Eerin rolled his eyes at the ridiculous human who refused to budge an inch. A good half minute had passed since the aketon had tried to attack her, yet apparent fear still kept her glued to the ground.

He was tempted to just walk away and leave her. After a few more moments had seeped past, he made a noise of contempt. “Oh, get up, or are you planning on taking a nap?”

The girl shifted onto her side, and her eyelids flicked open. She stared at him for a few moments, shock appearing to hold her immobile. Really, he had saved this? He had important matters to attend to, and this wasn’t it. But the Spirit of the Woods had spoken, damn its capriciousness. He marched over to the prone form. Did she expect him to carry her, too? He wasn’t a beast of burden but the leader of the taelin fae.

“Very well, I’ll sling you over my other shoulder.” And he would. He certainly had the strength to carry these two scraps of humanity. That they made him do it angered him to no end.

He took a threatening step toward her to punctuate his words. She gasped and threw herself upward. Before he could blink, she was on her knees. He suppressed a smirk. Her position was quite to his liking. If he were a different type of taelin, he’d use it to his advantage. But even he didn’t poach from damsels in distress. Besides, she was human. There were just some places where even he wouldn’t go despite his healthy sex drive.

Once she stood before him, he lifted a brow. “So you require no carrying?”

Her mouth opened but nothing came out as she rubbed her right shoulder. Then she resolutely shook her head.

“Then start walking. And try not to gawk at everything unless you want a repeat performance of recent events. I might not save you next time.”

Her brow scrunched up as she jogged to keep up with him. She glanced at him, uncertainty clear in her gaze. “Why did you, then?”

He scowled and readjusted his hold on the younger human. The brown-haired one just had to ask that question. “No particular reason other than I didn’t feel in the mood for blood today.”

She continued to stare at him as if she didn’t know whether to believe him or not. “I’m glad for that.” She paused as if thinking and asked hesitantly, “Are you often in the mood for blood, then?”

He sent her a sideways look. “It depends on the company and how much they annoy me.”

“Oh.”

After that, she didn’t attempt to engage him in conversation for a few blessed minutes. The silence was soothing on his raging nerves. The trees were becoming lighter, freer of the darkness coursing through the outer edges of the forest. Animal sounds floated on the air. Though he loved the entirety of his woods, the dark portion brought out the feral in him that was always waiting to burst free. There was a peace in the inner reaches of the forest that settled him as little could. Except, now, he was bringing a human into that sanctuary.

His jaw clenched. He’d love to let the humans fend for themselves. Even though they were under protection of the Spirit, the dangerous creatures of the forest were slow to follow its dictates. Nature was too strong of a pull to overcome instinct easily. That the humans would likely perish wasn’t of concern to him. In fact, by their very existence, they deserved such a fate. And many of his people would agree with him but not all. It was that small population he worried about. They’d try to ensure that the humans were treated as honored guests, not the murderous vermin they were. He knew firsthand about human nature. Nothing could convince him they were nonviolent beings.

He cast a glance her way. She looked innocent and sweet, but he knew more than anyone how appearances could be deceiving. He had to stand strong against them and any wiles they may seek to use.

A bluish-black rabbit bounded out from behind a shrub and right into their path. The woman gasped. “A rabbit!”

“Your skills of observation astonish me.”

She frowned at him. “There weren’t any animals to be seen before the bird and now this rabbit. The trees…they’re getting lighter in color, more brown than black.”

The human thought to get answers from him? He wouldn’t make it that easy. “Congratulations, your eyes are continuing to work.”

She stared at the ground and sighed. “Where are you taking us?”

“Somewhere.”

She crossed her arms. “That’s obvious. Why won’t you give me a straight answer?”

Her boldness nearly amused him in spite of himself. Still, he couldn’t let that emotion take hold, let alone show. “Why did you trespass in the woods?”

With a hand outstretched, she turned toward him earnestly. “Not on purpose, I assure you. Something drew my sister toward the forest, and I couldn’t stop her. It was as if she was possessed!”

That nearly stopped him short, but humans were notorious liars. Still, if there were a hint of truthfulness to her words… He didn’t even want to consider what that meant. The forest ordering him to protect them was enough. “You expect me to believe that?”

“It’s what happened. Ever since my sister saw these woods today, she hasn’t been the same.” The breath hitched in her throat, and her expression crumpled as if she fought off tears.

He bit back a groan. By the towering black trees, he hated tears! They were weapons to be used against unsuspecting males. He, however, wouldn’t fall for that trick. “Don’t cry,” he said, his voice rough.

She sniffed. “I’m not. “

See? Humans lied. She was all but blubbering already. He wanted none of it. “If you cry, I’ll leave you standing right here and take your sister.”

She slammed to a halt. “You wouldn’t!”

He planted his hands on his hips and leaned over her. “Try me.”