Chasing Magic

by Jessica Sorensen

  “Are you ready for the best breakfast you’ve ever had?” he asks, and I eagerly nod. Smiling, he lifts the top off.

  A bright light flashes, and I flinch, lifting my arms to shield my eyes.

  “That’s so bright.”

  A beat of silence goes by, and then Arrow utters, “You can look now.”

  Slowly, I lower my hands. Then excitement bursts through me.

  Covering the countertop is every single drop of food I ordered, from the fluffiest French toast I’ve ever seen to cupcakes covered with mounds and mounds of glittery purple frosting.

  I quickly reach for a fork and dive into the French toast. “Oh, my gods, I’m seriously having a foodgasm right now,” I moan as I lick a droplet of syrup from my lips.

  Arrow’s brows knit. “What’s a foodgasm?”

  “Um …” I mentally curse my big mouth. “It’s an expression used when you practically have an … orgasm over food.”

  “Oh.”

  Dead silence stretches between us.

  That silence gives me too much time to think. About orgasms. And food. And foodgasms. About if cyborgs can have foodgasms. And orgasms …

  My gaze unintentionally drifts toward Arrow’s crotch area. Wait. Do cyborgs have mechanical penises?

  Someone clears their throat, and I jolt, nearly spitting out a mouthful of French toast. Warmth floods my cheeks as East enters the kitchen, a wicked grin curving across his face.

  “So, I’m not allowed to stare at the mouthwatering parts of your body, but you can stare at Arrow’s junk?” he asks wickedly.

  “I wasn’t staring at his junk,” I hiss, then glance at Arrow. “I wasn’t. I swear.”

  “It’s fine.” He nervously rubs his hand over his head. “I didn’t think you were.” Sucking in a breath, his gaze skates to East. “I’m going to send for a world jumper vehicle to pick us up so we can get this mission over with.” His gaze fleetingly flicks to mine before he hightails the hell out of the kitchen.

  Can’t really blame him for acting so skittish after I stared at his man parts, wondering if they were mechanical.

  I shake my head at myself. What in the stupid pixies is wrong with me? I swear being with these guys is messing with my ability to think rationally.

  “Don’t worry. He’s probably as embarrassed as you are,” Easton says with a lazy smile.

  I narrow my eyes at him as I stuff my mouth full of bacon. “I don’t know why he’d be embarrassed. I wasn’t staring at his guy parts like you implied.”

  “Sure you weren’t. Just like I wasn’t staring at your girl parts before Asher made me leave the kitchen so he could lecture me on not ogling your goodies.” He slants forward and rests his arms on the counter, his wings shimmering in the light. “You know, it’s the first time I’ve ever seen a female get upset with me for checking her out.”

  “That you know of.”

  He laughs, his eyes crinkling around the corners. “Oh, Harlynn, how you amuse me.”

  “What? You think there’s never been a time when you’ve checked out a female and she felt uncomfortable yet pretended to be fine because she didn’t feel comfortable enough showing her vulnerability?” I cock a brow at him as I pop a few chunks of coffee cake into my mouth.

  A frown forms on his face. “I’ve never thought of it that way. It’s always been so natural for me to flirt. I guess it might come off as too much to those who aren’t my kind.”

  “Are all faeries as flirty as you?” I ask curiously as I peel the wrapper off a cupcake.

  He nods, wisps of his hair falling into his glittery eyes. “Worse even.”

  I crinkle my nose. “Well, hopefully I don’t cross paths with any more faeries.”

  “Considering we’re in Shimmerland, I wouldn’t hold your breath.” A crooked grin pulls at his lips. “And I highly doubt fey are the only creatures you have to worry about.”

  I pause mid-bite with frosting on my lips and my mouth glazed with sugary sweetness. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  His smile broadens as he ambles around the counter toward me. “It means you’re delectably delicious, just like that cupcake, and too tempting not to taste.” Then he dips his head and licks a glob of frosting off my lips.

  I remain momentarily frozen in shock. But as he moves away, licking his lips, I snap out of my daze and wipe my hand across my mouth, pretending to be deeply disgusted.

