Chapter Seventeen

Bridgett: Wednesday, 3:00 p.m.

I’d taken reports over the phone from Franklin, Tony, the pack leader from the Sacramento area pack, and several other packs in the northwestern part of the country. I gave Sinc the information, which she texted or emailed to Garrett, depending on the length. So far there’d been no other sightings of Kennet or goblins, but the team was being diligent. Farrell said some of the woodland fae who wandered the countryside had contacted Lord Caelen about disturbances in the same areas as the other reports described, so it seemed as if we were on the right track.

I was sitting at the kitchen table, organizing my notes when Sasha sat down across from me. I glanced up at the clock, frowning, then remembered he got up earlier than the others because he’d been a vampire for longer. Sasha was oozing his seductive charisma this afternoon, which meant he must want something. Sex on a Stick, was my private name for him. I smiled just to be pleasant and said, “Do you want a cup of coffee or a soda?”

A grin spread from one ear to the other. “No, thank you. But there’s something else you can offer me.” His Russian accent only added to his charm. I had a sudden urge to buy earplugs.

“Not happening, Sasha.” I crossed my arms. I knew how to deal with bullies.

“It would be safer for all of you if I didn’t leave the property to feed. I wouldn’t take much, but of course I won’t force you, Bridgett. However, I can promise you won’t regret it.” His voice was soft, sliding across my skin and making me tremble. He wasn’t trying to glamour me, which Garrett had expressly forbidden. He was just using his many natural gifts to seduce me. I looked at his handsome face and his firm muscular body and wondered what it would be like.

I snapped out of it when his sexy smile turned into a smirk. Frowning, I leaning back in my chair. “You used to force females, didn’t you?”

He nodded, his expression flipping from smug to wary. “Sometimes, under Eleanor’s watchful eye. It made me sick, but I was usually able to help them escape. If I’d refused, she would have given them to Antoine.”

I wasn’t sure whether I believed him or not. “You should go out and feed. Will and Heinrich can feed later.”

He leaned forward slightly, putting his face closer to mine. “I don’t recall Garrett leaving you in charge, Bridgett. In fact, I think you’re on the very bottom of the chain of command. So why don’t you help me out so I don’t have to leave you, Sinc and Rob unprotected? Shifters are no match for a fae lord.” He smiled, taking in a deep breath. I wasn’t surprised at all to see his fangs poke out.

I shook my head and twisted my mouth into a scowl. I wasn’t afraid of Sasha. Yeah, he was strong and fast and he had an incredibly sexy power that made it really hard to refuse him, but he wouldn’t force me to give him blood because then Garrett would kill him—literally. Plus, as obnoxious as he could be, I knew Sasha took his responsibilities seriously and would protect us weak little shifters with his life. Still, I was happy when Farrell’s voice carried over from the patio door.

“A vampire is no better match for a fae lord. Bridgett and the other shifters are well protected, by me.”

“And who are you?” On the surface, Sasha seemed relaxed and unfazed, but I was close enough to notice the tension in his jaw and the way his eyes narrowed slightly.

“Sasha, this is Farrell He’ll be here every single day until Liam comes back. Farrell, this is Sasha, Garrett’s second.” I introduced him like that so he’d save a little face in front of Farrell, since I’d kind of shot him down within hearing distance.

Sasha didn’t miss the way Farrell’s hand rested on the hilt of his sword. “I hope you can cook as well as Liam because the shifters love to eat.” He turned to me. “I’ll be back in one hour.” Sasha left through the patio door, giving Farrell a warning look to the tune of, I’m in charge here so don’t get in my way.

Farrell smiled and walked over to the table. “May I sit?” I was a little surprised that he wanted to talk but I gestured for him to sit down. “That one is over one hundred years and a warrior. Yet you don’t fear him?”

“I’m scared; I just know how to hide it. I grew up around werewolves and I know the type. Sasha’s hot, so most women have no problem shoving their necks in his face. I don’t think he’s used to being turned down. But he’s smart enough not to hurt any of us now that he’s in Garrett’s nest. He’s got it good here compared to living with Eleanor. Plus, I’m pretty sure he’s serious about doing a good job and helping us find Jackie.”

“When you say ‘hot’, you mean handsome?”

“Yeah, but it’s a little bit more than that.” My face heated up and he smiled. I tried to change the subject. “Are you a warrior?”

“Yes, all High Seelie train as warriors. Some continue on, others put their swords aside.”

“What’s the difference between seelie and unseelie?”

“We seelie consider ourselves of a higher rank than the unseelie, although according to legend we emerged—came into existence—at exactly the same moment in time. Seelie tend to communicate more with other supernatural races and live more in the light, choosing outdoor areas in which to celebrate our festivals. Some call us the Summer Fey. We are more human in appearance and more concerned with our bloodlines, trying to keep them pure and not mixed with many races. We have been breeding with humans and shifters more often over the last millennium because, sadly, we have much trouble conceiving.

“The unseelie are an odd conglomeration of mixed and pure races who choose to live mostly in darker, harsher climes. They are vicious in battle. Demons and goblins rank among them. Unless highly motivated, usually by the promise of riches or hostages, they are not friendly to other races. There is much inbreeding between their kind, producing horrific creatures with unstable powers. That is why all seelie fae train as warriors, in case a war is declared between the two. Also many of the unseelie dabble in blood magic, which is strictly forbidden among the seelie fae.”

“So the seelie are good and the unseelie are evil?”

“No, that isn’t quite true. Look at Lord Kennet. He has turned evil and yet he is High Seelie, of the royal line in fact. The Goblin King is not unreasonable, as long as you don’t go back on your word with him.”

“Thanks for answering my questions.” I gave him a nod with my hand on my heart, the way I’d seen Garrett show respect to Lord Caelen. “Would you like something to eat? I was going to make an early dinner, since Sinc, Rob and I skipped lunch.”

“If you’ll permit me, I’ll help you.”

So, go figure. The Fae warrior who was so angry with me this morning, helped me make dinner. I didn’t know what had changed, but I was able to put aside some of the guilt that had been weighing me down and put together a pretty tasty meal for the food-eating members of our strange household. Farrell was a good cook, and turned out to be really good company.