“Wow, this is…amazing.”
Bertha glowed, and Musso sagged, as if he’d just been given a stay of execution.
“That bad?” Bibbi whispered as Bertha went back to cooking.
“Don’t ever try it.”
Hawk walked into the room, and I forced my attention on Bibbi’s knitting so I had something else to focus on.
“You made a lot of progress since last night,” I said, pointing to her knitting.
She’d barely made any. Saying anything was better than sitting in silence while I pretended Hawk wasn’t in the room.
She held it up. “I mean… I guess?”
Hawk stopped beside the chair where my leg was propped up. He gave me a nod as he looked at it. It was the most interaction we’d had since our last fight.
“It’s fine,” I said, putting my foot solidly on the ground. But something about him hovering over my leg… There was something there. If it weren’t for that damned pea soup.
He took a step away from me.
“Did you…”
He looked back at me, waiting. “Did I what?” He lifted his brows, having no idea what I wanted and sounding like he didn’t want to know, either.
So much for being able to have a civil conversation.
“Nothing. Forget it.”
20
The weekly meeting, the one that typically put me to sleep or had me hiding in a corner, trying to avoid eye contact, was tonight.
I was wide awake and filled with dread. There’d surely be questions directed my way, and I didn’t have a lot of answers to shoot back, which seemed to be the norm. I’d run short on answers the majority of my life. Why should these people get special treatment?
I made my way downstairs, figuring I’d get there early and find a good corner to hide in. The noise of everyone talking made it obvious I was already late. Seemed everyone else had decided to get there early.
The smell of Gillian’s cocoa wafted through the packed back room as she walked around, topping off mugs and smiling as if she were hosting this affair.
She spotted me at the door and smiled, holding up her pot of cocoa in a silent offering. I raised my hand and declined with a smile. Never thought I’d miss Belinda’s outright dislike of me. At least it had all been laid on the table. Gillian was all fluff and good graces. She might’ve hated my guts or thought of me as a sister, and I wouldn’t know either way.
Hawk was sitting on the edge of the table. He watched me as he sipped cocoa—that was, until Gillian stepped in his line of view, to top off his drink.
Bibbi waved me over, and Zab moved, making a spot in between them. Beyond them was Musso, who was typically hanging near the front of the room, and Oscar, who was always lingering in the back of the room. Bertha was in front of us.
The hand-chosen seat made me feel like I was encased in bubble wrap. Was there a problem I was unaware of? We were all on the same side, I thought. That had been my impression until I’d gotten bodyguards all around, the Xest version of bulletproof glass.
I’d sat by Bibbi because I usually sat by Bibbi. I hadn’t sat here for security reasons. This was not the look I was going for. Everyone probably knew I’d taken a beating recently, and now it looked like I was afraid of my own shadow. I glanced around, but there weren’t any other free seats to be had. It appeared that I’d ride this meeting out in my bubble.
Hawk stood, glancing my way before he walked to the board. This look I was very familiar with. It was his guess you’re not stepping up again glare.
I looked to the board, indicating that was exactly what I was doing. There would be no debates, not even silent ones, because we still weren’t on speaking terms for the most part.
Hawk tilted his head toward the board with the lists of where everyone stood in this fight. “Any updates?”
There were a couple of murmurs but nothing else. Guess it had been a slow week for spying. Looking at the turnout this week, I’d expected a bit more.
Hawk called out a woman in the back of the room. “Charuesse, you said you were going to check in with Hendrick. You weren’t able to come up with anything?”
“I tried, but they weren’t talking,” Charuesse replied. “I’d keep them as neutral for now. Not sure how they feel, but they don’t seem to have the stomach for fighting unless they have to.”
“Any other updates?” Hawk asked, and then rattled off a few more names.
Seemed it was going to be the same story with most of them. People had either picked a side or decided not to pick at all. That was fine. If it wasn’t added to the head count of people wanting me dead, I could live with neutral, literally.
I noticed a motion in the corner and glanced over. It was one of Zab’s friends leaning against the wall, waving in my direction. His name was Ab and he’d seemed interested in maybe dating, like I had time for that in my life. I hadn’t seen him in what felt like ages.
Had he been at the meetings before? This place got so packed, and so much larger, on meeting nights that it was hard to notice everyone, especially as I tried not to notice anyone.
I gave him a nod.
“Ab,” Hawk called out.
Ab immediately looked to the front of the room.
“Do you have something you care to discuss?” Hawk asked. “Anything beneficial to bring to the table? I don’t believe you’ve contributed info at all yet, or am I wrong?”
Hawk could get as angry at me as he wanted, but it was hardly necessary to vent it on people who were nice to me. That was some serious grudge holding. We were all on the same team. Even I believed that, and I was in virtual bubble wrap tonight.
Ab’s cheeks grew rosy. “No, I haven’t been able to yet.”
I wasn’t sure if Hawk was going to continue to torture Ab, but the protector in me couldn’t let it continue.
“Does anyone else have anything to offer?” I asked, standing and looking around the room. “Seems most of us are hitting a dead end, huh?”
If Hawk got annoyed by my interruption, that was his problem. He was the one who’d kept telling me I should be more involved.
