Chapter 2

Nia POV

16 years later…

Mom is blowing up my cell phone with text messages. There is a snow storm coming in from the north, and we are being ordered to evacuate because the roads are going to freeze.

She wants me home before the roads are closed. I understand her concern, but I swear she treats me like I am still a damn child!

I have finished wiping down the empty tables of my section, and I am waiting for my last table to settle their tab.

I worked a double shift at the cafe today, and my back is aching. I was on the morning shift this morning; so, I have been here since 5 a.m. I would have been off before noon, but Tracy, the human girl who comes to work when she feels like it, called in again. So, here I am, stuck again.

On top of all that, I am ready to take this stupid glamour charm off, I hate when I leave our house, and I have to put it on. However, the human world would freak if they knew they had supernaturals walking amongst them.

Mom is worried about the kidnappings that have been reported over the news the last few years. She suspects that someone is kidnapping fire faes and other supernaturals that escaped into this realm.

She has absolutely no proof, but she swears she feels in her gut. She has been worried that I will be a victim of one of these kidnappings.

My name is Nia Langston, and I am a fire fae. My family and I have been living in the human realm since I was four years old.

I don't remember much about the fae realm. I have core memories that I can recall, but I was too young when we had to flee. Mom and Dad said some traitor to the crown seized control of the castle and sent out a deadly army to eradicate all the fire faes.

Mom said Dad was outside the cottage tending to his garden when he heard a plea for everyone to flee. Dad came and grabbed us, and he ushered us to safety. They said we were one of the first families through the portal, and that everything happened so fast, that mom jumped through the first open realm. She was holding onto me, and my dad followed her with my brother and sister.

That was 16 years ago.

When we are home, we don't hide under a glamor spell. At home, my hair is chocolate brown, with a signature red patch, indicating I belong to the Fire Fae kingdom. Also, everyone born into the Fire Fae kingdom has our signature red eye color, but under my glamour charm, my eyes are hazel.

Of course, the glamour charm hides my wings and pointed ears as well.

My last table is a group of burly men, who have been eyeing me all night and complimenting my figure and beauty. They make me uncomfortable, but I know being rude will only aggravate them more. I have learned how obnoxious males in the human realm can be when their advances are rebuffed.

"Can I get you gentlemen anything else from the kitchen, before we shut down for evacuation." I hint around to them.

The apparent leader of the group licks his lips before he speaks, "What is that divine scent you are wearing?"

The leader is the biggest one out of the lot. They are all extremely large individuals, but the one speaking is a tad larger than the rest of his companions.

"I am not wearing a scent. If anything, I am wearing the smell of the cafe. I have been here since 5 am; I'm sure I smell awful." I answer. He tries to run a finger down my arm, but I back away. "Well, I guess you could say, you smell good enough to eat." He and his counterparts begin to laugh.

Well, I have entertained this for long enough, it's time to get them the hell out of here.

I pull out their ticket and lay it on the table. "You can settle up with Charlie up at the front." I point to the owner of the cafe, who is watching the interaction.

"What's your rush, cupcake?" He tries to reach out for me, but I step back. "Have a good night, gentlemen." I say with finality, as I make my way into the kitchen.

I walk out the back door and pull my vape out of my pocket. I pull from it a few times, before putting it back in my pocket. Hopefully, I will feel the effects of it quickly, because my nerves are shot.

A chill runs down my spine, and I silently curse myself for not grabbing my coat. With a snowstorm approaching, it is fucking freezing. I allow my fire from within to escape just a little to warm my body.

I instantly feel better, and I let out a comfortable sigh.

"What did I tell you guys?" A voice from behind me startles me. I turn around and see the group of my last table, staring at me like they won the lotto.

I try to play stupid. "Was Charlie not able to settle your bill? I can meet you back inside." I say.

The same asshole from earlier that tried to grab me, cocks his head to the side and laughs. "I told them you smelled different. I knew you weren't human, but I couldn't quite catch it. You have done a wonderful job trying to mask your scent." He taunts.

"However, no human would be able to stand the chill in the air with no jacket, or coat. Yet, here you are, perfectly content. How is that?" He asks.

"I was just overheating in the cafe. Between the heating system and the grill and oven being on, the air just feels really good, but now that we are talking about it, I am getting cold." I tell him, trying to get back into the cafe.

However, members of his group begin to cut off my path into the restaurant.

"The old man was shutting the restaurant down. Why don't you let me take you home?" The leader smiles maliciously. I begin to back up, it is clear they have no intention of letting me leave.

"I actually have a car, so no thank you." I say, still hoping they will leave me alone, but I know better.

There is a patch of trees behind the cafe. It is a bit of a run, but there is a road on the other side. Maybe, I can flag someone down, who will be willing to help me escape. The men begin advancing, while I am in my thoughts.

My instincts are yelling only one thing at me, RUN!!

I take off into the trees. I zig zag through the trees, trying to make it harder for my hunters to catch me. One thing I have going for me is my speed. I have always enjoyed running.

When I was in high school, I made the varsity track and field team freshman year.

I run until I can finally see the road ahead. I don't dare look behind me. Once I reach the road, I run out into it and begin waving my arms frantically, hoping one of the few cars on the road will stop, but they don't.