“What I promised,” he continued in a slightly softer tone, “was to tell you everything I knew about your family since they arrived.”
“Which is practically nothing!” I snapped, wanting to throw something. Straightening my spine, I glared down my nose at him. “You guaranteed it’d be ‘worthwhile’ or you’d forfeit my time.”
“It’s not quite nothing.” He spread his hands wide. “We are merely the notetakers in this burrow, subject to write down only the information given to us. However, while I can’t say for sure who they made the deal with, if it’s who I suspect, they’ll be presented before the courts.”
“Then we have to go there.” I jumped up from the couch. “You have to take me there!”
He stood more slowly, looming over me. “They would’ve been presented immediately upon arrival. They’ll be long gone by now.”
I deflated like a balloon and fell back onto the couch a second time. My eyes glazed over. I was too late. I should’ve dared to go farther down those dark tunnels and risked running into the boggart and whatever else was down here. I should’ve—
“I have some guesses regarding where they may’ve ended up,” Soren said, interrupting my dark thoughts. “Contacts who could do some digging to verify my suspicions and the exact terms of their deal.”
I bolted upright. “Yes. Please. I’ll do anything.”
Sucking in a breath, I regretted saying the words, but my stomach sank even further when he strolled toward the kitchen, calling back cheerfully, “You’ve already agreed to that.”
I followed. “You have to tell me!”
“All in good time, Ms. Toad.” His calm tone grated on me. “First, it’s time you hold up your end of the deal.”
MY FEET DROPPED anchor. “Uh-uh.” I dug my heels in, refusing to take one more step. “Nope. It doesn’t work like that. I agreed to start at seven.” Yanking my phone out of my pocket, I held it face out so he could see the time: 5:33 p.m. “It’s not even six o’clock yet. If you’re gonna be a stickler for the details, then so am I.”
A flash of emotion crossed his face. It might’ve been respect, but more likely frustration.
In the end, he shook his head and let out a soft laugh. “Well done, I suppose. However, just some information for you to consider: We must leave promptly at seven o’clock, and unless you want every fae we encounter to know you’re a human invading the Hollow Court, it’d be in your favor if you blended in a bit more than you do.”
He let the words dangle as his eyes traveled down my dirty jeans and ripped red jacket. With a slight tilt of his head, he asked, “Might I persuade you to consider a few other clothing options before we leave? It’s in your best interest.”
I gave him a fake smile back. “I think you meanyourbest interest. I’ll be honest, I don’t care if you succeed at whatever your goal is. That wasn’t part of our terms.” My boldness shocked me. I never talked to people like this. But he hadn’t judged me for it yet, which was his mistake, because it was making me extra cheeky.
Speaking of cheeks, a small dimple appeared in one of his, like he was holding back a grin. “Of course, I wouldn’t dare assume. But perhaps in exchange for some dinner?”
“I’m not hungry.” My stomach growled in response.
Traitor.
