Little Prick Read Free Page B

Pansy.” Keelie hugged her with one arm.
    “I mean aside from me. A fae family.” Pansy smiled.
    “I have parents and one sibling. My brother is far too elevated to associate with shifters.”
    That brought up an interesting topic. “Is there much of a class system around the fae, even today?”
    The bluster of laughter spilled out of Keelie. “You could say that. The fae don’t know where shifters come from, and they don’t care. They treat you like a spontaneous rash in the magical community. Humans are tolerated because they can hold tremendous power, and it doesn’t restrict itself to bloodlines. You never know when a new wave of power will come from an unexpected source.”
    “So, you give the humans respect?”
    “Well, the fae generally admire humans. They are lovely and so full of energy.”
    “So, what is their problem with shifters?”
    The leaves were crunching under their feet and the woods were silent. Pansy waited while Keelie formulated her answer.
    “Shifters can smell us, so from the moment the fae tried to mix with humanity, your people were giving us away. It created an animosity that still remains to this day.”
    “I see.”
    “Probably not, but it is a problem most of the time when we run into each other in public settings. My brother works with the state department, and he dreads running into shifters when he is at a function.”
    “Why?”
    “You may not know this but you tend to sniff the air when there is a fae in the area. It is rather obvious.”
    Pansy laughed. “If you want to know why, it is because you smell like wind, leaves and sunlight. Those are all scents that catch our attention.”
    “I hadn’t heard that particular description before.” Her aunt looked around her, and the wind came out to play with her locks.
    Pansy was content simply to walk for a while in the very familiar woods.
    Keelie turned their path to the mound at the edge of the property. “This is where I first met your mother. Right here.”
    Pansy smiled. “Really?”
    “Yes. She was confronting me about being on her territory. She knew what I was, and I have to admit that I was a little taken aback by her flashing fang at me.”
    Pansy was enjoying the story, and she took a seat on a fallen log.
    Keelie sat on a nearby rock.
    “What did you do?”
    “I inclined my head politely, begged her indulgence and explained that I was tracking magical hot spots. We happened to be standing in one.”
    “Why do you look for those spots?”
    “Why do people seek water tables? We look for the magic, because with the human population shifting and moving into the wild spaces, the natural magic is harder to find. Looking for the packs of shifters is usually a good clue that there is a magic well in the area. Your folk don’t even know that it is here, but you gather around it.”
    Pansy perked up and closed her eyes. She could feel the energy that Keelie was talking about. “It feels like wind and mint if that makes any sense.”
    “It is the same scent that you have, Pansy. You are part shifter and part pure magic. You are tied to me and tied to this land. It is the reason that I have been giving you properties in this area. You need never leave the home that you are part of.”
    Pansy frowned. “Do you think I can find a man who will come back here with me and face down my family?”
    “The pack won’t have a choice. You are going, and you will find a mate of your own who will accept you for what you are, or so I have been told.” Keelie blinked with a wry grin.
    “You don’t know?”
    “No fae allowed at the shifter’s Crossroads. This is for you alone. I mean, it would be nice if some of the half-breeds had a similar place to go, but we would have to create it for them, and I don’t see any fae willing to part with that much magic.”
    “How did the Crossroads get built?”
    “A few very old and very powerful shifters created it so that their offspring could meet in a safe environment. Part of