Beard raised his hand hesitantly. He and I went way back to an incident at Zark’s bar, a messed-up drink and a near burning. We were friendly these days, always giving each other a smile when passing even if I still didn’t remember his name. This would surely be friendly fire.
“Just say it. You don’t need to raise your hand,” Hawk said, when Beard seemed to be waiting for permission to speak.
Beard turned to me, and the rest of the room followed suit. “Is it true you glow the same color as Dread does?”
“Do you want me to handle him? You don’t need to answer this,” Bibbi said, standing up beside me, pushing up her sleeves as she did. She shifted closer. If she moved in any tighter, she was going to knock me over. Or would’ve if I didn’t have Zab blocking me on the other side.
“I got this. He doesn’t mean any harm. We’re cool with each other,” I said softly.
I cleared my throat, focusing my attention back on Beard. I had the undivided attention of everyone in the room.
“I do glow the same colors, but I don’t know why,” I said loud and clear, so that not for a second would anyone assume there was anything to be ashamed of. I was so loud that people in the alley behind the building might’ve heard me.
A unified “ooh” spread across the room. They all looked on as if I were some strange alien in front of them. But not one person looked horrified. Were they too stupid to make the possible connections? No, probably not. After all, the connections were really obvious, and these people weren’t stupid for the most part.
They all kept staring as if expecting me to say something else.
“I wish I could say more, but I truly don’t know anything else. I’m fairly new to this whole magic business in the first place.”
There were a few nods, and a couple of people whispered.
I sat down, and my two guards took their seats as well.
Another p
erson raised their hand, looking at Hawk briefly before turning back to me. I looked at Hawk as well, hoping he’d try to take the reins back.
He locked eyes with me and then settled himself on the edge of the table. Figured he wasn’t bailing me out now. He probably loved that I was being forced to accidentally take the lead with this meeting. So much for helping Ab. Next time, instead of trying to help him out, I’d give him a glare. Didn’t change the fact that the room was quiet as they waited for me.
“Yes?” I asked the newest questioner.
“Do you think that’s why it doesn’t like you? Because you have the same magic? Maybe there’s some sort of competition or jealousy?”
It was a very good question, and one I’d mulled over myself. “It could be, but I’m not sure if throwing off the same colors does mean it’s the same magic, let alone if that’s the reason. I really don’t know much about this at all.”
“Is that why you were able to make that wall it couldn’t get through?” a woman in the back asked.
“It’s possible, I guess? It would make sense.” I’d barely finished answering one question before another was asked.
The questions came at me for a steady fifteen minutes before they slowed down.
We’d hit the end of anything important when a woman with cotton-candy-pink hair asked, “Do you think you could help out guarding my daughter’s birthday party next week?”
“Do you think you could use it against it, like the way you made the wall?” a person in the corner asked.
Hawk stood. “Tippi already has a job and her hands full with other matters. She’s not available for private parties or personal protection details. If the only thing left is curiosity or appearance requests, this meeting is over. We have other work to do.”
Some people looked downward, but I could see the irritated expressions enough to make it clear that Hawk had ruined their party plans.
“That went pretty well,” Bibbi said, nodding as she watched people file out.
“Definitely went better than I thought it would,” Zab said.
“Yeah, me too,” I added, feeling tired already when I knew I had a full night ahead of me.
Bibbi’s scowl deepened. “Why do you look like that when things went pretty well?”
“Xazier sent notice for a meeting tonight,” I deadpanned.
She grimaced and shook her head. “Oh.”
“Yep.”
21
“You look nice, if a little less inviting than in your first meeting outfit.” Bibbi stood in my door as I finished getting ready.
“I’m not sure he wants to get in my pants as much as he wants to dig around in my head.” I tugged my hair back into a ponytail, not caring how it emphasized my unique brand of highlights.
“Oh, that doesn’t sound nice at all.” She crossed her arms, as if getting ready to fend off an attack not aimed at her.
“It’s a bit tiring.”
“Don’t let him have free rein in there.” She twirled her finger toward my head.
“Definitely not trying to, that’s for sure.” I grabbed the jacket lying on the bed and threw it on, hearing an annoyed chirp. “If you insist on being invisible, how am I supposed to know where you are?” I asked Dusty before turning my attention back to Bibbi. “Anyone downstairs?”
Why I felt like I was sneaking out past curfew every time I met Xazier was beyond me. But I did.
“No,” she said. “I haven’t seen Hawk since the meeting, and everyone else went up early.”
It was strange how that seemed to happen on Xazier nights, as if no one could quite stomach my interaction with him. It made what was to come somehow lonelier, even if that was the most absurd thought. I didn’t want to make a big thing of it, and yet the loneliness was killing me. What did it matter if most of them didn’t want to be there for my departure?
I threw on my jacket as Bibbi moved out of the doorway.
“Good luck, and keep your mind closed,” she said.
“I will.” I hoped.
I walked down the stairs, not caring if they creaked. The office was dark but the smell of cocoa still lingered, as if I needed salt in the wound. Would Gillian have stepped up and offered herself to buy Xest time? I doubted it. It was surprising she hadn’t asked for a chariot to bring her back and forth across the street yet.
