I swallow hard, feeling less sure about this deal. I mean, I don’t plan on trying to double-cross Asher or anything, but …
“These objects you want me to steal, what are they? And why can’t you steal them your—” Pain abruptly sears up my arm as the poison rises to my shoulder and neck, making me dizzy. I bite down on my tongue to stop myself from crying out, not wanting to look weak in front of them.
East must notice, though, because his wing begins soothingly stroking my arm. “Just make the deal with him … Wait. You never told us your name.”
“And I’m not going to.” The quiver in my voice reveals my discomfort and vulnerability.
“Make that part of the deal, too,” East tells Asher. “I want to know this lovely human’s name.”
I put my green hand on my hip and twist to face him. “What’s your fascination with me? You know I’m just like every other human, right?”
East’s petal-thin wings glint against the chandelier’s lighting. “No, you’re not. You’re a human who started an everlasting fire, turned my advances down, got past my seal, and broke into Asher’s trunk. If I didn’t know any better, I’d assume you were a very clever elf, but you’re way too pretty.”
I resist an eye roll. “You know, I’ve heard rumors that faeries were flirts. Those rumors didn’t do the truth justice.”
He winks at me. “We can be quite charming when we want to be. You’ll see.”
“I haven’t agreed to the bargain yet,” I remind him, turning back to a now frowning and confused-looking Asher. “And I’m not going to until you tell me what objects you want me to steal and why you can’t steal them yourself.”
“I can’t tell you what the objects are yet,” Asher replies. When I open my mouth to argue, he adds, “Not because I don’t want to. I just can’t while we’re here in this world.”
My brows knit. “Wait … Are you saying I have to leave this world to do this?”
Asher nods. “This is our last day on tour in this world, and the objects aren’t here.”
Both nervousness and excitement rush through me. I’ve always dreamt of seeing other places, of getting away from the rulers and the poverty that plagues every inch of this hellhole of a sphere I live on. Before, there was never a possibility of it being possible.
Wait.
“Humans aren’t allowed outside this world,” I inform them. “It’s against the law.”
“We’ll just have to make sure we don’t get caught smuggling you out.” Asher steps toward me, invading my personal space.
I start to step to the side, but my arm bumps into East’s chest. With Arrow standing right behind me, I’m left wedged between the three of them with barely any breathing room. Their scents overwhelm me, all sugary, strawberry cupcakes and frosting mixed with Arrow’s cinnamon and vanilla. The scent is mouthwatering and kind of making me hungry.
I swallow down the urge to breathe in deeper. “And what happens if we get caught?”
“We won’t,” Asher assures me, raveling a strand of my hair around his finger. “We promise we won’t.”
“I don’t trust genies.” A shiver courses through me as East’s velvety soft wing strokes the arch of my neck.
“Trust me, then,” East whispers in my ear.
I want to push them all away, but my arms remain frozen at my sides.
While I’m usually a badass, the combination of their yummy scents, soft touches, the magic most paranormals emit, along with the poison in my body is making me lightheaded and weak.
“I don’t trust faeries, either,” I manage to get out.
“Then trust me.” Arrow places his hands on my shoulders, his metal fingers cool against my overly warm, poisoned skin. “Cyborgs don’t lie.”
“I know.” I let out a frustrated sigh. “Look, I want to make the deal. Or, well, want might be a strong word. More like, I’m considering. But I need to at least know a little bit about why I’m going to be your own little personal thief. I mean, why can’t you just steal these objects on your own? You’re paranormals who I’m sure are very powerful.”
“These objects are protected with all sorts of curses and spells to keep paranormals away.” Asher lightly tugs on a strand of my hair, drawing my attention to him. “They aren’t protected against humans. And since you clearly know your way around thievery, you should be able to get the objects we need.”
“Oh.” My lips part to fire more questions when the pain of the poison suddenly amplifies.
A cry rips from my throat as I collapse to the floor, tears stinging my eyes. As I claw at the hardwood flooring, I realize both my hands and arms are now green. Further observation reveals my legs are, too.
