Scarlet Vamporium: Vamporium #2 by Poppet[vampire]

make them cold and handing him the fullest one.
    “Thanks. I think I'm still processing this tae be honest.”
    Pressure sits in my chest as I survey him with worry. I'm regretting telling him. He's nice, I wanted to keep him, I really did. I've ruined it all. Inside he's probably trying to figure out how to get away from me.... alive.
    “I won't hurt you. We believe in free will. I will never force you to do anything, I promise,” I reassure him.
    Snatching his gaze off the dark scenery still wrapped in burqas of drifting fog, he arches both eyebrows. “I'm no' afraid of ye, Ellie. And fer the record I'm a teuchter, ye cannae make me dae anything I dinnae want tae dae anyhow.”
    Slugging a quick taste of my brew, I ask softly, keeping my tone low, “ Chooghta?”
    “Teuchter is the common name fer a highlander. We didnae inspire movies without good reason. We're fierce, just test us and ye'll soon find out what we're capable of.”
    In a bid to reclaim normality I try changing the subject, “So, why are you wearing a shell?”
    Looking up into the eternal depths of the sky, the gloss of his eyes reflect vapid light, turning them into convex mirrors.
    “My mother gave it tae me. She didnae want me tae come tae the woods or tae get lost exploring the streams.” His tone is secretive, as if he's sharing an enormous yoke with me. “Ellie, here in Scotland we have tales of creatures who belong tae other realms. The Shellycoat wears a coat of shells, warning people of his presence. It shakes and rattles where he walks up and down rivers and streams, keen tae mislead a wanderer. He tricks ye intae believing yer on the right path, but he'll lead ye astray. I'm wearing it as protection...”
    And I know... In my heart, in my soul, deep in my ever after, Douglas is afraid of me. He knew before my eyes shone. He just knew I was different and he was afraid I'd lead him to his death.
    Swallowing the hard lump choking me, wringing my hands tightly, I look away from him, out over the shimmering loch while the wind wheezes through the trees behind us, “I'm not a monster, Doug. I have feelings too.”
    “Aye,” he nods. “Ellie, I'm human no matter who ma ancestors wed. Dinnae persecute me fer protectin' ma heart, ma life. Tae some folk it's pish, a load of nonsense tae scare wee bairns, but tae some of us we dinnae disregard it. Tae some of us we take precautions. My maw loved me, she gave it tae me tae keep me safe. I dinnae want tae get lost in your realm.”
    “What realm? Doug, I live in the same world you do.”
    “The fey realm. C'mon, ye showed it tae me back there when ye opened the entrance tae yer secret road.”
    “What exactly do you think I am?” I ask in a whisper. He said he knows what I am, but is he right in his assumption?
    “Sidhe. Yer a faery.”
    “I'm not shee–”
    “Aye, ye are Sidhe. They look human, but they shine. They're beautiful and sexy, and... I know yer one of 'em. Ye dinnae need tae pretend anymore. It's in ma blood, which is mebbe why I felt it when I first saw ye. Ellie, yer eyes glow, that makes ye faery in ma book.”
    He's wearing an amulet to protect himself from me. Subconsciously he knew. He's way more astute and perceptive than ninety-nine percent of the humans I've met. None of them have made me before, and yet somehow he did just fishing and traipsing through the woods. How? What gave me away? And what's with the warrior speech? Does he think I'm going to attack him?
    “I threaten you. I do, or you wouldn't feel the need to say that to me,” I state.
    “Ellie ye don't threaten me. Fer heaven's sake lass I just want tae shut ye up with a kiss. I've been tryin' tae get one all night and sumthin' keeps happenin' whenever I try.”
    Before I can make a single move, he rants at me, sitting forward and gesticulating with both hands, “Somethin' else ye should know about us. Caledonia is named efter the goddess Cailleach. She's got a lot in common with Sgathach, and ye remind