trying to define the DNA of faes and clone them. We are saving lives, fighting against diseases and disabilities. Children with cancer, people with severe disabilities. What we do is beneficial. If some fae die in the process, I am sorry.”
“You’re sorry?” He gripped the tub, leaning into my face. “How many of us died so one of you could live?” He took a long drag of air through his nose. “Don’t get high and mighty with me, human. You think of fae no better than I think of humans.”
A chill filled my belly. There was truth in his statement. As much as I didn’t want to admit it, I did consider fae inferior. Testing on another species to help my own, even if it caused pain to one, benefited mine. Human life, especially with having a disabled sister, was worth more to me than a species I had been trained to despise. But we tested; we did not seek to kill. When we went on hunts, we packed stun guns. We only had guns loaded with fae bullets for backup. I used them several times but had never killed a fae. Daniel killed one, but it had been about to tear into my neck. The memory of Daniel clogged my throat. I pushed the incapacitating thought of never seeing him again deep inside.
My street reflexes wanted me to fight this jerk, but what I learned in my psychology classes told me to familiarize myself with my kidnapper. Become more than a faceless target. Wasn’t sure if this theory worked on fae, but I was willing to give it a try. “My name is Zoey. Zoey Daniels.”
He pushed away from me, going to the sink area. “I don’t give a fuck.”
“You kidnapped me and say I have something of yours. It seems we’re together in this. I’m a target now, too,” I said. “It will help if I know what is after you. Why did they take Amara? What is it you have they want so badly?”
“Let’s say I have something many people want. Desperately.”
I shifted to face him, needles of numbness prickled at my rear. Bits of conversation from my earlier encounter with him came back. “This stone... it’s what you think I have, right?” He tilted his head as if I were the stupidest person on the planet. “So what is it you think I have if it’s not the stone?”
A frustrated growl gurgled up from his throat. He squatted next to the bathtub. “I never said you had it.” He rubbed at the loose hair on top of his head. “Let’s see if you can keep up...”
My lashes lowered as I glowered at him.
“You understand I am fae, right?” he mocked.
My glare narrowed with more contempt.
“All right. We’re together so far.” His condescending tone made me want to slap him. Hard. “I am what you call a Wanderer. I have certain powers. Or at least I did till you took them.”
“What? I—”
He held up his hand, interrupting me. “You recall lightning hitting me?”
A patronizing smile grew on my mouth. “Yeah. Best part of my day so far.”
He did not find me amusing. “This.” He tapped at the ropes holding me prisoner. “Is the best part of mine.”
The raw hatred and disgust I felt for him shook me to my core.
A glint flickered in his eyes as my shoulders hunched tighter. “The lightning went through me and went into you, taking my powers with it.” He nodded to where I was struck. “You carry them now.”
“Excuse me?” This guy had lost his mind. “You’re saying they were transferred into me?”
“Yes.” He nodded, using the side of the tub to push himself up.
“You’re crazy.” A strange laugh erupted from my mouth. “I’m talking padded-walls loony.”
“I can sense them. How do you think I was able to find you both times? I know my own magic. It calls to me.”
My mouth opened and then shut. Was this even possible? Was it what Sera saw? Why Dr. Rapava claimed I was “carrying” a fae baby? And what about the fact I couldn’t go through the fae-blocking door without the alarm going off? If I were human, I should have been able to walk through without a problem.
“I don’t know how it’s possible. I’ve never heard of anything like this happening. But it has. I first thought it was something your group did, but now I realized you humans aren’t smart or skilled enough to pull something like this off.” He began