Page 23 of A Dose of Agony
I raise a brow at that last bit. Jarron once threatened the whole Elite table never to call me “little human.” She’s already pushing the envelope without him here. I wonder if I’d be safer spending time with the fae princess who nearly killed me when she cheated during a hand-to-hand combat spar, sending ice magic into my heart.
I’m certainly less wary of the ice princess than Manuela.
“Sure do,” I say with a grin. I don’t want her to know her words had their intended effect.
Maybe this is a bad idea.
9
A Proposition
The unnerving feeling remains as I enter the speakeasy alongside the powerful dryad witch. There are two wolves at a table who stop talking the moment we enter and slip out behind us like we’re mobsters about to rob the place.
Manuela doesn’t seem bothered by that.
Only a moment later, a vampire comes out from a side door near the fireplace and delivers a plate of sushi to the table we select. I mutter a thank you, but the vamp is already gone.
“So,” Manuela purrs. “What did you want to proposition me with?” Her eyes slide down the side of my arm. Suggestive but somehow respectful at the same time.
Is she only doing this to get under my skin?
I’m reminded of the last time I had a one-on-one conversation with a powerful and unnerving female supernatural. Bea tried very hard to get under my skin back when I was fake-dating Jarron, and while it worked, I was more than able to keep up with her.
I have to remember that I’m not a weakling human like they all think. Magic has no bearing on my ability to kick supernatural ass if I need to.
Manuela included.
I hope.
“What does the little human princess want from the tree witch?” she asks, voice still low and sultry.
I consider pointing out her repeated use of the term “little human.” She’s very clearly trying to push my buttons. Should I push back or ignore it?
“It’s not for me, per se.”
She leans back in her chair and flicks a brow.
I eye my plate of sushi, then after a beat, grab the chopsticks and take a bite. If I’m going with the ignore option, it means I have to show it doesn’t bother me.
“Not for you, huh? So, you’re running around as a lacky for someone else? Or is it for one of your little Minor Hall friends?”
“Not a lacky, just trying to help someone I care about. And no, it’s not for Lola or Janet.”
She eyes me while I take a second bite of sushi.
“This person doesn’t even know I was planning to talk to you, actually.” I mean, not technically.
She remains quiet for a while, just sizing me up with those golden eyes.
“Get to the point, princess,” she finally says with a wave of her hand.
I set down my chopsticks and swallow my current bite before I begin. “I’m not exactly well versed in how the supernatural world does this sort of thing, so tell me if this is a laughable request. Or if I’m going about it all wrong.”
“There aren’t many faux pas here. Just say what you need.”
“I was hoping you might be able to help Thompson.”
This time, both eyebrows shoot up. Silence stretches long enough for me to shift in my chair, uncomfortable.
