Houston, we have life!
Following the sound, I pass a few open rooms, including a dining room and a sitting area. Unfortunately, they’re all empty.
The sound comes again, further down the hallway, and I follow it to a half-closed door.
Quietly, I poke my head in.
The room is at least the size of one of my college classrooms, but nearly all the open space is filled with crates. They are piled high to the ceiling, all along the walls, and more are lining the center of the floor. Many of the crates are open, with weapons poking out of them. I’d assume this was a disorganized armory, but I also spot crates of books, clothes, jewelry, and little glass bottles full of colored liquids.
The sliding sound comes again, and I finally notice someone on the far end pushing a crate over to the wall.
Stepping inside, I clear my throat, and the person looks up at me. I recognize him as soon as our eyes meet. Brilliant emerald eyes lock on mine, and his concentrated expression immediately turns to delight.
Magnus. The snake shifter from the black market.
Well, I guess I know who spilled the beans about Leon being angry with me.
Men are such gossips.
“Vivian! What a delight to see you up and about,” Magnus greets, extending his arms wide.
His luscious black curls are tied behind his head, but a few strands have escaped, making him look even more devilish than usual. He makes his way toward me, and I meet him partway, skirting around the boxes.
“Hello Magnus, it’s nice to see you again,” I say, smiling warmly at him.
I’m not lying. I liked Magnus the last time I met him. He tasted my energy to try and determine my power. Even when he couldn’t figure out what I was, he still gave us information on Morgana.
Magnus clasps my hands. “You simply must forgive me, my darling enigma. I did not mean to deceive you at our first meeting. But I could not stand by and do nothing when the trigger-happy Destroyer leveled his anger at you.”
Gently, I pull my hands back, and Magnus frowns at my bandaged arm before adding, “I won’t apologize for reporting back to Morgana, but I am sorry for not finding a way to get you out of there sooner.”
At his stare, I clasp my arms behind my back, drawing attention away from the exposed skin.
“It’s really okay,” I answer before turning my attention to the rest of the room. “What’s all this?” I ask, pulling the focus away from my skin and my toxic relationship.
I think it might be better to avoid any talk of Leon or Magnus’ position as a spy. We need common ground.
Magnus smiles again, but this time, it doesn’t reach his eyes. He waves an arm around the room as he answers, “This is my warehouse. It’s where I keep the goods I trade. It’s also where I assess them for magical properties and sell them if needed. I’m just sorting through my latest acquisitions now.”
I scan the boxes, my interest fully piqued. “Can I help?”
Magic is still very new to me, and the idea of seeing magical items is alluring. I’m not distracted from my escape goal. I’m making allies.
“Of course! Though, I do ask that you not touch any items unless you ask me first. There are many cursed things here, and well, as a mortal…” he tapers off, letting me draw my own conclusions.
“No touching, got it.”
Maybe I’ll find a knife that can kill an immortal being of infinite power. That might come in handy.
Could I kill someone, though?
I swallow the thought, not ready to think too hard about it.
Magnus leads us to a table hidden behind a large stash of crates, before pulling one onto the table and emptying the contents.
“This crate is from the Seelie Fae Court. The Fae don’t typically part with treasured items, but I happenedto be passing by when there was a rather distracting disturbance,” he finishes, giving me a conspiratorial wink.
I gape at him. “You stole these things?”
