Taken by the Cyclops

Chapter One

Just let me get there. Piper sped through the night, checking the rearview mirror every few seconds just in case he’d followed her. She’d tossed her phone a hundred miles ago, but her wad of cash wouldn’t hold out forever. He’d see she’d taken her life savings -- a whopping thousand dollars -- and run. She had to get to Eerie. Anything was better than where she’d come from.

Her life wouldn’t get much better in the new town, but she’d get away from John. He was a bully, and she’d been a fool to hook up with him.

She sped on, blowing past the posted speed limit sign and praying the cops hadn’t seen her. Then again, a night in jail would be better than being with John.

She tugged her sleeve down to hide her bruises. God. She was a smart person and strong, but she’d allowed him to put his hands on her. He’d convinced her she deserved the treatment.

Even alone in the car, she could hear his voice in her mind.

Never going to do better than me.

You don’t deserve anyone else.

You’re bringing me down to be with you, but no one wants you.

You’re a waste of a person.

You’re a piece of shit.

Worthless.

Whore.

Her tears clogged in her throat. Her sex life hadn’t been his business before she’d met him and had gone to nothing once she’d become his punching bag. She’d only ever had three lovers before she met John.

He’d been her undoing. He’d convinced her to quit her studies and change her appearance, and he’d hurt her. What kind of man did that?

John did.

She spotted the village limit sign and gunned the engine.

Eerie was the place for paranormal creatures to belong -- so she’d been told. She’d heard stories of having Faerie blood. Did she? She hoped so. If she truly did, she’d be able to pass the village limit into Eerie. If not, then she’d been lied to, and she’d have to find somewhere else to hide.

Right now, she had to focus on the sign. She sped forward and held her breath.

The second she passed the yellow line on the road, she expected to be in the middle of a field or bland road. Instead, she rolled down the quaint street filled with closed shops, a restaurant, and even a drive-in theater. The place was cute -- in a dark and slightly scary fashion.

At least she was here. That rumor about Faerie blood must’ve been true.

She didn’t hit the accelerator and instead coasted along the main drag through the village.

The place sort of reminded her of photos she’d seen of the 1950s small towns with lots of little businesses, neon signs, wide sidewalks, and eclectic names on the buildings -- Nan’s Nothings, Curiosity Closet, Hot Dogs Dog Wash, Witch’s Brew Coffee… She’d bet the place was pretty in the light of day.

But no one who wasn’t a paranormal creature would be able to see it.

She spotted a hotel on the city square and pulled into one of the parking spots. She’d tucked what was left of her hair into a baseball cap and wore thick gloves -- anything to disguise her appearance. If John found her now, then she’d have to find another safe place and work out another disguise.

She tossed the gloves and hat onto the passenger seat, then grabbed her purse. For all she knew, she’d be turned away at the front desk. She didn’t exactly look like someone who could afford a night at the posh hotel.

Being new in town, she might stick out too much, too.

She braced herself and headed into the hotel. She had a backup plan in case she got tossed but hoped that wouldn’t happen.

A woman with flame-red hair and faint, actual wings stood behind the counter. Welcome to Eerie. How can I help you?

I need a room for the night, please? She signed, then rummaged through her purse for some money and her ID. I mean, I’d like a room, please?

Sure. The woman swept her gaze over Piper. You’re not from around here. How’d you find us?

My great-grandmother married a Fae. I never met either one of them, but I’ve been told stories. She produced her ID card and fisted the small wad of cash.

Do you have a credit card? The woman eyed Piper’s ID. We prefer a card to hold the room -- that and in the event you destroy the property.

I don’t have a credit card. She’d left hers at the apartment and tossed her phone along the road, hoping it’d be smashed by a passing car. Besides, she hadn’t wanted John to find her, and the quickest way to track someone outside of their phone was their use of a credit card.

Just a moment. The woman spoke softly into a tiny mic clipped to her shiny blue blouse.

The longer Piper had to wait, the lower her heart sank. She truly doubted she’d ever get away from John, but the odds he’d find her here had to be just about nil. He could be persistent, and if he thought he’d been shafted, he’d be tenacious. Nothing about him surprised her any longer, either.

She put her money back into her purse and held onto her ID.

Okay. The woman nodded and produced a swipe card. I’ll give you a room for the night.

Thank you. She had no idea how happy she’d made Piper. A place to stay that wasn’t the lumpy front seat of the shit car she’d bought for five hundred dollars.

