The King's Captive (Gate of Myth and Power, #1)

by K.M. Shea

“I was told there is security camera footage?” Noctus asked. It is a little odd to think that an elf king is acting as a detective, I pondered as I watched the incident with abstract interest—though I was still mostly just relieved I’d avoided the creepy tracker guy. Maybe it’s because he’s better at passing as a human? I mean, he’s more convincing than Charon the Shadow Stalker, but not by much given his sculpture-like looks.

oO

Landon frowned at her back, then peered at Noctus and his entourage. “I guess it makes sense. You are even better looking than King Rigel,” he said, naming the famous Night Queen’s husband. Noctus pushed one eyebrow up so it peeked over the frame of his sunglasses. “That’s probably why she did it.” Landon waggled a finger at us. “I’m still not convinced a werewolf on a harness is legal, so you’re on thin ice with me, Mr. I Look Like An Angel And A Fae Had A Baby!” Even though I was brought up by humans, I’m never mentally fortified enough for just how brave their ignorance makes them.

oO

“He disappeared all of a sudden,” the barista continued. “We assumed the Curia Cloisters found out about it and put an end to it.” Charon stepped aside when Ker and Aristide re-entered the café, making room for them to join in. “Was there anything besides the location he was selling in that made him suspicious?” Noctus asked. “He was weird,” Landon said. “Weirder than a werewolf on a harness.” “Landon, you need to let that go,” the barista said in a sing-song voice. “He didn’t make a very convincing human,” Landon added. “How?” Aristide asked, his voice serious and compelling. A thick, syrupy sensation rubbed my nose, which was how vampire powers felt to me. He must have been breaking out his vamp-y pheromones for the occasion. Aristide is old enough to use pheromones? I would have guessed he’d been turned in the last century or two based on how well he’s adapted to modern society. How old is he? I sneezed twice, and Noctus adjusted my collar on me. Like most magic, pheromones didn’t work on me, but the sensation on my nose was ticklish. “He looked human—he dressed it, too.” Landon scratched his elbow and mashed his eyes shut as he tried to remember. “But whenever me or my friends asked him about what he was selling, he copped that ‘I’m-better-than-you’ attitude that some supernaturals get. And he didn’t seem to get how money worked.”

oO

As Noctus had been talking I realized that French Fry was balancing on his raccoon hind end, because—true to his name—he had two french fries clenched in his bird front feet. No, no, no—French Fry, don’t do it! I meowed at French Fry, a loud, angry sound that made Noctus look up, just as French Fry tossed one of his fries at me. It hit Noctus in the chest and bounced off him, falling on my front leg that I still had latched on to Noctus’s shirt. French Fry was stupid, but at least he was a crack shot. Ker gave a little howl of what was clearly laughter, and Noctus seemed to be staring at the french fry nestled into my fur—I couldn’t tell for sure since he was wearing his sunglasses. French Fry cooed his delight that he’d made his shot, then stuffed his remaining fry in his beak and promptly choked.

oO

“I’m glad you’re looking into this yourself,” Aristide abruptly said. Noctus supported me with one arm so he could comb his hand through his hair. “You think I don’t work enough?” “No,” Aristide said. “You work too much. It’s why everyone has welcomed your cat with a scary amount of enthusiasm. But you’re so intent on repenting for what you’ve done, you stay locked up in your home.” Repenting? For what? Isn’t he angry about how the elves were wiped out—especially the Mors? “I’m not repenting,” Noctus said. “I did what was necessary.” “I am all too aware of that, my friend,” Aristide said. Ker stretched her head across the gap between the two men, nudging Noctus’s side with her nose. “But doing the right thing doesn’t mean you don’t carry wounds from it,” Aristide continued. Noctus snorted. “After all our years together, I would think any noble thoughts you had about me would have shattered long ago.” “Oh, don’t worry yourself,” Aristide said. “I never had any noble thoughts about you to begin with.” “How reassuring.” Aristide grinned, and what maybe could have passed as a half-smile briefly curved on Noctus’s lips.

