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Following a few paces behind, I take in her black leather boots, clicking loudly on the pavement as she strides along next to two tall-as-hell guys.
One looks like something out of a Norse myth. Taller than should be physically possible, thick black hair fastened into a bun at the back of his head, and a beard it would take me approximately twenty years to grow.
The other guy, younger, is more athletic in build and closer to my age. He has a lightness about him, a fluidity to his movements.
And it’s then I realize… they’re mages.
“We can’t just wander up and down the entire length of train-track between here and London looking for a house near a barking dog,” she says.
The Norse god mumbles something. The younger one puts his hand on Nova’s shoulder as if he’s telling her not to worry.
“What other choice do we have?” The Norse god stops, hands on hips, glowering at the other two. “We have to get Miranda out of Zephyra’s clutches before it’s too late. If Tanner’s vision is anything to go by, they’re running out of ways to torture her. And if she doesn’t give them what they want, they’ll get bored and—”
Fuck. I can’t believe I’m about to do this.
“Sorry, excuse me…” I interrupt, nudging my glasses up my nose and managing to spill coffee on my shirt at the same time.
All three of them turn to stare at me.
As she takes me in, Nova’s eyes widen. “Kim?”
“You know this guy?” the young one asks quizzically.
“Long story,” she says. “I saved him from a demon last night.” She stops and shrugs. “Oh, guess it wasn’t a long story after-all.”
We’re surrounded by people and, although supers have been out of the shadows here in England almost as long as they have in the States, it’s not something that’s shouted about too loudly on the streets of Cambridge. “Less of the demon talk,” I mutter, tucking my Chelsea bun into my jacket pocket as we – in tandem – step back to avoid being run over by a cyclist who isn’t wearing a helmet.
“We’re busy.” The Norse god huffs at me and turns to walk away but I dart in front of him.
“I heard you talking. You’re looking for Queen Zephyra.”
At the mention of her name, all three of them stiffen.
“I can help.” I look at Nova this time, hoping she can sense that she can trust me.
“Why would you help?” she asks, forehead crinkling into a frown. Perhaps not, then.
“You helped me,” I tell her. “One good turn deserves another.”
As I wait for her reply, she looks at the younger one and he nods almost imperceptibly. “He’s telling the truth. We can trust him.”
“All right then.” The Norse god grabs hold of my coffee and dumps it into a nearby bin. “Come with us.”
* * *
“He’s Kole, and that’s Tanner.” Nova points to the mages who are striding up ahead.
“And they’re your…” I glance at her, praying the answer isn’t what I think it’s going to be.
“Boyfriends,” she says, not a hint of embarrassment.
“Right.” I adjust my glasses on the bridge of my nose. “Course.”
A smile plays on her lips, but she doesn’t say anymore and we walk in silence until we reach the imposing building that houses the Museum of Anthropology.
“Sightseeing?” I ask as Nova pushes open the doors.
The security guard smiles at her, and waves us past. “Your friend was here earlier with his adorable dog. Such a lovely dog.”
