Protecting Shaylee (The Fae Guard Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

room are piled with presents and I realize I have no other choice but to sit next to Aden. Just peachy. I make my way over there and perch on the edge of my seat, leaning away from him, with my elbow on the arm rest.
    I look at the women expectantly, but they both look to Aden and nod. I look to him and raise an eyebrow in question. He smirks at me for a moment before his face turns serious again.
    “Shaylee, I’ve never done this before, so I’m sorry if I don’t handle it in the best way. I wasn’t given this assignment, until the last minute, so I haven’t had time to prepare. Normally, we’d have more time to ease you into this information, but for some reason, you’ve attracted attention to yourself.”
    My mind is spinning at his words—they make absolutely no sense. “Aden, just spit it out, would you? You’re giving me a freaking headache.” This time, he’s the one who raises a brow.
    “Alright, I won’t beat around the bush. You’re only half human, Shaylee. You’re also half faery.”
    I stare at him for a moment as rage begins to fill me. Before I can think better of it, I pull my hand back and send it flying.

DAMN IT! CAUGHT OFF guard, my head rears back slightly at the force of the blow, the sound of the slap reverberating in the silent room. As pissed as I am, I can’t help but admire her strength. She packs a hell of a punch. Shaylee has jumped to her feet and is staring down at me with fire in her eyes. I understand confusion at the situation, but I am taken aback by the level of fury and disgust on her beautiful face. I glance to her mother and aunt, but they are frozen, staring at Shaylee with their jaws dropped in shock.
    “How dare you, Aden? How dare you twist something that means so much to me?! Are you mocking me? I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, but I won’t put up with it. I won’t let you disrespect my Dad by turning his beliefs and stories into a joke,” her voice is calm, monotone. “I want you to leave.”
    “Shaylee,” Violet has regained her speech and calls to her daughter. The look on her face is one of understanding, and I feel relief that somebody knows what the hell is going on. At the sound of her voice, Shaylee whirls towards her. When she sees the look on Violet’s face, her anger begins to fade and is replaced by a bone-deep sadness.
    “You knew?” her voice is confused and coated in despair. “I don’t understand, Mom. Why would you let him ridicule Dad?” Suddenly, it becomes clear where I went wrong. Shaylee had grown up with her dad telling her stories of the Fae. Stories she believed, until Orin died, and she became convinced that they were concocted in his imagination . . . told for her amusement. She didn’t realize that Orin had been preparing her. He told her the stories so that the knowledge would be ingrained in her and, hopefully, when she was told the truth after her marking, she would find it easier to believe . . . to transition.
    I don’t wait for Violet to intercede. I decide to take back control of the situation. She needs to trust me. She needs to have faith in the things I tell her and not rely on believing it because of her mother’s conviction. If she doesn’t completely trust me, then I won’t be able to convince her of the one other truth that I will keep to myself for today.
    “Shaylee, have I ever lied to you?” I ask calmly.
    She turns back to me, and I can see her thinking. I know her mind has wandered to her birthday, when I agreed to meet her in her room. I stress my point. “Have I ever lied to you?”
    “No.” Her eyes narrow in annoyance, but she admits what she knows is the truth.
    “I would never tarnish your father’s memory, baby.” She stiffens at the nickname, but I don’t give a shit. She’ll get used to it.
    “I loved him like a father, too.” Her shoulders slump as the anger completely deflates, left only with the sadness. I pat the couch next to me, “Please sit, and let me