by Ann Denton
Flood falls to the ground. His hieroglyphics are gone. The hand that was teleporting is gone. He clutches at that arm and screams.
I feel dizzy. Light-headed. I meet my mom’s eyes for a second. I say, “He’s human. He can’t do anything else. Call Bennett.”
Then I’m pretty sure I fall face first onto the concrete and pass out.
Chapter 21
Bennett reams me for disobeying orders, of course. I get a month of bathroom duty. Which, all in all, could be worse.
I find out from Flowers that Melanie never told him about my family’s stupid hero plan. She sputtered something about the selkie, sending him off on a snipe hunt. He’s pretty ticked about that, of course. He yells at me to tell him information directly next time. I tell him I should have suspected Melanie from the get-go, because no real woman could be attracted to him. Ohhh! Burn!
Seena laughs out loud when I say that, so he’s sent to do pull ups.
When I approach Becca, she turns her back on me.
“Hey, wait.”
“That was my suspect.”
“I get that. But he took my family. And honestly, I thought it was the janitor until the last second.”
She rolls her eyes. “You still solved the case.”
“I still almost got killed by the Crypts for that costume you sent me in.”
She bites her lip. “Okay fine.” She kicks the ground, aw-shucks style. “I forgive you.”
“Good.”
Bennett leans around the corner, and I fully expect him to add to my sentence. Instead, he says, “We’ve been called into the mayor’s office.”
I expect the mayor’s office to be a lot grander, to be honest. After seeing Giancarlo’s City Council office draped in velvet, I imagine Honeycutt’s decorated in with expensive china. Or maybe I just like the irony of that. China all over the minotaur’s office. Him tip-toeing around …
In any case, his office is totally normal. Other than the oversized chair, which is a total necessity because he’s like six foot five, it looks like any crap office in our building. His desk isn’t even real wood. It’s veneer. He stands behind that veneer desk and extends his hand.
He shakes Bennett’s hand first.
“Commander, I appreciate all the work you and your team did on this. I know you walked into a mess here from day one. You’ve really stepped up to the challenge. I appreciate it. Your next check will reflect that appreciation.”
Bennett gives a stiff nod, but I can see his cheeks blush. He’s proud.
He should be. He’s actually really good at his job. I can’t think of anyone else who could have calmed down angry trolls who’d been interrupted mid-orgy when he and the team had to rescue Jackson and the other fae from their pumpkin patch.
Honeycutt turns to my mother and gives a snort. I can’t tell if it’s a snort of approval or disdain. We’ll go with the latter, because that’s what I want it to be.
“Ms. Sky,” he clasps my mother’s hand. “I can’t thank you enough. Tres Lunas is incredibly grateful for your heroism.”
“Mr. Mayor, I’m just glad I was available to help. My daughter, Rain, as well. She’s at the hospital with her boyfriend right now. He’s still recovering.”
“Well, if there’s anything I can do—” Honeycutt starts.
“I think a press conference will suffice. Showcase the positive relationship between those of us beyond The Veil and the Tres Lunas’ government. A key to the city might be excessive, but maybe some kind of plaque would set the right tone?”
I close my eyes rather than roll them in front of the mayor. Of course, she would.
Honeycutt’s voice is choked. “I’ll see what I can do.”
“Wonderful! I’ll await your call.”
Honeycutt turns to me.
I mouth, “Sorry.”
The consummate politician, he just smiles. “Ms. Fox. I hear your quick thinking helped rescue quite a few fae.”
I shrug. “I got lucky, sir.”
“You seem to have a lot of luck. I recall you were involved with the City Council Killer case as well,” he glances to Bennett for confirmation.
Bennett nods.
I shrug again. I mean, what am I gonna say to that? I am happy to see my mother glance sharply at me. That’s right. I’m not as useless as you thought, Mom. Some people appreciate me.
I take a deep breath before I go off the deep end into the pool of resentment. I smile again at the mayor.
Honeycutt looks at me as if he understands. “Unfortunately, Ms. Fox, since you are still a recruit, I can’t approve a raise for you.”
“That’s alright, sir. I don’t need anything,” I wave my hand. But as I do, my purse slips down my shoulder. It gapes open. The scroll Petey gave me is sitting inside, just visible.
I glance back up at the mayor. “Actually, Mayor Honeycutt, if you don’t mind … would you sign this for me?”
I pull out the emancipation scroll.
My mother’s jaw drops. “Lyon!”
Her face spells fury and outrage and embarrassment all at once.
My hand trembles. She can’t hit me with guilt. But apparently a self-doubt spell is almost as gutting. I fight the urge to run away and push the scroll forward.
The mayor unrolls the scroll and his eyebrows rise. He glances at me. “This is what you’d like?”
I nod. “Just your signature, sir. I’ll take care of the rest.”
He looks between my mother and me. I’m sure the battle of wills and magic taking place is palpable. I’m sweating with the effort of resisting my mother’s spell.
“Well, if this is what you’d like … I think it only a fair exchange for the fae you freed,” he grabs a pen off his desk and scribbles his signature along the approval line.
