Total pages in book: 194
Estimated words: 187021 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 935(@200wpm)___ 748(@250wpm)___ 623(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 187021 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 935(@200wpm)___ 748(@250wpm)___ 623(@300wpm)
Everyone fell silent. Even Graves just crossed his arms. He didn’t agree, but perhaps he knew her well enough not to argue any further.
Gen put her hand on Kierse’s arm. “I want you to have those memories back. Of course we all want you to regain them.” She stood and tugged Kierse into a hug, and Kierse was still amazed that she didn’t flinch at the intimate touch. “Are you sure this is the only way to get them?”
Kierse glanced at Graves.
“Do you trust me?”
“Yes,” Gen said without hesitation.
“Then this is the best option.” She steeled her spine. “I’m going in tonight.”
“Tonight it is,” Graves said with a slight shake of his head.
Chapter Fourteen
Clouds obscured the moonlight on Grafton Street as Kierse and Graves stopped at the back exit to the bookstore where the entrance to Nying Market had been located for hundreds of years. Already there was a line of humans and monsters alike waiting to get inside. Goblins stood sentinel at the entrance, selling goblin fruit.
“So many eating the goblin fruit,” Kierse whispered.
“The most addictive substance on the planet,” Graves said.
“And one of the deadliest.”
Like vampires with blood and wraiths with souls, goblin fruit sustained goblins. Not from specifically eating the fruit, which had no ill effects on them, but by getting others addicted to the fruit. The temptation, the sin, the euphoria, and then the need, which was all-consuming. Goblins lived off of the money, but the trade was for their life.
Goblins were not only completely immune to their effects, but their scholars had learned how to harness the energy and life force to power the doors inside. With that power came an increased vitality for all goblins within the market. That was why so many chose to stay within its bounds and hawk the fruit. Though she knew plenty of goblins who refused to sell it and lived on the outside.
It was the reason Kierse had risked everything to get the bracelet. With it, she could trade for a coin and not have to eat the fruit to get inside.
“I shouldn’t bother to ask if you’re certain about this, should I?” Graves asked.
“I robbed the Queen of Versailles to get entrance and then spent all day recharging to full power. I don’t think I’m going to change my mind now.”
“Yes, but you wanted to do that anyway.”
She had, that was true. She used to walk around the Upper East Side and steal from the unsuspecting for a good time. Though bigger scores had always gotten her more jazzed.
Like the spear. Which was currently in its case back at her flat. Instead, Kierse stood strong in black, knee-high boots and a black, long-sleeve dress, which concealed the gun strapped to her thigh. She had two others in holsters against her side, hidden by her favorite red jacket—which Graves had tried and failed to talk her out of—and knives tucked into slots under her sleeves. She had the bracelet in a purse at her waist, ready to exchange it for a coin. She was as prepared as she could be.
“Have you considered the cost at least?” Graves asked. “There will be one, and it’s better to have a few in mind before you go in there.”
“I have a few ideas.”
“As do I,” he said gruffly.
Like he’d thought of what he could possibly pay for her to regain her memories. She couldn’t imagine him doing anything of the sort. But when she looked up into his eyes, she could see something swirling there. As if he really might do it.
“Aye,” Niamh said, sauntering toward them in the line. “There’s still time. We could head up to Temple Bar. Have a pint, music, craic.”
“What are you doing here?” Graves asked.
“You thought I’d let you have all the fun?” She twirled in place in her houndstooth mini skirt, black tank, and platform heels that brought her eye to eye with Graves. Her burgundy hair flew out like a fan around the shoulders of her faux-fur coat. “A girl can enjoy the market even when there’s nothing to buy.”
“You’re eating goblin fruit now?”
“Snagged a coin from HQ,” she said with a wink at Kierse.
“You just have coins hanging around?” Kierse asked in exasperation.
“I wouldn’t say they were lying around, but a girl knows where to look.”
Graves released a low breath. “Druids.”
Niamh linked her arm with Kierse. “We’ll be so inconspicuous.”
Kierse couldn’t help but laugh. It was hard to dislike Niamh. Though Graves was doing a good job of it.
The trio filed into the back of the line. Two goblins were moving down the line, selling the fruit to each person. In front of them, a teen girl with sallow skin and clothes barely hanging on her thin frame took a little reddish-purple fruit in her hands and immediately bit into the meat. The juice ran down her chin, but her face showed only a look of pure ecstasy.