  “So gross,” I murmur, which only elicits a bigger smile from him.

  He snatches a piece of sausage off my plate and pops it into his mouth. “It’s cute how you pretend.”

  I smile wickedly at him. “And it’s cute how you—” My eyes widen as the floor begins to quake. “What the hell is that?”

  A crinkle forms between Easton’s brows as his gaze drops to the floor then zips to the hologram window. “Shit.” He rushes over to the farthest wall, lines his palm to the hologram, and whispers, “Show me the outside, but keep the blinds up.”

  The forest and lake currently on the screen morph into the flowery field, lofty trees, and shimmering, iridescent sky that make up the outside. Only, unlike when I was out there yesterday, a clusterfuck of paranormals dressed in black cargo pants and matching boots and shirts fill up the space around the vehicle. In the distance behind them, dogs the size of giants drool on the ground.

  “Holy crap, are those, like, super-sized werewolves?” I ask in horror.

  “Worse.” The fear in Easton’s tone causes my fear to soar. “Hellhounds.”

  My jaw drops. “Like the Devil’s dogs?”

  Shaking his head, he glances at me. “Any creature can own a hellhound. It’s just a pain in the ass to catch and train them. But if you manage, then you can pretty much start a war.”

  I swallow the bite of eggs I was chewing on. “Why are they outside your vehicle?”

  “I think because we broke a law.”

  I startle at the sound of Asher’s voice.

  I turn around, then instantly lean back at his nearness. “How did you get in here so quietly?”

  “It’s a secret.” He winks at me, but the playfulness doesn’t reach his eyes. Then he strides across the room and peers at the scene outside. A deep frown etches into his face. “We should’ve assumed that, once we figured out she was different, this would happen.”

  “But we were careful sneaking her out.” East frowns. “How did they find out?”

  “My bet is because of whatever she is, she registered on their radar,” Asher mutters. “We should’ve thought of this sooner.”

  “But she registers as a human to Arrow,” East reminds him. “Which means she shouldn’t register on their radar.”

  “You know as well as I do that their radars are far better than any magical creatures’ sensors,” Asher says with his gaze fixed on the outside.

  “Yeah, only because they slaughter paranormals to build their magical supply,” East practically spits out.

  He seems so irritated, so pissed off. Honestly, up until now, I thought he had only one level and that was super flirty and happy. Guess I was wrong.

  Doesn’t explain who the hell is outside, though.

  I snatch up a cupcake then slide off the stool and pad across the room to them. “So, who are the dudes in the combat uniforms that have you guys all worked up?”

  “The Worlds Patrol,” Asher tells me with reluctance. “They’re in charge of making sure paranormals don’t leave their worlds without the proper passes and paperwork.”

  “I know what the Worlds Patrol is.” I nibble on the cupcake, licking off a mouthful of frosting. “But, why are they here?”

  Asher and East exchange a wary look, then Asher’s smoky eyes settle on me. “They’re here for you.”

  Chapter 13

  A beat ticks by as I process what he said. The Worlds Patrol is here for me? No. I must have heard Asher wrong. The longer the silence ticks by, though, the more painfully aware I become that I heard him as clearly as I see the crazy iridescent sky ou
tside.

  “But I’m not a paranormal,” I gripe. “I thought they were only allowed to arrest paranormals.”

  “They are. But only because paranormals are usually the ones jumping around in worlds. Plus, we’re easier to track because we leave magical traces behind.” East crosses his arms and keeps his gaze trained on the outside. “I hate to break this to you, sweetheart; we may not know what you are, but you’re definitely not just a regular human. And I think the patrol may have caught on to that. How, though, I’m not sure.”

  “So, does that mean they can arrest me for leaving my world?” I put my hand on my hip, fuming mad. “Because the only reason I left to begin with is because you guys made me.”

  Asher’s gaze glides to mine. “You didn’t have to make the deal.”

  My fingers twitch with the urge to smack him, but I take a deep breath, refusing to allow him to get me riled up. “No, I did, or Jason would’ve died and I wouldn’t have been able to live with myself.” A shaky breath eases from my lips as I think about Jason. Man, I miss him. Part of me really wants to go back to my world, if for nothing else than to see him. “And maybe it’s better if the patrol takes me. It’ll get me out of this deal and away from the two of you.”

