Born Of Nothing

12

“How long has he been here?” I asked. “About a week and a half. I stopped in a few days after I first brought him over to make sure he had settled in, but I hadn’t been able to make it back since. Now that Lochlan and I are living together, it’s hard to disappear without an explanation.” Her brows were knitted together as she spoke, and I could tell the situation weighed on her. “How has he adjusted so far?” She pulled her lips into her mouth, biting down on a smile. “I think as well as can be expected, considering the circumstances.” “He hasn’t been living off neighborhood cats or something, has he?” She lifted her shoulders in a shrug. “I couldn’t say for sure, but I wouldn’t put it past him. I’ve tried to show him the basics and provide for him the best I can, but there’s no telling what that man does when I’m not around.” “Good Lord, that’s a little terrifying,” I said with a hesitant giggle, to which Becca responded with a chuckle of her own. Becca had brought this man to Earth for a second chance—would he be able to reintegrate into society after such an experience? How had he managed on his own since Becca brought him over? What had he done to be punished so severely? For the remainder of the trip, we chatted about random bits of gossip as the passing landscape fell into twilight. The drive wasn’t long, just enough time for my stomach to knot, and palms to line with moisture before we arrived. What was I worried about? I wasn’t the one having to adapt to a new way of life, and I’d probably never see the man again. I looked up at the chipped siding of the ordinary hotel where Becca had instructed me to park and thought how odd that an ancient Fae man was staying in a room inside those walls. Everything about the place looked ordinary, yet this man was anything but. We strolled past the reception desk, and I took a deep breath as Becca led me to a room, knocking softly at the door. The light through the peephole darkened as someone approached on the other side, and I took a shaky breath before the door clicked open. My thoughts stuttered to a stop like a computer displaying an error message—too much input, wires crossing, and not nearly enough computing power to process the man who stood before me. He was a living, breathing dichotomy, and my mind struggled to reconcile my varying impressions. Despite being well-dressed and clean shaven, he broadcasted an air of savagery. He was young in appearance, but his fathomless eyes spoke of a vast agelessness. His movements were controlled and precise as he gave us a bow, and yet his presence filled the small hallway to a stifling degree. His skin was a warm copper, and black silky hair fell down the length of his back. He was around six feet tall, and though he was solid with muscle, it was the lean type that came from an active lifestyle. No smile, no words of greeting, only a simple nod to convey our welcome. He was beautiful and damaged and totally captivating. “Hey, Fen! I hope it’s okay that I brought a friend with me—this is Cat. Cat, this is Fen.” Becca babbled our introduction, her eyes dancing between me and Fen while our own eyes remained locked on one another. Common decency told me not to stare, but I couldn’t break our contact had the building begun to crumble around me. I knew why I couldn’t look away, but what was he thinking? Was he upset I had come? Would he hurt me? My instincts told me he wouldn’t, but what did I know? Ever so slowly, his eyes left mine as he led us farther into his room. I sucked in a much-needed lungful of air and steadied myself against a wave of dizziness. Fen’s low rumbled voice coming from inside the room refocused my attention. “It is not my business with whom you travel. Please, come in.” His accent was unlike anything I had heard, only adding to his intrigue. It reminded me of Shakespearean movies when the actors spoke in formal Old English, which was yet another contradiction considering his modern appearance in a black cotton t-shirt and jeans. “I think it’s your business, but that’s beside the point. There shouldn’t be any other visitors—I’m trying to keep the Fae out of this. Cat is part of a long line of humans who know about the Fae. She knows about magic and Faery, but since she isn’t ruled by Guin, she should be safe to help us. Visiting you unnoticed won’t be easy, so I’m hoping she might visit when I can’t make it.” Rebecca grimaced in what must have been a silent apology for not mentioning her expectations earlier. She may have believed her request was an imposition, but I didn’t see it that way. I had been happy to help before we’d even left, and now that I’d laid eyes on the mysterious man she’d rescued from Faery, I was even more compelled to lend a hand if it meant learning more about Fenodree. I squeezed Becca’s hand reassuringly, and the worried creases in her forehead visibly relaxed. We helped ourselves to the chairs at a small dinette situated beside a picture window. Fen remained standing, leaning stiffly against the nearby wall. The room was unnervingly quiet. It also looked unlived in except for a leather pack on the dresser, and a glass of water set on the nightstand. “How have you been since I last saw you?” asked Becca, finally breaking the silence. “I have not had any problems,” he said tightly, but then his head tilted just a fraction and his brow furrowed. “Although, I find that I cannot sleep on the bed. I sink into its cushion, and it feels as though I am being swallowed by the webs of Black Annis.” I bit down on my lips and tried with everything I had not to laugh, but the image had been too much. Fenodree’s eyes fell on me, and to my astonishment, he lifted a single brow. Was he being playful? A full-blown grin blossomed on my face. This man was a total enigma, and I was fascinated. Rebecca asked a question during our exchanged glances, and I had to wrack my brain to recall what she’d said. Seeing even a tiny hint of humor on Fen’s stoic face had stolen my attention. I ran through her words and surprisingly found that her question had been something I could answer. “Black Annis, she’s a hag that steals away small children … or at least that’s what the legends say.” “Delightful,” mused Becca sarcastically. “I’m sorry the bed isn’t comfortable, but there’s not much that can be done about that. Have there been any other issues?” “The bed is not a problem, merely a surprise. I had assumed I would appreciate returning to the comforts of civilization, but I have slept on the ground for so long that I find the firm footing more comfortable than any bed would be. I don’t understand most of what I see when I go out, but otherwise, there have been no issues. Please, stop worrying.”