“So you think they want whatever recipe your grandma uses for Magic Morsels?”
I shrug. “It’s a guess. Their magic is of similar nature to Gigi’s. I suppose it’s feasible they could figure out how to do what she does. But the only way to know is to talk to them about it further.” I suppress a shudder knowing they rarely just ‘talk’ if they want something.
If they cornered me now, there would be no Hunter to step from the shadows to intimidate them off, like back in school. It was as if he’d been practicing on me to take his father’s place. Oh fae lords, that’s why they sent a glamor mage in Hunter's image. While we were discreet, the twins knew Hunter could lure me where they wanted me.
A hand covers mine, blanketing my anxiety with an electric, hot zing. My eyes jerk up to meet Brexley’s. “I won’t let them get you,” he repeats.
Liquid heat gathers between my legs, but it’s more than my usual biological reaction. Pressure crowds into my chest until it fills my throat, making me feel vulnerable but taken care of. I believe him.
Brexley stares at me with utmost conviction under his scars.
“Do you trust me?” he asks.
I stare down at his hands holding mine. “Never.” Though it’s not true. It’s more like I don’t trust myself.
Then he grins that wolfish smile. “Good.”
FacingCinder and Goldie at the end of the shift is almost as hard as facing Rap. I expected them to throw accusations and hate me for keeping secrets, but to their credit they kept neutral faces as they asked me only about a hundred questions.
Yes, I attended FFA.
No, I don’t have any magic.
Yes, I come from a magic family.
Yes, I really am a finance student, and chose that major on purpose.
No, I’m not an undercover mage with hidden cameras using them for some reality show.
“Is he really your boyfriend?” Cinder asks me, while shooting a suspicious glance at Brexley.
“Yes,” both Brexley and Goldie answer at the same time.
I know why Brexley needs to keep up the charade, but to have Goldie vouch. . .
I don’t correct anyone.
“Did you not tell us about your past because you didn’t think you could trust us?” Cinder asks, subtle accusation in the question.
Thankfully, Brexley stepped away to give us some space after the initial interrogation.
Goldie’s mouth thins into a tight line as she studies me with patient intensity. She also wants an answer. I’ve hurt them both.
I rush to explain. “No, oh no. It’s more like I love you guys and I love it here. I wanted to get as far away from my old life as possible. With you guys, it doesn’t feel real. The past is like a nightmare I woke up from, and I didn’t want to ruin this dream I’m living now.”
Goldie’s brows furrow. “Youwantto get away from a life of magic and wealth and—”
I cut Goldie off with a serious tone. “As you can see from the party crashers today, it’s not all glamorous. Those people may have money and power, but most of them are bankrupt on the inside. I don’t want to be anything like that. I just want to be plain ol’ Red.”
Goldie gathers me into a hug when she sees me getting emotional, and I let her.
“Well, you’re not.” Cinder says, her voice cold and cutting.
Goldie pulls back as we both look at Cinder, stunned.
“Cinder,” Goldie chides.
“Well she’s not,” Cinder insists. “You aren’tjust plain ol’ anything. You matter to us and we’ve seen you struggle to break from the old. You are so much more than those twins fromThe Shining, and we aren’t going to let anything happen to you and nothing will make us stop caring about you.”
