I snorted. “Hardly. You’ve seen me eat, Ella. And you’ve seen me in sunlight. Also? Vampires don’t exist. They’re a myth contrived by humans, likely because of a few idiot Midnight Fae who didn’t compel their prey correctly.”
“Compel?” she repeated, understanding brightening her features. “You compelled me tonight.”
“Yeah, I did,” I admitted, running my fingers through my hair. “Not that it’s a great excuse, but you wouldn’t have gotten in the car without it.” I’d seen the fight written all over her body, and I wasn’t in the mood to persuade via my usual charms. They were all burned out, thanks to Ryan and her damn shenanigans.
“And the dancing,” she added.
My eyebrow lifted. “What about the dancing?”
“You compelled me then, too.”
It took me a moment to realize what she really meant—the seduction and subsequent kiss. Amusement tilted my lips. “Oh, no, sweetheart. That was real. No compulsion involved.”
“You made me kiss you.”
“I assure you, I did no such thing.” I leaned forward, crowding her against the door. “I’ve never compelled a woman to touch me, Ella. There’s never been a need, nor would I desire it. Besides, part of the fun is the foreplay. Why would I belittle such a thing by adding compulsion to the mix?” I wasn’t Dash or Charlie. When I craved a female, I worked for it. And tonight was no different.
“You expect me to believe you?”
“No,” I replied without missing a beat. “In fact, I fully anticipated you not believing me, which is why I brought you here.”
“I’m talking about the compulsion, Trayton.”
I tongued my teeth, considering how I wanted to reply to that. “If it makes you feel better to believe I’m lying, then I’ll allow it.” Because my conscience in this regard was clear. “However, deep down, you know the truth already, Ella. Because you have real compulsion to compare it to.”
Her gaze narrowed and she glanced out the window, only to shudder and face forward. Because yeah, the vines were growing agitated. They sensed her discontent and likely ill thoughts toward me. As a royal of these grounds, the enchantment would do what was required to protect me against any and all threats.
Interesting that it considered Ella a threat when she clearly didn’t have access to her powers yet. Which was an oddity in and of itself. Midnight Fae were born with their gifts. Halflings came into them over time, but she should have access to her inner strengths by her eighteenth birthday—an event that had come and gone.
“Your mother was powerful,” I said, thinking out loud. “Renowned, actually.” It was entirely possible she’d enchanted her daughter in some capacity, but I hadn’t picked up on any dark-magic notes from Ella. In fact, I hadn’t detected a single note of power inside her. Just a very strong resolve and a courage that would put most fae to shame.
“My mother,” she whispered, her attention shifting to her hands. “Did you know my mother?”
“No, but my parents did. They all grew up together in the royal circuit and attended Midnight Fae Academy around the same time.”
“Midnight Fae Academy?” she repeated.
I nodded. “It’s where our kind go to perfect our access to the dark arts. Our scores and knowledge then determine where we end up in the society sects. It’s sort of like your version of college, only for Midnight Fae.”
“So why are you in Darlington?” she asked.
“Because I’ve been assigned to recruit you, Ella.”
And you’re my intended mate, I added mentally. Welcome to the family.
We’d cover that aspect later.
After she understood everything else.
“You’re part Midnight Fae,” I continued. “The Council expects you to attend the Academy next year.” And they wouldn’t be taking no for an answer. Another item to explain later. After I had a chance to thaw her a little to the Midnight Fae life.
The limo slowed as we approached the estate’s main gates. Stone gargoyles guarded the walls, their eyes alert and scanning for danger just like the vines.
Ella gaped up at them, goose bumps filing down her arms and disappearing into the gloves she still wore. “They’re moving,” she whispered.
“Yes. They’re gargoyles.” And unlike the ones humans enjoyed as ornaments or decorations, these were very much real.
“Do they fly?”