With Crispin now watching me expectantly, I dug into my breakfast, thinking about Crispin’s strange mood, the events of last night, and too many other things to count. And here I’d thought my life was complicated just running errands and looking for my mom. I’d really had no damn idea what complicated meant.

  Isadora’s shop looked somehow different in the relatively early hours of morning. Maybe it was because the glowing purple potion bottle wasn’t on yet, or maybe it was because the thick curtains had been pushed aside to let in some light, giving me a glimpse of Isadora behind the front counter. Today she had a trucker hat tugged over her red pixie cut. That, paired with a checkered flannel so oversized that she was nearly drowning in it, made her look like a street kid up to no good rather than an experienced alchemist.

  Glancing behind us as if someone might be watching, Sebastian gestured for me to walk in ahead of him. He was being cautious, and I couldn’t blame him. While he hadn’t caught wind of who our watchers might have been in the Bogs, someone had seen us. And now there was this female angelic to worry about. It was only a matter of time before certain information found its way to Elizabeta.

  The door jingled as we entered, and Isadora smiled up at me. “Ah, the more agreeable half of the duo. Glad to see you’re still alive.”

  I walked up to the counter. “It’s only been a few days since I was here. Did you really think I’d get bumped off so quickly?”

  Her lifted brow was the only answer I needed. She’d only heard maybe half the rumors about the bounty, but it was enough for her to see to the heart of the matter. My half-celestial ass was on borrowed time.

  The room darkened with the hiss of moving curtains. We both watched as Sebastian walked to the next set, tugging them closed to block out any view of the street. I turned back to Isadora to catch her I told you so look.

  I jumped at the sound of the door locking, then Sebastian appeared abruptly at my side. “I have brought your payment. Be quick about it.”

  Unperturbed by his tone, Isadora’s eyes danced with mischief as she looked at me. “He really doesn’t ever get more pleasant, does he?”

  While I had recently experienced just how pleasant he could be, I wasn’t about to explain it to her.

  “Ri-ight,” she said when Sebastian only glowered. “Come on back, fill up a few jars, and I’ll hand over the new batch of potions.”

  Glancing at Sebastian, I walked around the counter, then followed Isadora back to her workroom. Normally it was fairly tidy with rows of jars and bottles, some glowing or glittery, others empty or with just a clear gel waiting to be infused with magic. Now, the workroom was a total mess. Broken glass had been swept up into one far corner in a puddle of glittering ooze. More liquids of various colors and viscosity had been hastily wiped up with what looked like old teeshirts cut into rags. The floorboards not far from where I stood were scorched black, and a peculiar sulfuric smell permeated the space.

  I did a slow spin, noticing a broken shelf that had been propped up with a broom. The filled jars on the shelf had slid precariously close to the edge. No wonder she hadn’t finished sweeping up the glass. “What the hells happened?”

  Isadora had gone to her work table and looked back at me, shaking her head. “Goblin punks. They came in here making demands and when I told them to get lost, they charged into my workroom.” She turned around fully with a jar of clear jelly in each hand. “They got what was coming to them, but unfortunately my security measures did a bit too much damage.” She shrugged. “It can be hard to get the explosions just right. Air pressure and temperature make a big difference.”

  Now the scorch marks made sense. “Did the goblins make it out alive?”

  “Unfortunately. One got hit with the hallucinogenic fumes and ran out of here screaming. The other limped out bleeding. I decided it wasn’t worth going after them, and they won’t get as far as my front doorstep if they come back.”

  “Remind me to never mess with you.” My eyes drifted to Sebastian where he stood in the doorway. It was probably a complete coincidence that goblins had tried to rob the same alchemist we’d visited on multiple occasions, but it was still worth noting. Especially since our watchers had at least enough goblin blood to be welcome in the Bogs.

  Isadora held out the jars expectantly. “Infuse these both with your magic, and we’ll be even for the last batch.” She looked at Sebastian. “And I want one more of yours for today’s order.”

