He wanted this! I agreed because it was supposed to be simple. Earn a bit of trust. Prove my worth to the pack.
Shadow. Report.Easy, no big fuss.
Until my assignment started.
The grassy-domed lecture hall, the too-early sunlight. Then—her.
Luck be damned.That was the beginning of the end. The moment she stepped through those doors, fate feckin’ sucker-punched me straight through the heart. That face alone would be the death of me.
Wish it aimed higher, to knock me clean out. Would’ve been better off.
But it’s too late now. I don’t care. Well, I do. But only in every way that’sher.
Loch can fuck off. The whole lot of ‘em can fuck off.
I can’t lose her. Not when I’ve only started to feel this close to her.
The way Loch looked at me just then in his office, or better put, lookedthroughme. Like he already knew. Saw me as the chancer I was, throat exposed.
It’s all a bloody mess now.
Shite.Oh, this’ll be grand . . .
28
CARWYNN
Aine was cozily sprawledout on the plush couch while I had my legs hooked over a red, cushy accent chair. We’d been quietly sitting here for the last hour. Aine was reading her bizarre, ancient history tome, while I had a fantastically smutty book I’d borrowed from Breena. It was just getting to the good part where the clumsy girl was about to take the hunky Pooka for a different kind of ride.
The remnants of spiced apples and cloves hung in the air.
I sniffed.Was Breena making that?
I was jolted in shock when four Brownies buzzed out of the wall like wasps—magically appearing unannounced, gifting us two steaming mugs of cider.
Aine was their favorite for some reason. She’d only ever waved them off, but they doted on her like little obsessive servants. It was . . .odd.
They clearly loved her so much they were willing to include me in the offering.
“Thanks,” I grumbled, taking the mug and setting it down.
The Brownie shot me a demonic smirk.
Yep. It mostdefinitelypissed in it.
The warmth of the fireplace was velvety, lulling me to sleep for the second time tonight. Magic-infused rainbow flames swirled about the hearth, casting a beautiful light show on the surrounding walls.
I absolutelylovedour apartment, the coziness, the warmth, the round, open windows that filtered sweet floral scents in from the garden. It was storybook perfection.
And tonight was the perfect evening. Well-deserved rest after the long, dreadful week. Or so I thought . . .
The door slammed open.
“Fortune’s right tit!”Breena swore. “Both of ya—get up! Get. Up!” Her voice carried across the calm like a battle horn as she ripped the fuzzy blanket straight off Aine.
“Ay!” Aine yelped, tucking her legs up protectively. “I’d rather sit here for eternity collecting bedsores.” She buried her face back into the book.
Breena let out a frustrated sigh.
