I glared at him. “I hate it when you make sense.” I told him about the fairy, and his promise of a family reunion. “Do you think maybe my great grandfather found out about me?”

  “It’s a possibility.” He had stepped back to look up at a window a good twenty feet above the ground. The sound of fighting had died down inside. I wondered if the kidnappers had won, or if they’d all been stomped by gargoyles. I wouldn’t mourn my kidnappers, but the gargoyles could still be a problem.

  “Wait here.” Before I could argue, Sebastian disappeared into his cloud of darkness.

  With a huff I pressed my back against the wall, glancing around for threats. The alley was fairly clean as far as city alleys went. One end was blocked by a fence, the other spanned to the edge of the building, beyond which I could see some old machinery.

  Deciding I was best off remaining where I was, I kept my back against the wall and waited as the last bit of power from the potion drained out of me. The concentrated magic could sure pack a punch, but it didn’t last long.

  “Thanks for your help in there,” I said to Ringo. “I owe you a treat.”

  “A treat like coming on your date tonight?”

  Damn, I’d forgotten about the double date. Ringo had looked at the online menu for the wine bar, and had been enchanted by the image of green tea beignets. “Why not?” I sighed. “That is, if we make it there.” I glanced at my watch. Five hours had passed since I’d been taken, but it felt like longer. Lowering my arm, I silenced my thoughts, listening for any further commotion inside. Sebastian had been gone now a little too long for my liking.

  “You promised Dawn.”

  Though I knew Ringo’s concern was for the beignets and not for Dawn, he was right. Kind of. I hadn’t promised, per se, but I knew it was important to Dawn. “We’ll do our best.” I straightened as Sebastian appeared beside us.

  “Your kidnappers are dead. The gargoyles flew off. I was unable to track them.”

  I frowned. So much for getting to the bottom of the kidnapping. “There was a fairy with dusky purple hair. Did you find his body?”

  Sebastian matched my frown. “I did not. He must have escaped. The enchantments on the room where you were held reeked of fae magic.”

  I had already thought as much. Fairies had more impressive magic than almost anyone else in the city. “He might have been working with Varian.”

  “But Varian is not your family. Why mention a family reunion?”

  He was right. Either my grandfather now knew about me, or someone had my mom. Or my aunt, Marcie. They were the only family members I had left. But it was a “he” who was coming for me.

  Sebastian stepped closer, looming over me. “Whoever was coming for you may still arrive.”

  I sighed, slumping against the sun-warmed brick wall. Maybe I should have let the gargoyles take me. At least then we could have found out whom they worked for, if not who hired my kidnappers. “It seemed like the fairy was in charge. If he’s not in there now, he’ll probably be reporting to his boss as we speak.”

  Sebastian sucked his teeth, debating our next step. “I’ll take you back to the apartment, then I’ll search the rest of the building to learn more.”

  “I need to go to the Bogs,” I argued.

  He lifted a brow expectantly, like I might tell him why I needed to go to the Bogs.

  When I gave no further explanation, he leaned closer. “Fine,” he huffed near my ear, sending a trickle of heat down my chest and between my legs.

  My throat went tight as he pulled back enough to meet my eyes. “I wouldn’t have let them hurt you, Eva.”

  They were simple words, so why was I having trouble breathing? Maybe because I had been thinking that if he didn’t save me, it meant he was dead. I hadn’t considered any other options. “I know.”

  His eyebrows raised, like he hadn’t expected my honest answer.

  “We should talk about what happened between us. What it means.”

  His brows remained raised. “Now?”

  Okay, standing outside the place I’d been held hostage with a highly pressing need to return to the Bogs was probably not the best circumstance under which to have an important conversation. “No, not now. I need to go to the Bogs. We’ll talk tonight.”

  His expression sobered as he straightened. “Very well.” He gestured for me to start walking.

  And as I did I cursed myself. Now, not only did I have apprehension about the Bogs, and about the double date, but I’d added a nerve-wracking conversation to the list.

