I back away. One of the casket handles on this side of the crypt jams into my back, the one above it barely missing the bottom of my head. I let out a grunt of pain, though I don’t take my eyes off of Rys.
“What are you doing here? How did you find me?”
“Now that you’re finally coming into your power, your soul is reaching out for its mate.” Rys advances on me. My breath catches in my throat. “I have the power to follow you wherever you go. You gave me that, Riley.”
“I didn’t give you shit!”
“Oh? Is that so?”
“Yes! You’re not supposed to be here. I don’t want you anywhere near me, you freak.”
Rys stops on the edge of the light. The corners of his mouth turn up slightly, revealing gleaming white teeth. I can’t help but notice that his canines are longer than the rest. They look like fangs.
“Unlike my kind, humans can tell an untruth. I suggest you get better at it if you want me to give up on our mating, my ffrindau.”
“Wait— you think I want you chasing after me?”
He does. I don’t need to use my talent as a gauge to know that he does. This fae actually thinks that I like his attention.
What the hell?
It’s like the day with Diana and her gold-colored eyes all over again. My breathing starts to quicken now, shallow breaths as I struggle to take in more and more oxygen. If I’m not careful, this could turn into one of those debilitating attacks that leaves me on the floor, sitting on my hands. I can’t have that. I’ve gotta keep calm.
I’ve gotta get out of here.
Though I told myself—and him—that I didn’t want his help, I find myself blurting out: “Nine!”
Rys shakes his head, long, fair hair swaying hypnotically as he paces along the line that separates the light from my dark side. He purses his lips, visibly annoyed that I’ve said Nine’s name.
“Don’t waste your breath,” he says, pouting. “Nine won’t come.”
I hope he’s wrong. I need Nine. He’s the only one I can get to help me keep Rys away from me.
I try again, “Nine, I’m sorry. Please come back!”
“He can’t. There are rules, Riley.”
My body shivers whenever he says my name. I thought it was fear the first time I shook. Now I’m not so sure. He makes Riley sound so beautiful. I should hate it—and I don’t.
This can’t be happening.
I focus on what he just said. Because, despite Nine telling me that he would come if I call for him, he isn’t here.
I glare over at the Light Fae. I’m sure that he won’t hurt me—other humans are fair game but, for the moment, as long as he wants me to, like, marry him, he’s not gonna kill me or anything. I push past my terror and my conflicting emotions when it comes to Madelaine’s murderer. He’s the only one who seems to want me to know what’s going on.
Let’s go.
“What do you mean, rules?” I demand.
Rys laughs lightly. It’s such a sweet, gentle laugh, and I think that’s what scares me most. He’s dangerous, a menace, and yet I feel myself being drawn to him. I don’t understand it and I have to stop myself from leaning in toward him.
He knows what he’s doing. It’s why I’m pressed up against the wall of caskets. I’m stuck among the dead people in this mausoleum all because part of me kinda likes the idea of walking up to the Light Fae.
“First of all, it’s daylight. The Dark Fae are crippled during the time of the sun. He can’t whip up a portal and come running without his precious shadows. And even if you’re lucky enough to find one, calling him Nine isn’t enough. He doesn’t have to respond to it—it’s not his true name. It doesn’t have the power.”
“True name? What’s that mean? Nine’s not his name?”
“Not his true name. It’s like how you want to be called Riley and I’m Rys. Nine chooses to be called Nine, but it’s not the name that you can use to command him.” He pauses. “I don’t know his, but I can give you mine. I wouldn’t mind being under your command.”