Has my time come to an end? Is this death I taste in my mouth?
“Make the bargain,” Asher says as he crouches beside me, stroking his fingers up and down my back. “Make the bargain, and the pain will go away and your friend will be free.”
Gasping breaths rip from my chest as I look into his eyes.
While most genies’ gazes carry coldness, Asher’s conveys a drop of remorse mixed with guilt. Does he feel bad about what he’s doing to me? Would he save me anyway, if I didn’t make the bargain?
I’ll probably never know the answers because, as the stabbing pain beneath my flesh begins to increase, I surrender to the inevitable and nod.
“Fine,” I grit out. “Let’s make a bargain.”
Chapter 5
As soon as I utter the words, Asher scoops me up into his arms, carries me across the room, and lays me on the sofa. Then he sinks down onto the edge of the cushion and rests his hands beside my head.
“I’m going to verbalize the terms of our deal.” He stares into my eyes. “If you have any objections, let me know, okay?”
With great effort, I nod.
I can’t believe I’m about to do this. I can’t believe I’m about to make a deal with a genie. One day, this is going to come back and bite me in the ass.
“Good.” His chest rises and crashes as he takes a deep breath. For a flicker of a moment, he seems nervous, but the look promptly fizzles as he cups my face between his hands. “I vow to free your body from the poison and let you live a long life, just as long as you’re able to retrieve three stolen objects of my choosing. I will also free your friend …” He pauses. “What’s your friend’s name?”
“Jason,” I croak out as my veins scorch with agonizing heat.
He nods with a curious look on his face. “And yours?”
I consider lying, but worry that might ruin the bargain. “Harlynn.”
He rubs his pale blue lips together. “That’s an … interesting name.”
“Are you insulting my name?”
“No, I just said it was interesting.” Confusion floods his eyes.
“Not a top-quality shelf-worthy name, right?” Why the hell am I arguing with him when I’m on the brink of death? Usually, I’m not this stupid. He just seems to bring the stupidity out of me.
“Hmmm …” is all he says. “What’s your last name?”
“Why does it matter?”
“Because it does.”
I sigh, too tired to argue with him anymore. “Merringten.”
When he swallows audibly, I whisper, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Blinking away his puzzlement, he leans closer and wets his lips with his tongue. “I will also free your friend Jason from the underground mafia and remove his debt to them. Your debt will be removed, as well. But, if you do not retrieve the objects by the end of the month, or if you try to break the bargain, all will be erased and yours and Jason’s lives will return to how they are at this precise moment.” He traces his tongue along his lip piercing. “Do we have a bargain?”
I blow out a deafening breath. My heart rate’s insanely fast, and not just because of the poison. No, I’m more freaked out about making a bargain with a genie than anything else. But, as death continues to chew up my insides, I have no choice but to nod and utter,
“Yes, we have a bargain.”
Hesitancy flickers in his eyes, then he nods and crashes his lips against mine. Heat courses through my body before I have time to react. A heartbeat of an instant later, though, I return to my senses and place my hands on his chest to shove him away. He only presses closer, delving his tongue into my mouth. I gasp as effervescent magic spills from his lips and pours down my throat.
The longer he kisses me, the more the warm, tingly sensation spreads, starting at my lips and working down my chest, all the way to my thighs. As my toes curl, I start to worry that perhaps my reaction isn’t solely from the magic.
I like this way too much.
Inhaling through my nose, I wedge my hands between us and shove him back.
“What the hell was that?” I ask as I gasp for air.
Asher blinks dazedly. “That was …” He blinks again, his heated gaze slowly turning cold. “I had to do that to make the bargain.” He rises to his feet without looking at me. “We’re done here,” he tells East then strides past him. “Make sure no one else knows she’s in our vehicle.” He storms down the hallway and slams a door.
Uncomfortable silence stretches between East, Arrow, and me.
Seriously, what the hell is Asher’s problem? He’s the one who kissed me, yet he acts like it was my fault? Besides, it had to be done to make the bargain, right? I mean, why else would he do it?
