But is it a facade if you can see and touch it, boy? I can disappear at will, so am I therefore not real?
Kalen shifted back to his human form, his clothes reappearing on his body. Quite a handy ability that none of the other guys possessed.
I dont know. Why dont you vanish for good and well find out? he muttered.
An amused laugh greeted Kalens terse words, and a dark figure stepped onto the porch from inside. Backlit in the cabins doorway, the manor rather, the Unseelie disguised as a manwas very tall.
Come inside, young Sorcerer, Malik said, gesturing him forward. Lets have a nightcap to cure our insomnia.
The other male turned and went inside. Wary, Kalen followed him. Just because the Unseelie
exuded a false sense of normalcy didnt mean Kalen was stupid. His years on the street had taught him that a friendly gesture always came with a catch.
And nothing about this creature was normal.
Mounting the porch steps, he trailed Malik into the cabin and took a surprised look around. Somehow hed expected stark coldness and evil stamped on every surface. But the interior was the epitome of warm, rustic luxury. Dark leather furniture and plush throw rugs dotted the living space. A large stone fireplace graced most of the far wall, and an adjacent wall sported a walk-in wet bar.
How civilized, he commented drily as Malik rounded the bar.
Isnt it? And here you likely expected a dreary cave full of bats. The Unseelie reached for an expensive-looking bottle of Cognac and then removed two crystal highball glasses from the shelf. Smiling faintly, he poured them each a couple of inches of the liquor and then brought them both into the living area. He handed Kalen a glass. Please, sit.
Kalen remained standing for a few beats longer, studying the creature who could pass for any human man. An exceptionally good-looking one. The form hed taken as Evan Kerrigan was a few inches taller than Kalens six or so feet, and he was well muscled without being ripped. Black hair dusted his shoulders and framed an angular face set with midnight blue eyes and a strong jaw. It was no wonder the creature had managed to seduce everyone whod crossed his path.
He appeared to be anything but a monster.
There was an innate sexuality that radiated from the males very pores. Although, despite the Unseelies seductive approach, Kalen could honestly say he knew Maliks focus was not really directed at him in a sexual waythough he couldnt say how he knewthe bold scrutiny in the others steady gaze unnerved him nonetheless.
What are you so hot to show me? Kalen asked, getting to the point.
First Id like to talk to you. Sit, please. Malik took a seat in a large wingback chair near the fireplace, stretching his long legs out in front of him and crossing them at the ankles. Casually sipping his Cognac, he presented the picture of cozy, urbane charm.
It couldnt last.
Slowly, Kalen lowered himself to the sofa across from the Unseelie and sniffed at the liquor. Reaching out with his magic, he could discern no spell placed on the drink. He took a sip and found it to be safe. But he knew better than to relax.
This is good stuff, he said.
Only the best for you.
You sound as though you mean that.
I do.
Why?
Because Ive waited for this moment for what seems like ages. Those piercing eyes bored into his.
Kalen shifted uneasily. The way you said that . . . its almost as if you know me.
As well as I know myself, the Unseelie replied softly.
Something about that statement, Maliks tone, made every hair on his body stand on end. Thats not possible.
Its as possible as the cabin youre sitting in quite comfortably, where no cabin should be.
Is this how its going to be? You talking in riddles the whole time? I dont know what the hell I thought coming here would accomplish. Self-preservation raised its head. He started to rise, eager to get out of there, but Malik held out a hand.
Hear me out. Dont you want your questions answered?
Yes, he did. Badly. He doubted prying them from the fucker would be as easy as that, but he sat again, reluctantly. All right. Lets start with why you want to hurt innocent people.
Malik affected a solemn expression, like a doctor about to tell someone he had a terminal illness. Innocence is more of an illusion than anything my magic could possibly create. The sole innocent creatures are newborns, and all are eventually lost to temptation. There are no exceptions to this rule.
Youre wrong. My mother was innocent, he refuted tightly.
A flash of anger lit the Unseelies eyes, then was quickly masked. No. Your mother was weak. She did not protect you from the worm you called Father.
He sucked in a breath. How do you know that?
She feared for herself more than she cared to protect her child, and that makes her among the most loathsome of her kind. I saw how she cowered while he beat you senseless, time after time. I saw how she ultimately handed your fate to David Black, allowed him to toss you into the street like a sack of refuse.