“Shouldn’t have let either of you in here,” Gage muttered.
Jessa rolled her eyes and spoke tauntingly. “Elysia, your little dog won’t stop barking.”
Elysia rubbed her temples, looking at her sister’s bony hand make a fist as if she’d actually do anything with it. “Degenerates, both of you.”
“I realize we have more important matters to discuss, but can someone please tell me why there is a raccoon in my home?” Gage stared in consternation at Lina.
Plopped on her haunches, her grubby little paw was rhythmically snatching forest berries out of a bowl on the counter. Cheeks full and face stained red with juice, she looked rabid.
Everyone stopped squabbling, falling silent as they watched the raccoon. Elysia opened and closed her mouth. Shifting on her feet, she answered weakly. “This is Lina.”
More silence.
She waved a hand. “You know how the prince is—always rehabbing animals. Lina was in his room the night everything went to shit.” The raccoon spit out a berry, leaving a glop on the counter.
Elysia grimaced. “Why she’s here now... I don’t know.”
Gage answered slowly. “None of that makes any sense.”
Elysia interrupted before he could continue. “Anyway, I have news.”
She ignored the glare she could feel scalding the side of her face, shushing Beatriz before she could start spitting nails again. “Just let me tell you!”
Using a towel to hold on to the kettle, she poured hot water over the herbs in a green clay mug.
“I had the dream.” She frowned. “Or traveled. Whatever we're calling it—last night. But this time I managed to stay a little longer. And I met him.” She grinned viciously.
Jessa balked. Her raspy voice dropped to a stunned whisper. “You met a god?”
Elysia shrugged, setting the kettle aside. “He didn’t seem especially god-like, but he’s the one we’re looking for, alright.”
“And?”
She paused, her mind’s eye flashing back to how shocked he seemed to be to see her. Almost as if he thoughtshewas an illusion or dream. Not to mention the bitter ire he couldn’t seem to swallow when he realized she wanted a deal. Her mouth pursed. What else would she be there for? A tea party? Gods and kings were the same as far as she was concerned, and it was only too typical that he would act all high and mighty about her wishing to procure a deal even thoughhewas the one who had stolen Kava’s magic.
“He didn’t like it when I asked if he was the deal broker. Ripped me out of there right fast.”
Gage sent a parental sort of look her way. “Remember how I taught you not to chase marks you weren’t sure you could take?”
Elysia huffed. “I’m not trying tokillhim. I just want to get our magic back.”
He drummed his fingers and shook his head. “No, you’re just trying to swindle him. You have no plan. Next to zero knowledge on thisgod. You’ll be throwing yourself into another realm to your death.”
“We could still stuff her onto the boat like we talked about.”
“Could you justtryto be a supportive sister for once?”
Jessa ignored them much like she ignored the drunk idiots at her bar, musing to herself. “You’re a Crown kid.”
“I mean, I suppose that’s better than when you call me a Crown bitch.”
Jessa looked at her in exasperation. “No, what I mean is—you’re trained in this stuff. The diplomacy, the politics. People say that you work with your father on trades. Why couldn’t you go meet with him asthat,Elysia?”
Elysia and Beatriz both gaped while Gage frowned as if he was hoping no one would bring this up.
The sisters considered one another excitedly and spoke like lightning.
Elysia grabbed her sister’s wrists, eyes going wide. “This could work.”
