Shapeshifter, Fae and other Inconveniences

Chapter 6

Sitting on a red cushioned couched in an expensively decorated office I felt like an intruder in nearly every way. Not only was I the only shifter in the room surrounded by neatly dressed Fae but the sudden change of environment from my dirty cell to this cleaned and shiny chamber reminded me once more of my differences to the fae species.

I hadn't spared any thoughts about my appearance bevor and was therefore sitting here rather dirty. My usually full strawberry blonde mane was greasy, and some strands were matted together, also my body odour could probably be used to ward of enemies at this point. Lucky for the Fae that they did not possess the keen sense of smell a shifter did. 

The two guards positioned behind me were dressed in neat green and white uniforms caring some daggers and swords on their belts. Both had their hair neatly slicked back or in the case of the women braided down her back with their slightly pointy ears poking out. All the fae were without exception marvellously beautiful. You wouldn't be able to find a single imperfection on their body it was as if they were carved right out of marble by the goddess of beauty herself.

Just for that unfair fact alone I wanted to punch them in their handsome arrogant faces. "What are you thinking about with such a sour expression on your face darling?"

 positioned across from me sat a grinning Faolyn his elbows resting on his knees upholding his chin with his hands. His eyes were glistening with curiosity and excitement watching me constantly. He wasn't dressed in any kind of uniform which could possibly give away his status as a soldier or whatever he was. He wore some simple brown pants and a white long-sleeved shirt signalling that he was likely out of service. Though it was no formal wear I would still classify it as respectably elegant. In general, I had started to wonder which status Faolyn could possibly have that allowed him to carefree roam around this room as if he was the owner while he obviously was not since I remembered the superior from the previous night ordering him around. 

Just thinking about the commander of the Fae group who had had a very dark stifling aura around him made me shudder. I was seriously praying he was not the one we were waiting for.

 After I had finished my soup in the cell which had certainly calmed my rumbling stomach for now but hadn't helped to replace the lack of food for several days completely Faolyn had come to pick me up. Passing through the dungeon compartments I had taken note that most of the cells we passed by had been filled with various different species. I had been able to smell some werewolves and vampires while in my cell and then saw them hissing and growling towards each other from their separated enclosures while passing by. It was common knowledge that vampires and werewolves never really got along but I hadn't seen them trying to tear each other's skin off with such determination ever bevor.

 Faolyn had led me through the rest of the fortress and after a while we finally ended up in this office in which we had since then been waiting for whom I didn't know.

However, my answers would all be shortly answered when the heavy door just behind the office desk was pulled open making way for the mysterious person that would ultimately complete our little get together. 

The appearance of the male Fae led to an abrupt change of atmosphere I heard the guards behind my back straighten, their uniforms ruffling due to the action. I felt very tense all of a sudden, the composed aura which should have made me appear inaccessible for any kind of information crumbling the further the fae stepped into the chamber. 

Taking in his appearance my ears perked up to their fullest my full attention directed his way. The Fae was dressed in a neat black uniform which stood in contrast to the guards bright clothing and was definitely of more expensive material. His uniform was additionally decorated with dark blue patterns and highlighted with several golden threads and gold buttons. The jacket was paired with some rather simply tight black pants and shiny obsidian-coloured shoes. His choice of dark clothing accentuated his somewhat pale skin and matched perfectly with his pitch black neatly cut hair.

 My eyes finally made their way to his face and my body went stiff when I was met with and intense gaze. Icy bright blue eyes met mine shooting me somewhat of a disgusted look. I was fairly certain that whatever business he had with me wasn't done out of his free will. Besides the nervousness I felt there was also now a bit of anger welling up inside of me. I was aware of my dirty appearance and the natural bad start shifters and Fae were bound to have but it still intrigued me that he was to judge someone as inferior to him with a simple look. 

"Laszlo, you are finally gracing us with your wonderful personality!" Faolyn who was the only one that had kept his careless attitude had stood up and was walking towards The Fae named Laszlo. Exchanging a short glance with him Laszlo made his way over to me seating himself were Faolyn had been moments ago while the later remained standing behind the couch commenting my change of demeanour and staring contest with Laszlo with a sheepish smirk.

 "Well than now that all guests have arrived, we shall begin the questioning." Faolyn started explaining. "However, I would love to catch your name first since it would surely help make things less complicated, little shifter." Faolyn turned towards me with a hostile smile. Seriously? Pretending as if they really saw me on eye level with their own kind wouldn't help them pry out information faster. "As if it really matters to you to use my actual name now when you came up with such creative ideas yourself. Just keep using those conceited Fae" I spat back crossing my arms in front of me. 

I could feel a pair of icy eyes piercing through me seemingly unhappy with my unwillingness to cooperate. Not feeling up to start another staring contest I left my eyes glued to the table in front of me. "Well, isn't that a good mood you are in." Faolyn chuckled a little awkward unsure of what to say next in this stifled atmosphere. 

An annoyed sigh abruptly ended the moment of silence that was starting to form. "Let's just get straight to the point." It was Laszlo himself who had decided to speak up not being able to tolerate being in the same room with a shifter any longer than he needed to I figured. "I was informed of a curse inflicted to you by a witch." Not waiting for an answer from my side he continued with an annoyed tone. 

"After you had been brought to this place, I had Faolyn run a check up on you and it turns out you are not just a normal shapeshifter." Halting for a second he led the information I had feared would be found out sink in.

 "You are half witch isn't that correct?"

 Lifting my head I glared at him remaining quite since I didn't know how to argue against what already seemed to be certain. "Hybrids are a myth it is believed that none can actually exist. Different species don't mingle with each other and most importantly can only produce offspring in rare cases. Offspring with only one inherited species. And yet here you are. A hybrid a living myth." 

 The truth explained why Faolyn had always gazed at me with this curious glint of his. I was sure there was no way I could make them believe one of my made up story's. Once again anxiety threatened to overwhelm me. What could it possible be that he wanted from me now that he knew of me? "However, I am not interested in your rather unfortunate other half. What I need is a witch a healer to be exact."

 Studying me with slightly squinted eyes Laszlo continued his monologue. "Winter is approaching and judging by the already bitter autumn nights it will be a deadly one. Without companions nor shelter it will certainly be difficult to survive don't you think?" Laszlo slightly lifted his head looking up down at me making sure I caught what he thought about my pathetic self. 

Angered seared trough me as I was about to snarl a comment at him, he interrupted me . "For the aforementioned reasons I am proposing you a deal. You are to stay here in this fortress in exchange for your healing abilities". 

Did I hear this right? He was proposing me a contract. How was he so confident I was capable of fulfilling his wishes? Laszlo was watching me waiting for an answer from my side. Looking back at him I noticed that he seemed somewhat tense himself and also ... desperate?

 Who ever was in need of medical treatment needed it either fast or a witch was their last resort being the only ones to perform difficult treatments and certain healing methods. So it turned out, we stood eye to eye regarding this treaty after all. I was not the one standing on the short end of the stick.

 It was pretty obvious that I had to accept his proposel if I wanted to have a realistic chance of getting trough the winter. But maybe I would be able to use my newly gained knowledge to my advantage.

 Meeting his eyes with a what I hoped to be matching look I extended my hand towards him. "A deal it is." A smirk made its way onto my lips watching him reluctantly take my hand. Maybe encountering Fae would ultimately help me move onward on my journey.