Free Call to Arms (War of the Fae: Book 2) by Elle Casey Page B

massive head butt.   I knew this was an opportunity few people, or fae, would ever have.
    I turned and moved through the water towards the figure standing on the shore.   It had been joined by another, smaller figure.   Becky.   My head was now above the surface and I could see her standing there with her great big smile and Dardennes looking slightly concerned.
    I was soaked.   I slogged through and out of the muck of the lake, stopping in front of Dardennes.   There were so many things I could say to him at that moment, but I went with the first one on the tip of my tongue.
    “What the fuck, Dardennes.   Are you trying to kill me or what?”
    With a totally straight face he said, “Well if I am, I am doing a very poor job of it.”
    Becky looked uncomfortably between him and me, not sure if either of us was kidding.   Eventually her curiosity won out over her concern.
    “So?   What happened?   Was it awesome?   Did you see everyone?   Was Naida happy? ... and why are you so wet?”
    I looked at her like she had totally lost her marbles.   “Why am I wet?   Are you totally insane?   I practically just drowned in this friggin’ lake!   I know you saw it, you sneaky, disappearing little punk.”
    “Yeah, but look ... ” She ran and jumped into the lake and then came walking out, somehow still totally dry.   “I don’t get wet.   How come you did?”
    “Well, I think it should be fairly obvious ... I ain’t no fucking water sprite.”
    Dardennes barked out a laugh before he could compose himself.   “Yes,” he agreed, “as you have so aptly put it, you are not a water sprite.   But it is entirely clear that you do have an affinity to Water.   This is good news.   Come along so we can get you cleaned up.   Perhaps one day you will master the trick of dry swimming.”
    I shot him a dirty look, but followed.   I couldn’t wait to take a hot shower and put on some clean clothes.   When I was in the lake, the water looked crystal clear, but looking down at my once white tunic now, I realized that the water must be enchanted or something to make it appear that way.   I was covered in all manner of ... muck.   Fish and sprite poop probably.   Ew.
    “I’ll see you later, Jayne!” yelled Becky, heading back to the water.  
    I waved over my head without looking back.   I was having a hard time thinking about anything but getting clean and dry again.   I was trying to breathe through my mouth so I wouldn’t smell the awfulness that was wafting up from my clothes.
    My walk back to the room was thankfully quiet.   Dardennes left me at my door with instructions to get cleaned up and wait for someone to escort me to lunch.
    I took a long, hot shower and went to my room to rest.   I don’t know exactly when I fell asleep or how long I might have slept, but it seemed like only minutes went by before I felt myself being lightly touched on the shoulder and my bed sinking down a little as someone sat down next to me.   I opened my sleepy eyes to see Spike sitting there.   He leaned towards me, a small sexy smile on his face, his eyes glowing a deep but bright red.
     

Chapter 7
     
    “Spike?” I said sleepily.
    His lips closed over mine.   They were warm, insistent.  
    I was too tired to think clearly about what was happening, so for a second I started to go with it.   Man, did he feel good.   And the kiss?   Holy shit.   I could feel my engines starting to rev up in a serious way.
    But then reality started to creep into my foggy brain.   What was Spike doing here in my room?   Why was he kissing me?
    “Um ... Spike?”
    It was hard to get the words out because he wasn’t stopping.
    I pushed on his chest a little, but it made no difference.   He was pressing forward, pushing me deeper into the bed.
    I turned my head to the side.   “Spike!   Stop!   Get off me!”
    He took me by the chin and forced me to look at him.   I stared into his glowing red eyes, getting lost in the