Page 20 of Bargains with Benefits
Letting the conversation drop, we returned to the locked bedroom door. Evelyn’s smooth black ponytail was mussed, and I couldn’t imagine what she’d gotten into in the minutes we’d left her alone out here. Glancing down, I saw a burn mark on the wood door and ashes smeared across her skirt.
My hands were on my hips before I could stop the motion. “What did you do?” I asked, half worried but mostly holding back a laugh.
“This door is magically sealed,” she announced.
It was my turn to tilt my head in question. “What? That can’t be right.”
“It is. I tested it. And I know I haven’t spoken much about my research, but...” She took a deep breath. “I’m one of the foremost experts in blood magic, especially when it’s connected to fae elemental magic. This door connects both, like a spell, to the inn. I’m sure of it.”
Horrifying news poured from her lips, but I wouldn’t skip the information she’d let slip. “You’re one of the foremost experts on blood magic?”
Seraphina’s mouth was open at those words as well. “Why are you working at my tavern?”
“That wasn’t the actual point of my sentence,” Evelyn replied.
“It’s pretty damn relevant,” Seraphina said.
I laughed. “We will be talking and celebrating that part more later, but what does this mean, exactly?” I was still reeling from Evelyn’s revelation. She was usually so reserved about her work. All half-fae were different, so I didn’t pry. I had no magic, but Evelyn had some. She could wield fire, evidenced by the burn marks on the floor, but she couldn’t shift, which was a second part of Vesten fae magic. I’d assumed she hadn’t spoken of her studies because it involved shifting or some magic she wasn’t comfortable with. Now, I wondered if she didn’t want to intimidate us. We would be fixing that.
“It means that blood magic was enacted on this inn.” She put her hands on her hips, matching my pose. “And the fact that this door is locked shows it’s active.”
“Is there a way to figure out what the magic is?” Seraphina asked.
“I haven’t been able to yet. I need to do some research.” Evelyn tucked a strand of hair falling from her ponytail behind her ear. “I’m sorry. I should go start now.” She then turned and headed down the hall.
While it wasn’t unusual for Evelyn to slip away for research at a moment’s notice, something about this had my hair standing on end. There was something she wasn’t saying. It took time for my brain and mouth to connect. I had so many questions.
“Evelyn,” I called as she walked down the hall toward the staircase. I jogged to catch up to her. “Do you think it’s…bad magic?”
I was unfamiliar with this kind of magic. The fae courts each represented an element, but humans could do all mannerof interesting things using blood magic. Recent reports from the Compass Points indicated that even more could be accomplished when the fae elements mingled with blood magic. I guess it shouldn’t surprise me that someone was studying the connection between the two.
“I don’t think it’s good.” Evelyn’s gaze shifted toward the door again.
Seraphina came to my side. Her hand was on my shoulder, and her gaze lingered between me and Evelyn. “Evelyn won’t say so because she’s a researcher, and her hypothesis is not substantiated enough even to guess, but I’m not.” She gave me a look that saiddon’t shoot the messenger. “I’d wager she believes unlocking that door is the key to guests returning to the inn.”
Evelyn glared at Seraphina but didn’t refute the statement. “I need to go.”
I nodded, and she scurried down the stairs. I could only assume she was headed for the Vesten Library.
A magically sealed room, somehow preventing guests from staying at the inn? What had I gotten myself into? Maybe my bargain with Vincent wouldn’t matter after all.
10
Vincent
It was as if she existed to vex me.
Luna floated down the street toward me. She may have rid herself of the offending shawl, but her outfit was no less vibrant. The cropped black sweater might have been fine, but she wore it with the brightest skirt I’d ever seen. Pinks and purples swirled through the layers. It was the exact opposite of everything behind me in the store’s window front display. My brow furrowed as I wondered how intentionally she’d selected this outfit.
Our objective at Fae Fashions today was to purchase her a few pieces that would make her seem more old fae. It appeared we had a lot of work to do. Her dark hair fell in untamed waves, and those pieces of silver hair drew me to her bright blue eyes. I didn’t have to search to see a spark of challenge there.
This was going to be a problem.
“Hey, Vincent.” I was sure she was mocking me as her gaze roamed the store window, her lips curving into a smile.
“Thanks for meeting me,” I said curtly. My mind was spinning on where to go from here. Should I even take her into the store?
She smiled in a way that said we both knew why she was here. After all, we’d struck a bargain, and this was part one in accomplishing it.