:)

The collar was a problem—one I didn’t know if the Curia Cloisters would be able to help me with depending on the Paragon’s angle—the tracker guy was still roaming around with a crossbow, and I was so tired I didn’t even mind that Noctus was carrying me around. Yep, this is as safe as I can get right now. And to think my biggest disappointment used to be that the Curia Cloisters wouldn’t hire me.

oO

He’s letting me eat in bed? That seems unsanitary, but I’m too tired to refuse. I managed a few bites before the overwhelming siren song of sleep—a deep sleep—tugged at me so badly I actually sagged forward and fell face first into my meal. “Amalourne,” Noctus said in what could almost be mistaken as a laugh. He picked me up and leaned back on a pile of pillows, propping me up on his chest, then proceeded to give me tiny bits of chicken. I’m practically living Joy’s dream. She always said her ideal life was to lounge around on an enormous bed and eat delicious food—though she never said anything about handsome supernaturals. Still, even with Noctus, this is pretty fun. Probably because I’m a cat, though, and I’m too tired to be scared. If I was a human this would be…awkward squared.

;)

“Wondering what I’m doing, Ama?” Ker crouched down, easily balancing with her werewolf athleticism. “I’ll tell you! I’m doing self-affirmations.” She pointed to her reflection in the pond. “Do you see that wolf? She’s a strong, kind wolf. She is confident, motivated, and smart, and has wonderful fur and a good nose. And she’s me!” I stared up at Ker. Does a werewolf really need confidence building exercises? They’re apex predators. Apparently, they did. Ker jabbed her finger at the water again. “We’re going to kick some butt and have a great day! The magic pool wills it!” Ker whispered to me. “The pool isn’t really magic. Aristide just says that to rib Noctus about the questionable architecture that goes into having a pool in one’s room. Aristide hates the pool because when we first moved into the villa, he fell in twice before he learned the layout of the room.” I licked my chops, thankful for the information, but also a little confused why everyone in this house was so okay with talking to a housecat, when most likely none of them had any experience with domesticated animals. The door opened, and Noctus stepped in. Taking Ker’s pose, he asked, “Already trying to recruit my cat for your Dale Carnegie cult?” “How to Win Friends and Influence People is a classic!” Ker said.

;)

I purred when we reached the bottom of the stairs, and Noctus held his hand up—palm to me. I blinked as I stared at his palm, noticing the callouses. I wish he’d just say whatever he wants me to do. He seems pretty fixated with this.

oO

You want to teach a cat a trick? It was only because of my abilities/magical balance that I didn’t fall off his shoulder in surprise. “I read that cats are capable of learning such things, and that it can be good for mental stimulation,” Noctus continued. “Cool. What are you trying to teach her?” “High five.” High five? That’s what you’ve been trying to get me to do? Wow. For a superiorly intelligent race, five minutes of watching a YouTube video on teaching tricks to cats would have made this so much easier for both of us. “Aww, that will be adorable!” “Perhaps, except she doesn’t seem to understand it,” Noctus said. Ker tapped her chin in thought. “Did you ever explain it to her?” “I have not. That is my mistake.” Noctus tilted his head, moving his shoulders and forcing me forward so he could see my furry face. “Ama, when I hold out my hand, I want you to tap your paw against it—in a high five.” If Aristide had been around, he would have surely had something to say, but Ker and Noctus were so convinced of my genius as a cat, all they did was watch me with great expectation. I should probably just go for it. I think he’d be more suspicious if I didn’t react… I crouched even lower on his shoulder and, reluctantly, stretched my paw out. I didn’t try to tap his palm—I figured even proud pet parent Noctus might get suspicious if I caught on that fast. But it didn’t matter, Noctus moved his hand so his palm pressed mine. “High five,” he repeated, then he scratched my chest. “S...

:D OMG .... he has e-mail but not youtube apparently. ;P

Perched on one of the gold chairs, sipping from a delicate cup of tea, was a wizened old man: the Paragon. I saw what the rest of the world saw for about two seconds: long, silky white hair and a well-groomed mustache that drooped past his chin, eyes magnified by the wire rimmed glasses that were perilously perched on the end of his sharp nose, and a stooped posture. And then the overwhelming sensation of magic swamped my senses like a bad allergy attack, making my eyes water and tickling my nose until I sneezed.

