"Are you sure this is going to work?" I walked behind Cian as he led us quietly through darkened castle halls. His plan was to disguise me as one of the guards, and signal me when it was time for me to steal the Erlking's blade.

"They'll be too drunk to sort out the difference."

"So, you say."

"So, I know." He cast a look at me over his shoulder, "Trust me, Jezebel. I need you. I won't let anything happen to you." He spoke the words softly and with great care as if he truly wanted me to trust him. My mind sank into the feeling for a moment, but quickly recoiled when I remembered that who and what he was. Faerie could not be trusted, they were manipulators.

"So, you say. Again." I replied flatly. His jaw flexed with subtle annoyance before he turned away from me, releasing his hold on my hand. I felt a strange ache at the action, followed by the need to apologize because I could tell I had hurt some part of him. Instead, I bit my tongue. I wasn't here to make friends. I was here to steal Seth spirit, and help kill a king.

Even as those thoughts fluttered through my mind I found myself losing them as I caught my reflection in the mirror, stopping short. I turned my face toward it with wide eyes. I looked like myself, and yet like a stranger. Everything about me screamed that I was anything but human. My skin had lost its olive sun kissed quality, now I was beyond pale. If I stared long enough I could see a bluish-silver tint to me. My eyes seemed to glow like frosted crystals, standing out more than they had before. I smiled at myself, noticing that my canines were sharper, fang-like. I lifted my hands into claws and hissed, the sound vibrating deep in my chest. This would be a kick at Halloween, but beyond that...I would need to learn how to use a glamour. I needed to look human, now that I wasn't anymore.

"I told you that you were beautiful." Cian's words shook me from internal thoughts.

I turned away from the mirror, feeling deflated, "But that beauty is a lie, isn't it? It's just a front for the monster I've become."

"Jezebel..." My name was spoken softly as if he wished to offer me some kind of condolence or apology.

"Come on, let's find Seth and get out of here." I didn't need it. Everything else was nothing but a distraction right now, I reminded myself. I walked in the lead for a moment, not thinking. I only wanted to put distance between me and my reflection, between me and Cian. I took a step out of the shadows for a moment, the sound of voices pulling at my attention. I turned my face to catch a glimpse of the backs of a couple of Faeries as I was yanked into the shadows.

A warm hand wrapped tightly around my mouth and my body nestled against firm chest, "Are you stupid? Do you want to get caught?" Cian whispered into my ear, slowly easing away from me as the voices faded. I watched him through narrowed eyes as he stepped from the shadows, checking the hallway.

He turned back to me with a serious expression and I sank back a little, "Sorry."

"Wait here. Stay in the shadows. Stay. I'll be right back." He instructed in exasperation before he left me, disappearing from view. I did my best to remain calm, shifting back and forth on the balls of my feet. I felt exposed and vulnerable in this world. My senses hyper aware to all the possible dangers. If I was caught what would happen to me. I was stronger now, which meant my power was stronger but what did that really mean?

I felt like I had waited been waiting forever for Cian to come back. The tried everything I could to keep myself relaxed but the longer we were separated the more despairing my thoughts became. Perhaps he had been caught? Perhaps he had tricked me into coming here? So many dark and scary images whirled around in my mind. A distraction that left me exposed to the world. 

"Half-breed?" A voice spoke behind me. I turned around, body stiff. It was Kilgore and he looked surprised.

I knew I couldn't run, it was too late. I had been caught. I barred my teeth, "Not anymore." The shadows danced over and all around me. I wore them like armor. 

His surprise turned to wicked delight, "You're even more Beautiful..."

"And you're just as revolting."

"How is it you came to be here I wonder? Did you strike a bargain with the little summer rat? What did he promise you? Riches beyond your wildest dreams? True love? Hmmm?" He moved towards me, boney fingers flicking off invisible lint from his tunic, "Don't you know you should never trust a Faerie? All they do is lie." I took a small step back, glancing around the hallway for an exit, part of me hoping that no one else would come and at the same time wishing for Cian to return.

"But I guess I should be thanking him because now I can have a taste of you." I jolted in surprise as he disappeared from view as he stepped through some kind of fold in time. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end and my breath caught at the feel of a warm wet tongue slithering up the side of my throat. I stumbled away in fear and disgust, whirling around as the faerie lord let out a satisfied moan.

His eyes fixed on me as if I were his favorite meal and he was on the verge of starving, "I've got to taste more of you." He launched himself towards me and I reacted on instinct.

I relinquished my grip on the shadows, watching as they swallowed Kilgore whole. I felt like a starved dog, half mad. I wanted to leave this place dripping in blood. The emotions coursing through me felt stronger then when I had been human. The needs of my new body vibrated through my being. The blood lust was intoxicating, and that terrified me. I didn't want to be evil.

I forced myself to reign in the hunger, and pull back on the shadows. Kilgore was mostly bone and tattered flesh now, but he was still alive. He worn a toothy smile as he stared down at me from where I had him frozen in the air, "Your darkness is delicious." I didn't like his words as if my darkness was feeding him.

"Well then how about you choke on it." With a flick of my wrist my shadows broke his neck and I let him fall to the ground. Cian appeared from the shadows, staring down at Kilgore's remains. I didn't know what to say about what I had done. Did it make me a monster? Perhaps, but Kilgore had been a bigger monster.

Amber eyes burned my skin as they searched my face, "You're a natural at this." It felt almost like a praise.

"Yes, that's what terrifies me." Was my muttered response. Cian tossed a dark fabric in my direction, I caught it. I held it up for inspection, nose scrunching as an unfavorable smell drifted from it.

"Put that on. We don't need you drawing attention to yourself."

I glared in his direction, "This smells terrible."

"Good, it'll mask your scent."

I found myself even more confused by his remark, "I have a scent?"

"We all do and It more like your essence. For instance, I probably smell like..." 

"Springtime and heat." I replied quickly. His eyes twinkled for a moment and my cheeks heated, "Anyway, I get your point. I smell, people will know there is something different about me." I didn't want to go down that conversation pathway. For some reason, it felt too intimate. I wrapped the cloak around me, gritting my teeth against the smell. 

Cian nodded his head, "Follow me." 

And I did.