Don't Touch My Men - Helen Scott Page 0,2
it. The guys would be pissed I took off the way I did, but I couldn’t involve them in this. Whatever happened next, I was going to make a powerful enemy. They’d be smart enough not to do this, but they would come along with me in some twisted way of protecting me. I couldn’t let that happen.
I kicked the heavy backpack by my feet and crossed my arms over my chest against the cold. This plan was insane, but it was damn well the only plan I had. Already, something was changing inside of me, something I didn’t like. That strange human part of me seemed to be growing quieter, and the vicious dark fae blood seemed to rage, to whisper things that made me think of the fae realm.
Things that reminded me of my father.
The bar door swung open, and I tensed, but it was just a couple who staggered off down the road, no doubt to fuck away the night. My anger grew, and I felt the shadows in the alley respond to my anger. I could send them forward now. I could have them rip apart the couple and leave their shredded remains scattering the city like confetti.
A ragged breath exploded from my lips, and I was surprised to feel sweat running down my spine. Only a few hours ago, rain had fallen on the city. Even a fucking rainbow had lighted the sky, like some sign that the best was yet to come.
I smirked. If only the humans knew how often they came close to death, then they wouldn’t smile at the rain or stop to stare at a rainbow. No, they’d curl into balls of terror and hide away in their homes, not realizing that they aren’t safe, even there.
When the door to the bar opened again, an old man exited. He curled further around himself against the cold, a small shape in a green coat. His cane tapped a rhythm on the sidewalk as he headed down the street.
Silently, I picked up the heavy backpack, sliding it onto my shoulder. I gathered my shadows around me and stepped out of the alley. I knew I was almost invisible as long as I avoided the streetlamps, so I didn’t bother to skulk and dart about. I just followed his every step, crossing the road, staying just far enough behind him so that he wouldn’t feel that shiver down his spine, a sensation all prey had felt since the dawn of time.
When he turned down an alley, a shortcut that was a mistake, I closed the distance between us. Halfway down the alley, when neither the moon nor the streetlamps offered any light, I grabbed him by the coat and slammed him into the wall. In the dark, I saw an elderly man with a white beard, a little cap, and bright blue eyes. Fear filled his expression as he looked at me, and I knew for one brief moment, he wasn’t sure what he was seeing.
“Just take my wallet and go, son,” he pleaded.
I smiled. “I don’t want your wallet.”
“Please,” his tone was desperate, “don’t hurt an old man.”
“If I see an old man, I won’t,” I growled, low in my throat.
Suddenly, he clutched at his heart. His eyes rolled back in his chest, and he started to gasp. I released his shirt as he slowly slid to the ground, then flopped down.
I clapped sarcastically. “Bravo. Quite convincing.”
He didn’t move.
“I guess I was wrong then,” I said, kicking at his leg. “You were just an old man.”
Turning, I started back down the alley. “And the bag of gold I found means nothing to you.”
Two more steps, and I heard his voice, strong and angry. “Stop.”
I did, then looked back at him.
He climbed to his feet, anger in his eyes. “You found my gold.”
“Right at the end of a fucking rainbow,” I told him with a sneer.
His smile held a threat. “Then you know the rules. You return it to me and you get three wishes.”
Ah yes, three wishes. Like a goddamn genie. I could wish for Mae to be safely back with me. I could wish that my mother and Brian were still alive. I could wish that this darkness inside of me faded, and my world could finally be good.
“Except that all your wishes are cursed,” I said.
He almost hid the surprise in his eyes, but failed. “Three wishes, anything you desire.”
I stared, not speaking.
“Wealth?”
I don’t react.
“Sex?” His voice took on a desperate