Page 62 of Nora's Kraken

Pulling up outside the front door of Elias’s house, I thank Travis again for the ride and for taking the time to swing by my apartment. And, like I expected, he brushes aside the thanks with a gruff answer that equates to ‘no problem, just doing what I’m paid for.’

I don’t really get the vibe that it’s me he has a problem with, he just seems like a quiet person. A demi-fae who looks essentially human—minus the slightly pointed ears—with an incredibly broad frame, neatly trimmed wheat-blond hair, and a brooding, tough guy demeanor that just screams the fact that there’s probably some hidden softness lurking beneath.

Or, maybe not. Maybe he just thinks babysitting his boss’s new girlfriend is beneath him.

Whatever the case, I’m determined to endear myself to him. Elias puts a lot of trust in him and respects him immensely, and I’m realizing I’d like to get along with everyone in Elias’s life, just like I can’t wait to introduce him to Kenna and Holly someday soon.

“Well,” I say, hopping out of the car. “I still appreciate it, Travis. Really. All of this is way outside what you guys are probably paid for, and I can’t tell you how much peace of mind it’s given me to have your protection.”

His eyes widen a little, like he wasn’t expecting to deal with that much emotion today. Before he can brush it off again, though, I pipe back up.

“Do you like cookies? Or brownies? Or… I don’t know, maybe something healthier, like granola bars?”

“What?”

If I weren’t trying so hard to win him over, I would laugh out loud at the look of absolute confusion on his face.

“To eat,” I clarify. “I’m going to bake you something, and I can either guess, or you can let me know what you like.”

His only reply is confused silence, but I’m not going to be deterred. I just shrug and toss him a winning smile before shutting the door.

“Think about it,” I tell him. “And let me know.”

I’m halfway to the house when I hear the passenger window rolling down, and almost pump my fist into the air in triumph when he calls after me.

“Banana bread,” he says simply. “I like banana bread. With walnuts.”

“Banana bread with walnuts,” I confirm. “Done.”

And then I get a smile, an honest to god smile, before he rolls the window back up and drives off, and I am one hundred percent taking that as a victory as I practically skip up to the front door.

The house is mostly quiet as I step inside, but with the faint sound of music and a light shining from the kitchen, I head in that direction.

I don’t find Elias there, but am greeted by Marta’s cheerful face as I walk into the room.

Marta looks like she’s somewhere around fifty or sixty, though with her being part nymph and part orc, I’m not exactly sure how that translates to her actual age.

What I do know is that she exudes a calming, warm energy that makes me feel at ease anytime I’m around her. With her sage-green skin, soft silvery hair, and serene smile, it’s hard not to feel comforted by her presence.

Tonight, she’s finishing up in the kitchen before heading home to her longtime partner, Maud, and smiles brightly when I come into the room.

“Nora,” she says. “I was hoping I’d get to see you before I left. After today I’m off until Tuesday.”

“For your and Maud’s anniversary, right?” I ask, sliding into one of the seats at the island. “Elias mentioned the two of you were getting out of town for a few days.”

“Yes. Thirty years together, can you believe it? I know she’d rather not make such a fuss, but I’m too sentimental not to.”

I grin at that. I haven’t gotten to meet Maud yet, but from how much Marta talks about her, I can imagine the reserved, salt-of-the-earth wolf shifter is probably all too happy to make Marta happy.

“Well, I hope you two have a wonderful time.”

We chat some more as she gets ready to leave, and just as she’s packing her things up to go, a kettle I hadn’t noticed on the stove starts to whistle.

“Oh!” she says. “I almost forgot. There’s a new tea from Ruthie I wanted you to try.”

It turns out Blair isn’t the only one who reaps the benefits of Ruthie’s tea-making experiments. Elias comes home with a new blend every time he visits the Bureau.

Marta sets the mug down in front of me, and like every other blend I’ve tried, it smells incredible.

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