Helen’s gears ground.
I looked back at her. “Thanks. I’ll need it.”
A wet nose wiggled its way in between my boot and pants. I reached down, giving Dusty’s head a pat. I hadn’t realized it had followed me down. “I’ll be back soon.”
I walked from the office. No one stopped me on my way to the square or fell into step with me. Xazier was right: I was a schmuck. I’d done this for Hawk and them, and they hadn’t wanted me to.
No, that wasn’t entirely true. I hadn’t done it just for them. I’d done it for me, for Xest, this magical place that had made me finally come alive. I’d done it because it was the right thing to do. I didn’t want to die knowing I hadn’t stepped up, left it all on the field, when it counted. If everyone else thought my actions had been a mistake, or couldn’t come to terms with it, I’d accept that because my motives had been pure.
Xazier was waiting for me, smiling. He glanced at my outfit. “That won’t do for where we’re going, but I’ll take care of it.” He held out his arm and we were in a nightclub. I didn’t know where, but it felt distinctly European.
The place was so dark and crowded that our appearance out of thin air was barely glanced at.
My outfit was replaced by a velvet dress with one shoulder bare and a hem that nearly grazed my hip before descending on the other side to barely respectable. And again, the most useless little straps of leather held spikes onto my feet, as if he were hoping I’d fall and die on the next set of steps we encountered.
He motioned us toward a roped-off corner where a booth awaited us. A bottle of iced bubbly was on the table in front of it.
He poured me a glass of champagne, not bothering to ask if I wanted one. I took it, knowing I couldn’t let myself have more than a sip or two. At least here, it would be hard to talk with the music blaring so loudly.
He leaned back in the booth beside me, and suddenly our small little area quieted. Everyone else kept on dancing as if we were alone in our quiet spot.
“I heard there was an incident, but you seem well. I’m glad.” He smiled, his human facade looking perfect.
“It wasn’t much of anything.” I would’ve loved to know who his sources in Xest were, not that there’d be a short supply when half the place wanted me dead.
“You know I could help you if you let me. I wouldn’t take over Xest. We could form a partnership of sorts, but a partner who wouldn’t try to control you and then abandon you.” He leaned in closer, laying his arm along the back of the booth behind my shoulders. “I can be very loyal to people who are worthy, and you, my dear, are most certainly worthy. I would treat you the way you deserve, unlike some others.”
“Something to think about.” I tipped my glass in his direction before taking another sip of champagne. I wouldn’t lose any sleep thinking over his offer. I’d spend more effort in counting my sips, knowing I couldn’t have too many.
“Have you made any progress? Word is you haven’t. I’m hearing you don’t even have a plan. Making a deal with me would be a way to save Xest. You want that, don’t you?”
“We’ll figure something out.” Did he have someone on the inside, or was it blatantly obvious to everyone in Xest that we were a lost cause?
“This deal won’t be on the table forever. There’ll be a price to pay for making me wait until the end. Would it really be that bad to work with me? Forget all that nonsense you’ve heard in Rest about hell and roasting bodies. Truth is we’re simply another plane of existence, no different than Xest.”
“As I said, I’ll need some time to consider it.”
“Some, yes.” He sipped his champagne. “So how did thi
s attack the other day happen? I heard it was fairly vicious.”
“It wasn’t that bad.” He’d probably salivate if he heard the details, and tonight was bad enough already.
“No one was there to help you? Curious, because I’ve heard Hawk is personally guarding some witch named…” He shook his head. “I can’t remember the name. All I heard is she makes candy or some other frivolous thing. Some bit of fluff, from what they say, but I guess she must be important to warrant his attention.”
Had to hand it to Xazier. He was a master at pushing my buttons and obliterating self-esteem. I took another few sips then let him refill my glass. I wasn’t going to make it through this night without liquid help.
The office was dark when I got back, but this time it wasn’t empty. Hawk was waiting, standing in the door of the back room. Whatever the situation was with Gillian, he still cared enough to see if I made it back alive. No matter my mixed feelings, I was relieved to not be alone for a few moments. Meetings with Xazier left a chill in my blood that was hard to shed.
I let the jacket slide off my shoulder and then hung it, fully aware of how my new outfit clung to me. Had to give Xazier credit. He definitely knew how to bring out the best of my features. I certainly didn’t look like the tomboy I’d always been. After our meetings, I came back looking like my much more sophisticated twin sister who oozed sex appeal and confidence.
Hawk took in every inch, making no attempt to hide the perusal. “Nice outfit.”
His tone didn’t have anything nice or civil about it. It was nearly primal. If I was exuding sex, he was meeting it with pure testosterone.
He straightened from where he was leaning and walked closer, his nostrils flaring as he took in my scent. I might rival him with magic, perhaps beat him out in certain areas, but he had senses I’d never match.
“You shouldn’t let him touch you. You don’t know what he’s capable of.”
“I don’t think he meant to,” I said, remembering the way Xazier’s arm lay across the top of the booth behind me. How many times had his hand grazed my shoulder while he talked?
The Most Wanted Witch: Tales of Xest Page 12