  I was dying to know what was in today’s order, but I’d ask Sebastian later. Even though we’d used the concoctions under dire circumstances, I could admit… they were pretty fun.

  The payment, however—

  I took the jars in hand, unsure of my ability to fill them. Last time, Sebastian had roused my magic, clamping my hand over the open jar before I had even realized what was happening. At least that meant maybe it didn’t require much concentration or knowhow. Maybe it would be just as simple as summoning some magic and letting the gel in the open jar do the rest.

  Isadora crossed her arms and leaned her butt against her worktable, a small, knowing smile playing at her lips.

  I glared. “A little privacy, please?”

  Her shoulders slumping with disappointment, she pushed off the worktable. “Fi-ine. I need to set some new traps out front anyways.” She walked toward the door, then turned in the entryway. “But I’m doing so grudgingly.” With one last look at each of us, she walked out into the front of the shop, leaving the door open behind her.

  I looked down at the jars in my hands. It would probably be better to do one at a time, just in case I managed one but didn’t have enough juice for a second. One complete jar was better than two half-assed ones, wasn’t it?

  I set one jar on the ground at my feet, avoiding any of the spills. Now that I knew one of the goblins had been injured, I recognized one big puddle as blood. If he’d sustained enough injuries, it might make him easier to identify…

  I realized Sebastian had moved closer, and I had to swallow the lump in my throat. His fingers skimmed my hand as he gripped the jar lid, then unscrewed it. “We don’t have long before we need to meet Penelope.”

  He was right, so why was I just staring at him like every rational thought had left my brain? “Right. Yep.” I tore my gaze from him to look down into the jar. “Now how does this go again?” I muttered under my breath.

  “Free hand over the opening.” Either Sebastian hadn’t realized the question was rhetorical, or he didn’t care and just wanted me to hurry up.

  Either way, I sealed my hand over the jar opening, closed my eyes, and tried to summon my magic.

  As expected, nothing happened. I swallowed an even bigger lump in my throat. I wasn’t good at being put on the spot, and to add to it being alone with Sebastian again was distracting. Dammit, I was nervous.

  Sebastian stepped closer, his long fingers skimming my neck. Suddenly I could sense his impatience, but underneath that was something else. Something warm, like a cozy crackling fire.

  His fingers slipped away. “Stop doing that.”

  I opened my eyes. “Hey man, I’m not the one leaking my emotions all over the place, and I’m certainly not picking up on them intentionally.” I wasn’t even sure it was actually happening until I saw the look in his eyes. That look confirmed exactly what I had felt last night.

  “Has it happened with anyone else?” he asked, his tone bland.

  “Gabriel a few times, mostly when he’s angry.”

  Sebastian frowned. “I cannot help you rouse your magic if you keep doing it.”

  Okay, I was maybe he didn’t realize it had happened last night too. “It’s not intentional!” I stepped back, clutching the jar.

  “It would not happen if you managed to learn any amount of control over your magic.”

  “As the guy who needs my magic, you might want to choose your words more wisely.”

  He leaned forward, putting us eye to eye. “Or what?”

  “Or I’ll take you to a far realm and leave your ass there for eternity.” I had narrowed my eyes so far, I almost didn’t notice the purple glow in my hands. I lifted the jar, observing the glittery, glowing contents. “Huh.”

  Sebastian lifted the next jar, handing it to me as he took the filled one and screwed on the lid.

  “You did that on purpose,” I accused.

  “I told you, we’re short on time.”

  “Man, you two have drama.”

  I turned to see Isadora standing in the doorway. Clutching the next jar, it wasn’t difficult to summon more anger, and it was filled in no time. At least now we could get on with our day.

  NINE

  Gabriel was waiting on the street when we emerged. I had the rolled potion pouch under one arm, and had just been tapping buttons on my watch to call him. Judging by the little blue goblin riding his shoulder, he’d gone by the apartment and Crispin told him where we were.

  “We really don’t have much time,” Sebastian muttered, eyeing the waiting goblins. He’d filled his magic jar in the blink of an eye, turning the gel so black it was like looking straight into the abyss.

