Fae of the South (Court of Crown and Compass Book 3) by E. Hall (libby ebook reader .txt) 📕

Uncertainty flushes through me. But if I belong here, with my people, where does that leave Tyrren?

Emeric continues, “As many of you know, in days of old, the fae courts would host dances that lasted until sunrise. Let’s honor the fae heritage.”

Over the shuffling in the room, music plays.

Emeric laces his hand around the small of my back. My eyes fix on his shoulders and drag down to his arms, speared along the edges with ink. His eyes don’t waver from my face, my nose, or chin as if he’s drinking me in. I swim in them, my reflection almost visible as we lean into the music. He licks his lips like a new thought crystallized in his mind. My palms sweat as he takes one of my hands. His fingers cool my skin.

“Leajka, I wish you were still on the other side, free. But now that you’re here you can understand the truth of who you are and what you’re meant to be.”

I shiver. “What do you mean?”

“You’re different. You’re special.”

Through the haze of attraction, I manage to arch an eyebrow. “Is that what you say to all the new girls?” My Brooklyn street smarts signal alarm at the could-be pickup line, but like a receding tide, they fade when he repeats my name.

His lips quirk. “You’re not just a new girl. Your reputation precedes you.”

“I’d hardly say pranks and borrowing cars qualifies as a reputation.”

“Nearly two years ago, on the night you released your magic, you left an energy signature. I’ve been looking for you ever since.”

“I’m really not all that hard to find.”

He shakes his head. “Not when you suppress your magic. You’re full of it. Full of potential.”

“I had my reasons.”

“You were made to believe that you’re dangerous when your power is actually a gift.”

“If we’re all fae here then we’re all gifted.”

“There is a prophecy, Leajka. I think you’re among those who’re meant to lead our people to absolute freedom.”

My would-be laughter comes out as a giggle.

As we glide and dance, She Loves Me by the Beatles, drowns out the song playing in the old auditorium. I think of dancing with Tyrren at the diner. Guilt nips at me, but whatever is happening right now with Emeric is different from what I felt for Lucas or any other guy. Even Tyrren. With him, it’s like home, sweatpants, a pint of ice cream, and a movie.

With Emeric, I’m beaming smiles and ribbons of magnetic energy, twisting and sizzling. Like a spark moving along a fuse, burning dangerously toward a stick of dynamite, something inside me is ready to blow. I feel it right in the middle of my chest.

As we continue to dance, Emeric floats his hands along the length of my body, arresting my skin, my blood, and my bones.

The music intensifies and he pulls me close. “I’ve waited a long time for you, Leajka. You will be the downfall of this cursed realm.” His lips are practically against mine as he speaks.

“What are you doing?” I breathe. I want to pull away but can’t. It’s as though I’m magnetized to him, slipping, sliding, my thoughts dancing away on the sound of his voice and the drum of his will.

“Exactly what you want. Anything you want.”

“We hardly know each other,” I say, logic trying to overpower these primal urges.

“I don’t think that matters,” he says.

“Why are you here?” I ask.

“You summoned me. I’m here because of your unmet desires. I’m whatever you want me to be.” His smile is wickedly beautiful.

I wobble. The room slants and I almost crash into Emeric, but Tyrren catches me.

Emeric vanishes.

Chapter 10

Tyrren

After I make sure Lea got back to her dorm safely, I stick to the shadows, sneaking to my glorified cinderblock cell.

Earlier, I was in my room, unable to sleep. Apparently, vampires are nocturnal. I stared at the city skyline, trying to trace a route back there when I saw movement on the lawn below. Sure enough, several students were sneaking past. I figured it was Cole and the others, but I’ll never mistake Lea—it helps that vampires also have super-sight. It’s like all of my senses are heightened. Especially at night. By day, the sun burns, but it’s really no worse than being at the beach too long.

At a distance, I followed Lea to the auditorium until she vanished inside. The space was dark, quiet. I poked around. The faint strains of music wavered in and out. I moved deeper into the auditorium. I could feel Lea’s presence beyond a broken-down wall. There was a second when the wall flickered like a guttering candle. I threw myself against the wall until it smashed and entered a room. Loads of fae spun around the space in a trance-like dance.

Lea was no different. Then she faltered. I caught her just as I met a pair of dark and somehow familiar eyes.

I checked to make sure Lea was okay, but the guy was gone.

Now, I’m sneaking into my dorm through a bathroom window. When I land with both feet on the tile floor, someone says, “Out for a late-night snack? Rendezvous? Why didn’t you just use the front door.” Cole leans against the wall with one foot propped up and his arms crossed as though he was waiting for me.

My shoulders tense. I don’t hide my annoyance.

“Late night, Tyrren?” he asks. “I know where you went, traitor. Rizon rules the vamps. Emeric is the fae king. He’s organizing something big and you’re going to tell me what.”

I shake my head. “Who’s Emeric?”

“Playing dumb?” He flicks my collar. “You don’t stand a chance. I see the way you looked at her.”

I thought he meant I don’t stand a chance resisting the