by Dee Garcia
I won’t lie...my dick kicks beneath my trousers at the snip in her tone. Feisty Tinksley is all the more intriguing than pure little demur Tinksley. If the current predicament weren’t so pressing, I’d be tempted to continue pushing her buttons.
And I might just still, if this all turns out the way I’m hoping.
“You need to listen to me.”
She rolls her eyes in a perfect circle. “Here we go again with this ‘you need to listen to me’ crap. I don’t need to do shit, okay? I don’t want to—”
I’m on her before she can blink, pinning her body to the bed, hand sealed over her lips, the tip of my nose touching hers. “Hush. Your mouth. And listen to me, Tinksley. I get it, you’re mad, furious, livid. All of the above, and rightfully so to some extent. But I can’t take back what happened. I did what I thought was best in the moment because like I said, I wasn’t going to let you die. It wasn’t your time.”
Those tropical irises flare as a frustrated growl builds in her chest. She’s ripping my hand off seconds later, breaths coming erratic. “Let’s try this again—who are you to decide that? I chose it to be my time because I didn’t want to think about Peter anymore, didn’t want to feel that pain anymore. And guess what? Here I am, still feeling it now, on top of confusion, and anger, and every other damned emotion throttling through me at once, because you thought it would be a genius idea to turn me into a goddamn vampire! I loathe what my father is! Why would you ever think I’d be okay with this?”
“I didn’t think you’d—”
“Exactly you didn’t think!” she snaps. “Now look at me! I’m alive, but just barely from what it seems. I’m turning more pale by the hour, my markings are blacking over, so are my wings. I don’t even feel like—
“You’re going to be fine, I swear it. Just listen to me, please. Let me explain.”
For several moments, she doesn’t speak. She just stares, embitterment and betrayal unmistakably reflecting back at me.
I hate it, every ounce of it, regardless of the fact she has every right to feel that way.
“Fine,” she finally concedes, shoving at my chest, reminding me of how close together our bodies are pressed. “Be my guest.”
I almost don’t want to move, start to envision how much better this conversation could go if I just stay right here, but she’s too displeased with me right now. Keeping her beneath me would only be pushing my luck, and it’s not like I have much of that on my side as it is.
Or would it?
The way she’s looking at me right now says the complete opposite of that. How she gazes down the length of our bodies, trying and failing not to gulp in the process. I don’t know if I’m imagining it, either, but I swear her legs part wider, aligning me perfectly in ways I’ve only fantasized about.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
Her pulse echoes in my ears, drawing my attention, once again, to the surge and collapse of her chest. Whether her reaction is sheer arousal or a sudden rush of blood lust breaking through, I have to tear myself away before my cock can react, before I myself get too caught up and pull something I might regret after the fact.
Settling for one of the wingback chairs near the dresser, I pull it toward the bed and plant my ass on its soft, ivory cushion, watching how she inhales a deep breath and sits up. “Why don’t we start off with whatever questions you have and then we go from there?”
Tinksley nods, running a hand through her pallid tresses. “You said I’m in transition to that man last night. Transition means something has to or will happen. I’m sure I already know the answer to this, but I need to hear it aloud. So what is it?”
Right to the point, huh?
Sighing, I lean forward onto my knees. “You need to feed.”
“I see.” Her tone couldn’t be more flat. “Well, I’m not doing it.”
The chair nearly tips backward from the force in which my head rears back. “What? You have to, otherwise you’ll—”
“Die? Who cares? I was supposed to die anyway.”
“Okay, supposed to, as in the past. I changed that. Do you really want to die after being given another chance to live? You were always too good for Pan, Tinksley. I think I’ve made that clear to you on more than one occasion.”
“It’s not all about Peter, Captain. I don’t want to be this. Don’t want to hurt anyone.”
“And yet that’s not what your demeanor exuded late last night.”
Tinksley clears her throat and flicks her gaze away. “My mind was in a tangle with everything going on. I was caught off-guard, that’s all.”
Nice try, my little pixie.
My lips twitch as I attempt not to smirk. “It’s perfectly okay to be intrigued. That’s one of the many and more exciting ways we feed. You can also forgo a body all together and take to bags. Draegan can show you more about that option if you’d—”
“Not necessary,” she interjects, lifting a hand. “I told you I’m not doing it, in any way, shape, or form.”
Said smirk thins out faster than it sprung up. “Tinksley, please think about this. Vampires are nothing like the Fae. Yes, we need blood to survive, but we don’t have to kill in the process. It is one-hundred percent possible to take your fill and send them on their way thereafter.”
“I don’t care if it’s possible or not. I’m not doing it.”
“But what about your mother? Your father? What about all of those who care for you? No one knows you tried taking—”
“Oh, please.” The scoff she sets free all but slaps me across the face. “They have to know by now, or at least suspect it. I never came home last night, remember? I’m surprised the entire town isn’t in a flurry looking for me alongside my mother, especially after—”
Knock, knock!
Both Tinksley and I exchange a look, then turn toward the door. “Come in!” I belt.
Violet pokes her head inside and smiles remorsefully, a hint of relief washing over her features at seeing Tinksley alive and well. “I’m so sorry for interrupting, Captain, but there’s someone here to see you. It’s urgent.”
