Kiran's eyes were hard, his lips pressed into a thin line. "How did you even find us?"

"I..." Her mind went blank. "A faerie found me. I was in the forest and he invited me here."

He looked over her shoulder, snarling at someone behind her. Grabbing her arm in his cold hand, he pulled her through the room, the crowd parting for him. A few of the Fae gawked at her, confusion plain of each of their faces.

"Gaelish said humans are welcome here. Said I was perfect the way I am." Her feet skimmed the ground, the soles of her shoes scuffing. "Kiran, you're moving too fast."

"Gaelish had better watch his back," he mumbled, maintaining his pace. They broke from the crowd, entering a narrow tunnel. It was well lit with sconces, the fire making their shadows dance on the walls.

"Where are we going?" she asked him, fear slipping into her voice. She cleared her throat, trying to pretend she wasn't scared.

"Away from there. You can't fulfill your end of the bargain if you're dead."

"D-dead?"

"Obviously." Kiran scowled. "Humans are entertainment." He stopped, whirling around so fast she collided with his chest. Gently, but urgently, pushing her away, he looked over her face. "You didn't eat anything?"

"No."

"Drink anything?" he pressed.

"No. Kiran, what's going on? What do you mean by 'humans are entertainment'?"

He looked down the hall before pulling on a root. A hole opened in the earthen wall, revealing a spacious room. Kiran pushed her inside, following her quickly as the hole closed again. "Too many have seen you already. You must change into new attire, and change your hair." He walked over to a closet, throwing open the doors, revealing suits and dresses hanging within. Their beauty is overwhelming.

"Change my hair?" she asked stupidly.

"Wear it up," he suggested, sifting through the dresses, looking back at her a couple times. Finally, he pulled out a lavish silver dress and tossed it at Cara. "Change quickly. I will turn away."

"I..." She stared at the fabric, shimmering in the flame light, much like Kiran's hair in the moonlight.

He faced the closet, seemingly looking for a new suit.

Cara slipped from her dress, the material bunching on the floor around her feet. She slid on her new gown, the material cool and smooth against her flushed skin. It hugged her body almost scandalously. It was the tightest dress she had ever worn, accentuating what little curves she had. It seemed to boost her bosom to give the illusion of her breasts being larger. The sleeves hung off her shoulders, covering her elbows to her wrists, the end of the sleeves falling to her knees. She didn't know what fashion would require such long sleeves, but the look was stunning.

Kiran turned, his scarlet eyes roaming her body slowly. "That gown suits you," he said kindly, voice thick. "Can you do your own hair?"

"Not well."

"Sit." He pointed to an ottoman and stepped behind her when she settled. His long fingers ran through her hair, sectioning it with a smooth fluidity. "I can't do my own hair either, but my sisters like me to do theirs."

"I have no siblings," Cara remarked, startled by his honesty. Were they getting personal now?

"I would show you but this room has no looking glass. You must trust you look beautiful."

Her cheeks warmed. Aside from what her mother said earlier, no one had ever called her beautiful. It made her heart race and butterflies flew in her stomach. To change the subject, she asked, "What did you mean earlier, when you said humans are entertainment?"

Kiran's hands stopped momentarily. He threaded her hair through itself before answering. "They make humans dance until their feet bleed and their legs give out. It's very humorous to a lot of Fae."

"But not to you?" She had heard the disgust in his tone.

"No. Humans aren't animals. Once a human consumes anything, they're more susceptible to being commanded. Did Gaelish tell you to eat?"

Her stomach twisted. "Yes."

"I will deal with him later." His hands fell to her bare shoulders, his touch cold. Still, it sent an electric shock through her. "You're not finished yet." Walking over to the closet, he dug around the floor and pulled out some boxes. Inside the boxes were bones.

Cara's stomach rolled for a different reason. "Kiran..."

"Quiet." He rummaged through them, producing two horns similar to his own. "You are still obviously human. Many of the Fae have been drinking tonight and won't look twice if you walk by, but you need to look like a Fae."

"So, your horns are fake too?" she hoped.

He smiled tightly, moving behind her again to mount the horns on the side of her head. He spun her hair around them to keep them in place. "No, they're not."

"Oh."

"Don't sound so disappointed," he laughed, moving in front of her to gaze at her fondly. "Now you look like a Fair Folk."

"I hope I don't have to wear them long. They're already uncomfortable."

"Cara." Kiran shook his head and then offered his hand to help her stand. "Don't let go of my arm until you are safe. If you do, I fear for your welfare."

***A disguise to appear Fae. But why is it so dangerous to be a human?***