By Fairy Means or Foul: A Starfig Investigations Novel(3)

“Brandsome,” a voice from the front office called. A fairy poked her head inside a moment later, her tiny gossamer wings fluttering madly. “Sorry to interrupt, but some of your fans have gathered outside and are starting to cause a disturbance. I hoped you could calm them down.”

For a split second, Brandsome’s brow furrowed and if I didn’t know better I would swear he cursed under his breath. But then his face smoothed out and he smiled. “Oh, sparkles and glitter! Raine, you know I always make time for my fans. Excuse me,” he said, turning his attention back to me, running a finger up my arm, making me shiver. “My fans can sometimes be a little overzealous. I wouldn’t want them to hurt themselves or anyone else.”

He sighed, as if to say leaving me was the last thing he wanted to do. The batting eyelashes and look of longing in those gorgeous eyes accelerated my heart rate once again. I’d do anything to see that look every day.

Once he was out of sight, Quinn cleared his throat. Loudly.

“Chew this.” The human shoved a strip of bark at my face.

“Why would . . . I do that?” I could barely string a sentence together, my mouth feeling uncoordinated.

“It will help with the magic. It’s meadowmint bark. Completely harmless. I promise.” He stuck out his tongue to show me he gnawed on a piece as well.

I wasn’t a trusting creature, but something in my gut said to trust him. At least about this. I clumsily snatched it from his hand and shoved the strip in my mouth, chewed. I blinked rapidly, the fog lifting from my brain. I shook my head as though I could dislodge the magic physically. Suddenly my dragon was awake with a vengeance, an angry growl echoing in my head. Since Quinn didn’t flinch, I must have kept it confined there.

“Thanks,” I managed to get out between chews.

His lips turned up in the hint of a smile. “Don’t mention it.”

“What did he do to me?” I scrubbed my hands across my face, my thoughts clearing with each passing moment.

“He didn’t do anything. That’s unicorn magic for you. Just part of his charm.”

Made sense. Some creatures’ essences were of a particular magical nature and obviously unicorns fell into that category. I just had no idea the draw would be so powerful. “That’s some crazy magic your master has. How do you stand it?”

He scrunched his face when I said, ‘master,’ which somehow didn’t surprise me. I didn’t like the word either and wasn’t sure why I chose to use it. He shrugged. “You get used to it over time.”

“I’m not susceptible to most creatures’ magic. At least if it’s dark.”

He peeked at me from under his lashes. “That’s the dragon in you, right, sir?”

“Yeah.” I continued gnawing on the strip of bark, my head feeling almost normal again. What I didn’t say was that since I’m a half-dragon, half-fairy, my dragon side—by far the dominant one—felt like a separate beast. It was like living with two people in my head all the time. Instead, I said, “Brandsome’s magic packs a wallop.”

“I hoped you might be immune, but I should know better. No one is immune to his . . . charms.”

I raised an eyebrow, waiting for Quinn to say his piece, but he continued to sit quietly, clearly debating whether he should say more.

With Brandsome out of the room it was easy to see the human’s obvious appeal. He oozed pheromones and sex—it overwhelmed my sensitive nose, I hated those artificial body sprays—and if he weren’t a potential client’s servant, I would have stuffed him in a tub of water to get rid of the smell and then scrub all that shit off his face. I could tell by his bone structure he didn’t need it and whore-chic had never been my thing.

As obnoxious as the enhancements were, the thick pink collar sprinkled with rainbow sparkles was far worse. I’d like to say it was the oddest servant’s collar I ever saw, but I’d be lying. Fairies and other creatures of the Elder all reveled in unusual taste in adornment. Now, I know I’m biased because my dragon side really only appreciated gold—or in a pinch gems would do—so I might not be the best judge of these things. Besides, the collar hid another tattoo that just peeked out of the top and curiosity made me want to unbuckle it so I could examine the ink up close. I cleared my throat, willing my mind to focus.

“Go ahead and say it. I can tell you’re dying to tell me something,” I said when he began chewing on his bottom lip. My dragon practically purred. What was that about? And what was with the urge to lean over and pull his abused flesh from his teeth? Must be the lingering effects of the unicorn’s magic. I was still so horny, my cock refusing to behave. My brain even now felt slow, but I could talk at least. Perdition, punishment, and perversions, that was some wicked magic.

“You’re awfully small for being dragon-born,” he blurted out, even though he was a good foot shorter than me.

Well that deflated my cock faster than a werebeaver with braces offering free blowjobs. My dragon wasn’t happy either if the grumbling in my head was any indication.

“And you’re awfully rude for a human,” I shot back.

He blushed. If I wasn’t so annoyed, I’d think it was adorable. But no.

“I’m sorry . . . sir. I didn’t mean . . . well, I meant . . . he’s not what you think he is.”