Page 19 of Out of Sight

Ted nodded. “I understand.”

“But if you give me your number, I will send you a selfie if I get the job as the powered-up me. I just don’t want to do it now because I have to get on a plane.”

Ted blinked. “Oh, you have a slow switchback.”

Arden tapped her nose. “Correct.”

Mik smiled and reached out. “Can you hold this for a minute?”

Arden caught the USB stick, and her eyes flicked from brown to green to silver in rapid succession. She smirked and handed the item back. “That’s interesting. I found a few new ones.”

Mik grinned. “Good. Are you good here if we dip?”

Arden laughed. “Yes. I will talk to Estelle and let her know about anything growing out of that soil, and then I have to head to the airport. I literally have nothing to wear for warm weather.”

Mik said, “Do you have enough to buy stuff when you arrive?”

“Yes.”

“Then go and buy new stuff. I have been to Emerald once, and it is spectacular. Enjoy the views even if you don’t get the job.”

“I am going to be on the Wonder Islands.”

“Wow. Way better views.” Mik grinned. “I didn’t partake, but it is quite the local population.”

Arven smiled and looked at Ted. “Was that your ex?”

“No, just a weird guy from one of my university classes a few years ago. He got one of those marks on me before I was all pretty and sparkly. Six years of slow draining ended today, and he was the first thing on my to-do list.”

Arden nodded. “Well done.”

“Uh, thanks for turning them into compost.”

“Oh, they are going to turn into magical plants and herbs.”

Mik said slowly, “So not the first time you have done that.”

“Nope. I had to learn somehow, and when I am out in the open, they just come toward me. Sometimes they follow a friend of mine, but that is on purpose. We have a lot of magical soil.”

Mik laughed. “Excellent. I knew I liked you on sight, and I am grateful I didn’t just grab you to hide you.”

“Oh, yeah, that would have been unwise.”

Mik cackled. “Instincts for the win!”

Arden nodded. “Okay, you guys can go, and I will deal with the owner of the greenhouse. She and her mates and their son are pulling up. Hm. They will need to dispose of the car that the twats arrived in.”

An SUV was pulling up, and the orcs and Nemia disappeared. Mik looked at Ted. “Shall we?”

“Oh, yes. I think we shall.” They held hands and returned to the new palace. Mission accomplished.

* * * *

Arden smiled. “Hey, Estelle. I have more fancy soil for experimental herbs.”

“Uh, great. I will get my gloves. Suggestions?” Estelle looked at the pile warily. She knew what it contained.

“Plant trees in it. They will be phenomenal.”