Instead of asking how it moved, I said, “So, you want me to ask my father about it?”
“Hell, no. He and Gregor will zip up the portal.”
“So what do you want me to do?”
“I want you to go check it out.”
“You want me to go through a prison portal?”
“Just to take a peek, then jump back out.”
Even though the air wasn’t cold, and I was made of fire, Joshua’s suggestion chilled me. “If it’s a real prison, I doubt I can get in.”
“All you need is a handful of salt to gain entrance. Then again, you’re the Trifecta—”
I hated that nickname even more than I hated the boy who’d come up with it.
“—you could surely get in with a drop of your potent blood.”
“Josh—”
“Or I can tell our dearest king about your little transaction.”
I pressed my lips together, ruing the day I’d struck a deal with this man whose criminal record ran the gamut of peddling Daneelie scales on the Earthly black market to arms dealing.
“Amara Wood, take one look inside, and then we’ll be fair and square.”
The use of my full name, combined with the firmness of his demand, locked in the repayment of his favor. I’d heard of the pain associated withgajoïsbut had never experienced it first-hand. As an invisible fist gripped my gut, I swore I would never again strike a faerie bargain.
Never.
I flung my palm against my abdomen. “Fine.” Not that I had a choice.
The pressure inside my body vanished instantly, but it would return if I tried to renege on the claimedgajoï. There was no messing with fae magic.
Smiling, Josh knocked back his drink. “Oh, and, Amara, get to it quick. The portal changes location in five days.”
I sipped my iced water, wincing when I swallowed, expecting pain that thankfully didn’t come. “Have you considered the possibility that I won’t be able to get in, salt or no salt?”
“Yes.”
Why, oh why, had I let Joshua Locklear take the blame for my mistake? I tapped a button on the countertop to get the barmaid’s attention. “Can I get two shots of tequila, please?”
“Tequila?” Josh whistled. “Damn,Prinsisa. Here I’d pegged you for a prosecco girl.”
“I don’t like bubbles.” The same way I didn’t like the idea of peeking into a supernatural jail. “Anything else I should know about this place?”
“It’s a prison, so don’t expect rainbows and unicorns.”
I rolled my eyes as two shot glasses filled with clear liquid appeared in front of me. I lifted the first and tossed it back, the alcohol singeing my tongue and throat. Josh tried to grab the other, but I made the glass levitate to my mouth, sprinkling somewitato hide my little magic trick from human eyes. After pounding it back, I floated the glass back down to the counter. Unseelie mind control might’ve been one of my favorite powers.
“Showoff.” He signaled the waitress for some refills.
I longed for the alcohol to loosen the dread clinging to every organ in my body.A supernatural prison.Geez.I’d rather he’d asked me to kiss adile, poison and all.
“I’ll try to do it tonight.” I licked the bittersweet dregs of alcohol from my lips.
The Plexiglas stool squeaked as he crossed one foot over his opposite knee. “I almost wish I could take it back.”
