With a string of highly inventive expletives, Maya whirled around to discover the blond-haired woman standing in a corner of the pawnshop, her odd lavender eyes glowing with a sharp-edged curiosity.
Chapter 9
Wynn tightly clutched the skipping stone she had hidden in the pocket of her coat. She’d promised Azh that she would pop in and pop out, distracting the mages long enough for him to slip through the barrier they’d discovered wrapped around Hexx’s pawnshop. But her promise had been given before she’d overheard the two women discussing the security video of her visit to Hamilton Brothers Gallery.
And before the dark-haired mage she recognized as Maya Rosen had called her a...what had she said? A Void?
“Don’t move.” Maya grabbed the satchel from the nearby counter and pulled out a vial.
Wynn widened her eyes, trying to look innocent. She didn’t doubt the vial contained a nasty potion, not to mention the fact the mage she recognized as Peri Sanguis, the Cabal leader’s mate, was busy weaving a spell that made the entire building tremble.
“I’m not here to steal anything,” she promised.
Maya glanced around the empty shop. “Shocker.”
“Yeah, okay. Fair enough. No one would come here to steal anything,” Wynn conceded.
Maya’s expression remained grim. “Who are you?”
“Wynn.”
“That’s it? Just Wynn?”
“Powerful women don’t need more than one name.”
Maya rolled her eyes, her impressive beauty only enhanced by the web of scars along her jaw.
“If you’re trying to kiss and make up, you’re doing a lousy job.”
“Probably because I’m not trying,” Wynn said. “I just want to talk.”
“About?”
“Why I snuck into your vault.”
Maya narrowed her bright green eyes while Peri casually moved to lean against the counter. Wynn wasn’t fooled. Both of them were on full alert, prepared to strike at the first hint of danger.
She didn’t know if they were there to protect the Watcher, or if they had another purpose for wrapping the building in layers of magic, but she did know she didn’t want to do anything to spark a fight.
Not this time.
“I’m listening,” Maya said.
“First.” Wynn took a cautious step forward, her mouth dry. “Why did you call me a Void?”
The mage arched a brow. “I assume that’s why you’re absorbing the fey magic from the lightning rod instead of just using it.”
Distantly Wynn sensed Azh’s presence above her head. He’d managed to slip into Hexx’s apartment. And thankfully, the mages appeared unaware of his stealthy entrance.
“I don’t understand,” Wynn admitted. “Why does a Void absorb magic?”
Maya frowned. “You don’t know?”
“Would I be asking if I did?” Wynn snapped. She was trying to be polite, she really was. But it wasn’t easy when all she wanted to do was grab the mage and shake the truth out of her.
Maya exchanged a suspicious glance with her companion before returning her attention to Wynn.
“I have no idea why you’re here, but I can assure you that I won’t be fooled again.”
