Page 73 of Valkyrie Unknown

At the house, I brushed off as much dirt as I could before I headed inside, and went directly to the sink in the kitchen to wash my hands. My palms were covered with cuts and scrapes. Most were superficial, but a few ran deep, and I was careful to pat those dry.

“Didn’t expect to see you up this early.” Azzie’s voice came from behind.

I spun to see her strolling into the room in a tank top with no bra, and men’s boxers that hung low on her hips and showed off long, toned legs.

If I wasn’t exhausted and out-of-sorts, I’d ask her if she wanted Round Two like the day we met. Orgasms were good for headaches, right? “I haven’t been to bed yet,” I said.

She huffed a laugh and moved further into the kitchen as I took a seat at the table.

“What’s so funny?” I asked.

“Equal but opposite.”

Of course. Early bird meet night owl. “As in, I’m sane and you’re not?”

She scowled.

What did I say? “It was a joke.” I kept my tone light.

“I know.” Her smile was tight-lipped and didn’t reach her eyes. She turned away quickly, grabbed a glass from the cupboard and filled it with water before downing the entire thing in a single swallow.

Okay. “Coffee is in the cupboard, if that’s your thing.” I hadn’t seen her yesterday morning, due to my schedule. I didn’t cross paths with her after I got up, and I’d spent most of the afternoon and night working, so I had no idea what kind of routine or preferences she had.

Except fast, frantic sex. I had a feeling she liked that.

“Coffee is definitely my thing.” She faced me again, any indication of a sour mood gone. “But it’s not my coffee.”

And…?Oh. “Is this some kind of equivalent exchange thing?”

“You’re already letting me stay here for free.”

Whatever donations people left for my work tended to cover room and board as well. Besides, I owned the place outright. “How about this—you make the coffee, and I’ll have some too. There. We’re even.”

She twisted her mouth, as if considering the proposal.

I understood the need for customs and respecting certain magics, but this felt like taking things too far. Then again, I didn’t blame her for not wanting to take without giving. “Unless your coffee making skills are worth more than that.”

“They’re not.” Azzie opened the cupboard I’d indicated, and grabbed the jar of ground beans. “In fact, you might regret asking. I like the spoon to stand up in my coffee.”

“Perfect.”

While she made coffee, I pulled my phone out again. I couldn’t help but stare at the photos. What did I draw? Nothing? I doubted that. I’d need to transfer the lines to paper and play with them some more to see if I could figure this puzzle out.

When Azzie set a coffee mug in front of me, she startled me for the second time this morning. I needed to sleep and shake off this feeling.

“Wasn’t sure how you take it,” she said. “What are you looking at?”

“He likes it sweet and creamy. Always.” Finn saved me by walking into the room. “Ooh, coffee.”

I pocketed my phone to hopefully avoid any further questions. How was I supposed to explain something I didn’t understand? “She’s charging for it.”

“If it’s better than diner coffee, I’ll pay for it.” Finn stopped next to Azzie.

“I am not charging for it,” she said.

“Woo-hoo.” He fist pumped. “Free sweet creaminess for everyone.”

I used to question if he was actually more than a thousand years old, but then I met other immortals and realized Finn was mature for his age.

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