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

trip to the Southlands. If so, make sure nothing happens to our girls.”

“And possibly the Eastlands. We need to find our fourth sister.”

Ivan scratches his temple. He opens and closes his mouth. Like before, it’s as though there’s more he wants to say and it’s on the tip of his tongue, but he either won’t say it or can’t. “I wish it had been different. But not even wishes on birthday candles or pennies can change things.” He looks at me.

I wonder what he means. He leaves off wishes on stars. I hold onto my little girl wishes with the hope that they could still come true.

Both Ivan and I turn to Tyrren. My uncle speaks first. “I never thought I’d say this, but as for you, my newest and favorite vampire, welcome to the Brooklyn Vampire Club. We’re humane vamps, but we don’t mess around.”

The rest of us start talking and I notice Ivan drifts over to Heather with a shy smile I’ve never before seen on the devastatingly handsome vampire.

Ivan brings us back to the city in his black Cadillac. Because there are so many of us, I’m smooshed into the front passenger seat with Tyrren. There’s something about being so close to him that brings me comfort amidst all this craziness. He’s always been there for me and now, as a vampire, he’ll be around for as long as I am. Then again, I’ll do what I have to do, even if it means sacrificing myself to protect the realms. I may not be a peace officer like Kiki or even a police officer—more often than not I’m on the other side of the law—but knowing what Glandias and Count Vlad are attempting to do to us brings out all the fight in me.

The interior of the car is hardly lit and in the darkness, Tyrren reaches for my hand. If I were the same girl as yesterday, full of light and shadow, if I could feel anything, it would be a thrill. It would be a moment that my secret-self had waited for all these years, longed for when we watched movies, danced together, and goofed around.

It’s in that moment, breezing down the highway toward the unknown that I realize my deepest truth. I’m in love with a vampire. Only, Tyrren wasn’t always a vampire. But I love him all the same. As a friend. As more.

The one rule I’ve always had is to forget the past. But I’m going to have to break it. In fact, I have broken it, starting with acknowledging that I’m fae. Unseelie fae at that. I yearned to ignore the attempted abduction when I was little and the attack sophomore year. Now, I’ll have to break another rule. That I love Tyrren.

I was brave enough to break these rules, face Emeric, Glandias, and make the choice to become a shadow fae, letting go of the most precious parts of myself so I could target Glandias. But can I tell Tyrren how I feel? I’ll make the brave choice.

Ivan pulls into an underground garage in Brooklyn. “Oh, by the way, the X-Crew aka Emeric torched the penthouse. New digs.”

Tyrren stiffens beside me. “It was the night I was turned. He was the one who did it.”

“Yeah, like I said,” Ivan replies.

“No, I mean Emeric is the one who turned me,” Tyrren clarifies.

“If I didn’t see him die myself, I’d do the deed,” I grind out.

“That’s my girl. Now, apply that shadowed, unseelie ire at Glandias and—” Ivan goes quiet.

“And Count Vlad. Yeah, I intend to.”

Tyrren gets out of the car and grips my arms. Concern streaks his features. “I tried to go in there the night of the blaze. My vampire instincts stopped me. I’d never have forgiven myself if anything happened to you.”

His eyes drop to mine.

“I know,” I whisper.

“Even now, if anything happens—”

“It won’t, Tyrren. That’s the problem with being shadow fae. I’m indestructible.”

“So you and I are locked into eternity?” He hitches a smile.

Without my realizing it, Tyrren’s arm laces around my shoulders and mine finds its way around his waist. I discover a feeling of belonging amidst the exile of my light.

Ivan spares us a funny grin.

“What are you looking at?” I ask, unable to stop myself.

“What I’ve been looking for.”

“You? The serial dater?” I ask.

“For hundreds of years.” Ivan’s tone is filled with yearning.

“You never told me how old you are,” I say.

“You’ve asked me that almost every day since you were old enough to talk. If you get your light back, I’ll tell you.”

I extend my hand to my uncle. “It’s a deal.”

“Now, I’m going to need the big fella for a bit. We need to go over rules and initiate him.” Ivan’s eyes flash with the excitement I’ve seen at him getting ahold of a particularly powerful vampire. My uncle strides toward the elevator.

I survey Tyrren’s strong build, never really having noticed it before. His biceps and forearms are sculpted, his hands are masculine, and the cut of his jaw is like forged steel. Then my gaze lands directly on his lips.

The shadow pulls at me, at the same time telling me that I’m worthless and to take what I want. I’m not good enough for Tyrren and yet I want him.

He takes my hands.

The gesture quiets the shadow. I find a certain stillness, peace—like stars in a night sky glimmering with light.

His dark eyes tell me he wants what I want. But it’s not for seizing. Rather, it’s for giving.

I lift onto my toes.

The world fades.

Thought dissipates.

This too is a choice that I’ll gladly make.

Our lips brush together.

His hand cups the back of my head and the other presses into my low back.

I breathe in his scent, smoke,