He cocks his head to the side. “You’re very weak, even for an incubus, aren’t you?”
Nice.
Ignoring my glare, he continues. “I need you to getsomething for me. A watch. And I need you to do it tonight.”
“Oh, yeah? Why don’t you go get it yourself?!” (This is me trying to act tough.)
“I’m elven nobility, and that presents an insurmountable challenge for this task. My beauty and power attract notice wherever I go. If I were captured, the bounty my kidnappers could ask for would be immense, which makes me a constant target. The sheer power of my aura would set off the wards before I even reached the front door. Not to mention the fact that the current owner of this watch likely hid it in some deep hole that would be physically difficult for someone of my frame to navigate.”
My eyes narrow. “Wait. Are you saying you’re just too handsome, rich, powerful, and tall to do this?”
The elf smiles, pleased. “Yes. Exactly! And I need someone who isnoneof those things.”
“Screw you, Lord of the Rings! I’m not a hobbit!”
I try to twist out from under him without nicking my throat on his dagger and have as much success with that as you’d think I would.
Whatever. If what Mom’s goblin friend told me is right (and he wasn’t just making fun of me—real possibility), I should have a get-out-of-magical-bullshit-free card. One that even the fae are bound to obey.
I glare at the elf and try to sound like I mean business. “I don’t have to do anything for you. I’ve chosen to live a human life.”
The elf cocks a skeptical eyebrow. “You’ve chosen to become awizard. For money.”
Huh. So he knows I’m interning for Ms. Stryker. Ihaven’t even told Mom about that. I should probably find out how he knows so much, but I’m still hoping to talk my way out of this.
“Humans can use magic! A few, anyway!” I protest. “And it doesn’t matter. By royal decree, you aren’tallowedto mess with me.”
He smirks like I’m an amusing child, his green irises literally twinkling with mischief. “Your objection is noted. I’ll be sure to pass that on to the Dragon King the next time I see him.” He then presses his body harder against mine. “But I’m afraid my needs can’t wait.”
“Let go of me, you—you—!” I fumble for the biggest insult I can think of, but even though I might talk big in my head, the last time I actually swore out loud was, like, six years ago when I broke my toe against the bathroom scale.
“Or you’ll dowhat?” he asks, bringing his icy lips next to my ear, practically cooing.
He has me completely trapped. And even if he didn’t, he’s a million times stronger, and he knows it. I don’t need to speculate what a fae warrior like him thinks he’s entitled to do with an incubus like me to know how bad this could go.
My cheeks start to burn, and hot water stings my eyes. But I’ll be damned if I give him the satisfaction of bursting into tears.
Instead, I look away and mumble helplessly, “But I’ve chosen a human life…” The words choke against the rawness of my throat, barely a whine.
The elf’s tone is cool. “And I’ve chosen somethingbetterfor you.”
He steps back, releasing me. I guess he knows I won’t run away now. What’s the point?
I stare down at my shoes, defeated. “I’m not a thief. I can’t actually cast any spells, not yet. I have no real training, even as just a PI. I don’t know why you think I can get anything from anyone.”
“The watch is at a private residence, and the owner is… distracted. He will not be there tonight, and the doors will be unlocked. The only wards are noisemakers, and they are designed for big fish. Someone of your level won’t trigger them. To accomplish this task, all that is needed is an ability todetectmagic, and my understanding is you are quite good at that. The enchantment in this watch is very special. You won’t have any trouble tracking it down.”
“What does it do?”
“It solves problems well above your station. You would be wise not to trouble yourself with such details.”
Right.
God, elves really are assholes.
“And what if I say no?” I gesture at the dagger in his hand. “You kill me?”
He chuckles and holsters the dagger in its scabbard at his waist. “Stars, no! I’m not amonster.” He glances over at the police station. “I’d merely turn you in to the authorities as a ‘malignant paranormal.’ My understanding is they’ve become quitethoroughnowadays when it comes to locking down supernatural threats.”