“Okay, then.” East breaks the silence with a clap of his hands as he turns toward me. “Let’s go get you set up in a room, shall we?” He winks. “Preferably next to mine, right?”
I shrug, too confused to care. “Sounds good.”
East’s expression plummets. “Aw, come on now, sweetheart. There’s no need to get all upset over Asher’s mood swings.”
“I’m not upset,” I lie, pushing to my feet. A quick assessment of my arms and legs causes me to sigh in relief. Well, at least the poison’s gone. “I’m confused as to why he freaked out. I mean, I know he thinks I’m repulsive, but—”
East snorts a laugh. “He doesn’t think you’re repulsive. That’s not what that was about at all.”
“Oh, trust me; he does. He made that perfectly clear when I knocked on you guys’ door.” I frown, more at myself. No, I’m not going to worry about Asher and his genie tizzy tantrums. I couldn’t care less if he hates me or not. “That doesn’t even matter. None of this does. He can be pissed off all he wants. I just want to know if Jason’s okay.”
East eyes me over before turning toward Arrow. “Get the Eyes All Mirror, would you?”
Arrow nods, his gaze skimming over me before he vanishes down the hallway.
“What’s the Eyes All Mirror?” I lift my hand to fiddle with my earpiece, only to realize it’s gone.
So weird. Does that mean the bargain worked?
“It’ll show you what you need to see.” He plops down on the leather sofa then pats the cushion beside him. “Have a seat. We need to talk.”
I keep my feet planted to the floor. “We can talk with me standing right here.”
“Yes, but I can’t smell your lovely scent from way over there, or stroke your soft skin with my wings.” He pats the cushion again with a smile full of trickery. “Now come, have a seat … unless you’re too afraid.” A dare gleams in his glittering eyes.
I cross my arms. “I’m not afraid of you.”
He elevates his brows. “You sure about that?”
“Yes.”
“I think you’re lying.”
“Good for you.”
“Yes, good for me. Now come sit down by me. If you don’t, I’ll talk in circles all night. It’s what faeries are best at.” He sucks on his bottom lip. “Well, that and making passionate, magical love.”
“Oh, for the love of all gods.” Shaking my head, I sink down onto the sofa. “Making passionate, magical love? Seriously?”
His lips quirk in mild amusement. “Would you rather me call it fucking?”
Warmth floods my cheeks, one of the worst things a human can do in front of a flirting faerie. East more than notices, too, a grin taking over his face.
“Wait a second.” He scoots closer to me. “Is the feisty little Harlynn still a virgin?”
I force myself to meet his gaze. “That’s none of your business. And don’t call me Harlynn.”
“Then what do you propose I call you?” He sweeps my hair away from my shoulder. “Blushing princess? Virgin cheeks? A tasty, little p—”
“Harlynn is fine,” I cut him off, holding up my hand, my cheeks on fire. “Look, faerie dude, I’m not here to flirt with you.”
“You may not be, but I am,” he teases, his wing sliding behind me.
“Can’t you just tone it down for a bit?”
“I wish I could, but it’s in my nature. Sometimes I don’t even realize I’m doing it.”
I heave an exasperated sigh. “Well, just know it’ll never be reciprocated. I’m not into paranormals.”
He radiates glittering amusement and an impish smile. “We’ll see.” When I frown, his grin widens. “Run away all you want. Eventually, I’ll catch you.”
Good gods, what the hell was I thinking, making a deal to stay with three paranormals? I should know better. I should’ve thought of another way. Shouldn’t have let the fear of death cloud my judgment.
My remorse in my decision dissipates when Arrow returns to the room with a silver, oval mirror. Black, metal roses frame around the edge, and a magical mist radiates from the reflective glass.
“Just tell it to show you your friend.” Arrow carefully hands me the mirror.
I glance at the mirror, shocked by the lack of a reflection. “How do I know this is real?”
“You’ll feel the truth.” Arrow takes a seat across from me and props his foot onto his knee, watching me with mild interest.