Don’t thank me yet. The redhead crooked her over-drawn eyebrow. You’re a stranger in town.

I know. Piper squirmed under her gaze. Jesus. She hated being nervous.

And we don’t always take to strangers. You never know why they’re here, the woman said. So for now, you’ll have a handler.

What? No. Oh, shit.

Is that too much? We can refuse to house you.

She should’ve seen this coming. She was new and stuck out because she wasn’t totally paranormal. The people of Eerie didn’t trust her, and why should they? But they didn’t understand her situation, and there wasn’t time to explain it. Her hands shook, and she fought for what to say.

Well? Is it too much to have a handler? the woman asked.

No. She’d suck it up for now. I’m fine with it.

Interesting. The woman sighed and snapped her fingers. A moment later, a hulking man appeared. He said nothing as he rounded the desk.

Do you have baggage? the woman asked. Luggage?

No. None. She refused to bring in her bag -- just in case she had to run. Besides, most of her belongings were filthy.

All right. The woman offered the large man the swipe card. The green suite. You know what to do.

He nodded and still said nothing as he waggled his fingers, encouraging her to follow him.

Piper frowned. Do I need to put down a deposit? Let me please do that. It was prudent -- unless they wanted to escort her out.

Why don’t you allow Diesel to help you to your room, and we’ll discuss the payment situation later? The red-headed woman flicked her fingers. Enjoy.

Enjoy? What had just happened? Piper followed Diesel -- was that really his name? -- to the grand staircase. She’d worried so hard about getting thrown out and barely drank in the details of the foyer. She marveled at the thick, soft carpeting underfoot and the lush red walls.

Part of her wished she’d come under better circumstances. Then she wouldn’t need a handler. She could be wearing nicer clothes and feel like a proper lady, not appear like a vagrant.

But she wasn’t proper.

She’d been through the wringer and didn’t have decent-fitting clothes. Hell, she hadn’t bathed in five days -- not out of desire, but necessity. Stopping gave John the chance to catch up to her, and she couldn’t let that happen until she got somewhere safe.

Right now, she had to look like a hot mess.

The large man stopped on the second floor in front of a hunter-green door.

Do you speak? She wiped her hands on her pants legs. My name is Piper.

He held out his hand, gesturing to her to enter the room.

Do you speak? Please? I’m scared and need to be able to talk to you.

He slid his arm around her back and guided her into the room.

Just tell me you’ll be locking me in here. She squirmed against his hand. Please?

He joined her in the room and closed the door. The light is here. He flipped a switch, bathing the space in a warm, yellow glow.

"So you can talk." She faced him and swept her gaze over his large frame. He had to be at least six-feet-five inches tall as he towered over her. Although he wore thick leather boots, he barely made a sound as he moved. The denim of his jeans encased his legs like a second skin and showcased the power in his lower body. The leather jacket obscured her view of his upper body, and the cowboy hat obscured her view of his face.

I can speak. He stayed by the door. Rest.

With you watching me? He didn’t have the right to watch her.

Yes.

He annoyed her. She’d just met him, and she wanted him to leave while she got cleaned up. I’d like to bathe without an audience.

Then do so. He folded his arms and stayed by the door. I won’t stop you.

No? She shrugged out of the dirty hoodie. She hadn’t been able to change clothes -- not really -- in five days, but then she hadn’t brought along much to change into. How do I know you’re not lying to me?

I don’t lie.

You’ll want to watch. She knew that all too well. Guys were nosy.

You can close the door, he said, his voice even.

She hadn’t thought of that. John had insisted on leaving the bathroom door open at all times and had even taken it off the hinges at one point to prevent her from having any privacy.

I’m sure you have questions, he said. Ask.

A thousand questions filled her mind, then evaporated in the same instant. She perched on the bed. Why don’t I have to pay a deposit?

Full-blooded humans cannot enter the village, and the fact you have means you have some paranormal blood within you. That means you’re permitted to be here.

Oh. Then the rumor was indeed true.

There are ways to fool the system, but that’s not your concern.

It’s not. But it could be. If there were ways to do it, then John could figure them out.

No.

She didn’t like that. What if she’d circumvented the rules? She didn’t know how she could’ve done it, but still. Why do I need a handler?

You’re new in town, and my sister believes you’re human. He tipped his hat back, revealing his face. Scruff covered his cheeks and chin and dusted his upper lip. The hat gave him an air of danger, and she