When he hands the scroll back, my mother deflates. The self-doubt spell dissipates.
I tuck the scroll into my purse.
I exchange a smile and a nod with Mayor Honeycutt and Bennett, before I walk out the door.
It takes everything inside me not to jump up and click my frickin’ heels.
I’m crossing the street just outside the mayor’s office when my mother flies up behind me.
“I’ve never been so humiliated!” she grabs my shoulder roughly. “You’ve always been a little devil. But that! I didn’t think you were evil enough to do that.”
“It’s evil to want freedom?”
“You asked the mayor, Lyon!” I don’t think she even heard me. “My own daughter asked the mayor to be free of me.”
“Maybe if you didn’t slap a guilt spell on me every four seconds—”
“Maybe if you would just cooperate once!”
“Me? I do cooperate. I go to your stupid dinners. Celebrate holidays at your command.”
She bristles and shakes her head. “You always were your father’s daughter.”
“And proud of it.”
“He was a lying snake!”
I see red. You do not insult my dead father. The man who raised me. The man who loved me despite my lack of powers. I have no clue what he lied to her about. But it doesn’t even matter. “I call bull shot! But I’ll take lying snake over snoot-faced, power-obsessed she-monster any day!”
My mother freezes. Our eyes lock and grapple with one another. If we were trolls, I would have punched her to a bloody pulp by now.
“Your sister and I are leaving.”
“Good.”
She shakes her head. “And here I thought this year might be different. Thought you might finally stop being such a disappointment.” With a strong flap of her wings, she’s fifteen feet in the air.
I shout up at her, “Why? If I stopped being a disappointment, you’d have to find someone else to hate! I wouldn’t wish that on anyone!”
She disappears into the clouds, a blur of golden wings and glitter.
Good riddance.
I stare at the sky.
Fuck moms.
Chapter 22
Offici
al business resolved, now, I need to resolve some personal matters.
I rush over to the warehouse district. To the one clean office on the block.
The door to Luke's building is locked. After I bang on the door for two minutes straight, a hag opens it.
"Is Mr. Hawkins here?"
"No. He took a personal night."
"Do you have any idea where he might be? I really need to see him. It's an emergency."
"I don't. Sorry," Not sorry, her face screams. She's staring at me like I'm a weirdo. Which I guess I am.
I deflate a little. But then inspiration strikes. Without another word, I spin on my heel and run down the street.
I should probably call a Broomer so I don't get all sweaty, but stupid Flowers and his exercise routines have made running actually feel good. I'm anxious. I need to burn the energy.
So, I run. Four blocks north. Two blocks east. Until the scent of strawberry jam fills the air.
I pause to catch my breath outside of Wendel's.
I tie my hair in a topknot. I wipe my face and hold my purse a little tighter. And then I march inside, ready to beg a baker.
As usual, Cherry's in her element. I find her in the kitchen up to her elbows in bread dough. I see jam bubbling in the pot nearby. Her staff discreetly move aside as I approach.
The unicorn shifter looks happy to see me. "Lyon! Could you move my bangs for me?"
I push her rainbow-colored bangs out of her eyes.
"Thanks. That was driving me nuts. Note to self: bakers should not have bangs. Last time I let my hairstylist talk me into anything."
I don’t want to cut her off, but I shift my weight. I don’t have the patience for small talk right now. "Hey, I was wondering if you could help me out. I'm trying to find Luke. He's not at his office."
"He didn't answer when you called?"
"We're not exactly speaking. I need to apologize. I messed up."
Cherry raises her eyebrows, "Is this about the cookies?"
I sigh. "Yup."
Cherry smiles. “I’m glad you’re gonna go see him.”
I perk up. “You know where he is?”
She bites her lip. “Lean in.”
I do.
“When he has to escape his mom and stuff, there’s this human beach he likes to go to.”
My eyes widen.
“It’s in a little town. Called—”
“Ventura?”
“Yup.”
He took me to his beach. My heart swells. The desire to find him becomes a need. Pulsing. Strong. Hot.
I order a Broomer and give Cherry a side hug.
“Cherry, you are the bomb!” I hip bump her.
She laughs.
“Go fix our boy’s heart.”
“Yes, ma’am. Doctor Love is on the case.”
“I’m telling him you called yourself that.”
“Good!” I wave over my head as I walk out.
I might have been playful with Cherry but I’m sweating buckets by the time the witch drops me at the pier.
The wind slaps my face. It’s strong tonight. Fall is here in full force.
I have to clench my fists to keep them from shaking. And it’s not from the wind. It’s from fear.
He has to forgive me, right?
Please, please let him forgive me.
I spot his silhouette sitting on the sand. He’s alone. Staring out at the waves. The wind whips back his hair.
Shit.
My knees tremble. Part of me doesn’t want to walk forward. Because … what if he says no?
I force my feet to move. I run. Get it over with.
Luke glances over as I get close. He stands and backs up, creating distance between us.
“Luke, wait! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” I shout. Even though it’s human territory and I should be keeping it low key. Even though he could probably hear me just fine without it.
