Mom’s lips twisted. “Still pissed about your weapon, fae?” She snapped her fingers. A shimmer of smoky magic rose in the air, a glimmering ten-pointed star floating above it.
The Star of Scathach.
“I’ll make you a trade.”
Ari snorted. “Let me guess. My soul for the weapon?” She jerked her thumb over her shoulder toward the glowing corpse. “I’m sure you can see how I might refuse after the last person who took that deal.”
Mom tsked. “I didn’t ask her for anything. I took her.” She lifted a pale, slender shoulder. “She wanted power so much I could taste it. Wasn’t difficult to convince her this was how she’d get it.”
“Just not in the way she thought,” I said.
“She can speak!” Mom laughed. “But hold a moment, daughter. I’m conversing with your fae friend.”
The star spun, magic glittering from the sharp points. “Open those wards and give me my daughter. Then you’ll have your weapon back.”
I went still. Ari would be a fool to do what my mother wanted. Not because Mom wouldn’t honor the agreement. She probably would.
If she even tried, Ari would die. Evie, the fae queen and my best friend, stood behind me. Cliona, a goddess, stood beside her. And Rowan, a Lord, stood off to the side, watching everything happening with glowing eyes. Not to mention all the shifters watching from their apartment windows, some beginning to pour out of their homes in case their Lord and Lady needed their help.
But Ari was one of only two fae weapons makers, powerful artisans responsible for creating the deadly weapons capable of mass destruction if placed into the wrong hands.
Right now, one of those weapons was definitely in the wrong hands. Cernunnos almost died after going after my mother. If this were a chance to get that weapon back without violence, Ari might be tempted to take it, no matter our budding friendship.
Ari looked over her shoulder. Our eyes met. Hers glowed molten silver. My power was calm and settled for once, even though my stomach churned with nerves. Her face was serious.
I wouldn’t convince her not to take the deal. As much as I didn’t want this, Mom’s offer was a good test for the future.
Ari winked and turned back around. “How do I know you’ll keep up with your end of the bargain?”
Evie stepped forward. I put my hands behind my back and flicked my fingers, telling her to stay back.
Mom’s bright green eyes lit up. “My daughter might have said some negative things about me, but I do have some honor. If I make a bargain, I keep my word.”
“There’s a black magic spell brewing behind me,” Ari said. “You’ll have to do better than that.”
Mom sighed. “Fine.” She snapped her fingers. “You missing something else, too?”
Ari swore. “How long have you had that?”
An ice blue dagger twirled in the air. “Two for one sale at the thrift store,” Mom smirked. “Give me Moira, and I’ll give you both.”
“Do you know who I am, witch?” Ari’s hair turned from ebony to silver, her skin taking on a glittering shine. Iridescent wings sprang from Ari’s back.
I sucked in a shocked gasp. Ari was already stunningly beautiful.
Now she looked otherworldly.
“If you break your word, witch, I will call down the wrath of the fae people around your head.” Ari’s voice had deepened, magic booming from each word she said.
“Uhhh,” Evie said.
“Worry about it later,” Cliona hissed.
Mom snorted. “I know who your father is. My word is my bond.”
“Fine,” Ari snarled. She spun, her silver hair flowing like water.
Trust me, she mouthed as she grabbed me.
