead of the way his body molded perfectly to mine, our curves and dips fitting into each other like puzzle pieces. This attraction was insane, what was wrong with me?

  “Impossible,” Tiernan shook his head, his gaze shifting from my eyes to my lips. “They only leave Fairy when we hunt. There's no way for them to form such an alliance.”

  “Well they allied with someone,” I whispered.

  “I don't think they were after Aideen,” he whispered back intimately, so low, I could barely hear him.

  “What?” I leaned closer till I was pressed cheek to cheek with him.

  “I think they were after you,” he spoke into my ear, shivers igniting from the warm tickle of his breath.

  “What?!” I jerked back to look up at him. His shoulders were more muscled than I'd thought and I found myself digging my fingers into them, trying to find something firm to hold onto. “Why?”

  “I don't know,” we had stopped moving and were just standing there, staring at each other. “Who are you, Seren Sloane? Who are you really?”

  “No one,” I stammered, “just an Extinguisher.”

  “That alone is something of merit,” he shook his head, “but you're right, it's not enough to get fairies to hunt you. So it must be something else. What is it? Why you?”

  “Why do you even think they were after me?” I shot back.

  “You think it too,” he said with an air of revelation. “I can see it in your face.”

  “Alright, I've had enough dancing,” I pulled him off the dance floor and headed toward the door of the club. “We need to talk about this somewhere else.” Translation: I couldn't think straight when I was pressed up against him.

  “Seren?” Brendan suddenly stood in front of us. “What the hell's going on?”

  “Just give us a minute, Brendan,” I tried to push past him but he angled into my way again.

  “I don't think so,” he was staring at Tiernan with gladiatorial animosity.

  “I don't need you to move for me to get past you, Extinguisher,” Tiernan smiled with matching malevolence. “In fact, I'd prefer it if you didn't.”

  “Stop it,” I shot at both of them. “We're currently on the same side but your male egos are obscuring that. So pack them away and get on board here. Brendan, I will be back in a few minutes and I assure you, I can kick his ass all on my own, without your help... and I can kick your ass too if necessary.”

  Brendan blinked and then gave a surprised bark of laughter. “You always were a wild thing and I always loved that about you,” he held his hands up. “Alright, go talk to the fairy but make it quick or I'll be coming after you.”

  “She's not your wife yet, mini Murdock,” Tiernan smiled and I groaned.

  “What did you call me?” Brendan's face shifted into fury.

  “I swear to god, I'll...” I blinked and then realized that I truly didn't give a shit about either of these men. “Fuck it,” I dropped Tiernan's hand and just started to walk away from them both.

  “Seren, where are you going?” Tiernan chased after me.

  “Away from the two of you,” I glanced back and saw that Brendan was following too. Stupid boys.

  “We haven't finished our conversation,” Tiernan tried again.

  “Obviously your conversation with Brendan has become more important to you, and Brendan seems to agree,” I shot a nasty look at Brendan. “So you're welcome to each other. I'm leaving you to your bromance.”

  “I cannot allow you to walk back to the Council House alone,” Tiernan insisted.

  “Hey, fairy,” Brendan ground out. “She's my date, I'll take her home.”

  “She doesn't seem to want you to take her home,” Tiernan observed smugly.

  “I don't want either of you fucktards to take me home!” I shouted and the club went as quiet as a club could get. Then everyone cheered, shouting encouragements to me and even some offers to be the one taking me home instead of the fucktards.

  “What is a fucktard?” Tiernan frowned.

  “Basically, it's a stupid fucker. Or to simplify it,” I rolled my eyes and started walking away again, “you guys.”

  They followed me out of the club. Of course they did annoying men always follow you when you try to walk away from them. I have no idea why.

  “I really do need to speak further with you, Seren,” Tiernan said again.

  “She's Extinguisher Seren to you, asshole,” Brendan ground out.

  I turned around and punched Brendan in the face. Yep, I was just that angry. The really brilliant part was that he went down like a felled tree. I stood gaping at the fallen bulk of him a second before he began to groan and rub his jaw. Tiernan didn't seem shocked at all, extremely pleased but not shocked. He waved a hand in the air and a red sports car was revealed, parked right in front of the club. Nice trick. Then he took my hand and led me over to it while Brendan was still trying to get to his feet.

  “That was the most entertaining thing I've seen in a long time,” Tiernan commented casually as he opened the door for me.

  “Wait a minute,” I stood within the open door. “I never said I was going to leave with you.”

  “Seren, this is an urgent matter,” he sighed. “I know I've behaved poorly tonight and I apologize for it but the way that man was acting with you, so presumptuous, really incurred my ire.”

  “He was kind of presumptuous,” I sighed and slid into the leather seat. “Alright, let's go.”

  “Thank you,” he nodded and shut the door.

  Brendan finally made it into a standing position and started stumbling after us as we sped away.