  “Then don’t pick a fight,” I hissed, leaving him behind to approach Gabriel. I forced a smile, though I was wary of what might come next.

  Gabriel smiled back, but his eyes were troubled, and I didn’t think it was annoyance that I’d left the apartment with just Sebastian.

  I stopped in front of Gabriel. While I had just stated that I mostly only felt his anger, now I was feeling something else. Fear. “What happened?”

  His smile wilted as his eyes drifted toward Sebastian. “We’ll talk about it later.”

  My heart skipped a beat. “Does it have to do with… you know what?” There was no good way to hint at the gray meadow, but he knew what I’d mean.

  “More of it appeared,” he said vaguely. “Just as I was leaving.”

  Seeing Ringo all puffed up and trembling, I lifted a hand for him to crawl from Gabriel’s shoulder to mine. “Then you shouldn’t be here. We have the meeting with Penelope under control.”

  “I know.” Despite his agreement, his jaw ticked. “Mistral sent me to fetch Crispin. He’s gathering a few supplies, then we’ll return to the Bogs.”

  Oh gods, if Mistral was willing to let Crispin in on things, it must really be bad. Still though, part of me was glad he’d thought of the elven wizard. If anyone could figure out a magical mystery, it was him. “I’m glad you’ll all be together. Just be safe.”

  My shoulders tensed as Sebastian stepped closer to join us, but all he said was, “The nymphs agreed to lend us a corner of their park for the meeting with Penelope. We’ll be in no danger.”

  My brows shot up at his comforting words, which were even more surprising than the news about the nymphs. “Do you have fun withholding information, or do you just forget to tell me these things?”

  His bland look said that it could be either, or both.

  Shaking my head, I turned back to Gabriel, standing on my toes to kiss his cheek. “Be safe. I’ll come as soon as I can.”

  Nodding, he met my eyes for a long moment, glanced at Sebastian, then turned away.

  We watched him go before I said, “Something tells me you weren’t trying to comfort him out of the goodness of your heart.”

  “We really are short on time, Eva. How many times must I tell you that?” He tugged on my satchel to get me walking toward the main street where we could hail a cab, and I found myself actually looking forward to the meeting, despite the more pressing worry of the Bogs.

  Not only had I not been back to the park since the nymphs took full control, but neither had Penelope. The last they’d seen of her, she’d been trying to steal their magic. If they wanted to take a few jabs at her while she was there, I sure as hell wouldn’t be the one to stop them.

  “Will there be cookies?” Ringo chittered in my ear, reminding me of his presence.

  “Seraphina doesn’t live at the park,” I laughed. But knowing her and how much she cared for her sister, I added, “but maybe there will still be cookies.” A girl could dream, couldn’t she?

  There were no cookies. In fact, the nymphs had cleared out from view entirely. I concentrated for a moment to shift across the boundary bordering the open gates to the park, then observed the nearest trees. Nymphs could easily hide in trees, ponds, whatever, making themselves one with nature in the blink of an eye. And now that they had taken over the park after losing their pocket realm, they would be more bonded with the plants and trees than ever.

  I resisted the urge to pat my jeans pocket, knowing that Penelope might already be watching, though hopefully Sebastian would sense her. He’d gotten me a similar potion to last time—one that could boost my magic no matter the environment or my proximity to the guys. Upon discovering this, I’d asked if he was worried about Penelope kidnapping me. He’d assured me that it was simply a useful potion to have, and it would keep for months so I could use it at any time. The explosive concoctions he would keep for himself, because he didn’t trust me to not blow myself up in the process. His words, not mine.

  So basically yes, he was worried Penelope would try to kidnap me. It was also surely the reason for the meeting in the park. We were within a boundary filled with nymphs who mostly liked me, and mostly hated Penelope. She would be hard pressed to snatch me away without incident.

  My sneakers hissed across the grass, the sun warm on my shoulders. “So where are we supposed to meet her?”

  “The pond. She will speak to us through a portal.”