heh

My magic surged in me, working to disassemble the glamour to my eyes. Thankfully, I was still sneezing, so I didn’t see through it. I didn’t want to see through it. The Paragon was using such strong magic, I couldn’t even tell what kind it was. If he was that desperate to keep whatever he was hiding a secret, I was going to be doubly desperate not to see it. Elf king with a city sized secret, or the national fae rep with a personal mystery, I didn’t want to get involved in either. Most people assume that with the right knowledge, they can pressure someone in power and maybe blackmail them. I knew better. Stop, stop, stop! I grappled with my magic, trying to stop it. This could get me killed! Between the sheer strength of the glamour and me managing to suppress my magic enough, when I opened my bleary eyes I saw what the Paragon wanted everyone to see: an old fae in dark blue robes with a spell woven into the fabric that made the cloth glitter. My magic shivered, and I could sense it was going to peel back the glamour if I gave it a chance, so I squinted hard and tried not to acknowledge the overwhelming magic.

interesting

Noctus sat down on a settee, which I took advantage of and hopped from his shoulders to a cushion. Okay. I’ve got certain death next to me, and probable death across from me. If I don’t die from making a mistake, my anxiety might make my heart explode. I wanted to run, but I knew Noctus expected me to be besotted by whatever his mysterious powers were—I would have looked that magic up if I’d known I was going to play pet cat for the foreseeable future.

:)

Noctus, seemingly satisfied I hadn’t fled, placed a hand on my back. “What do you want, Paragon?” “No, no, no, no. We are going to discuss this beautiful creature.” The Paragon gestured to me. “She’s mine,” Noctus said. The Paragon slapped his palms on the most likely priceless and half cleaned/slightly tea spattered table. “Obviously—a feline this friendly is not likely to belong to Sir Grumps A Lot over there.” He nodded his head at Charon, who was folding his kerchief with obvious disgust. Friendly? How am I friendly? I tilted my head a little, then meowed for the effect. “My lady.” The Paragon held his hand out for me to smell, then bowed, except he was already stretching so far to reach me he almost had to press his face into the table to perform the bow.

Oh right .... I fogot about his Queen. :D

I shrank back a little from the Paragon’s scrutiny, pressing my furry face into Noctus’s neck. Why me? I just wanted to live a safe life! “Wait—you don’t even know why she does it, do you?” the Paragon guessed. “You’re a first-time pet owner if I ever saw one—you’re too stunted with your actions and haven’t gotten used to her yet. Not to mention you are quite obviously jealous and proud.” “You are obscenely covetous and proud of your bald cat,” Noctus said. “Yes, because Aphrodite is a beautiful feline and deserves all the admiration in the world!” “She is also overweight, which I’ve read is highly detrimental to felines.” “You take that back!” the Paragon shrilly shouted. This is swerving off my worst nightmares and turning into something just…weird. Noctus was still trying to get a purr out of me, but I was not having it—this whole situation was too bizarre.

:D

“If it gets much worse, even you won’t be able to survive, Noctus.” The Paragon dug into a pocket of his robe and pulled out a tuft of feathers tied to a string—a cat toy. He dangled the feathers in front of me. Maybe I should bat at it—to be obliging. Woah! The Paragon abruptly flopped to the floor, disappearing from sight. I peered over the edge of the settee as he shuffled around so he was on his back. He beamed up at me and thrust his fist up into the air, shaking the feathers in front of me. Baffled by this bizarre behavior, I turned to Noctus, relieved to see he was also staring at the Paragon, though his look held as much regard as I’d hold for a bug. “What are you doing?” Noctus’s words burned with incredulity. “I’m putting myself lower so your companion—whose name you have neglected to share with me—can be put at ease seeing that she is in a superior position above me.” Things are looking up—maybe he’s insane!

:D

I’m becoming more on edge, I gloomily thought. I thought Magiford was safe. Now I know there are elves running around and the top fae rep is wearing a glamour thick enough to choke a dragon shifter with. Safety is an illusion. “Is there something in particular you are referring to?” “Not specifically—though the Seelie and Unseelie Courts and their endless posturing is enough to make me pack my bags.” The Paragon scowled. Oh, they are the least of the problems, please let me assure you. “Isn’t there a candidate for fae emperor for the first time in decades?” Noctus asked. “Tell the candidate about it and save yourself—and the city—the extra trouble they’re causing.”