  Chapter Twelve

  “That man is not a good match for you,” Tiernan said as he moved smoothly through the wicked web that was also known as the streets of San Francisco.

  “We're not talking about Brendan,” I sighed impatiently. “Or my job requirement of marrying another Extinguisher.”

  “It's a job requirement?” He looked at me, aghast.

  “Pretty much,” I closed my eyes and rubbed at my forehead. “But, like I said, we're not discussing it.”

  “Fine, we'll discuss how I'm going to be stuck to your side until we figure this whole thing out.”

  “Excuse me?” I opened my eyes to stare at him in shock. “Who named you my guardian?”

  “The High Council of Fairy,” he proclaimed serenely.

  “They did not,” I smirked at him.

  “Not
in those exact words, no,” he never lost his cool. “But they told me to discover the truth of these events and I intend to do so.”

  “And you think I'm going to somehow lead you to the truth?” I laughed.

  “Yes, I do,” he barely glanced to the left before he zipped into the other lane.

  “You drive like a maniac,” I noted.

  “I am a Lord of the Wild Hunt,” he slid his eyes over to me. “We don't know how to drive slowly.”

  “Whose car is this anyway?” I looked around the posh interior, trying to stall so I could make some sense of what he was saying.

  “It belongs to the Hunt,” he shifted gears as we went uphill. “We have one in every city, just in case.”

  “Just in case you need to hightail it away from an Extinguisher club with another man's date?” I grinned at him.

  “Yes, that precisely,” he said drolly.

  “You can't follow me around all day, Tiernan,” I huffed. “And this makes no damn sense! A bunch of fairies are not trying to kill me. Why would they want to?”

  “Why would someone want to murder your mother?” He asked simply.

  “You know about that?” I gaped at him.

  “I looked into you before I came to San Francisco,” he admitted.

  “Why?”

  “Because...” he blinked. “Because I need to know who I'm working with.”

  “You had no idea you'd be working with me,” I pointed out.

  “Stop dodging the question,” he shot back. “Someone sent those pukas after your mother and now I think they're coming for you.”

  “But this isn't about me, this is about Aideen and what she knows,” I shook my head.

  “Perhaps,” he conceded, “but you play a part, I'm sure of it. I can feel it, like an itch just below my skin.”

  “Oh, I hate those itches,” I groaned. “You scratch and scratch and nothing helps.” I glanced over and saw him giving me an exasperated look. “I know you're not being literal. I was just trying for some levity.”

  “Next time you should try harder,” he grimaced. “Or not at all.”

  “Wonderful,” I rolled my eyes. “Thanks for the tip, Legolas.”

  “Do not make Lord of the Rings jokes with me,” he said seriously. “We fey, hate that.”

  “You shouldn't have told me that,” I grinned. “Bad move, Harry Potter.”

  “I don't understand that reference,” he frowned.

  “The scar,” I waved a hand at his face. “Did someone try to cast a killing curse on you but it didn't work because your mother loved you soooo much?”

  “That's rather...” he blinked and looked away. “Do not call me that again.”

  “Fine,” I gave a great sigh, “Legolas it is. It's more fun to say than Harry Potter anyway.”

  “There will come a day when I discover what irritates you and I will not be gentle in my vengeance,” he warned me.

  “You irritate me,” I laughed. “Go ahead, what more could you possibly do besides exist?”

  “Now you sound like my father,” he mumbled.

  “What?” I whispered, suddenly contrite.

  Had I actually said something that hurt his feelings? Had my careless words struck a nerve? I'd thought I'd been playing by the rules but I guess didn't know him well enough to play with him. It's all fun and games, till someone gets hurt.

  “Nothing,” his jaw clenched as he stared straight ahead.

  “You know, my father is not going to allow a fairy to be my constant companion,” I tried to get back on subject. “Not to mention the fact that I'm an Extinguisher and can take care of myself.”

  “I'm not doubting your abilities, Seren,” he said calmly. “I've heard your mother was quite talented too but still, she was killed.”

  “Could you please stop bringing up my mother's death?”

  “No, I think she's an important piece of the puzzle,” he glanced at me. “Though I'm sorry if talking about her causes you pain.”

  “It's fine,” I sighed. “Talking to you causes me pain but here I am.”

  “That is the second time you've insinuated that you find me unpalatable,” Tiernan pulled the car over into one of the rarest things in San Francisco: a legal parking spot. He turned to me and took my jaw in his hand so I couldn't look away. “I am not a fey to be trifled with nor am I one to consort with humans. I find most of them to be crude, stupid, and frankly, repulsive but there is something about you that I'm drawn to and I know you feel it too. You can't deny that you desired me tonight.”

  His hold loosened, the pupils in his eyes dilating as his palm went flat along my jaw, his thumb lightly stroking my lips. My breath caught and then I exhaled softly against his skin. He pressed the pad of his thumb into me, separating my lips to rest his flesh against my teeth, and his eyes dropped to my mouth. Then that hand slid back along my cheek, his fingers firm and determined against my skin. They sank into my hair and clutched at the strands as his eyes lifted to mine once more.