  “Two?” Asher arches a brow. “There’re three of us.”

  “Yeah, but I like Arrow,” I say with a smirk.

  Asher’s eyes swirl with smoke. “Did you hear that, East? Arrow is Harlynn’s favorite.”

  “I never said favorite,” I correct. “I said he’s the only one I like.”

  Asher looks at Easton, who grins slyly in return.

  Grinning like the devil himself, Asher returns his attention to me. “After we take care of this little problem, East and I are going to punish you for that.”

  “You can’t do that. We made a deal you wouldn’t harm me, remember?” My heart tremors in my chest.

  Genies can be tricky little buggers, twisting words around and casting bargains with underlying meanings. What if I messed up when we made the deal that none of them could harm me?

  “I said punish,” Asher clarifies with a dark smile that sends shivers across my flesh. He takes a step toward me. “Not harm.”

  I instinctively step back, only to bump into East’s chest.

  What the hell? When did he move behind me?

  I start to skitter to the side to get out from between them, but East folds his fingers around my upper arms, securing me in place.

  “What are you two doing?” I cringe at the breathiness of my voice. “Trying to scare me or something?”

  The tip of East’s wing tickles a path down my arm. “Quite the opposite actually.”

  I resist the urge to shudder, but faeries, oh faeries, do I want to. “If that’s the case, you’re going about it all wrong.”

  Asher reaches out, I think to tuck a strand of my hair behind my ear, but instead he drops his hand to my side. I flinch as his fingers brush against mine then wrap around my wrist.

  “What’re you …?” I trail off as he guides my hand holding the half-eaten cupcake up to his lips. When the treat reaches his mouth, he takes a slow bite.

  “Mmm … That is fucking good …” He licks frosting off his lips with his gaze melded to mine.

  Between all of Easton’s touching and the way Asher keeps licking his lips, I momentarily get lost and forget who I am, my past—I forget everything. Then my gaze travels to the hologram and I pull my head out of my ass.

  Stupid, sexy genie and faerie! They’re messing with my head.

  “Okay. I don’t even want to know what you guys are up to, but the Worlds Patrol is closing in on us, so we should probably take care of that problem.” I loathe the shakiness in my voice. “That is, unless you guys want to lose your thief.”

  With another skim of his tongue along his lips, Asher tears his gaze off me and fixes his smoky eyes on East. “What do you think? Plan A or Plan S?”

  “Plan A or Plan S?” I stare at them in confusion. “Okay, first of all, you guys never discussed a plan. And second, you skipped about twenty letters.”

  “We always have plans on hand. And the letters, they stand for something.” Asher’s gaze sweeps up and down my body, then he nibbles on his bottom lip. “I’m not sure Plan S will work, no matter how much I want to try it.”

  Don’t do it. Don’t ask.

  “What does the S stand for?” Why, oh why, can’t I keep my mouth shut?

  Asher sucks on his lip ring. “As much as I’d love to tell you, I don’t think you’re ready to hear the answer.”

  Warmth floods my skin as words that begin with S invade my thoughts. Sexy, sweltering, suck, scream, sex, sex, sex.

  Asher chuckles. “You’re ridiculously cute when you blush.”

  I narrow my eyes at him. “I’m not blushing. I’m pissed off.”

  “Liar,” he starts to tease, but then sighs, his gaze shifting to the hologram window again. “So, Plan A?”

  “Unfortunately, I think so,” Easton replies with his gaze on me. “She’s definitely not ready for Plan S yet.” He strokes my upper arm with his wing. “No matter how much I want her to be.”

  “You guys are so annoying,” I scoff, crossing my arms.

  “If you say so,” Easton whispers in my ear.

  Before my body can work up a shiver, Asher claps his hands. “Let’s get started then.” Wrapping his fingers around my wrist, he guides me toward him with what looks like a hint of jealousy in his eyes. “East, go get Arrow and fill him in.”