oO

As usual Joy had sent me a cat picture of the day—this one of a black kitten that had a faceful of yogurt. Hah, look. It’s 1 of ur baby pictures, Pat had texted. Very funny, I said. Almost as funny as that time Mom and Dad grounded you both for a month after you showed me off to your friends as your new pet kitten, I typed back. You were so cute as a baby, Joy wrote. Truth. what happened? Pat texted. Kidding! he added before our sister could swoop to my rescue. Since my siblings were older, we’d gotten into all kind of cat-related shenanigans—not just shelter-related ones, either. Once, one of Joy’s exes stole me, thinking I was her beloved pet cat since her phone had tons of photos of my cat form—mostly so if I got taken they could easily put up missing cat posters within hours. Pat broke into the guy’s place that afternoon to try to free me, but I’d already broken myself out and was trotting home. Fun times.

oO

“Another local—how fun! I grew up here—even though my family was just normal humans.” Shiloh scrunched up her nose. “It’s a little boring. But I love my neighborhood—don’t I, uncles?” The elderly men on the porch rattled their iced teas at her. “You love it a little too much,” one of the men shouted. “You should be out dating, or bettering your mind or—” He turned to his friends. “What was that other poetic nonsense we got in our fortune cookies last night?” I laughed and rubbed my arms, which were pebbling with goosebumps as I swore I could feel Noctus’s knife-like magic in my ribs. Yeah, Noctus is close by. I better get out of here as soon as I get the chance.

oO

Who is your friend?” Noctus’s eyes flicked to me, and he cocked his head. “The clerk from Book Nookery?” “Book Nookery?” Shiloh asked. “Why bring up a bookshop?” Noctus’s presence still had me frozen, but my loyalty—and training—to Book Nookery kicked my mouth into gear without my brain’s supervision. “Book Nookery is a twenty-four-hour bookstore open for your convenience—whether you finished binge reading a book in the middle of the night and need the next one in the series, or require a source for a research paper due the following morning, we’re dedicated to all of your bookish needs,” I recited, the speech engraved on my heart. “Although we specialize in books for the supernatural, Book Nookery is a human friendly business and was voted top bookstore in Magiford after a brutal battle with Cat Tails—a bookstore-café combo.” I shut my mouth so hard my teeth clicked, cutting off the spew of words Ms. Booker had made me memorize. (She’d been extremely competitive about the voting. I wasn’t sure Cat Tails even knew the competition had happened, much less cared, given that they catered to a totally different clientele and were located near the Curia Cloisters.)

mwhhahahah

“I was hoping she was a new neighbor. It’d be a miracle to get someone my age in this area,” Shiloh said. “I’m your age,” Noctus said in a voice that was even less convincing than my laugh. Shiloh’s smile was sympathetic, but I couldn’t help letting my disbelief that he was that inept flicker across my face, making my mouth screw up and my forehead wrinkle. Noctus tilted his head as he studied me, his mouth curving slightly. “Mr. Shade, you are not my age,” Shiloh said. “I don’t know how old you are, but you’ve looked the same since you moved into the neighborhood—and I wasn’t even a teenager then!” She peered over her shoulder at the uncles, then leaned over the fence. “Besides, I know you’re a supernatural, even if I can’t figure out what kind you are. Back me up, Chloe!” Shiloh—as frightening as a bunny—turned to me, along with Noctus, who raised both of his eyebrows and had probably committed my name to his memory banks with my luck.

heh

I slowed my walk to a crawl and even paused to wave to the uncles on the porch. “Finally, a love life!” one of the uncles cackled. “Maybe.” Another one who had a perfectly trimmed mustache swirled his iced tea. “Looks a tad too scared for love.” “Don’t worry, Noctus,” the first uncle shouted. “We’ll be there for you if this fails!” “I was actually referring to the young lady.” “Oh, in that case: chin up, lady!” the last uncle hooted. “You can take him!” I laughed nervously and weakly waved to the trio.

:)

“Noctus!” Aristide poked his head out the front door of the Cape Cod home and was scowling into the yard. “You said you were coming outside to grab Ama. Have you found her, or have you decided to give in to your baser instincts and live in the wild?” “If you’ll excuse me, Chloe, it seems I must attend to my howling friend, or he’ll disturb the neighborhood,” Noctus said. “Of course.” I let go of Noctus’s arm as if he were made of fire and stepped to the side. “Noctus.” Aristide managed to make the shouted name sound like an insult. “I’m coming,” Noctus called as he crossed the street. “I haven’t found her, yet. But I met someone new, and I’ve decided to get Ama a cat door.” “Congratulations to Ama. What the heck is a cat door?” I didn’t stick around to hear the conversation. I booked it down the sidewalk, and when I found a large evergreen tree encroaching on the sidewalk near the mouth of the cul-de-sac, I darted behind it, wrestling my way into it before I changed into my cat form.

