Kyla stepped up beside me and slid me a grin as Mariam turned, her heels tapping on the floor as she stalked into a small sitting room. She held the door open and shut it behind her as we walked in.
“Kyla, Mariam. Mariam, Kyla.”
They nodded at each other. Kyla and I sat down on the sofa while Mariam perched on the arm of the armchair across from us.
“I heard about what happened to Samael,” she said before I could say anything. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
I ground my teeth. “Don’t count your demons before they’re ash,” I advised her. “He’s not dead yet.”
I was getting used to the pitying looks people sent me when they learned I still held out hope, so I ignored Mariam’s.
“Before I get started… has there been any new information in Harriette’s case?”
Harriette was my mom’s closest friend. The seelie woman had been close-mouthed, but she certainly hadn’t deserved to be viciously murdered.
“The investigation is ongoing,” was all Mariam said, and I nodded.
“I need your help.”
Mariam surveyed me, finally letting out a sigh and waving her hand for me to spit it out.
“I need you to set up a meeting with the light fae king.”
Another huge sigh as she pinched the bridge of her nose. “You’ve asked for this before, and I’m going to give you the same answer as last time.”
I’d been pretty sure she’d say that. So I had something to sweeten the deal. I glanced at Kyla.
“Can you call Nathaniel? Put him on speaker.”
She raised her eyebrow at me but reached for her phone. While the werewolf Alpha likely wouldn’t hesitate to send me to voicemail, I knew damn well he’d answer for one of his wolves.
“Kyla? What’s wrong?”
From the concern in Nathaniel’s voice, I had a feeling she didn’t call her Alpha often.
“It’s Danica.”
If he was surprised, he didn’t let on. “What can I do for you, Danica?”
“You owe me a debt from taking Kyla on.” I slid her an apologetic look. If anything, I owed Nathaniel for giving me Kyla. She shrugged.
Something rustled on Nathaniel’s end. “You want to call in that debt now?”
Mariam’s eyes were lit with curiosity, and I met them as I asked my question.
“Would you allow me to transfer that debt to the light fae representative?”
Silence. Nathaniel was thinking it over. “The debt would remain equal to the favor you did me by giving Kyla a chance.”
“Agreed.”
For a fae who was centuries old, Mariam didn’t have much of a poker face. The avaricious gleam in her eyes told me I had her.
“I’ll get back to you,” I said to Nathaniel and hung up.
Kyla burst out laughing and I frowned at her. “People don’t hang up on Nathaniel,” she clarified.
I shrugged and glanced at Mariam. “Well?”
