“For now,” he said, turning toward the door.
Miriam slumped against the counter, every line of her body speaking of exhaustion.
“I hope the Fae turn you into their pets,” Miriam said. The words sounded like a curse.“Although, from what I hear, it wouldn’t be the first time.”
Liam froze in place, giving me the brief impression of stone. His face was cold and furious, while power shone in his eyes like a beacon in the darkest part of night.
I grabbed his arm and towed him toward the door.“Nope, I think you’ve had enough fun for now.”
If I didn’t get him out of here, I feared for Miriam’s life.
“Aileen, don’t come back,” Miriam said, her voice quiet but clear nonetheless.
I hesitated at the door. With reluctance, I nodded. I could see why she might not want to see me again. Not after what Liam had just done.
Gazing back at the destruction in her shop and the bone-deep weariness on her face, I couldn’t help but be sad at what I had wrought, even if that had not been my intention in coming here. It made me feel like a curse in truth.
“This wasn’t what I planned,” I said. Miriam still didn’t look at me.
I sighed.
“Blessed be upon your house and future endeavors,” I said, giving her the witches’ blessing. It was a small thing, but it was all I had for the moment.
She flicked her fingers at me, a spell wrapped around them. I ducked out before it could land.
The cool night air embraced me as I headed toward where Liam waited by the car. He leaned against it, his face arrogant as he watched me approach.
I stopped inches from him, anger burning through me.“What the hell was that?”
The question was out before I could think of a better way of phrasing it.
“That was me getting answers,” he coldly responded.
My eyes widened.“That was you burning a bridge. What do we do if we need to go back? She won’t talk to us again. We’ll be lucky if we can get within three feet of her shop after this.”
Liam watched me, my anger having no effect on him, as if my worries had no bearing. It ramped my rage up another notch and I fought not to rearrange his pretty face.
“We were getting nowhere doing it your way,” he said.“I expedited matters.”
Expedited matters right off the edge of a cliff.
He opened the car door, not waiting for me to argue any further.“Let’s go. There are othersI’d like to visit before the night is through.”
I remained locked in place.“Oh no, you’re on your own for that.”
“It was not a request. Get in the car,” he ordered.
I folded my arms.“You’re not going to alienate any of my other contacts.”
He gritted his teeth, obviously losing patience with me.“Quit with the hysterics. I haven’t the time today.”
Hysterics. Nice. I narrowed my eyes at him, baring my teeth at him.
He responded brusquely,“You accepted this job. Quitting now would only have nasty consequences for yourself.”
Was he actually threatening me?
He lifted an eyebrow.“You can either come along and keep me from killing anyone, or you can stay here, leaving me to run wild. Your choice.”