oO

I had intended to swap out some of my weapons in my armament closet. But Amalourne doesn’t like weapons. She does, however, like books. “Let’s go somewhere you’ll enjoy more,” I said. Amalourne meowed to me, and adjusted her paws so one was on either side of my neck and she could rest her chin on my shoulder, giving a warm little cat hug that I’d become stupidly fond of—though at least I wasn’t alone in this, as Ker and even Aristide enjoyed Amalourne’s hugs, too.

lol & it's more from a sense of terror of falling. ;P

Considering the first time Amalourne got out and went to the Book Nookery, I highly doubt it is a mere coincidence. It was likely she was connected to Amalourne. My cat had a previous owner—she was too friendly and well-kept not to. Also, there was something about the way magic seemed to just…cluster around her that made it obvious she wasn’t a normal cat. But the human hadn’t said anything when I’d mentioned my cat on both occasions when I met her. She’d seemed particularly intent on getting away from me. Ironically, she didn’t reek of the all-consuming fear that overtook most people who realized what I really was. Her fear was less personal. It almost reminded me of Amalourne when she was trying to squirm out of something she didn’t want.

:D

There was something very soothing about being petted. I closed my eyes and set my chin on the edge of the bed, but when I felt him try to pet my belly I batted at him with my claws, growling deep in my chest. Aristide popped out his earbuds—it turned out he was a podcast junkie, and this week was binge listening to true crime podcasts. “Still trying to pet her stomach?” Noctus turned his frown from me to Aristide. “You recognized her growl?” “She only makes that sound when you press her personal boundaries and try to pet her stomach,” Aristide said. “Which I quite applaud her for. Keep your personal boundaries against him, Ama. Someone needs to!” “I don’t understand.” Noctus seemingly ignored his friend as he scratched under my chin and I purred again. “She’s perfectly happy in all other areas. I’m an elf, she trusts me. She should be willing to trust me to touch her stomach.” Not that area. Not ever! It’s too weird, even for the sake of keeping my cover. I casually licked a paw and scrubbed at my face.

:D

I suspected the magic books were on that top shelf that lined the ceiling of the room, but whenever I went more than four shelves high on a bookshelf, Noctus pulled me down. Not out of concern for his books—like any proper book lover would be—no, no. He was convinced I’d hurt myself getting down. Me. A cat!

:D

Why am I here? I sat on Noctus’s lap, trying to process what happened as the SUV made a turn and went over a pothole that rocked the vehicle. After Charon’s announcement about the faulty artifact, Noctus decided they needed to go on a field trip to see it. But who would bring their cat on an important investigation like this? Aristide needs to get him a book about pet ownership.

:D

Charon found street parking and—as proof of his magic—managed to do a perfect parallel park with the boat-like SUV. I swear, some supernaturals get all the best skills.

:)

“You’re not a terrible king.” Aristide reached out, setting his hand on the back of a chair. I vaguely noted he didn’t sit down like he usually did. “You have protected your people for decades. That they’ve survived this long is astounding. You just don’t care about all the showmanship your family loved. And thank goodness—the number of war parades your brothers threw was exhausting. It made it impossible to get any work done.”

:)

For the first time ever I saw a hint of anger in Noctus. His lips were set like marble, and there was something within him that seemed to glow—like a star preparing to explode. “It’s a conjecture!” Aristide said. “Who knows, maybe they also hand fed her chicken. The point is, you need to respect her boundaries!”

heh ... if he ever learns/accepts who she is, THEN finds out how she was routinely treated .... Oo.... heads will roll.

“Ama is mine,” Noctus said. “I should be her everything.” “She’s a cat. That’s never going to happen,” Aristide said, his tone placid considering we’d just witnessed Noctus’s terrifying displeasure moments ago. “Also, let me rephrase my previous judgment—you are a tyrannical, jealous pet owner.