I can’t let him run away without hearing it. He has to hear that I’m sorry.
I’m so keyed up. My heart’s zinging around my chest like a pinball.
He stops moving, but his hands are clenched.
I barrel forward, trying to get it all out. If he runs, I won’t be fast enough to chase him. “I’m an idiot. Okay? This communication thing? I kinda suck at it. I should have called you the second I saw the cookies change. I’m sorry.”
I stop two feet in front of him.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper.
At least he doesn’t back up.
“How could you think I’d do something like that?” His look— a thousand boulders would hurt less than the crushed look he’s giving me.
“I don’t really believe you could. Okay? I was drunk. Danny got poisoned the second I woke up. Literally.”
“Why didn’t you call me then?”
“Then they opened a case. And I should have talked to you. But I hid. Because I was scared. And confused. And I listened to people I shouldn’t have. I saw you with Cookie and just—you did nothing wrong. And I did everything wrong. And I’m sorry.” Shit. Now I’m starting to cry. Fuck.
“You know she sent them?”
“Yes.”
“You know why?”
“Yes.”
“Then why are you here?”
“You deserve an apology. You aren’t responsible for your sire. Or her load of craziness.”
He shakes his head. “But I can’t escape her. Not completely.”
“What if you could?” I open my purse. I clutch the scroll inside tightly before bringing it out. The wind snaps at my hand.
Luke just stares at me when I hand it to him.
“Open it.”
He unrolls it and his eyes widen. But then his brow furrows. “An emancipation certificate. But … you can’t even apply for this until—”
“Look at the bottom. Signed by the mayor. Special exception.”
He unfurls the scroll more. I grab an edge to keep the wind from wrenching it away.
Luke turns a disbelieving face to me. “How did you even get this?”
I shrug, pretend to dust my shoulder off. Lighten the mood. “You know, saved the world.”
He busts out a laugh.
I toss my hands on my hips, “Hey, I could totally save the world.”
“I’m sure you could.”
“Look. You don’t have to use this. She’s your sire. But, I thought you might feel better just having it. Knowing that you have the power to … if you want, one day, leave.”
Luke rolls the scroll back up tightly. He clenches it in his fist. “Why would you think I’d want that?”
“Because we’re both just trying to escape an overbearing mother.”
“And you gave this to me, when you could have kept it?”
I bite my lip. “Well, I thought it would be more appropriate than apologizing with a box of cookies.”
“Goddammit, Lyon!” he laughs against his will.
“What?”
“Can you just be serious?” he scolds but smiles at the same time.
The wind pricks my eyes. I’m totally not about to be a vulnerable crying girl again. No way. “Luke, when I realized what had happened, I thought about how you must have felt. Your whole life, being judged because your mother was something. So, you were expected to be the same thing. I know what that’s like. I’ve lived it. And I will never forgive myself for doing that to you.”
Luke nods and looks down at the sand. He tucks the scroll into his pocket.
I brush away a tear and take a step back. “Well, um, that’s all, I—”
The next thing I know I’m in Luke’s arms. My body runs the length of his, my toes just scraping the top of the sand.
“Lyon Fox, were you really about to leave?” his eyes blaze.
“Um … no?”
“You are not finished apologizing.”
“I’m not?”
His eyes glitter and his look is hungry. “Definitely not.”
My heart starts to pound. “You wan
t more?”
“Yes.”
I lean closer. “I’m sorry.”
“Keep going.”
My lips brush his collarbone. “I’m sorry.”
He groans. “More.”
I trail kisses over his neck and then blow on them. “I’m sorry,” I whisper in his ear.
“More.”
I grab the sides of his face. “Luke, I’m so, so sorry.” And then I plant my lips on his.
And it’s pure fucking lightning.
Chapter 23
When I get home, JR is sitting on top of the steps leading to my place.
“Hey,” she stands.
“Hey,” I pause, unsure what to do.
She turns and grabs a white box that was on the porch behind her. She holds it out to me.
“What’s that?”
“Peace offering,” she gives a half grin. “Danny kicked me out of his hospital room. He couldn’t stand to see me sulking anymore.”
I start up the stairs. “You know I’m sorry—”
“I’m sorry,” she says at the exact same time.
We share an awkward laugh.
I unlock my door. “You could’ve used your key.”
She shrugs. “Didn’t feel right. You might have wanted to yell at me.”
“Or were you worried my family was still here?” I grin.
“Busted!” she laughs and a weight lifts in my chest.
I didn’t even realize my heart was still hurting. But JR is … JR. She’s so integral to my life. And having things back to normal. It feels so good.
I grab an afghan and we settle in on opposite sides of my couch, facing each other. We share the blanket and may or may not devolve into a brief footsie fight. (Which I totally win.)
Once we’re settled, she grabs the box off the coffee table and sets it on her lap.
I look at it and clap my hands. “So, what did you bring me?”
She opens the lid but hides the contents. “You know the saying, ‘When you fall off a horse … ‘” She flips around the box. It’s from Wendel’s. It’s filled with an assortment of cookies.
