Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 109477 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 547(@200wpm)___ 438(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109477 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 547(@200wpm)___ 438(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
They weren’t worried about the meeting or her contact. He was a level one Reflector, like Henry from their crew, but with hardly any power. His magical type pushed a person’s magic back on them. If you could attack with acid, so could he. Given she didn’t have magic to reflect back, he was just an ordinary guy when in her presence, one with a lot less training in hand-to-hand combat. She was golden where he was concerned.
No, they were worried about the fae randomly showing up and leaving a dove’s feather on Daisy’s bloody corpse. Without the “right” weapons, she couldn’t fight back.
“This guy doesn’t have any antiques or relics on hand right now,” Daisy told them for the millionth time. “We asked about it, remember? He only has weaponry, and the fae isn’t interested in that. Amber and Zorn did the background on him to make sure. There won’t be any goods or money exchanged, either. He’s not bringing anything to the actual event. There is no reason for a fae to show up and cockblock—cock isn’t a bad word, Lexi. It’s a body part.”
She gritted her teeth, hoping no fist came flying at her face. Thankfully, Lexi was too distracted.
“But what if…” she started. “What if the fae is around and—”
“We’ve checked it all out, remember? You were in on the meetings. Zorn and Amber have visited every relics dealer in the area. None of them have heard of this fae, and the one who had is dead now.” Along with those other idiots who jumped Mordecai. She’d seen to the matter personally. If Mordie knew about it, he hadn’t mentioned it. “I’m good, Lexi. Honest.”
Nervous jitters filtered through her body, but she didn’t let them show in her bearing. In reality, no, she wasn’t totally good. There wasn’t any reason for the fae to show up…except to grab her. She had no idea when that might happen. If it might happen. He could’ve been toying with her on that ledge until the Celestials chased him away.
Part of her worried about those dreams—how real his voice sounded in them. How vivid his presence was. Part of her was convinced that the fae would come calling any day now and take what he wanted. Her. Horribly…she wasn’t entirely sure if she was anxious because of the danger…or because of the anticipation of seeing him again.
But if he did want what this contact was peddling? She’d be damned if she’d send someone in her place and get her family harmed. It didn’t seem like the fae would kill Daisy. Not yet. She knew in her gut that the same wouldn’t be true of the others. Zorn agreed. This was a necessary risk to keep everyone safe. If they had to lie a little to do it, so be it.
Lexi studied Daisy, uncertainty clear in her eyes. She sighed heavily. “I know. It’s just…I know you don’t need the reminder, but if you go into a situation that is over your head, the penalty is death.” She swallowed thickly, as though that sentence had taken a physical toll to say. “There are no second chances in this field. Remember what Zorn says? You can never relax. In a world with magic, the magic-less are always in danger.”
Zorn’s voice echoed in Daisy’s mind, finishing his quote: Your life depends on your vigilance.
“Yes, Lexi,” she said patiently, “but Zorn also always says that I will be underestimated, remember? Being underestimated is my greatest strength.” She held out her arms before gesturing to her face. “I’m young, I play up my dainty look, and this makeup accentuates what you call my big blue doll eyes. People who can’t relax around Zorn or Amber can relax around me because of my perceived fragility. It’s an act. It’s a persona. I’ve explained this. I got this.”
She hoped to hell she had this, at any rate.
Lexi nodded. “I know.” She stepped aside so Daisy could pass. “Just be careful. That’s all I’m saying.”
Daisy walked past her toward the kitchen. It was time to go.
Mordecai hovered close. “I still don’t know…” he started, obviously seeing through her front. He’d always been able to. That was what happened when you spent a large portion of your youth sharing a bedroom with someone.
She created a distraction.
“Who’s that girl you’re seeing, anyway, Mordecai?” Daisy entered the kitchen. “She’s pretty. Young, though, right? Is she legal?”
“What’s this?” Lexi asked with an edge to her voice.
Mordecai tried to hedge. “Daisy swore earlier.”
“I would never,” Daisy said dramatically, knowing dating a minor was way worse than a little slip of the tongue.
The woman wasn’t a minor, of course. She was older than Mordecai. But one question would lead to several as Lexi learned all about his new squeeze. She’d found the love of her life in a dangerous, stalking Demigod. She wanted the same bliss for everyone else.