Oo... yeah that's a lot .... now I'm worried about the translation of 'ownership' once he finds her human half .... ><

Ker joined me in the bathroom, her nails clicking on the tile. She licked the top of my head. It took what little guts I had left in me to stay sitting while she messed up my fur, but this was better than the last time she’d tried to lick me and wrapped her tongue around my entire head.

oO .... Eeewww

In a tiny show of vengeance combined with keeping my cover, I rubbed my slobber-wet head against his neck. Noctus didn’t even notice.

oO

“It seems Ama has done more for you than all the detailed instructions I’ve given you about ‘How to Win Friends and Influence People’,” Ker said. “Did everyone relax when they saw Ama?” Aristide asked. “I heard their heartbeats slow down.”

oO

Noctus tickled me under my chin. “Her presence did seem to ease their usual anxiety.” Cuteness is a valuable weapon to wield as a cat. I’ve practiced in front of a mirror so I know how to look as charming as possible. It works great on humans.

;)

Noctus frowned. “Do I look like I need to make friends?” “Noctus,” Aristide said. “I can’t see, and I think you look like you need friends.” Noctus stared at Aristide for a moment, then smirked. “If I need friends, you need friends.” “What kind of logic is that?” Aristide tapped his walking stick on the ground. “Or are you just devolving to insults? Why not go for Shakespearian ones—those were more fun.” “Ahhh yes, there is your vampire nostalgia for long gone history,” Noctus said. “Shall I begin preparations for a coffin so you can take long slumbers?” “Appreciating Shakespearian insults is not a sign of nostalgia! You take that back!”

oO

Noctus watched the elf and his daughter leave and rubbed the top of my head as I licked my chops. “It seems Ama is an omnivore.” Ker clapped for me. “How very forward thinking of her!” “Would you two stop it?” Aristide complained. “She’s a cat—not Noctus’s child.” Noctus adjusted his hold on me. “There’s no need to be jealous, Aristide. If you wanted strawberries all you have to do is ask.” “Yeah, Aristide,” Ker said. “Do you want me to call the little girl back? She had a whole basket of fruit.” Aristide groaned. “Sometimes I question my own intelligence for choosing to spend my days with the two of you. Come on.”

:)

“How dare you say I’d make things worse for your image, Noctus? I’ll have you know I’m an adorable wolf!” Ker said. “You’re the size of a pony,” Noctus said. “Adorable is not a word used to describe a predator that large.” “It is when you’re fluffy,” Ker said. I purred my laughter as I arranged my paws against Noctus’s neck for a proper death hold. I’m with Noctus on this one. Your fur coloring is too…intense to be cute.

:D

“Even if she’s Noctus’s first pet, and is particularly well mannered for a cat—which even I have to admit—it seems unfair that she gets gifts!” Aristide released Ker and went back to tapping his cane on the ground in front of him, listening to the noises it made. “I’ve been your friend for centuries, and I’ve never gotten a gift.” “You also don’t purr for people,” Ker said. “That’s a pretty charming trait.” “I could purr,” Aristide sniffed. “I’m sure I’d be great at it.”

:)

“You’re a vampire,” Ker said. “You don’t even like food.” “No, but you do,” Aristide said. “Besides, what’s the point of—what are you always saying?—meeting companions and dictating to people, if you can’t use your skills to get things?” “First of all, it’s Win Friends and Influence People. And you do it because it’s nice to be confident and liked,” Ker said. Noctus’s exhale sounded similar to a dragon breathing fire. “You have not heard Ker talk about Dale Carnegie’s principles since the day she got that wretched book all the way until now to bait her like that.”

oO

I glanced at French Fry, hoping for encouragement, but he was pecking at his reflection in the front window, completely ignoring me. So much for encouragement.

;)

Aristide frowned, wrinkling the flawless skin of his forehead. “How did you even know?” “She’s my cat,” Noctus said. “That doesn’t give you some weird bond with her that surpasses the abilities of magic,” Aristide said. “Tell him, Charon.” “Sir is very capable and skilled,” Charon said. “I can imagine with as much power as he has, even if it is restrained, it would be possible for him to form a bond with Ama.” “Charon, that was the opposite of helpful,” Aristide said. “You’re fired from being the secondary voice of reason for our rag-tag band.” Ker barked and wagged her tail. “No, you aren’t any better,” Aristide said.

:)

Who was the wife of the Greek god Hades? It’s ten letters. Oh, and the last name of the famous American martial artist and actor Chuck—it’s six letters, first letter is an N.”

