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

my word for it, since you’ll never have the opportunity to look for it.” There is ice in her tone, but it doesn’t faze me. I am well aware of my ability to make her melt.
    “You’ll only see it after today, baby. It wasn’t there before. Look, we can get to that later. I have more to tell you,” I inform. She sits back, gesturing for me to continue. “Since you are half human, you cannot enter Rien, the Fae Realm, until you are marked. For whatever reason, the magic simply won’t work and it cloaks your family as well, keeping you off the radar, so to speak. That’s why you grew up in the human realm. Your dad chose to stay with you and your mother. But, when you turned twenty-one, your parents intended to take you to Rien.”
    “My mother can go there but I can’t?”
    “Well, yes, until you were marked. Although, once she is there, she will not be able to leave. You have enough Fae blood that you are free to move in and out of the realms.”
    “So, Dad never went back after he met my mom?” Her face softens and I know she’s thinking about how her dad had been hopelessly in love with her mother.
    “He was going to take her there eventually. But, by not going back, even for a visit, he was able to age with her.” I realize I’ve jumped ahead as soon as the words leave my mouth.
    “He what?” Shaylee is looking at me intently, and then I see the realization on her face. “You’ve never aged. In all the years I’ve known you. I just thought you had really good genes.” The wheels are spinning in her head. “You’re not—you won’t die?”
    I nod slowly, watching for her reaction. To my surprise she seems to take it in stride. “If we spend enough time outside of our realm, our immortality diminishes.” I gesture back to her aunt, “Some, like Rhosalyn, have made the choice to make the break permanent. Especially if they’ve found the one they are fated with here.” I wince inwardly; I didn’t want to bring up the issue of the fates yet. So, I rush on, hoping she won’t dwell on that statement. “Shaylee, there are so many things that you will learn, but right now, we only have time for me to explain a few last things ,and then we need to go.”
    Shaylee scoots back on the couch, retreating from my words. “I’m not going anywhere, Aden. For crying out loud, I need time to process this all, to decide if I even believe you.”
    “Baby, we don’t have time. You’ve been marked and I’ve got to get you to Rien where you’ll be safe until you’re properly trained.” I grab her hand in mine and squeeze it lightly. When she tugs it back, I keep a firm hold on it. “Shaylee, don’t think I won’t drag your ass out of here to keep you safe.”
    She tugs a little harder and this time I let go. “Safe from what, Aden? Evil elves? Wicked witches? Black River werewolves? Give me a break. A few days isn’t going to matter.”
    I roll my eyes at her sarcasm, but let it go. Today is not the day to get into the other species in the Fae realm. I debate whether to tell her what I’ve noticed all day. Someone is watching the house. I don’t know how they found her so quickly; they must have known already and were waiting for her birthday. I only consider for a moment, I know she can handle it and hopefully, it’ll get her moving so we can get the hell out of here. “You’re already on their radar, baby. You’re being watched.”
    She stiffens and I see awareness creeping into her eyes. She noticed. Good, her instincts are already sharpening. “You felt it today?” I ask.
    “I had a funny feeling, but this is New York City, Aden. Some creep is always watching.” Her excuse is feeble and she knows it. “Who is it?”
    “Most likely, a Ukkutae.” Once again, I see that the word’s meaning is familiar to her.
    “Evil?”
    “Shaylee, if there is good in the world, there must be bad. There is always a balance. The Fae are bound by laws of honesty. I cannot lie and neither can