Inked (Gilded Blood) by Rachel Rener

Author:Rachel Rener
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: humorous fantasy, romantic fantasy, humorous fiction, jewish fiction, tattoo magic, fae, female protagonist, urban fantasy, new adult, steamy, fantasy, portal, urban, humor, tattoo, magic
Publisher: Rachel Rener
Published: 2022-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

XV. A Seder With the Satyr

“You must be the caterwauling creature that’s been causing such a veritable rumpus!” the satyr boomed. “Are you auditioning to become a banshee, O shrill one?”

Whimpering, I held my hands in front of my face. “Please don’t hurt me.”

He gave a hearty belly laugh. “Oh, I won’t hurt you, my pet – though I can’t promise not to steal a bite here and there.” His nostrils flared along with his grin. “I will, however, be returning that stolen familiar of yours to its rightful owner. Not sure how you managed to abscond with that, little goldfish.”

Biscuit, who had flown off my shoulder just before I tripped and ate a pile of sea salad, landed on top of my head as soon as I pulled myself into a sitting position. Unfortunately, the upright angle brought me a little too close to a certain set of furry balls dangling between the goat-man’s equally furry thighs.

“He’s not stolen,” I muttered, trying to find somewhere – anywhere – else to look. Eventually, my eyes settled on the small set of silver pan pipes hanging from a leather cord around his neck. “He belongs to my, um, friend.”

“Biss-kisss!” my glorified rooster added helpfully as he picked small bits of debris from my hair.

“How serendipitous,” the satyr replied, stroking his beard. “It appears that you and I share the same friend.”

I jumped as a bright orange and aquamarine crab scurried across my fingers. “We do?”

“Indeed, little goldfish.” The satyr extended a hand, which I tentatively took, and pulled me to my feet. Toe to hoof, I stood about a foot taller than him – not that he seemed to care a whit as he stared lustily at my damp tank top, which clung to a damp bra and cold, wind-nipped flesh underneath.

I crossed my arms over my chest, arching an eyebrow. “Care to elaborate on this supposed mutual friend of ours? And stop calling me Goldfish.”

“But you shine so splendidly, my pet,” he smirked, stroking his beard. “Is it your radiance alone, or perhaps a golden nectar that flows through your pretty veins?”

I swallowed. Why, oh why, hadn’t I just stayed home and binged a Netflix marathon in my bed?

“My name is Lamswyth,” the goat-man continued, “but you may call me Lam. I was at my stead, waiting for the incubus’s signal—”

“You’re Zayn’s contact?”

“Indeed. I had been preparing for his forthcoming arrival when I heard your wailing and squawking down below. And though the endless cacophony of howls was irksome to my ear, I thought to myself, Lamswyth, you’d better go check and see about that ruckus! For, you see, mermaids don’t typically prey on young women. But now that I have laid eyes upon you...” He licked his lips. “I can certainly understand why they tried.”

“Is Zayn with you?” I quickly interjected. “Have you heard from him?”

“Not yet, Goldfish.”

“My name is Talia.”

His eyes sparkled. “Talia. Come. We shall return to my home and wait for the advent of our friend.”

My eyes darted around the beach, which was entirely vacant save for the three of us.

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