He nodded without comment and did just that, grabbing enough for a few meals, including something for breakfast tomorrow. If they needed more, someone could be sent to grab it. He did not sense any danger in this place, not at all. Despite the mage attack, this felt like a sleepy town. A forgotten town. The residents seemed fragile, almost, like they’d had a hard time of it and could finally take a peaceful breath. It was in the waythey carried themselves before and after they spotted strangers in their midst.
O’Briens had felt like this in the beginning of his time there, right after he’d made his stand and backed up his claims to provide safety for those who needed it. Drex had created a force of fighters to secure this place, and he was doing so ruthlessly, like Austin had.
“Alpha Ashvale would be happy to pick up the tab,” the store clerk said after scanning all the items.
“Give him my thanks,” Austin replied.
“And I’m sure someone could deliver food from the restaurants in town, if you like. The fried chicken here is the best you’ll have.”
“I thank you.” Austin inclined his head and wheeled the cart out.
It wasn’t until they were underway that Nessa continued. “The Guild still doesn’t make a habit of elevating female mages, but Momar does. He used a lot of them at Kingsley’s, and he did so marvelously. Did you notice she said she wouldn’t work for himorthem?”
“Momar or the Guild,” he surmised.
“Who else. Momar tries to poach only the most valuable players, and she doesn’t have enough magic to be desired by the big dogs in the Guild, so she must have some other trait that makes her valuable. Very valuable if she’s this worried about it. She seemed afraid she’d be dragged back and forced to work.”
Austin didn’t bother asking if they really did that. From what he knew of each of those organizations, they’d do that and worse. Much worse.
“And she knows Elliot Graves,” he said, driving through downtown and finding two bars. Both were welcoming, but one was a little rougher than the other, with a lone smoker outside. That’s where they’d find Niamh.
He looked for a parking spot.
“She does,” Nessa drew out, her eyes far away. She wasn’t just good at organizing; she was incredibly intelligent and great at problem solving. “She knows him even thoughI’dhardly know him when he’s looking like this. He is only ever Sebastian when he’s with family. In a professional setting, he is always Elliot Graves.Always. That includes dress, hair, posture, everything.”
“She didn’t know him at first. She suspected, but she wasn’t sure. She was trying to figure it out.”
“She suspected. That’s more than anyone else in the mage world would have, not in this setting.” She shook her head and looked out at nothing, back to chewing her lip.
“Momar found you guys, and he has people in the Guild. He must know your connection to us. Niamh is sure he does, even if he doesn’t advertise it. Is she still working for them? Or maybe was until a month or so ago?”
She shook her head slowly. “With her hair like that? Her clothes? No watch? Nah. She’s been away from that long enough to shake off the training.” She switched, chewing her nail this time.
A car was leaving a spot. He waited and then took it, two spaces down from the bar. He turned off the Jeep and sat for a moment.
“I’m going to have a quick chat with Niamh,” he said. “She’s good at information gathering. I honestly don’t think anything will happen to you if you stay in the car, nor do I think people will steal our groceries, but it doesn’t hurt to be cautious. I’d rather leave you here to guard the groceries than have to guard you inside.”
She spit out a laugh.
“I’m really hungry,” he said, allowing a grin. “I figure they’ll take you and forget about our groceries. I can then just send Edgar or Tristan or someone to get you.”
She laughed harder. “Send the basajaunak. They’d be delighted.”
“Yeah, true.” He sobered. “Do you want to come in with me?”
Her smile was soft this time and her eyes grateful. “Jessie is a lucky woman to have a guy like you around. People probably don’t tell you that enough since they’re intimidated by you. Thank you, but no, I’m sure I’ll be fine. If anything happens, I’ll yell, and gargoyles will pop out from the walls and basajaunak will fill the street and Edgar will spring out of a bush… I’m covered.”
He nodded and opened the door, leaving the keys in the ignition. “There is a gargoyle right in front of the Jeep, against the wall.”
She huffed. “Figures. Blending into stone and walls—that must be handy.”
“It is, especially when the magical world at large doesn’t seem to know they can.”
She quickly turned pensive again and he made his way into the bar. Niamh sat at the far side where she could see most of the inhabitants. Brochan sat behind her at a low table in the corner, his presence and power warning everyone away.
He’d always taken a similar position in Austin’s bar in the early days. Now, it was rare he didn’t sit with one of Jessie’s crew, or a gargoyle, or Niamh herself. He was starting to find his footing in a new life. Maybe itwastime to adopt the name Sue and leave that wayward, lost, broken persona behind.
He stood as Austin made his way down. The patrons stiffened as Austin passed.
