“What?”
“Were you upset because we kissed? Because I kissed you?”
Quinn shakes his head. “You didn’t. I kissed you.”
“Yeah, but you—you were hurt, and I—”
Quinn lets out an irritated breath but takes a step closer. It’s my heart’s turn to skip a beat, then to run a little faster.
“Stop it,” he says, and I don’t know if he means the command to be harsh, but I hear affection beneath that. “I shouldn’t have called, okay? I’m sorry. I’m fine. And I really,reallyhave to go.”
“To…” Fuck. Of course he does. Where else does he go? The words rush out of me before I can stop them. “Vlad and Maurice are watching the place tonight. Maurice won’t tell your pack. He’s there for the Hunt, but you should know, in case…”
In case he wants to hide. Quinn’s eyes widen when I press my lips together, swallowing everything else I want to say. Everything I want toask.
“Thanks,” he murmurs.
“Be careful, okay? Please?”
Quinn twists his wrist, and for a moment, our hands press together. “I’ll be careful. I’ve got to go.”
I nod, and he lets go. I watch him walk away.
Whatever we have to do tonight, I’ll meet him afterwards. He’s not running off anywhere, not without saying goodbye.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Quinn
Idon’tknowofanotherway into Mischief & Mayhem, so I just have to hedge my bets with the stone the twins gave me. I hold it tight in my fist as I approach the alley, resisting the urge to turn my head and glance across the road.
That’s where they’re watching from, right? I don’t think I’ll see them even if I look. They’ll be using magic, like Asher does.
Asher.
There’s a sore spot in my chest, has been since I got off the phone with him last night. Doesn’t matter. Two more fights—well, one more, after tonight—and I’m free of the twins and can leave this city. It’s all I’ve thought about all day. Someone knocked around lunchtime, probably Ophelia, but I didn’t answer.
The troll at the end of the alley lets me pass with a nod, and I stride through the darkness with a confidence I don’t feel. Stepping into the lights and sound of the pub is now a familiar transition, and I don’t break stride as I walk into the room with the cage, then past that, into the back.
Two fae are inside—both a selkie and a troll that I recognise. I haven’t seen either of the trolls who beat the shit out of me the other night, but this one is younger, the same one I helped out of here when Asher and Vlad first came and attacked Celyn and Sorrel.
They exchange glances when I walk inside. “Didn’t expect to see you back here,” the selkie says as I shrug off my jacket and hang it on a hook. “They about killed you last time.”
“Well, I’m back,” I reply.
“And the other wolf?”
“Which one?”
The selkie frowns when I look at her. She darts a glance at the door, then lowers her voice and says, “Bryn. We all heard.”
“Hel,” the troll growls. He takes a step away from the door too, moving further into the room.
I swallow hard. I haven’t been to see him since he was taken from here. I think he’s dying.
No. I’m sure he is.
“Not good,” I say, voice rough, and she pulls a face I think is supposed to be sympathetic.
