Page 63 of Heart of Mischief

CHARLIE:Whatever

CHARLIE:I just mean that, on the off chance that I *do* have powers, I don’t even know what they are

ELIAS:Neither do I

CHARLIE:???

CHARLIE:How in Freyja’s feathered bumhole are you going to teach me if you don’t even know what I can do?????

ELIAS:That’s a new one

ELIAS:I like it

ELIAS:And I have my ways, Charlotte. Don’t you worry. We’ll have you godlike in no time.

CHARLIE:Good

CHARLIE:Pick me up tomorrow. 6 a.m. Thursday, too, if necessary

ELIAS:Two days of nonstop fun with me by your side? Are you sure you’re prepared for that?

CHARLIE:No

CHARLIE:But I’m not letting this town lose any more innocent kids

ELIAS:Fair enough

There was a ten-second pause before his next message came through.

ELIAS:You do know that Henry can help keep you guys safe, too, right?

CHARLIE:Obviously. Who do you think dismantled that draugar you sent to kill me at homecoming?

ELIAS:Ahhh. Of course.

ELIAS:Good times

Charlie rolled her eyes and started to put her phone away but paused when she felt another buzz.

ELIAS:I’ll see you tomorrow.

ELIAS:Sleep well, Charlotte.

Her stomach clenched—she could imagine exactly how he would say those words. How he would lower his tone and lean in close, his breath brushing over her ear…

Sweet baby Thor, she thought.That is not a line of thinking I will be following.

She had to stay focused on the mission at hand. On finding the joturri controlling Rattatosk and putting an end to this bloodshed.She only needed to stay in contact with Elias until then. And as soon as it was done…

As soon as it was done, she would betray him.

Again.

Part

III WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY

21