The Changeling Soldier by Shona Husk

him if she knew what he was? Adrenaline coursed through him, but this time he was under control. Although he was sure that if he looked at Melody again, he would lose it.
    Attacking Ella had crossed a line that Isaac was unwilling to forgive.
    “She needs a doctor. The head injury could kill her.” Not that he knew anything about fairy physiology, but Ella looked more delicate than she had when she’d walked in the door and flirted with him. He should’ve taken the dress and sent her on her way.
    Melody shook her head and raised the iron poker. She pressed the tip to his chest. “She’s mine now.”
    “You can’t own a person,” he said with a clenched jaw. And he’d thought he was losing his grip on reality. No, out of the three people in the room, he wasn’t the one missing a few screws. Mel’s ambition had brought her to…would it be murder if Ella died? He knew the answer before the question had even fully formed. Of course it would be.
    “She’s not a person. She’s a fairy. No one will miss her because most people don’t think she is real.” Melody pushed the poker and tip dug into his flesh. His skin was burning through the thin cloth of his shirt, but he didn’t flinch. He needed to unarm her.
    He eased back a fraction and twisted, Mel stumbled off balance and he snatched the poker off her and flung it across the room. That short contact had been enough to burn his hand. If Mel saw it…
    He scooped Ella up. She seemed to weigh almost nothing. Melody needed help, but she was also dangerous and as she wasn’t thinking clearly, getting out had to be his priority. “Ella is a popular designer. She is well known in L.A. You can’t do this to her, but I’ll help you make it right.”
    “What are you doing?” Melody glared at him, her gaze slid to the iron poker and her handbag as if she were looking for another weapon.
    “Taking care of Ella.” And getting her away from you . He’d never seen his sister behave so irrationally.
    “Put her down. I caught her. She’s mine.” Mel stood her ground and refused to let him pass.
    He looked at Mel, but no longer saw her as the little sister he needed to help and protect. She was the enemy. “Mel, you knocked out a woman. This isn’t right. You know that.” Was it too late to reason with her? In his heart he knew it was.
    “She’ll grant my wish.”
    “Ella’s unconscious. She won’t be granting any wishes. She needs medical attention.” He remembered the imp offering him whatever he wanted in exchange for his soul as a child. Playing with fairies wasn’t a good idea. Yet somehow he ended up in Annwyn fighting in their battle. And Ella was with him. That gave him hope. Ella wasn’t going to die in his arms.
    “You can’t take her to a hospital.” Melody grinned, all cold and malice. “They’ll wonder what she is, then take her away. Put her down.”
    Damn it. She was right. “No. I’ll look after her.” He went to walk around his sister.
    Melody sidestepped to block his way again. Anger kept his heart beating hard, but he was aware that the situation was tilting. There was a gleam in his sister’s eyes that he’d seen before, right before someone started attacking in what could only be called a suicide run.
    “Don’t test me, Mel.”
    “Or what? You won’t hurt me.” Melody walked over and picked up her phone.
    Isaac took the opportunity and strode toward the door. It had never looked so far away.
    “If you don’t do what I say, I’ll call 911 and tell them you attacked her—and me. And that you are holding her hostage”
    He turned slowly.
    She waved the cell phone at him, taunting him. “One more step Isaac.”
    She wouldn’t…yet the tightening of his gut suggested he shouldn’t push her. She’d already attacked one person today. “They won’t believe you.”
    “Really? After everything you saw and did, it wouldn’t take much to convince them your mind broke and you snapped.”
    It wasn’t him who was having