Creepy Hollow Fae: Asrai

Year of study: fourth
Assignment type: paired (without mentor)





I’ve been told they’re beautiful, but this woman is like nothing I’ve ever seen. She’s petite and delicate, with glossy dark locks falling over her shoulders, and pale skin that seems to glow beneath the moonlight. Her eyes are downcast, and there’s something vulnerable about her expression. She walks slowly along the water’s edge, her feet barely rustling the grass.

“Now I know why they didn’t send a guy on this assignment,” I whisper to Honey.

Honey nods. “Yeah, I can see men throwing themselves at this asrai’s feet. Men like that one.” She points up the hill toward the house. A man is striding down to the lake at the bottom of his estate. He’s obviously seen the unglamoured asrai.

Before I can stop her, Honey steps out of her hiding place and stands in front of the asrai. “So,” she says. “We were thinking you should leave now. Otherwise, you know, there may be a fight. And we’d hate to ruin your white dress.”

I suppress a groan. Doesn’t Honey realize she’s just ruined this assignment for us?

The asrai looks up at Honey between long lashes. “Will you come with me?” she asks, her voice low and seductive.

Honey rolls her eyes. “That’s not gonna work on me.” She points to herself. “Girl, remember?”

“But I’m so lonely,” the asrai whispers. I can see Honey hesitating. The asrai lifts her hand toward Honey’s face. I jump between them, grab the asrai’s wrist, and twist her arm behind her.

“How about you come with us,” says Honey, recovering quickly. “A visit to the Guild is what you get for attempting to hurt a human. You know the rules.”

The asrai laughs. “I do know the rules. Apparently better than you, little guardian. Until you’ve witnessed an attempt on my part to break the Law, you have no right to take me in. And I’ve done nothing wrong tonight. Yet.”

~  ~  ~

Like this flash fiction? Find out more about the Creepy Hollow series.
If you'd like to know more about my A to Z flash fiction pieces, read my A to Z Challenge Theme for 2012 post.

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