What now?
“Escort them to my office and let them know I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
With a quick nod of her grayed head and a warm smile, she replies, “Yes, sir.”
And then she’s gone, leaving Tinksley and I alone in the stillness of her room once more. Looks like this conversation will, unfortunately, have to be cut short. I’ll come back to deal with her once whatever this so-called urgent matter is sorted.
“Where were we?”
“I’m not doing it,” she echoes. “That’s where we were.”
“Tinksley, please.” I’m sighing again, scrubbing a hand down my face. “I beseech you. Think this through clearly, love. Please. There’s more at play here than just vampirism; Draegan confirmed it early this morning. Let me deal with whomever just showed up here and then we can continue this conversation.”
“There’s nothing to think about, Captain. I’m. Not. Doing. It—point blank. I realize that means I’ll die here, but it is what it is. Like I said, I was supposed to die regardless, and if there’s more to be considered as you claim, all the more reason to let me go. I’m a danger to society as one of your kind, and I want nothing to do with it.” There’s not even the slightest waver in her voice, a fact that worries me.
She can’t be serious, can she?
I rise to my full height. “We’ll talk about this later.”
Tinksley isn’t the least bit amused. “If I’m still alive, that is.”
“Oh, you will be. As I stated, there’s more at play. Just don’t do anything stupid in the meantime, like walk into the sunlight.” I tip my head toward the curtains.
“So that’s not a wivestale? Sunlight is, in fact, harmful?”
Her curiosity instantly fills me with hope. “Very.”
“And yet you walk the day?”
“Magic, sweetheart.” I grin, ambling toward the door. �
�More specifically, black magic. And as soon as you feed, I’ll ensure you can walk the day, too.”
“You don’t listen, do you? I’m not—”
Slam!
♫ Never Be Like You - Flume feat. Kai ♫
Much to my surprise, he never came back.
Draegan, however, did.
I’d never met him prior to that moment, but I did remember seeing him and that auburn mop around through the years. He’s quite young from what I can tell, possibly my age. I can’t help but wonder what his story is; how he died, how he ended up becoming this.
Was it his choice, or did he—like me—not have a say in it at all?
Despite my curiosity, I didn’t ask, didn’t say much of anything, really, while he regaled me with the facts. Or, as he worded it, my prognosis.
They’re things I kind of suspected already but wasn’t sure were plausible.
Apparently, being a half vampire, half Fae hybrid is rare, but extremely plausible nonetheless. Go figure, right? I couldn’t be just one beast. No. I had to be two, one I’ve detested since I was old enough to understand, and another I never thought I’d have to worry about.
Grim outcome and all, at least I know now.
Not that it makes a difference with my decision. If anything, it only solidifies it. A vampire alone is a threat, but a vampire with a Fae lurking in the shadows, waiting to be unleashed? That’s lethal, exactly as Draegan relayed, especially when the chances to trigger it increase after completing the immortal transition.
No thank you. I have no desire to live under such qualms.
Still, I find myself treading the aisles of the library in search of something, anything that might provide more answers than what Hook’s messenger divulged. He swore there wasn’t much information he could provide me with, given how rare and scarce my kind have been throughout the centuries, but there has to be something.
With all of the books Callan has on these floor to ceiling shelves, there just has to be.
Even if I don’t find anything at all, a distraction from my racing thoughts is a welcome reprieve. Evidently, I’m going to need a whole lot more since I have a somewhat longer expiration date than the average immortal.
Ten shelves and five books later, I’ve taken residence on the plush carpet of the library floor, flipping page after page of what appears to be a journal; a man’s retelling through the years of all the species his wife actively sought out. She was obsessed with finding supernatural beings who walked the human realm, mostly vampires and witches. There’s a brief entry or two about the Fae, about how they came face to face with those black, glossy eyes and viciously long teeth, but nothing more. I presume they fled before—
“You’re not going to find much, unfortunately,” says a familiar voice.
My head snaps up immediately, stare colliding with a pair of dark, velvety brown eyes. “Tigerlily?”
What is she doing here?
The Chief’s daughter smiles fondly and drops down to her knees before me, pulling me in for a hug. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine, I guess,” is all I answer, mostly because I’m not sure how to answer. “What are you doing here?”
Tigerlily chortles quietly and shrugs. “I live here now.”
“What? What do you mean you live here now?”
“I made a deal with Hook. If he let my brother go, I’d stay here and be his personal blood bag until Tavi’s debt is repaid,” she explains, like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
My mouth pops open.
I had no idea. Hadn’t heard my mother or anyone in town mention it, not even once.
“And your father’s okay with this? How long have you been here?” I shut the book in my grasp and set it aside.
“It’s been a few months now. Three, maybe four? He wasn’t okay with it at all, no—not until Hook gave him my letter of reasoning. I suppose his spot on the council left him no choice, either. It’s too much of a valuable position, the only voice for our people, for him to throw away because of his headstrong daughter. Truth be told, it’s not so awful anymore. Quarters are nice as you can see,” she chuckles, circling a hand through the air. “And I get to see Papa whenever they hold a meeting.”