  He started that slow lean which always leads to a kiss and I watched in fascination as his eyelids drifted shut. His breath mingled with mine, the air between us heating deliciously. I started to close my eyes as the tender flesh of his lips just barely brushed mine. A jolt of sensation rocketed through me from that gossamer graze and shocked me back into reason. I jerked away and he looked at me as if I'd slapped him.

  “Whether there is an attraction here or not,” I was annoyed to find my breath coming swift and eager. “Whether or not you find me repulsive, there can't be anything between us.”

  “Because I'm not an Extinguisher?” He whispered, his striking eyes shining in the dark like a cat's.

  “Even worse,” I sighed, “you're a fairy, and even worse than that, you're a member of the Wild Hunt. This would be fraternization of the worst kind. There is literally no one who would be a more horrible match for me.”

  “That's your father talking,” he angled his head as he studied me. “I don't think you believe that.”

  I swallowed hard before I answered. He was right, I didn't believe it, and in that moment, I wanted nothing more than to close the distance between us and find out what he tasted like. I bet it was something rich and complex, like expensive red wine... and just as intoxicating.

  “I have to marry an Extinguisher,” I murmured, my gaze dropping briefly to his lips.

  “I'm not proposing,” he'd caught the look and had started to lean in again.

  “I hardly have the lifestyle for a fling with a fairy,” I protested but didn't move away as he continued to close the distance between us.

  “I wasn't offering a fling either,” he was speaking against my lips, his breath fluttering across my skin.

  “Then what?” I slid a hand between us and pushed him away from me, giving him a dark look.

  “Something else,” his eyes were focused on my lips. “Something unique to us.”

  “So right here, then?” I looked around the car. “You want me to just jump over the gear shift and straddle you? Is that how you saw this playing out because let me tell, I've made out in a sports car before and it's not comfortable.”

  “No, not here,” his gaze lifted to my own, searing in its intensity. “But I have an idea.”

  “What exactly about this conversation makes you think that I'll be sleeping with you tonight?” I gaped at him.

  “It's not your words,” his breath was coming faster and I was shocked to find my own quickening to pace his. His hand drifted over to where mine rested on my thigh and his fingers grazed the top of mine. A shivering sensation spread up from his touch, making my hand twitch. I swallowed hard as his fingers snaked around mine to rub at the sensitive skin of my palm.

  “What then?” My voice was just a breath of sound.

  “It's your eyes,” his deep timbre vibrated through me, tightening my thighs and shifting our joined hands. He inhaled sharply before he continued. “It's the way your eyes stray over my body, and your lips, how they shi
ver just a little when I speak. It's the way your breasts are rising with your rapid breaths and the way your hands are shaking with the need to touch me. You want me and I want you. Very badly. It's simple.”

  “No it isn't,” I held a hand out between us. “I don't know why you make me lose my damn mind but I can't have that. I can't have you. So I'm not going to do this. I refuse to torment myself with a relationship that can't go anywhere.”

  “Fuck!” He shocked me by swearing and slamming his fist into the steering wheel. “I apologize,” he said immediately and calmed himself with a deep exhalation as he ran a hand through his long hair. Such a strange ombré effect, that platinum so bright in the shadows of the car, like a halo around his face. Then the color slowly deepened all the way to black at the ends, giving the illusion that his hair was turning into the darkness itself.

  “It's alright,” I sighed. “I feel the same way.” And I did. My body was tense, as angry with me as he was, thrumming with need for a man we could never have. So stupid.

  “Then why are you denying us this?” He looked over, his eyes wide with confusion. “A fairy would never ignore an attraction so strong. Pleasure should be taken wherever it can be found, especially for those of us who rarely find it.”

  “Oh please,” I rolled my eyes. “Don't you dare try to imply that you don't get laid all the time.”

  “Ah,” he gave a grim laugh, “there's that crudeness I was referring to.”

  “As if fairies aren't crude,” I lifted a brow at him.

  “Not the sidhe,” he shrugged, “and I wouldn't couple with a lesser fey.”

  “Well, there you go. I'm obviously not the girl for you,” I glanced away, not sure why his criticism of my behavior should hit me so hard.

  “Stop doing that,” he grabbed my upper arm and gave it a little shake. “This is not going away, no matter what you say, and no, by the way, I don't get laid all the time.”

  “What the hell are you talking about?” I looked him over. “Not only are you gorgeous, you're a freaking Lord of the Wild Hunt, as you keep reminding me. That alone should drop some panties.”

  He just sat there and gaped at me. Did he really not know how hot he was? I'd seen enough fairies to know that even among their stunning throng, this guy was something noteworthy. His humble, shocked expression had to be pretense... and it probably worked on a lot of women. God damned fairies, they were good at getting what they wanted.