Don’t trust the ink - Ch 3

A dark fantasy excerpt/ short story

Tags: Dark Magic, Fae

Author’s Note: This is meant to give you a taste of a plot bunny I had. But who knows? It could turn into a full novel one day, especially if you like it. ; )

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Darius

The girl had caught my eye so easily. With her bubblegum pink hair, she stood out.

I’d followed her for a bit and was almost disappointed to find out she was so alone.

Seducing her to come with me to my kingdom wouldn’t even be a challenge.

I was surprised though when she didn’t immediately open the letter.

Most mortals would have been so intrigued by the magic aura from the ink that they’d have torn into it immediately—even if they didn’t know magic was why they couldn’t wait to open it.

But she didn’t seem to have any problem tossing it on the counter.

Odd.

I’d followed her to some sort of store humans liked to keep open all night. It seemed to sell some kind of liquid that kept their mechanical horses running.

I hadn’t planned on going inside. But I was so curious I found I couldn’t help it. I wanted to meet her.

She was just as beautiful up close as she was from far away. The curse would love her as a sacrifice.

All of her behavior I’d observed had intrigued me, but she really got my attention when she threw my letter in the fire.

That was one of the only things that could break the magic in my ink. How did she know that?

I frowned as I watched the flames swallow my magic. It must be a coincidence. There was no way a mortal would understand how my magic worked. Not even many fae did. My family kept their secrets close.

I knew I should choose another target as I continued to watch my magic dance in the fire. The girl—Astra—was proving to be more complicated than I’d thought.

But I loved a good challenge. And I wasn’t ready to leave her alone just yet.

I’d just have to get more creative with my letters. Perhaps I’d even consider sending other gifts. Whatever might get and keep her attention.

I felt a tug of guilt on my heart at the thought of her last breath—as I thought of her lips turning blue as the curse took her.

I swallowed and pushed down the thought.

I had no choice.

If not her, it would just have to be someone else.

I sulked back into the woods behind her tiny cabin and began to plot.