Bloodlust by Helen Harper Page A

Without saying a word, I gestured him to my flat, then followed him inside and firmly closed the door behind us.
    Solus scanned my face. He was quite obviously desperate to find out exactly what had transpired to cause me to have a huge bruise splashed across my cheekbone, and one very swollen and painful eye, but the air of awkwardness between us thankfully prevented him from doing so.
    “What’s up, dragonlette?”
    “I need to get into the Circle nightclub tonight and talk to Tarn, its owner. Can you help?”
    A shadow passed across his indigo eyes. “It’s not a very friendly place.”
    I shrugged. “That’s okay. I’m not a very friendly person.”
    His jaw clenched. “Are we still friends?” he asked softly.
    “I understand what happened and why it happened, Solus. I signed on, remember? But I’m pissed off that you couldn’t have spoken to me about it beforehand. I thought that I could trust you to have my back.”
    “I do have your back, dragonlette. I’ll always have your back. I’d never do anything to intentionally hurt you, but…”
    “But the Summer Queen demands your obeisance,” I finished.
    “She’s only trying to do what’s best for everyone.”
    I sighed heavily. “As are we all.” I eyed the Fae. If I could forgive Aubrey for what he’d done in the past by being practically responsible for the deaths of two of my friends, then I guessed I could forgive Solus for not warning me beforehand about what was going to happen at Alcazon. “It’s okay. I get it. And it’s done now, let’s just move on.”
    Solus’ eyes searched mine, then he seemed to relax. “Did you read the book?”
    I nodded mutely.
    “He’ll come around, dragonlette. Once all this is over, he’ll realise the error of his ways and the two of you can live happily ever after.”
    I wasn’t quite so sure about that. Before I could say anything, however, a mischievous gleam lit up his face. “And if Corrigan doesn’t, I’m always here.”
    I shot him a look of exasperation. “Who translated the book, Solus?”
    “Me.” The surprise must have shown on my face because he elaborated further. “I didn’t want everyone knowing what was in it. I love my extended Fae family but, well, they are Fae. They’re not always known for their discretion.”
    “Does the Summer Queen know what’s in it?”
    “Only the bare bones.” He turned serious again. “She doesn’t know that there might be another, you know, another Draco Wyr hanging around somewhere.”
    I scanned his face, trying to ascertain whether he was telling the truth or not. Eventually satisfied, I shrugged. “It’s not definite that there is. And even if I do have a twin, I think the best thing they could do is stay as far away from me as possible.”
    He looked confused, so I explained about the article I’d just read on the Othernet. A flicker of pure rage was momentarily visible in his eyes, before he quickly masked it. “Do you want me to try and find who wrote it?”
    Focusing on more important things, I shook my head. “Not right now. I need to concentrate on Endor. Aubrey seems sure that this Tarn bloke might know something about him. I need to find out exactly what.”
    “I meant what I said before, dragonlette; it’s really not a very nice place.”
    I raised my eyebrows slightly. “Are you suggesting that it’s going to be too much for me to handle?”
    “God forbid,” said Solus in mock horror. He looked me over critically. “We will need to do something about your outfit first though.”
    I looked down at my jeans and t-shirt. “What’s wrong with it?”
    “Dragonlette, sometimes you are very sweet.”
    I growled at him. He laughed musically. “Give me half an hour. I’ll sort you out.”
    The air began to shimmer with streaks of purple again. Before he could vanish, I called out. “Solus, my fucking name is Mack.”
    He winked at me, merriment dancing in his eyes. “’Course it is, dragonlette.”
    I rolled my eyes.