Page 29 of Claiming Starlight
Syrinx’s eye darted to Sophie, curious. Sophie attempted a beguiled expression. The blue-bloods didn’t like it when their magic didn’t work on mundane red-bloods.
“You have taken a mate?” Syrinx asked Micah.
Sophie closed her eyes, briefly. It was the only way to stop herself from looking to Micah for an explanation.
“I need natural birth control for her. I know you help women out. And I brought you something you’ve been looking for.”
“You did? What could that be?” Her eyes glittered and her smile widened, teeth flashing, as eager as a child for a present.
Sophie had to force herself not to look away again.
“Do you think you can help?” Micah asked. He was brisk and businesslike. Polite, but confident. Micah treated the naiad differently than he did herself or the guys. Sophie didn’t know if he could see Syrinx’s true face or not, but the female unnatural had his respect as a predator it seemed.
Clicking her needle claws, she said, “Such a hurry. Don’t you want to come into my den for tea?”
Jumper took a step towards her. Dante caught him at the neck and pulled him back.
“Sweet Syrinx, I’m sorry. It’s not wise to drink with ladies who eat the souls of their guests for dessert.”
“Just a little taste? It’s been so long. Why don’t you give me a taste and I will try to help you and your woman?” she asked.
Micah put his hand in his pocket and pulled something out. In the palm of his hand, it looked like a piece of stone with a carved face, but she couldn’t tell.
“Oh, where did you find that?” Her claws clicked out of tune with her voice.
“I came across it in a shop. Will you trade for it?”
“Oh, yes,” Syrinx said. She crouched down where she stood, knees spread for balance, hands flat on the wet, marshy ground. Jumper and Dante both made little sounds, grunts, and she grinned at them in answer, complemented.
Sophie saw nothing but green, but she imagined the position showed off the naiad’s sex. The ground beneath Syrinx melted, softened, muddied, until she had sunk down into a well of murky water to her shoulders. Dante and Jumper had to step back to keep from falling in. Eyes watching them, she did something in the brackish pool with her hands. It only took a moment.
When she brought her right hand up, she held something that looked like a hex bag, fabric stained green. In the other hand, a little round jar capped with a cork. Micah stepped forward to take them, but Syrinx shook her head. “No. This is women’s magic. Do not touch it. Put this one under the bed you share, and the other is a tea to drink on the full moon. One is good, but you are a potent alpha wolf; two is better. You’re welcome.”
She smirked at Micah.
Micah’s head tipped to the side, assessing.
“I wish to stay on your good side, Micah. You go where I cannot. And you dare the bog where others do not. Well, everyone but the birds and a few alligators. Which reminds me. The Reaper is coming. I give you that one for free.”
“The fuck it is?” he exploded. His body went hard, the muscles beneath Sophie’s hand rippling with wild energy.
“Yes.” Syrinx tipped her chin but said no more. Looking pointedly at them, she shook her full hands.
Micah turned, grabbed Sophie by the waist, and lowered her to the ground. The marshy land sucked at her feet and sandals, colder than she thought it would be considering the heavy warmth of the air. Micah kept hold of her as Sophie held out her hands to take the tea and bag.
Sophie didn’t know where to look, or how to breathe. Closer inspection did not ease the strangeness of Syrinx’s features. Although the vampir were no better looking, they did not have little creatures over their bodies.
Syrinx was old and strong. Older than Micah by many generations. Sophie could feel and see that much. It was unnerving.
“You can see me?” the naiad asked. But it was not a question. Sophie was terrible at denying the obvious.
“Yes.”
“Well, don’t tell them. Yes? It is much more fun this way, little luna.” She gave the birth control remedies to Sophie.
Sophie took them, her finger brushing the side of Syrinx’s palm in the exchange. She had tried to avoid it, but Syrinx had subtly forced the contact.
“Oh. Well then, aren’t you a special red-blood? So interesting, you short-lived things. The Breaking messed you all up.”