  I didn’t know for sure who had tried to kidnap me, nor what exactly was messing with the Bogs. And I certainly couldn’t say how the double date would go.

  All I knew, was that it was going to be a very long night.

  We never made it to the Bogs. A text from Crispin stated that everything was under control, and that he’d meet me at the apartment to get ready for the date. Gods, there really was no getting out of it. I decided to withhold that I’d been kidnapped until I saw him in person. He could tell me if things in the Bogs were really under control before news of me getting snatched up would prompt Gabriel to leave Mistral alone.

  We had almost reached the apartment when Sebastian’s arm whipped out, barring my way. There was something ahead, near the magical doorway that currently matched the rest of the brick wall. I squinted in the waning light, Sebastian’s arm still holding me back.

  The creature was small. Not as small as Ringo, but it would maybe only reach my hip in height. It stood hunched over, its pink skin strange and glistening, covered only by a tattered pair of children’s shorts. Long, pointed ears sprouted out of its bony head, the tips shifting as it listened in our direction, then whipped its head toward us, regarding us with small, shining eyes.

  Ringo shifted closer to my neck, hiding his face against my skin.

  “Don’t get too close,” Sebastian muttered. “It bites.”

  “Did you find that out when you questioned it?” I asked.

  With a huff, Sebastian lowered his arm and approached the imp. “The contract is inside. You will wait here for me.”

  The imp cowered, and as ugly as the thing was, my heartstrings were plucked. “Don’t be so rude to the little guy.”

  The imp blinked hopeful, beady eyes at me as I stepped closer.

  Sebastian placed his palm against the doorway, glancing back at me. “Did we not establish just this morning that the little guy belongs to my sister?”

  “All the more reason to feel sorry for it.” I frowned. “Should we be worried that your sister knows where you live?”

  “She will never be invited inside, so it is not an issue.” He opened the door, then stepped inside.

  I knelt in front of the imp. It smelled vaguely of sulfur. “Are you hungry? Maybe I can find you a snack inside.”

  “Not my snacks!” Ringo squeaked, then abruptly went silent when the imp looked up at my shoulder.

  “Hungry!” the imp squealed.

  I laughed. “Okay. Sebastian says you’re not allowed inside, but if you wait here, I’ll bring you something to eat.”

  I went past the imp as he bounced from clawed foot to foot, making little excited sounds. I felt bad about closing the door behind me, but wouldn’t do to let any kidnappers see it open. And hopefully if I found a good snack, the imp wouldn’t mind.

  I met Sebastian in the kitchen as he looked over the contract one last time, his brow furrowed.

  “If you’re that nervous about it, maybe we shouldn’t send it the contract to Penelope just yet.”

  Sebastian frowned, surprising me when he answered honestly, “I do not like that she placed the imp to lure me. I do not like playing into her plans in any way at all.”

  “This was all your idea though—”

  Flicking the contract, he dismissed his moment of weakness and walked toward the stairs, also dismissing me in the process.

  “Snack!” I hopped into motion, looking through the cupboards.

  “Not the graham crackers!” Ringo screeched as I reached for the box. He ran down my arm and onto the shelf, hugging the brightly colored cardboard.

  Hesitating, I went for the granola bars instead. They weren’t Ringo’s favorite, but maybe they would please the imp. Although, I had no idea what imps liked to eat. It wouldn’t surprise me if they were carnivorous.

  Not wanting Sebastian to send the imp away before I could keep my promise, I left Ringo hugging his graham crackers so I could hurry back down the stairs and join the devil outside. The imp was still there, but the contract was gone, so he must have put it… somewhere? The only place I could see for the contract to go were the little stained shorts.

  I decided not to ask questions. Looking at the imp’s claws, I took out a granola bar and opened the packaging, then knelt before the creature. “I’m not sure if you eat stuff like this…”

  The imp snatched the bar so quickly it made me jump. He could have just as easily slashed me with his claws. Fortunately, the treat seemed to please him. It disappeared in one bite, then he crunched it open mouthed, littering the asphalt with dried oats. Finished with the snack, he gave me a little bow, then disappeared in an imp-sized cloud of darkness.

