1 A Torn Wing (2/2)
She couldn't lay all her cards on the table just yet because this guy looked human. But then again, so did she.
”Yes. But you didn't answer my question.”
”Ah.” Ruby had to think. She couldn't mention that she was a fairy or that she was running away from her greedy family members. An alias might be best for now. ”I'm Sapphire Baker. I got lost and happened to find my way here.”
He raised an eyebrow at her and crossed his arms over his chest. ”Lost? You wouldn't have been able to get past the barrier if you were simply lost. No one can get past that without the blood seal…unless you flew over it.”
He noticed the jar of dewgrass she was holding and mused, ”I don't think you're lost at all. I think you're a stupid little fairy who flew over the barrier by accident and got hurt. Tell me if I'm wrong, Sapphire Baker, but you definitely have the eyes of a cornered rat.”
Ruby scowled. He was a shrewd one. ”You shouldn't be comparing me to a rat when you have actual rats in your kitchen. That's really unsanitary, you know.”
He sighed. ”Yeah. Unfortunately I haven't had time to go on a rat hunt yet. I've only been at this castle for a few days. But enough about me. I want the truth from you, Fairy Face. I don't take kindly to intruders.”
Fairy Face? What kind of lame insult was that?
Ruby scrutinized him. The glamour could change basically anything about a fae's appearance so she couldn't guess what he was simply by looking at him. But he did mention a blood seal. The only race she knew of who dabbled in blood magic were the vampires.
”Alright, you caught me. I cut my wing on one of your broken windows. Your castle appeared out of nowhere so it was an accidental break in. But if you don't want random fairies busting in you might want to find a way to make a dome barrier instead…Fang Face.”
Yes, it was lame, but she figured throwing a version of his own stupid insult back at him was the best course of action. She hadn't ever met a vampire before in person so she didn't know any good ones off the top of her head.
Suddenly the man's glamour faded away. His eyes glowed blood-red, his ears grew slightly pointed, and his straight black hair cascaded down his back. The tips of his fangs gleamed when he laughed.
”Okay, I suppose I deserved that one. But seriously. What were you running from? I've never seen a fairy in this part of the forest before.”
”Um…I'd rather not say,” Ruby hedged. ”I really am sorry to impose but I swear I'll get out of your hair as soon as they're gone.”
Leaving on foot would be inconvenient but she was used to walking most places anyway because she lived in the heart of a human city. Well, used to anyway. Her aunt and uncle's house wasn't home anymore.