  East salutes Asher then whisks off toward the hallway, laughing to himself.

  What he thinks is so funny is beyond me.

  “Now, for your part in the plan …” Asher leaves the anticipation hanging as he tugs me toward the hallway.

  “Can you please tell me what I’m going to be doing,” I plead as I stumble after him, “so I can try to mentally prepare myself?”

  “You, little thief, are going to be doing what you do best,” he explains as he steers me into my temporary bedroom.

  “Which is what? Stealing? Smarting off? Being a pain in your ass?” I grin when he shoots me an unimpressed look. “What? I’m good at all those things.”

  “That might be true”—he leans toward me, smoke swirling in his eyes—“but as of right now, all I need you to do is sneak around.”

  “In the vehicle or outside? And where’s the end point?”

  “Outside. And the end point is …” Hesitancy crosses his features. “I need you to make it to the forest.”

  I slant away from him, blinking in shock. “The forest? But I thought you guys said I couldn’t go in there until we found out what I am?”

  “That’s the tricky part about this plan. You need to go far enough into the forest to wait for us, but under no circumstances are you to actually cross into the borders of faerie territory. The distance between the edge of the forest and the border into fey territory is very small. So small you won’t be able to squeeze in there.” He pulls me toward the hologram window that’s in my room, which is currently displaying a waterfall cascading into a river. “However, I know of a place on the far east side where there should be enough room for you to hang out for a bit. The problem is, you’re going to have to cross a river.”

  “I can do that. It doesn’t actually sound too bad. Although, I don’t get why you guys don’t just transport away from here.”

  “The patrol has our vehicle on lockdown right now. We could override it, but that would be part of Plan S, which we already agreed you aren’t ready for.” Wariness shines in his eyes. “And don’t be so relaxed about the river. It’s full of sirens.”

  Chills break out across my skin. “As in, those winged creatures that lure men to wreck their ships?”

  “That’s more of a myth than truth. The truth is way worse.” He presses a few buttons on the hologram and the waterfall scene fades into a massively wide, flowing river that weaves between the towering trees of the Shimmerland forest. Moving up behind me
, he reaches over my shoulder and traces his finger along a faint silver line on the hologram. “See that line right there?” he asks, and I nod. “Well, that lines marks where the faerie territory starts, which means, if you cross that line and another creature registers that you’re not human, you could be in some serious trouble, depending on what the creature is. It’s not nightfall yet, so you shouldn’t have to worry about the Banished, but that doesn’t mean the forest isn’t less dangerous—”

  The vehicle suddenly jerks harshly to the right, sending me slamming into the wall. Asher stumbles, too, his body pressing against mine, and my head ends up pinned between his arms.

  “Holy shit,” he breathes into my hair.

  “What the hell was that?” I whisper, moving to push back, but he doesn’t budge and my ass ends up grinding against his genie goodies.

  He groans into my hair, his hand lowering from the wall to my hip. “Gods, it’s been too long.” His fingers delve into my waist. “Way, way too long.”

  My heart thunders in my chest, and those crazy-ass butterflies in my stomach get stupidly excited again. I want to tell them to calm the hell down, but holy freakin’ what-the-shit-is-happening right now? Because I can’t seem to do anything other than pant. Loudly.

  “Are you okay?” Asher whispers, his grip on me tightening.

  I’m not even sure what he means. If I’m okay because I was thrown into a wall or because I’m breathing as loudly as an elf participating in a tap dancing competition.

  “Yeah,” I manage to croak out.

  “Harlynn,” he groans, sounding pained.

  I feel the same way. Pain. An aching deep inside me. A longing perhaps?

  I’m not sure.

  I’m not sure about anything anymore. Whether these … butterfly feelings are from the magic of the curse his father cast on us, or if the last eighteen years of not getting any has finally caught up with me.

  Get your hormones in check, Harlynn. Right now!

  “Asher.” It takes a lot of effort, but my voice comes out steady. “What the hell just shook the vehicle?”

  A drop of silence goes by, then …

  “Fuck.” He pushes away from me, and I turn around, my heart still a mess in my chest.