Page 84 of Another Man’s Treasure

Bluebell’s crushed to my chest. She glances up after a minute or two of silence. “Umm, Oz, I…can you let go? I literally can’t feel my boobs.”

Hadrian shifts backward, looking quickly around the room. I set Bluebell carefully on the sofa as he reshuffles his wings to secure them around her. “Oz, check the window,” he barks.

Walking to the back of Bluebell’s apartment, I glance out into the pumpkin and gourd maze. The flea market’s all set up for the weekend, and the Auction House back porch is full of monsters who must have been having dinner. Now, though, they’re all standing and looking over the railing into the garden just like I am.

Turning back to Hadrian and Bluebell, I shrug. “I don’t see anything; it all looks normal.”

“Let’s go see.” Bluebell darts off the couch and shoves Hadrian’s wing out of the way.

“Hold it right there!” he shouts as she runs for the door.

I trail them, knowing Bluebell’s an unstoppable force once she’s got her mind set on something. Which apparently, right now, is figuring out what that rumble was.

She rushes down into the alleyway and runs for the street. At Main, she slams to a halt, clapping a hand over her mouth. Hadrian’s by her side in a moment, looking around protectively, but by the time I reach them, they’re both staring upward.

I follow their gaze to find wildflowers the size of airplanes rising up above downtown, their blossoms dipping over the buildings like enormous guardians. They’re stunning in every shade of pink, purple, green, and blue.

“Holy shitballs,” Bluebell says. “Did the Jays do this somehow? I’m gonna call them.”

Hadrian shakes his head. “Your brothers wouldn’t take it upon themselves to do this, baby. Well, maybe Jace. Definitely not Jack or Jasper.”

“Too lazy,” I murmur, thinking of Bluebell’s older brothers.

Main Street is full of confused-looking monsters milling around, although most are headed toward the end of Main where the sheriff’s office is.

“Let’s go.” Bluebell waves at us to follow her.

Hadrian sighs, clapping both hands to his hips as he glances at me. “Never fails to amaze me how this girl will literally run toward a burning building.”

We follow Bluebell as she confidently strides up Main after the gathering crowd. Nobody’s running the other way screaming, so hopefully that’s a good sign.

The end of Main Street is unrecognizable. What used to be an empty space between the Dance Hall and High Moon Tattoo Parlor now hosts an entirely new building. Three empty spots sit ready for new businesses.

Perhaps a spa? Oh my gods, is this really happening?

I spin to my right to find the pixie twins standing there. Merit and Bryony smile at me. “Isn’t this just wonderful, Oz? The fence around the Keeper’s mansion is gone too.”

They can’t possibly know what havoc their gossiping wreaked on my evening, so I just smile back at the news.

Inside, I’m a turmoil of emotion, and my heart hurts. I should be doing this with Wilder, and I fucked up. I ran at the first sign of chaos, when I should have run toward him instead. I’ve got to fix that.

Looking at Hadrian, I smile. “I…gotta go. Catch you later, okay?”

He grins back at me. “Go get your man, Oz.”

But an hour later, Wilder is nowhere to be found. I’ve checked my apartment and his cottage. Ginger’s been trailing me like a shadow, and even she can’t seem to find him. I went to the Keeper’s mansion, but it was vacant, as if we never opened the portal to Sipan’s lair. Without my comm watch, I don’t have a way to call him, either.

I check everywhere I can think of, even going back to Bluebell’s and out to Lemon and Furyon’s place. Wilder’s nowhere to be found.

He’s just…gone.

* * *

After a night of fitful sleep in my empty nest, I dragged myself out of bed for coffee at BrewHaha. I considered bringing my notebook, but my heart isn’t into planning right now. I fucked up Wilder’s deal and thus my twenty grand, and most importantly, my love life.

Maybe Saint was right about me.

Or maybe I’m being too hard on myself.