Page 36 of Shifting Winds
Fae speak for either take it or I’ll fuck you over in a glorious way later.
“Fine. I’ll set the girl up for eighteen months and give her the best chance to succeed. After that, our debt is cleared.”
“Money. Food. Shelter. A job. And a protector or companion.”
I waved a hand. “I’ll do all of those. Though Thalia doesn’t get to pick and choose who I pick to oversee her.”
“Someone safe,” Cernunnos growled.
I studied him. “You care about this girl. Why are you foisting her on me?”
“It doesn’t matter,” the king snapped.
His reaction told me it very much mattered.
“We have a deal.” I stuck my hand out. “Deliver her to me in three days. I need some time to get everything set up.”
I glanced at Simone who was furiously taking notes on her ever-handy iPad. She glanced up and nodded, her eyes a little feverish at the thought of such an interesting task. I’d talk to her away from Cernunnos’ influence. After we checked the room for magical listening devices.
The king and I shook, and Cernunnos rose, his antlers almost brushing the ceiling fan. I’d seen him appear without those, soI knew he was here in an official capacity and wanted to try to intimidate me.
Granted, the thought of being mixed up with the Fae King made me a little ill, but he’d done me a big favor, and this Thalia thing was far less than what I expected him to ask.
Or it was on the surface at least.
“Three days,” Cernunnos said.
“How will I get a message to you?” I asked.
“Leave it on the table in your secret library.” With a wink at Simone, Cernunnos disappeared in a wisp of gold and green magic.
Simone slumped against the wall. “Do I even want to know why you made a deal with the Fae King?”
“Plausible deniability.” I slumped against the back of the chair. “Do you know anyone named Thalia?”
“No one by that name. She’s bound to be fae, and I only have a few such contacts, but I’ll ask around.” She tapped one more thing on the screen and tucked the stylus back into its slot. “Are you worried about not telling Evie about this?”
“Of course I am.” I rubbed a hand over my face. “Feels like no matter which direction I turn, I can’t win with her.”
“The fae always complicate everything they’re involved in.” She tucked her tablet into her tote bag and picked it up. As she passed, she laid a hand on my shoulder. “Be careful. The king is leaving a lot of information out.”
“I’m thinking of assigning Garrett to the woman.”
Simone nodded. “Good idea. He won’t tolerate any shenanigans.” She laughed. “We just gotta keep him from killing her.”
I groaned. “Don’t even say that. If something happens to Thalia on our watch…” My voice trailed off.
“I hope this was worth it,” Simone said quietly before she left the room.
If it got me Evie, anything would be worth it.
Chapter
Thirteen
It was too damned cold for a dress, but jeans were a power move I wasn’t ready for, so I settled for wool blend slacks, leather boots and a cashmere sweater. I put my hair up in a neat chignon and added minimal makeup.
I needed to look calm, collected, and professional. Not like the savage who’d killed two Chimeras in the woods a couple of months ago…and participated in other things with the Shifter Lord.
