Page 21 of Disabling Relics for Dummies
I could tell Killian didn’t want to open the puzzle box. I had a feeling Ravyn was going to do it, anyway. Ineededher to open that box, but I didn’t want to make an enemy of Killian. I liked him. I could see us being friends. If things worked out, he might end up on my one hand of people I trusted.
Valentine needed a witch to pull this off. He made it seem like he was desperate to rekindle things with the one that got away this entire trip. He was miserable about waxing poetic about all the good things about her that he clearly just made up because now that I met her, most of it was wrong.
That stupid motherfucker had tried to manipulate me, and I didn’t like it. It was pretty clear that he paid little attention to what she did and didn’t like the last time he was here. I’d picked up more about her in the short time I’d been here than he seemed to know.
I had to stop him from knocking on her door again with his donuts. Valentine must be totally clueless. We all saw her burst outside in her sexy pajamas when she heard the fight. The witch enjoyed her snooze button. Killian clearly got up early and made her breakfast so that she could sleep late and get to the museum. Any idiot with half a brain could tell that.
I pulled Killian aside while Ravyn was working Valentine.
“Whatever we do, we cannot let Valentine get his hands on that grimoire.”
“I know. I have a feeling he wants her to do necromancy, but it’s against the rules here. She wouldn’t unless she was forced.”
My gaze strayed to Ravyn.
“Something tells me you can’t force that witch to do anything she doesn’t want to.”
“No. She’s nothing but stubborn.”
“I’m also pretty sure she can protect herself just fine, but we can have her back.”
“Mm. I don’t think she should open that puzzle box.”
That was a big no for me. I needed that box open. I was the one who made it, after all.
Chapter17
Ravyn
Valentine had spilled a good bit, but not all that we needed. So I invited Key back to my place after work again for a little subterfuge and plotting. We were going to need him if we were going to stop Valentine and the cult. Honestly, I just liked having him around. It was pretty amazing watching him steal Valentine’s bribery donuts and coffee.
I offered to cook dinner for everyone, but Key asked if he could borrow my kitchen and cook for us. I had no problem with that. He ended up an amazing chef. We didn’t really talk about work over dinner. Key was more interested in getting to know Killian and me. Oddly, he still wasn’t asking about our experience in Hell. I didn’t know a single warlock that wouldn’t want to know what Lilith was like in person.
“So, do tell,” Key said. “Why did you shun the wolf’s donuts?”
“Sugar crash. It happens every time. And then I get a zit right here,” I said, pointing to my chin. “Ripley and I are identical, but she can eat just as much sugar as she wants with no problem.”
“Valhalla, forbid we mar that perfect skin,” he said, tipping his wine glass at me.
There was another Viking reference. Who was this guy anyway? I could play the same game he was. He wanted to get to know each other, so we would.
“How do you know so much about the Vikings?”
“Valentine isn’t the only one whose roots go back there. You could say my soul was forged there.”
Fair enough. Just then, my phone rang, and it was Ripley. I needed to get that. So I picked up right away.
“Hey, I invited Beyla over this weekend for some magic lessons. Remember when Kaine said her parent’s human friends were giving him shit with child protective services? We need to teach her how to protect herself. Especially if her crazy ex comes back in the picture.”
“Good call. I bought her a witchy care package with the basics when we were getting Killian new glasses.”
“Which he looksadorablein.”
“And out of them.”
“Girl, you’d better spill.”
“I’m having dinner with Killian and Key.”