“You’ve been here that long?” I ask incredulously.
“Yup.”
“And how much longer til you get to go home?”
Another shrug, one almost too nonchalant for my liking. “Until Tavi’s debt is paid, but, I have no idea when that is. Enough about me, though—are you sure you’re okay?”
No, I think to myself, but I’m not about to voice that. “I’ve been better.”
“Is the…Is the blood lust bad?” she whispers, throwing me off entirely.
“Wait, you know?”
Tigerlily nods and scoots closer to me, setting a gentle hand over my own. “Honey, everyone within these walls knows.”
“Wonderful. What else do they know? Have they heard anything from town?” I cross my mental fingers she’s not about to say my mother’s losing her shit.
“Well, they know about you, period. About what you are. But I also overheard Hook chatting with Nina and Brielle. According to them, one of their coven sister’s along with Persia’s daughter have been missing since yesterday. There’s no word on whether or not Persia made it to Lapiz, either. Messengers have been sent, and none have returned as of yet.”
What feels like a boulder scrapes down my throat as dread begins creeping in anew. I’m not certain I want to know the answer to the question moments away from leaving my mouth, but I have to know. “What about my mom? Did they mention anything about her?”
“I didn’t stick around long enough to hear it all, but no, I didn’t hear anything. Why?”
This time, it’s me who hitches a shoulder as my gaze cuts down to my lap. “She doesn’t know I’m here.”
“What?” I feel Tigerlily’s eyes bulge. “So you becoming—she doesn’t know?”
I shake my head. “Far from it.”
There’s a brief hiccup in time following my response. I can’t even bring myself to look at the Chief’s daughter knowing what she’s undoubtedly about to ask.
“Then what happened?”
My world shattered, that’s what happened.
“I um…I…” I can’t get the words out. My fingers ache from how callously I’m wringing them in my grip. Having to say the words aloud is humiliating.
“You can tell me, Tinksley,” Tigerlily urges. “I would never judge you.”
Anyone would judge me.
“I tried to, um…I tried to end it all,” I blurt, keeping my stare downcast. “I’d have been successful in that attempt, too, if Hook hadn't found me on the beach.”
The Chief’s daughter gasps, loud enough that the aghast sound bounces off every hard surface around us. “You tried to kill yourself?” she whisper-hisses, cupping my face, studying me. “Why on Earth would you ever do that?”
Tears well at the surface almost immediately as the memories I keep trying to ignore, to forget, replay from start to finish. “I just couldn’t do it anymore, not after…Not after Peter left me. He was everything to me, my whole entire world and then some.”
“Oh, honey—that boy wasn’t worth your life. You know that, right?” Though her face was never hardened, it softens all the more.
I appreciate her kindness, but the pity in her eyes? I hate it. I didn’t knock upon death’s door for anyone to pity me, I did it because it’s what I had to do.
“Doesn’t matter anymore, too late now. What’s done is done.”
“True.” She releases me, falling back on her knees. “The deal has been sealed and—”
“No, it hasn’t. I haven’t fed yet.”
Again her eyes bulge as another burst of air escapes her throat. “What do you mean you haven’t fed yet? That’s the only way to complete the transition.”
“I know, but I was supposed to die out there. There wasn’t supposed to be a second chance
for me.”
“Please don’t tell me you’re about to say what I think you are.”
“That I’ve decided not to feed?”
Silence.
“Tinks, you have to,” she murmurs after a beat. “Your life never should’ve ended over Peter, no matter how much you loved him and how heartbroken he left you. I don’t always agree with Hook, trust me, but you need to feed. Your mom would be devastated.”
“She’ll be devastated regardless. I know she loves my father, but I know she also wishes he were different, that he weren’t of his kind. Imagine if she were to find out Hook had turned me of his own accord after I tried to commit suicide. I can’t do it, Tigerlily. I refuse to put her through that, to live my life like...this. For as long as I can remember, I’ve hated what my father is and everything he stands for. I don’t want others to view me in that same obscure shadow, especially when the risk of exposing that side of myself doubles after I feed. I’ll pass on that.”
“But you were okay with having to put her through her only child’s death? She’ll love you in any state, Tinksley, she’s your mom. It’s like my dad, for instance. He may not fully agree with my choice, but as a leader, he understands why I decided so.”
“Yeah, but you didn’t kill yourself and then come back from the dead,” I argue, still cringing from the way her question resonated with me.
But you were okay with having to put her through her only child’s death?
She must have sensed the sudden chill of my demeanor because she crawls to my side and throws an arm around my shoulders. “Doesn’t matter. The point is, parents love unconditionally.”
“I don’t know. She may love me, but I’m not sure she’d ever forgive me for my choices, much less accept them.”
Don’t cry, Tinksley. Do not cry.
“You’ll never know if you don’t give her a chance, if you don’t give yourself a chance,” she offsets. “I know you’re scared—I mean, who wouldn’t be, but you’re going to be fine. I know you are.”
“You sound like the Captain,” I scoff, chuckling as I wipe away a single tear.
Tigerlily laughs, too. “What can I say? He’s rubbing off on me. The man isn’t all bad.”