Page 50 of Shifting Winds
Chapter
Sixteen
Neit, God of War and Mom’s hot ex-boyfriend stepped into the shop. The bundle of dahlias I held slipped from my hand and onto the worktable, scattering petals from damaged blooms. It was still just me and Moira but today was less busy than the day before.
I wasn’t surprised to see him. What stunned me was Neit’s appearance. He’d foregone his typical dark, rune-riddled armor, and had chosen a pair of charcoal-grey jeans, black tennis shoes, and a forest green pullover sweater. His dark hair was brushed neatly away from his face, and he wore a knitted scarf tossed casually around his neck.
“You look like a clothing model,” I blurted.
Neit’s smile was darkly amused. “I tire of using glamour. Fitting in is the best way to enjoy my time here.” He patted his stomach. “Plus the smell of that cafe finally won me over.”
“Marnie’s place is amazing,” I admitted. “Try the Shepherd’s pie next time it’s on the menu. It’s amazing.”
Neit inclined his head. “I’ll do that.”
Silence fell between us, and I realized he had a reason to be here, one he seemed nervous to broach. “Coffee?” I offered.
“Please.”
Moira held her hand up. “I’ll get it. Why don’t you two have a seat?”
She gave me a meaningful look and fanned herself when Neit turned away to find a seat. While Neit was smoking hot, all the gods were. I think it was part of their genetic blueprint or something. I always appreciated a little eye candy at breakfast time, but Neit was involved with my mom and that automatically put him into potential stepdaddy territory.
Neit was off limits and dangerous.
We settled in just as Moira brought two steaming cups of coffee over. Neit gave her a grateful smile.
“Thanks.”
She touched my shoulder. “I’ll be in the back. If the bell goes off, I’ll come back.”
Neit waited to speak until Moira was gone. “Evie, I find myself in a predicament.”
“I’m not sure what kind of assistance I could offer a god.” Nor did I feel particularly inclined to offer any assistance at all.
A small smile curved his lips. “I’m not here to ask for your assistance.”
“Oh?” A tug of trepidation pulled inside me. “I know you aren’t here for our store-bought coffee.”
Neit leaned forward, his massive hands curved around his mug. “I need information.”
“Depends on what it is.” Information wasn’t inherently harmful, but Neit had better ways of discovering info than I did, so I was skeptical of whether I could help him.
“Where is your mother?”
I blinked. “Err. Why?”
“She slipped away from me a few weeks ago, and there’s something I must speak to her about.”
What harm could it be for me to tell him where she was? I mulled the question over. Mom would have no issue with stabbing me in the back, but she’d kept me alive and safe.
Until she hadn’t.
Hell with it. “She’s in her domain.”
His eyes narrowed. “Are you sure?”
“Unless she’s moved over the last few days, she’s there.”
