Page 42 of Magic Betrayed

“How did you find out?” My former boss’s tone was level and controlled, but I could tell there was more going on beneath the surface. I just couldn’t quite tell what.

“Shane Isaacson told me yesterday. He came to warn us.”

Kira’s head tilted thoughtfully. Whatever feelings she might have about the half-goblin mercenary seemed locked behind intent curiosity. “The Shane I know doesn’t do warnings. He also doesn’t get emotionally involved, especially not where the fae are concerned.”

Callum hadn’t moved, but I knew before he opened his mouth that he was about to ask the one question I didn’t want to answer.

“As far as any of us know, Kes has no significant magic and has stayed next to invisible since you arrived in Oklahoma City. So why is there a contract on her, and not on you?”

I met his amber gaze steadily, and as our eyes clashed, I sensed not anger, not frustration, but concern, along with what looked like a hint of disappointment.

He was probably disappointed that I’d felt the need to hide this. That I hadn’t trusted him enough to share the truth. I had to hope he would understand the impossible position I was in, but if not, there was nothing I could do. I’d made the decisions I had to make and I would not take them back.

“Kes does have unusual magic,” I admitted. “And we keep it secret for a reason. But Blake…”

A sudden rush of fear choked off my words, but it was too late for second-guessing. Callum had already figured it out.

“She’s the missing piece, isn’t she? The one thing Blake still needed. He thought you would know where it is.”

Drat him for being so perceptive. For seeing through my every attempt to be evasive.

“You have to swear you will never reveal this to anyone outside this room,” I insisted desperately. “The more people who know, the more danger she’s in. But yes. She is his missing piece. That’s why I’m afraid…”

Afraid of what Blake might do to her. Afraid that I’d ruined these fragile new friendships by concealing a dangerous secret. Afraid that I’d endangered Kes by revealing it—even in part—and afraid that she would hate me when she found out I’d done so.

But Kira came to her feet. Crossed the room, put her arms around me, and hugged me.

It was my second hug of the day, and I didn’t hate it. In fact, it was all I could do not to start cryingagain. What were these people doing to me?

“In this family, we know a thing or two about dangerous secrets,” she said fiercely. “So thank you for trusting us with this. We will protect it the same way we protect everyone we care about—with our legendary family stubbornness, a complete inability to know when to quit, and, of course, dragon fire. If necessary.”

“Thank you,” I whispered. “You have no idea…”

“How scared you’ve been?” She smiled crookedly. “I might. We should swap stories sometime. But for now, let’s get this party started. Draven and I will look into that contract and find out who’s behind it. We’ll also check in with Ryker and see if he’s made any progress. The two of you can go hunt down this van you were talking about, and Rath…”

“I will contact Shane to determine what else he knows about the bounty,” the fae prince stated coolly. “We have a casual connection, so he may be willing to discuss it with me.”

I could tell Kira desperately wanted to ask him about that, but she refrained. “Then it’s a plan,” she agreed. “After everyone passes the nutrition check.”

The what?

“Who’s eaten since breakfast?”

None of us responded.

“That’s what I thought.” She took her phone back and pulled up an app. “Luckily for you, I have barbecue on speed dial. I’ll order sandwiches so you can eat on the go, but youaregoing to eat.”

* * *

True to Kira’s prediction,we all ate—even me. I didn’t think I was hungry until she handed me a sandwich bulging with pulled pork and a basket of perfectly crispy fried okra, but I somehow managed to devour it and actually felt better afterwards. It seemed everyone found it difficult to tell her no—including Rath, who eyed his brisket with suspicion, but still downed it without complaint and even seemed to enjoy it.

After we finished, Callum and I dropped Rath back at the Ackerman Apartments to pick up his motorcycle, then headed west on Route 66, on our way towards the site where Grandma Pearl had found the missing van.

Callum was unusually quiet for the first few minutes after we left Rath, and I found myself growing increasingly nervous. Was he angry? Disappointed? Or just trying to figure out how to never talk to me again?

“Just say it,” I finally demanded, unable to bear the suspense. If he was upset with me, I’d rather know for sure than go on wondering. “Whatever you’re thinking, it can’t be worse than what I’m imagining.”

He looked a little startled by my outburst. “I’m not angry,” he assured me, “if that’s what you’re worried about. I just… I knew you were carrying a lot. Trying to financially support four people while hiding from literally everyone. Working for someone who scared you spitless, just to keep your family fed and safe. Worrying about a pair of kids with unstable magic, while pretending to be Idrian because it was your only option.”

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