It had to be on a night he was starving, didn't it? For the past few days, Elliot had known he was being watched, but he'd dismissed the warning bells as soon as he realized it was only a human. Humans were no threat.
Unless they were hunters.
But he hadn't realized that until it was too late. Until he was caught out at night, preparing to snatch himself a much-needed meal. That was when the hunter decided to corner him. How arrogant he was to think that the human he'd been scenting would be more of a nuisance than he first thought.
Fortunately, Elliot had escaped. Unfortunately, he was now in hiding. That would be an embarrassing story to tell his friends. Then again, no, he wouldn't tell them. Wouldn't say anything about having to hide in a dark and filthy basement with only rats and cockroaches to keep him company.
His nostrils flared. Someone else was here.
Elliot withdrew further into the basement's shadows, carefully watching the entrance. It wasn't the hunter he scented, but something else. Something that was human-shaped, but not human.
A woman entered. Elliot observed in silence as she explored the general area of the basement. She didn't come anywhere near his hiding place; didn't suspect anyone was watching her. Or at least she didn't outwardly show it.
Wings. Elliot's brows rose in interest. A faerie. Huh. He'd heard about such creatures, but had never actually met one before. What would a faerie be doing in an abandoned warehouse basement?
He watched with amusement as she tried in vain to move the shelf, then gave up and started combing the room again. The hunter was close by. Close enough for Elliot to hear him, at least. But, so far, not close enough to discover their hiding place. Or, rather, Elliot's hiding place. He hadn't made up his mind yet whether he wanted to share.
The woman was getting closer and closer to the shadows where he was hidden. Pretty soon she'd discover him. Elliot grinned suddenly. Let her find him. Maybe it would actually be worth it to scare the crap out of her. What did faerie blood taste like, anyway?
Elliot waited until she was close enough. Her back was still toward him, which was good. He took a silent step toward her, closing the distance, and put his lips next to her ear. "Boo!" He whisper-shouted.