"Very well," The Kev said. "Drink these."
He held out two vials. Mine was filled with a bubbly purple liquid and Ethan's was filled with a bright blue fizzy concoction. Did he expect us to drink that crap? The last time…
"Is it going to taste like ass again?" I asked, and then slapped my hand over my mouth. My other hand went to my head as a blast of icy pain shot through it and I winced. I wasn't sure if I was more pissed about the fact that the word ass had flown from my mouth or if it was because I was in excruciating pain from remembering more. "This sucks," I yelled as I massaged my head.
The Kev ignored my outburst and forced the glass tube into my shaking hands. "Yes, it will taste bad. Yes, even though you are a Vampyre you can drink this. It's liquid—if it was solid your body would reject it. The effects will be temporary, but if you wish to rescue the child without having to defend your life every five minutes during your visit to Xanthia I'd suggest you drink it."
"Wait," I yelled. "Vampyres can't eat food?" What kind of crappy deal was that?
Everyone stared at me like I'd grown three heads. How was I supposed to know that? I still wasn't convinced my name was Astrid. Now I find out I can't eat a cheeseburger ever again? I'm married to a douche knuckle who was too wimpy to come on a mission. I have fifteen children and I can never eat a whole pizza again. Depressed didn't even begin to cover my emotions at the moment.
Ethan took his vial and swallowed the contents with a grimace and a gag. I refused to be bested by the sexy Vamp, so I threw mine back too. Holy poop on a paper towel, it was disgusting. Dizziness consumed me and I slowly sat on the ground so I didn't fall.
I felt Ethan lower himself to the ground next to me and moan. I reached out and took his hand. If he felt anything like I did, he was miserable. His hand was big and warm and I was so tempted to lay my head on his chest for comfort, but he wasn't mine. He squeezed my hand as my suddenly heavy eyelids closed. I smiled dreamily at how lovely his hand felt in mine.
I could never admit it aloud, but I wished he was my husband. I wanted him with everything I had. Well, too bad, so sad. He was married with a kid and so was I. Life kind of sucked, but I knew in my gut I was a survivor and I would survive this too. I just hoped this mission wouldn't take too long. I wouldn't be able to hold out against the hotter than Hades Vampyre for much longer.
Chapter 11
Leaving children to their own devices is risky—especially if the device is a TV. You're much better off playing a board game with your child—even poker. If you have to use the boob tube, stick to educational television. Too much reality TV can cause your child to think like a Fairy. This is not good… just look at what a spoiled snarky brat Tinkerbell turned out to be.
"Explain this again," I said as I paced the tree line in a slightly panicked manner. I kept running my hands through my newly short hair and my stomach was twisted in knots. It's not that I didn't like Pink's music. I loved it and I thought she was a very attractive woman. However, I did not want her face or her body. I already had a few memory issues. Being a doppelganger for a rock star was not going to help.
"It's temporary," The Kev insisted. "You'll be safer this way. The Fairies will be delighted I have brought Pink and Jon Bon Jovi for a visit. Trust me on this."
I glanced over at Ethan and threw my hands in the air. "Well, it didn't work on him. He looks the same."
"It worked," The Kev said. "Everyone sees Pink and Bon Jovi except you and Ethan. You two can see each other because…" He stopped mid sentence with a look of horror on his face.
"What?" I yelled. "Just tell me. I promise I won't implode. At least I don't think I will. This cryptic bullpoop is killing me."
"Say bullshit," The Kev said.
"No," I told him. "I don't need to swear to get my point across. Swearing is for those with small vocabularies and sub-par intelligence."
The grunt that erupted from Ethan's mouth sounded like a strangled cow. He turned and walked away. What the Hell was his problem?
"Say fuck," The Kev tried again.
"Absolutely not," I snapped. "What does using improper terms for sexual intercourse have to do with me learning who I am?"
"Everything," The Kev said. "We don't have time for this right now. The Gus and The Bob will be here momentarily and we need a plan in place before they come."
"Why?" Ethan asked warily. "Do you not trust them?"
The Kev said nothing as he pulled out a map of the amusement park that was Xanthia. He shot Ethan a quick look of censure when The Reggie and The Henry were otherwise occupied. Ethan's eyes narrowed yet again and he made a soft sound of disgust. Clearly The Kev didn't trust any of the Fairies completely. Good to know. I wasn't sure I trusted The Kev or Ethan completely, but I knew for sure I didn't trust the other Fairies.
"The Corrine loves American Idol and has created a version for Xanthia. The Dark Realm have an affinity for the singing shows and the Light Realm prefer the dance competitions," The Kev said logically.
As if any of that was remotely logical.
"So I'm guessing there haven't been many dance competitions in the past century or so," I muttered as I played with my short blonde locks.
"No," The Reggie griped. "We have been barraged by singing Fairies. Did you know that most Fairies are tone deaf? Do you realize what utter Hell it is to listen to ten weeks of tone deaf Fairies singing Lady Gaga and Michael Jackson?"