If Sev has the collection I suspect he does, the comparison is not far off the mark.
But he doesn’t lead me to a room full of treasures. Instead, we come to a dining room with a massive window I bet wouldshow the lake during the day. He settles himself at the head of the table and waves for me to take a seat.
“Might as well be civil about this. You said you want to make a deal? What is it that you want, my dear?”
“Let’s discuss whatyouwant first.”
“Me?” He chortles. “I am handsome. Rich. Powerful beyond what you could comprehend.” A smirk cuts across his striking face. “I want for nothing.”
“Liar.”
“Hmm.” His eyes narrow as he studies me. “And you think you know what I want?”
This is it. When I find out if my research led me to the right answer. If the occasional vague mentions of a monster in the texts I’ve found refer to the creature before me.
“God objects.” My voice is steady, my gaze unflinching. “In particular, the golden apple that I have in my possession.”
Nothing about his expression indicates if I’m correct, and when I try to get a lock on his aura all I encounter is a fog empty of any true color.
“Interesting.” Sev hums. “And why do you believe that I want some silly gilded fruit?”
“You can’t come in the library. Which means the house doesn’t like you. And the house only dislikes those who attempt to steal from it.”
He taps a finger against his lower lip. “This apple is in the house?”
“It was when you first failed to take it. It was when you sent Hamish to get it. And it was seventeen years ago, when you sent Bo to try to find it. I have no idea why he agreed, but I assume it had to do with Georgiana.”
“Is that jealousy I detect?”
“No.” My voice whips out like a steel dagger, flung with precision. “It’s anger. I amangrywith you, Sev.”
“I’ll give you a tip, witch.” His expression is pure smugness. “It’s never good to let emotions come into play during negotiations.”
“Noted. Now do you agree that you want the god object?”
Sev lifts a shoulder and lets it drop, the motion dismissive.
“There aren’t many mythics who wouldn’t want a god object. So, yes, let’s say I’m intrigued by this apple you have. What do you want in exchange?”
“Three things.”
“Greedy.”
“No. Angry,” I correct, and then I hold up three fingers. “First, I want you to lift whatever magical gag you have on Bo and forgive him any vowed obligation he has to you. He has spent seventeen years of his life cursed, and I will not stand aside as he continues to be enchanted and indebted.”
Sev stares off to the side, his thumb and forefinger fiddling with his bottom lip, giving the appearance that he’s only half listening. “Go on.”
“Two, I want a blood oath from you, stating you will never harm me or anyone that I love.” He scoffs, and I continue, “I’ll even be generous. You cannot harm me or mine, unless we attack you first. Which I think is entirely fair.”
“I am on the edge of my seat for point number three.” Sarcasm drips from his words.
“Then here it is. Number three. You will also swear that the Mythic Council can call on you one time—that’s right, only one—to lend your efforts to protect Folk Haven against a threat.”
Owen’s proposed plan and my parents’ unexpected visit has made it impossible to ignore this town’s precarious safety. If I can get a boon from the most formidable mythic I’ve ever encountered then I’ll sleep better at night.
“You want to give The Council that power?” Sev’s smile is chiding. “Georgiana Stormwind sits on that council. Cozy in herseat of authority.” He drums his fingers on the tabletop. “The siren who tried to steal from me and then convinced the monster you love to take the punishment in her place.”
I blink, taken aback by the sudden reveal.
