ChapterFour
I stuffedmy hands into my pockets, pulled them back out, and tucked them under my arms. Everything felt awkward, standing on that porch with Card, having just held him in something that could have been an intimate embrace.
I wanted to erase the whole thing from my mind.
He slowly turned and made eye contact. The tip of his tongue tasted the edge of his lips, where my hand had just been pressed.
“I don’t want to hear it,” I said, shoving my fists on my hips.
“Hear what?”
“Whatever you’re thinking.”
“Oh? I was thinking I was grateful. I was thinking I should say thank you for talking to Fate on my behalf. I was thinking that I absolutely lose my mind when I know my tree is in danger and would have made terrible decisions left to my own devices. I was thinking I owe you.”
Every word was sincere, which helped some to ease the awkwardness.
“I don’t want you owing me.”
“Why?” He followed me across the old boards toward the door. “You know I’m good about paying up.”
“Yeah, but that would mean I’d have to see you again.”
“Ouch.”
I didn’t slow my pace once I was inside the house, moving down the hall, then taking the staircase toward the notion room on the second floor. My tattoos were good, but I wanted more magical items for this hunt.
“So,” he said from the bottom step, his hand on the rounded finial. “What’s the plan?”
“We find the coins.”
“Good plan. Clean. Executable. Now, is there any ‘how’ in there?”
“You know how to find things. You have magic. So use your magic to find the coins. You don’t need me for that.”
He shifted his grip on the finial, his fingers making softsnicking sounds.
“What?” I asked. “What’s the problem?”
“I already know where the coins are.” His forest eyes flicked up, held mine. Then he looked away, and his cheeks splashed with red. “Maybe. I didn’t technically lie to Fate, but I do have an idea of where we can find them.”
Inhale through the nose. Isn’t that what they say helps calm the urge to strangle someone?
“Card, tell me. If you want me to be a part of this, I need the truth. Talk.”
“I spent two coins. You already know that. But I think those people might still have them. The other coin, I hid.”
“Why didn’t you just tell Fate that?”
“She knew I’d spent two coins. Also, I don’t trust gods. I wanted us to have as much time as possible to return the coins.”
I rubbed a hand over my eyes. “I need a favor.”
“Anything.”
“Tell me the truth from here on out, or I will renegotiate with Fate and wash my hands of your mess. Understand?”
“Yes.”