Persephone & Norris

“Okay, let me be real with you.” The brownie set her hands on her desk and leaned over it. “If you had bad intentions, you wouldn’t sit around here ignoring my crossword puzzle questions—which, rude—you would have attacked me. You’re carrying around a cat with a collar that’s most definitely worth more than what I make in a month, so you’re wealthy and not going to do anything stupid. You are drop dead gorgeous, and I’m realistic enough to admit that helps your case even if it is an unfair reflection of society, and finally…all the information in this room is public record. This is basically the parking ticket, fetching-kittens-from-trees section of the evidence department. There’s not even one criminal case here. That means you badly need to see something in person for a case that is currently labeled non-threatening.” I could feel Noctus’s surprise in the way he glanced over at me. I was also surprised—not with the brownie, but with Noctus.

;)

No, I don’t want to tell him what I am, I decided. I can’t risk it. He’s gentle with those he cares about…but those he doesn’t…if he was angry about my deception, he would end me without hesitation. He was King Noctus Mors, the Kingslayer. He had just said himself that he’d killed his own family—it was unlikely he’d spare the girl who had been masquerading as a pet, no matter how fond he had become of the pet.

um ... girl .... you also not a warmongering power hungry type either ... didn't you hear the 'sanctimonious enough to end him too?" part?

“Good afternoon!” The Paragon beamed as he stepped into the villa, bringing with him that ridiculously strong glamour that made me sneeze and my eyes water. “It’s time for my visit. Might I come in, Your Majesty?” I sneezed three times in quick succession. Ick—it’s filling my lungs. I tamped down hard on my own magic so I wouldn’t see through the glamour—I was determined not to make myself another potential, if not accidental, enemy. Noctus glanced down at me, and I managed to hold another sneeze in. He waited another moment, then narrowed his eyes at the Paragon. “Yes, you can come in, but only because the Home Owners’ Association informed me I cannot leave the elderly outside, crying.” “Rude! I’m younger than you are, elf!” Despite the brusque tone, the Paragon bustled in, rustling the paper bags he was carrying. “Ah, and hello to you, Lady Ama.” The Paragon curtsied to me, holding out the sides of his tunic like a dress. Um…hello? I flicked my tail from side to side and rapidly blinked as I tried to keep my magic from peeling the glamour back for me.

oO

“Because I imagine they’re the only ones stupid enough to fall for such a lie.” “It is not a lie! I’m a fae, I can’t lie,” the Paragon squawked. “Construed a certain way, it’s very real.” Yeah…I might be able to avoid Noctus once I get this collar off, but I don’t think I could ever match up against the Paragon in terms of wits and trickery. I’ll try to grow fluent in Elvish before I reveal myself to him. “I don’t need to know—or want to know.” Noctus sat down in the settee and let me down. I sat down next to him. When he glanced down at me I got to work licking my paw and grooming my face. Yes, this is me. I’m just a cat. Totally a cat. Don’t mind me!

oO

“That doesn’t mean the elves didn’t fear them when they were alive.” Noctus flicked his eyes to the Paragon as he stood up. “In fact, it should be a warning.” “A warning for what?” the Paragon asked. Noctus was silent as he stepped around Aristide’s chair, tapping the vampire’s shoulder in some kind of signal. “The shadows are gone because the elves killed them in their fear of them,” Aristide said, “Much the same way the rest of supernaturals killed the elves because they feared them.” “History is doomed to repeat itself,” Noctus agreed. The Paragon’s expression turned serious. “The war was waged not out of sheer fear, but because the elves had lofty goals that would have doomed us all. You of all people should know that.” “I do know that,” Noctus said. We were almost to the door, now. “It’s why I did what I did. But that doesn’t mean the same terror won’t be repeated, until we all learn our lesson.”

Is the tracker a shadow or the cray cray releation?

Aristide stroked the top of my head with a gentleness that went against his sarcastic nature. “Despite your continued hurt that she won’t let you pet her belly, I’d take her lack of clawing every last drop of blood out of you as a major sign of her affection.” “Perhaps,” Noctus said. “But I don’t believe she would claw you or Ker, either. And Ker isn’t the greatest with cats.” “Noctus, that was one of my rare attempts to encourage you,” Aristide said. “Just accept it—unless you would rather that I tell you ‘yes, you just happened to adopt a magical cat who has the best temperament I’ve ever seen and she doesn’t care about you at all’?” Noctus laughed, a deep sound that made me jiggle in his arms. I guess it’s a good thing the elves made noises about conquering humanity when they did. If they’d waited until Hollywood and social media were a thing, they’d all be A-list celebrities and influencers and could just demand humans give up—and they would!

oO