Dark Sidhe Claimed

Chapter One

“Why do you hide them?”

Dread tumbled like a rock from a cliff into Tama’s stomach. Squatting, she put herself at eye level with the little boy and looked at the sticker bearing his carefully lettered name.

“Hide what, Max?”

The tow-headed child cupped two chubby hands around his mouth and leaned closer.

“Your wings,” he whispered.

Tama ruffled his hair and mentally strengthened the glamour that cloaked her. It was rare, but every once in a while a human caught a glimpse of her true form. Most assumed they’d imagined it, but children were far more in touch with the natural world. “Sometimes,” she murmured, “people are afraid of things that are different, so it’s easier to hide them.”

The little boy tilted his head to the side, then nodded his understanding before running off to join the rest of his class, the existence of her wings seemingly forgotten.

Tama removed the leather gauntlet and laid it alongside the barn owl’s cage and glanced at Chloe. Hopefully, her coworker hadn’t heard what the child had said. Granted, most humans didn’t believe in the existence of faeries—let alone faeries that had been masquerading as humans and working alongside them for the last three years, but she hadn’t stayed hidden this long in the human world by being careless.

Chloe grinned and nodded toward the little boy’s disappearing form. “I think that’s the first guy you’ve shown actual interest in since I’ve known you.”

“What can I say?” Tama shrugged. “I’m picky.”

“You need to come out with me tonight,” Chloe declared. “Let’s find you a guy in your own age range. Not that the kid wasn’t cute, but come on. I swear, all you do is work.”

Tama shrugged again. “I like my job.” Laying the large leather glove on top of the owl’s cage, she hefted both onto a cart. “I can finish up tonight, if you want to go.”

The other woman put her hands on her hips. “Nu-uh. You’re at least going out for supper with me.” She gestured toward the disgruntled looking bird. “As soon as you get Grumpy Earl back in his enclosure and I make sure all of the stragglers have gone home, we’re out of here. No arguments.”

Tama stifled her sigh and pushed the owl out of the wildlife rescue center and down the path to the aviaries. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to go out with Chloe—she liked her. But, too much time spent in human dwellings—particularly in modern buildings made with iron and steel—depleted her energy levels, making it difficult to maintain her glamour. It was one of the reasons she’d taken the position at the wildlife rehab center. In addition to enjoying the time working with animals, much of her job allowed her to spend time outside or in primitive outbuildings made primarily of wood and stone.

She also liked interacting with the human children, much preferring to see them in their own environment rather than held captive in the Seelie court as changelings. Of course, that didn’t happen as often as it once had, but it was still heartbreaking. It was one of the many reasons she had no desire to return. No, she was better off living out her life in the human world—shortened though it would be. What use was a nearly unending life if she were trapped as the queen of a man she loathed? She shuddered at the thought. She knew he’d been searching for her since she fled the Sidhe kingdom, but so far she’d remained undetected.

She patted the wool-wrapped iron key in her jeans pocket. The iron leeched her strength, but it also masked her otherworldliness, keeping her hidden from any Sidhe that might be trying to find her. Unfortunately, it also caused constant pain in her leg, but some things were unavoidable.

“Hey!” Chloe called. “You about ready?”

Tama yawned. All she really wanted was some sleep.

“We’ll go somewhere quiet. How about that little Greek place up the road? There’s a new server there. He’s really hot.”

Tama grinned at her friend. “I’ve gotta do a couple more things, but I’ll meet you up there. I promise.” The truth was she couldn’t stomach riding in Chloe’s car. Being surrounded by that much iron made her nauseated and breathing was difficult—almost as if she were being suffocated.

“Just leave it for tomorrow,” Chloe said.

Tama shook her head as she headed out the door. “Go get us a table, and flirt with the cute waiter. I just need to check to make sure all of the animals have been fed, then I’ll be there.”

The other woman scowled, following her out into the snowy evening air. “You’d better be. I want you to meet this guy. I think he’d be perfect for you.”

“I’ll join you as soon as I’m done. I promise.”

“Okay.” Chloe tilted her head and studied Tama’s face for a moment before reaching out and plucking an eyelash from her cheek. She held it on her fingertip then blew.

Frozen in horror, Tama watched the eyelash fly from Chloe’s finger into the night sky.

“I’d tell you to make a wish, but I just made one for you.” Chloe grinned. “You can thank me later.”

Ice sluiced through Tama’s veins. Faeries were notoriously capricious when it came to wishing. Who knew what would happen with her uncloaked DNA carried through the air on a fancy? “What did you wish for?” she asked, her voice tight and even.

Chloe laughed. “I can’t tell you or it won’t come true.”

“Humor me.” Tama managed a strained smile. “I have a hang up about these sorts of things.“

“Fine,” her friend said, rolling her eyes. “I just wished that you’d find your soul mate. Now hurry up. Maybe he’ll be at the restaurant tonight!”