Page 73 of The Magic of Revenge
Khol's pained eyes met mine. "And then to find out I lost twenty-seven years of my daughter's life? Yeah. It seems, perhaps, the stars don't deem me a suitable father."
My heart cracked. "Hey, no. No. That's not true. You've been more than I could have dreamed. And I did. As a little girl, I would draw pictures of who I pictured my dad to be. Always dressed like a knight, off doing important things and keeping people safe, which is why he wasn't with me. Of course, when I was a teen, I was a little more bitter about the whole thing... but shit, you are amazing." I wiped my cheek that was of course wet with tears. "So, I have a brother?"
Khol smiled sadly and nodded. "His name’s Ace. I didn't have the balls to ask Thane about him when we were in Besmet. What if something happened to him? I don't think I could bear it."
I put my hand over his and squeezed. "I think when we can go back to Besmet, I'd like to meet Ace. A lot of time has passed and you never know, he may be ready to talk now."
He patted my hand and poured himself another glass of whiskey. I hated to bring it up, especially when the moment was so raw, but I had to.
"I uh... I talked to Gran earlier..." I started.
He lifted a dark brow at my statement, clearly knowing there was more to it than that.
"We can't kill Laurie," I blurted, ripping the fucking band-aid off with no mercy. I winced and shut my eyes, not wanting to see his expression.
"You think I don't know that, wild one? I wanted to. I dreamed about it for years. I'd bounce between hating her and longing for her—for the illusion she'd created. One where I was happy and could have a family one day. But killing women, especially mothers, I just can't do it," he said and I felt like an idiot, especially after what he'd just told me.
"You're not mad? I mean, I wasn't sure how you'd feel. I think we need to call WISP and have her taken into custody. Justice needs to be served, and they'll make sure it happens," I said with confidence. It was the best option.
"I already called them this morning," he admitted and my jaw dropped. He chuckled at my reaction. "In hindsight, I see it was a discussion that should've happened before I made that call, but I knew it was what you and Bette would want. The old girl and I have grown to be something close to friends, though she won't admit it. I don't want to see her hurt. Or you. Ever." His eyes glittered at that and a shiver ran down my spine. He was a scary bastard, despite being a total marshmallow with me and those he loved.
"Well, I have to say, I'm relieved. This went better than expected."
“Oh, almost forgot. Two women came by earlier looking for you,” Kohl said.
“Damn,” I muttered. “Who was it?”
“I don’t remember their names but they looked like they played around in cans of paint before coming in,” he told me, shaking his head as he recalled the two eccentric women. I snorted at his description. I had no doubt it had been Matilda and Roberta. They had a knack for showing up before I was ready for them, and now apparently were missing when I wanted them.
My phone started ringing and I picked it up, wondering who would call and not text. Bram's face flashed on the screen with the name "Knotted Boi" and I quickly answered, hoping to the gods my dad hadn't seen that.Fucking Kai.
"Hello?"
"Oh, thank the stars above. Firefly. It's Faris. We're at the tattoo shop and our sweet Bram couldn't take the heat. He went down like a sack of potatoes. Can you come here? Tom is helping, but I think we need you."
"You're where?" My voice was shriller than I intended, but holy moon maidens, those two at a tattoo parlor? Fuck.
"Just go, I'll close up and head back to the house," Khol said and I mouthed a thank you and shot a remorseful look at rushing off after he’d shared part of his history with me. He winked and shooed me, letting me know I didn’t need to feel bad about anything. I hurried out of the store and raced in the direction of the only tattoo shop in Emerald Lakes.
"I'm on my way, Faris. Be there in a couple minutes," I said and shoved the phone in my bra. I didn't have pockets today. Big bra cups for the win.
Damn, I need to get into better shape. I was panting like I'd run a mile by the time I burst through the door of Voodoo. Faris was there, pacing.
"Yeth! You'll be able to help him," he said with relief.
"Why are you talking like that?" It was like he had a lisp and then I saw the hoop in his nose. "Oh my gods, you got your nose pierced? By the sun, that's hot as hell." I fanned myself and he smiled a megawatt grin that made my thighs clench.Now is not the time, you greedy, greedy vajingle. Then Faris stuck his tongue out at me and I saw the barbell in his tongue and my greedy, greedy vajingle turned into a full-blown drooling beast.Oh, that's not the best visual. But also not wrong...
"You're going to kill me," I muttered, grabbing his hand and wandering back into the shop.
"I would never kill you," Faris said, scandalized.
"I know that, it's just a saying. It's not a bad thing," I explained, spotting Tom who was waving us back to where he was waiting.
"Killing is alwayth a bad thing. Unleth the one you're killing ith bad. Then it'th kind of like... really fucking gooooood," he groaned as he said it and I knew he meant it. Little blood mage.
"What happened?" I asked when I reached Tom and he gestured for me to enter the piercing room.
"Not the first person to hit the floor during a piercing and he won't be the last. He just came to, so I gave him an apple juice box. A little sugar should help," Tom told us and I made a beeline for my demon.