  “Must you adopt every small creature you come across?” Sebastian tsked.

  “I’m not adopting him. But I doubt Penelope rewards him for his efforts. Imagine running errands for your sister all the time. What a nightmare.”

  Sebastian smirked as I straightened to face him. “I suppose you have a point.” His hand reached out, pushing a lock of hair behind my ear. After all the action, my braid had mostly come undone.

  I went still as his fingers traced down the side of my neck. “This talk you wish to have—” He leaned closer, his lips skimming my cheek as he whispered in my ear. “Is it necessary?”

  I swallowed, suddenly unable to think straight. It was certainly necessary. We’d slept together in a moment of passion, with no discussion of what it meant to either of us, nor what it might mean to the magic binding the entire group. And then last night… what had I been thinking? Oh, that’s right, I hadn’t been thinking. “It’s—”

  His hands cupped my jaw, and he claimed my mouth with his. My arguments died in my throat as my body lit up from the inside. Desire curled within me, and the golden cord between us pulsed behind my closed eyes.

  I molded against him as his hands went to my waist, arching my back. He guided us toward the open doorway.

  I pulled away long enough to take a breath and say, “Crispin will be here soon.”

  “He can wait.” With his hands still at my waist, Sebastian lifted me over the doorsill and set me down inside. He slammed the door shut, then pressed me against the wall with the weight of his body. “I regret not being the one to kill your kidnappers.” One hand went under my shirt, skimming up along my bare back. “While I waited, I imagined tearing them limb from limb.” He lifted my shirt over my head without unbuttoning it, then he tossed it on the ground.

  I turned to putty as he kissed the mounds of my breasts, so much dark magic already flaring between us. “That shouldn’t be hot,” I panted. “But it is.”

  He lifted me and I wrapped my legs around him, then he kissed me again. Pulsing heat built in my core. I should be worrying about other things, but who could turn down a hot devil who literally wanted to kill for you?

  A knock sounded in the doorway, and we both went still.

  “Shit,” I breathed.

  Sebastian still hadn’t let me down. “He can wait. You can give him a granola bar in recompense.”

  “I think I dropped the box outside.”

  He gave me a wicked smile. “Then he already has something to eat.”

  The knock sounded again. It had to be Crispin. It was almost time for our date. Even if I rushed to get ready, we probably wouldn’t make it on time. Once again, what had I been thinking?

  I looked into Sebastian’s dark eyes, still filled with heat. Oh yeah, that’s what.

  His hands loosened as I slid down his body, regretting it the moment he was no longer touching me. And yet, I was also glad for the reprieve. I definitely was not thinking straight where the devil was concerned. Wasn’t I supposed to dislike him?

  He reached down and lifted my shirt from the ground, then extended it toward me, dangling it from one long finger.

  “Thanks.” I tugged it back on, realizing the top button had popped off at some point without me realizing it.

  Not saying another word, Sebastian opened the door for Crispin, then turned and walked up the stairs.

  Crispin pursed his lips, his eyes looking me up and down. “I take it I interrupted something.”

  I sighed, my body still pulsing with arousal. “Just come in and tell me what happened in the Bogs while I get ready.”

  As we trudged up the stairs, I remembered I needed to tell him about the kidnapping too. Hard to believe that now felt like the least memorable part of my day.

  TWELVE

  Crispin stood stunned in the doorway while I hastily applied some makeup. He looked fantastic in his charcoal slacks and sea foam green button up—though now his face had gone white as a sheet.

  “You cannot possibly feel so blasé about being kidnapped!”

  I paused with the mascara wand in my hand. “I had Sebastian and a potion to give me a power boost. I was fine.”

  Okay, so maybe I hadn’t felt so fine when I was knocked out and manhandled, but I didn’t want to worry him more than was necessary. Plus, if I downplayed it to Crispin and got him on board, it would be easier to downplay it to Gabriel. Sebastian was already acting like nothing had happened, including our kiss in the stairwell.

