Bonus Scene

Bonus Scene

The night Tori and Ari met

Six years ago

Tori

I sink the shot and savour the burning sensation of the fae alcohol as it travels down my throat. I grin at the summer fae who is watching me with narrowed eyes. They say never challenge the fair folk to a drinking game, but I can't help it, I've never been one to turn down a challenge. Fae alcohol packs a punch, so I'll probably regret this in the morning, but thankfully, it takes a lot of alcohol to affect me.

"Garett, get us another one, will ya?" I call out to the cute bartender. The bear shifter and I have been acquaintances for a while now, and while he's attractive, I stay away from dating shifters, too possessive for me.

"Tori, you want to switch to the human stuff?" he asks, his voice might be rough and assertive, but I can see his concern for me in his eyes. Rolling my own, I shake my head, pushing the glass towards him again.

"Nah, I have a bet to win!" I reply with a grin, and although he doesn't agree with my choice, his lips turn up in a slight smile at my exuberance before filling my glass with the fluorescent blue alcohol. Turning a glare on the fae sitting next to me, he growls at them.

"If anything happens to her, I will rip you limb from limb," he threatens, and I watch as they pale and nod quickly in agreement. I grin at Garett and wink at him, there are benefits to having a bear shifter as a friend.

The bell above the bar door dings as someone walks in, and I freeze as a wave of powerful energy rolls over me. Turning on my bar stool, I search for the source of power and my eyebrows rise at what a see. A young woman, about my age, is walking towards the bar. Her face is set in a glare, and anyone who looks her way gets a snarl. Her expression may be fierce, but something inside her is broken. Her body is pale and thin, and she looks like she hasn't eaten a proper meal in years. Her hair is hanging limply around her shoulders, and I think that she could be beautiful if she smiled, but her severe expression gives off a fuck off vibe. The thing that attracts my attention the most though, is the energy she's giving off. She's a shifter, I can tell that much, but she's also more . I think I know what she is, but that could be dangerous for the both of us if I say anything.

I decide to just watch and stay out of her way, which is difficult when she takes the barstool next to me. Garett walks over, his eyes softening as he takes in her bedraggled state.

"What can I get you?" he asks, his voice bringing her eyes up as she assess him, as if to see if he's a threat.

"Just a glass of water," she responds, her British accent clear to hear. Huh, I guess it's not true what they say about Brits being polite. Garett nods and pours her a glass while running his eyes over her, a frown forming between his brows.

"Sure I can't get you any food?" I hear her stomach growl at his question, and her face goes blank for a second before she shakes her head.

She can't be serious, she looks like she's starving. I glance at the glass of water and a thought comes to me. This girl isn't going to accept any pity or food from me, so I've got to make her accept. A plan starts forming in my mind, and I try to hide my grin as I swallow back my shot. Turning to the summer fae next to me, I lean forward and press a kiss to his cheek before hopping off the bar stool and walking to the exit.

"Sorry, hun, I've got to go, we'll finish this up another day."

"Wait, you can't leave, we're in the middle of a challenge!" the fae sputters, outraged. Well, he'll be even more outraged when he realises I've been magicking the alcohol so it's essentially water. I grin to myself and flip him off as I step out of the bar.

I don't have to wait outside the bar for long before the girl leaves. Making sure I time it right, I hurry from the alley and smack straight into her.

"Oh my, I'm so sorry!" I cry out as I reach out to steady her. Growling at me, she takes a step back, swatting at my reaching hand.

"Watch where you're going!" she snarls, her eyes glowing with her inner animal, wolf I think. My powers are fairly good at sniffing out people's gifts, and she's screaming wolf.

"I'm really sorry," I say again, trying to sound like I mean it. "Look, let me make it up to you. I'm going to the burger joint around the corner to eat as much as I can physically stuff in my face, why don't I get you something?" I see her eyes narrow at me in suspicion, but I know she wants to say yes. Her stomach growling again makes the decision for her, and I nod as if she's answered me out loud.

"Good. Let's go!" I declare and start walking towards the restaurant, not giving her a chance to say no. I feel her hesitation, but I keep walking and smile the moment I hear her following me. When she reaches my side, I look over at her again. I don't know why I feel such a connection to this girl, it's not that I pity her, it's like I feel a kinship to her. Perhaps we share a similar history. I remember having the same lost look in my eyes not that long ago.

"What's your name?" I ask, not sure if she will answer me, especially as the silence stretches. Her eyes flick to me before going back to watching our surroundings.

"Ari. Yours?" I'm so surprised she answered me that I nearly stumble, but I manage to keep my footing.

"Tori," I reply, smiling again as a realisation dawns on me. "You know what, Ari? I think we're going to be good friends."

The barrier of distrust she holds around herself is going to take a lot to break through. I know she doesn't believe me when she rolls her eyes, but her lips twitch up into the semblance of a smile. I was right—she is beautiful when she smiles.