  I hurried to keep up with him. “Then why are you worried about her kidnapping me?”

  His eyes slid toward me, then rolled back toward the distant pond. “I told you I’m not worried about that.”

  “Yeah, uh huh.” Ringo nestled closer to my neck. I hadn’t been sure if he’d be able to pass through the boundary, but we’d had no issues. Now with him nestled safely against me, I wondered if I could bring him across other boundaries too. Maybe my celestial magic was enough to protect him, though I wouldn’t be setting him on the ground to test that theory.

  My skin prickled as we reached the pond. This was it. Maybe we’d finally figure out where the Realm Breaker was hidden. Of course, Penelope probably wouldn’t tell us until we were actually ready to go there, and that was if she agreed to work with us at all. I definitely wasn’t fond of the plan, but she’d seemed sure she could use me to get the sword, and use me to use the sword. She couldn’t do that if she didn’t know where it was.

  We both stood at the edge of the water, its mostly serene surface rippling with bubbles and the tiny legs of swimming bugs. More insects buzzed in the trees, and I could swear I heard the laughter of nymphs on the wind, echoed by rustling leaves and creaking branches.

  “Maybe she changed her mind,” I whispered.

  “Shh.”

  I pursed my lips, wishing we could get the show on the road. I knew Mistral and Gabriel would be careful with the latest disaster, but it was still troubling to think about them observing it without me. And with Crispin. I stood to lose all three of them in one swift wave of gray. The sooner I could get back to the Bogs, the better.

  I jumped as the water rippled, then a bullfrog surfaced, letting out a surprisingly loud bellow before splashing back down. Before the water’s surface could settle, Penelope’s face formed like a reflection in a mirror.

  This time I didn’t jump, but I did step back a few inches, stopping as Sebastian’s eavesdropping bubble popped up around us.

  “Did we have to meet here, brother? There are frogs in here.”

  “They can’t actually touch you,” he sighed.

  “No, but I still got an eyeful of that frog’s plump green ass before it sunk out of view.” She wrinkled her pointy nose, and I decided it wasn’t actually like seeing her in a mirror. It was like she was in the water, floating on her back just below the surface, though there was land where her body should have been.

  “Perhaps if you had not attempted to steal my celestial, we could have met in a more comfortable setting,” Sebastian said tersely.

  I thought the setting was plenty comfortable, but I didn’t say so out loud.

  “Let us not squabble over the past.” Penelope’s reflection wavered, her dark hair drifting around her face. “My imp tells me you’d like to bargain.”

  “Your imp?” I balked. Sebastian had left that part out. Glancing at him though, I realized that he hadn’t known.

  Penelope’s eyes danced with amusement, or maybe it was just the sun glimmering on the water. “I had to give you some way to contact me, of course. When you inevitably hit a dead end.”

  Sebastian’s mouth had sealed into a grim line. “Of course,” he snipped, pretending he had realized who’d summoned the imp to our realm. “I’ll be quick with our terms so that you might escape further sightings of plump frog asses.”

  He laid out our plan. Penelope would need to lead us to the Realm Breaker, and we would work together to claim it. He didn’t detail that we’d be killing my great grandfather, or that he even knew that’s who we were after. Once we had the sword, I would willingly use it to create whatever pathway Penelope wanted—which was going to be a problem with Elizabeta and the potential of more shadowy monsters—but it was a problem for another time. Because if my great grandfather managed to kill my mother, he’d reopen all the pathways. Surely preventing that was the lesser evil. We just had to make Elizabeta and Harry—the leader of the werewolves—understand.

  I’d gotten so lost in my thoughts that I startled when I realized both Penelope and Sebastian were looking at me with identical expressions.

  Penelope repeated her question. “What of the angelic, Lucas?”

  I frowned, unsure why she was asking about him. As far as I knew, he was still with Marcie, trying to cover up my mom’s trail. “He’s not part of our plan.”

  “But he flooded you with magic. With him, you will surely be able to reach a far realm. My brother alone may not be enough.”

 

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