  Crispin lowered his chin, stepping closer. “You should have called.”

  I stuck the mascara wand back in its cylinder before it could dry out, then turned to face him. “Yes, I could have called, and when you eventually got the message Gabriel would have rushed over here with you, leaving Mistral vulnerable.”

  Crispin stood his ground. “If things progress in the Bogs, there is nothing Gabriel can do.”

  His words made my knees feel weak. “I thought you said it’s under control.”

  “Under control, as in not rapidly progressing. The new gray area is not near any settlements, so no one is in immediate danger.” He huffed. “You should have told me about it sooner.”

  “We told you about the vines.”

  “Not that the magic of the Bogs is entirely unravelling.”

  “Shh.” I grabbed his arm and pulled him into the bathroom, shutting the door behind us. “Sebastian doesn’t know.”

  Crispin shook his head. “This is folly, Eva. We don’t understand this connection between us. If something happens to Mistral, it may be harmful for us all.”

  “Is that all you care about?” I was more bothered than I thought I would be at the notion.

  He threw up his arms, invading my space, though it was hard not to in the small bathroom. “Of course not! I like Mistral, and I don’t ever want to find out what will happen to the goblins if he loses control of the wild magic of the Bogs. All I’m saying is that this cannot be kept secret. Sebastian is adept at finding information, and he is also responsible for the contract binding Mistral to the land. Keeping this from him is foolish.”

  I crossed my arms and scowled. “It’s not like it’s my choice.”

  “No, but if anyone can convince Mistral, it’s you.”

  My scowl wilted. “I hate it when you make sense,” I muttered.

  “I do more often than not,” he said more softly. He knelt, and I realized I had dropped my mascara. He picked it up, then extended it toward me.

  I took it, keeping my attention on him. “You know, I’ve never seen you so worked up.”

  Crispin stood, his height making the bathroom feel too small for the two of us. I could smell his spring-like scent, making me think of sunshine and meadows even in the artificial light. He leaned against the wall next to me, hunching his shoulders. “I didn’t like feeling so helpless in the Bogs. I’d hoped there was more I could do, especially after Mistral trusted me enough to be honest.”

  “I’m sure he still appreciated you trying.”

  He looked at me through a fallen lock of blond hair, smiling softly. “Are you trying to comfort me after I yelled at you?”

  “You seemed to need it.” I wrung the mascara in my hands. “Is it really that bad in the Bogs?”

  His smile fell. “They told me you saw the first gray area. That’s what you all were whispering about at the pool.”

  “Yeah, the Bogs clearly wanted us to see it. The magic may be out of control, but I don’t think it likes what’s happening.”

  “I agree.” He met my eyes. “But I find it curious that it took you and not Mistral.”

  “Well he was down in the pool with you,” I argued.

  “And what about the whole walk there and back?”

  He had a point, but I really didn’t like thinking about it. The wild magic in the Bogs could be intoxicating, and dangerous. I wasn’t sure what to think of its reaction to me, whether it was about my connection to Mistral, or something else.

  Crispin gripped my shoulder. “I’m sorry for worrying you. I’ll let you finish getting ready.” He stepped back toward the door. “Just—tell me next time you get kidnapped? Tell me right away?”

  His worry had me feeling guilty for not telling Gabriel and Mistral, but they had bigger things to deal with. They would worry and try to protect me, but wasn’t I allowed to do that for them too? I decided that I was, and I was glad that I didn’t have to do it alone.

  I stood on my toes and kissed Crispin’s cheek, eliciting a little spark of moonlight tinged magic between us. “Thank you for caring about Mistral,” I whispered.

  His eyes were a touch wide as I stepped back. “I yell at you, and you thank me?”

  “You were hardly yelling,” I laughed.

  “I was too.”

  My grin grew. “I’ve seen a lot worse.” I realized we were still standing close, and my smile faltered, my heart skipping a beat. “Crispin—”

 

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