Swift (Strangetown Magic Book 1) Read Online Free Page B

I have roamed the world and seen wondrous things, done deeds both good and bad. Had lovers and husbands, and I have become a different person numerous times in a new city, making new friends out of necessity as people I have known for decades grow old and then die as they are Normal, but at this time, in this place, with all that was going on, no, I had no freedom. I had responsibilities, I had duty, I had my sisters and brothers and untold Strange to consider.
    So I hitched a ride on Mack, the least he could do under the circumstances, and went to find an empty house. Preferably one with a front wall.
    We got a few funny looks from the neighbors, but I'm sure it was just jealousy.

 
     
     
    Dangerously Sweet
    I resisted chewing on Mack's horns as we looked for a new place. Hunger was taking me over and I was seriously ready to break a bit off and gnaw like a beaver on a tree, but I held it together, remained ladylike, and instead ordered him to let me down.
    He stopped and rather considerately lowered both me and my luggage without breaking bones or Gucci. I turned to Zeno, who wasn't even out of breath or looking remotely concerned about the turn of events.
    "I have to get food, or I'll collapse. Do you think you can deal with finding somewhere new? Somewhere with a high ceiling, I guess, if Mack is staying."
    "Sure, I can do that. Leave it to me."
    "Hey, you wouldn't want me to leave, would you?" said a worried looking Mack. "I thought we were besties." He really needed to get his act together. Besties!
    "We are, Mack. I was just saying, that's all." Demons, who knew they were so needy? "Not many houses are built for demons. It was never part of the architect's design brief to accommodate horns on demonic creatures from the netherworlds."
    "Oh, right." He cheered up instantly, shielded his eyes with a hand and scoured the road for houses. Sometimes he is such a muppet.
    "Thanks, Zeno. I'll see you soon. With shopping, promise."
    He gave me a funny look, one I tried not to notice, because he knew that I knew that he knew that we both felt the attraction but knew it was a really bad idea because you could be damn sure something like my house falling down would be mild in comparison, then unexpectedly kissed me, feather-like, right on the lips before I knew what was happening.
    It was like the sweetest sugar being poured into my mind, softening anything hard and mean inside of me, melting the hurt and turning it to honey. It was how I imagine an angel would make you feel as it took away your sin and the hurt of centuries.
    So I slapped him and stormed off. Gotta have standards. He didn't ask and I certainly didn't say yes.
    I am a complete and utter fool, and as I wandered through the witch enclave and then streets that homed numerous wizards, I forgot what I was doing. I was lost to a haze of purity that threatened to leave me a quivering wreck and forever in his thrall.
    You think vampires are good at the glamoring stuff, then just let an elf kiss you and see how well you do.
    Disgust welled inside of me for allowing myself to get even remotely involved with such a dangerous creature. Did I lead him on? Did I let him think it was all right to kiss me? I didn't think so, even though we both knew there was an attraction. But it wasn't real, at least not on my part. It was how they operated, a part of them, warping your reality so you risked losing yourself. There is no free will if you let your guard down with the elves, and that's more dangerous than any magic I can possibly conjure.
    This is the real risk they pose to us, the danger that is more a concern than their violence and the hate most of them have for humans. Worse than their desire to eradicate or enslave us, stomp us or take away all that humanity has built and striven for, it's the fact they are so damn beautiful yet utterly repulsive at the same time.
    When they touch you, or you catch their gaze, let alone if they kiss you—I don't even want to think about