I trace my finger along one of the roses on the mirror, thinking of my parents. “Will it show me anything I ask for?”
Arrow shakes his head. “It won’t show you many things, like the future. Or someone who’s dead. But your friend is alive, and as long as you ask to see him in the now, it’ll show it to you.”
I hide my deflation by peering into the mirror. “Show me my friend Jason—where he is, what he’s doing, and if he’s okay.”
The surface of the mirror ripples, transforming into a scene that makes me smile. Jason is shopping at a bakery we used to always steal from, only he has a basket full of pastries in his hand, along with a wad of money to pay for the items.
“How does he have money to buy pastries?” I glance up at East. “Jason’s usually broke.”
East smiles musingly. “Asher must have a soft spot for you, if he gave the boy a better life than he had.”
“Asher barely knows me.” I watch Jason move about the bakery. “And from the whole whopping hour we’ve spent with each other, he made it pretty clear he doesn’t like me, so why would he do this?”
“Perhaps he’s trying to make up for what happened to your parents,” East utters quietly. “If it’s true what you said, that a genie killed them.”
“Why would it matter to him? He’s not the one who killed them.” My gaze stays fixed on the mirror, a longing building in my chest as Jason laughs at something the cashier says.
She’s pretty, with long, blonde hair, and big blue eyes. I wish I was with him. Laughing with him. Buying cupcakes with him. I wonder where he thinks I am. I wonder if he misses me. I wonder if he knows about the bargain.
East kicks his feet up on the coffee table and leans back into the sofa. “Here’s a word of advice that’s going to help you out during your lovely and very wanted time with us.” He dazzles me with a grin. “Asher isn’t what he seems. And if you’re lucky, you’ll get to know the real him.”
I want to argue, tell him he’s wrong, that genies aren’t good. But the images reflecting back at me in the mirror complicate my argument.
“Does he remember me?” I change the subject. “Jason, I mean.”
<
br /> East shrugs. “You’ll have to ask Asher. I’m not the one who cast the magical bargain.”
My heart clenches and a bit of jealousy simmers under my skin as Jason gives the cashier girl a lopsided grin. I’m happy he’s happy, I really am, but I’ve always secretly dreamed of him smiling at me like that. Of me being able to let him smile at me like that. However, the curse the genie put on me all those years ago makes it impossible for me to go down that road with anyone. If I do, I’m giving them a death sentence. It means I’ll lose them, just like I lost my parents. That they’ll end up however my parents did.
“I know you said the mirror won’t show me those who are dead, but can I try to ask it about my parents? I’ve never been quite sure if they are … really gone,” I whisper, clutching the handle of the mirror.
A drop of sympathy rises in Arrow’s eyes. Again, his human-like mannerisms throw me off. “You can. Just know that, if they are dead, you won’t be able to see them.”
Nodding, my gaze falls to the mirror. I’m almost afraid to utter the words. If I do, then I’ll know for sure they’re really gone. And a tiny part of me has always hoped that perhaps the genie just sent them away somewhere.
But the need to know becomes too great.
“Show me my parents,” I whisper to the mirror.
The ripples reappear, the images of Jason, the cashier girl, and the bakery fading. I wait for another scene to appear. Wait for the mirror to show me my parents. I wait. And wait. And wait until all I can see is the tears in my eyes.
“Harlynn,” East says as a few tears drip onto the empty mirror. He reaches out to place a hand on my arm, but I hurriedly rise to my feet.
“Can you show me to my room now?” I wipe the tears with the back of my hand, passing Arrow the mirror. “I’d really like to lie down. It’s been a long day.”
East’s eyes are soft, full of pity and concern. “Of course.”
He gets to his feet, leading me down the hallway, past all the shut doors. “I’d give you a tour, but I’m pretty sure you know where everything is, right?” He tosses a teasing smile at me from over his shoulder, but his eyes still carry pity.
Chasing Steel: Capturing Magic Books 1-3 Page 5
