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“The agreement is that they somehow get magic from us, and we’re fine with that as long as they use some of the magic to keep us from becoming mindless killers at the full moon,” I tell Jonah, just as condescendingly. “They need us for their magic. And we need them to harness it for us.”
“So, they’re farmers. You’re their livestock.” Jonah shrugs.
Nathan is on his feet, with his hand around Jonah’s throat before the human can react.
“Easy, big fella,” Jonah rasps. He presses one hand against Nathan’s chest and the hand glows searing orange. Nathan stumbles back, smacking at the scorched print on the front of his shirt. Jonah adjusts the stretched-out neck of his t-shirt. “Nobody’s hurting the wizard, okay? I’m a third party. You’re the one who involved me. You’re the one who’s paying me.”
“We’re paying him?” I didn’t know about that part.
Nathan shoots me an irritated glance. “Of course, we are. Money is the only thing his kind values.”
“That’s where you’re wrong.” Jonah swings his legs off the other chair and sits correctly. “All any magic user wants is more magic. More power. Even your thralls.” Jonah nods at Xiao. “Am I right?”
Her hand flexes at her side.
“I’m feeling unwelcome.” He slaps his knees and stands. “And underappreciated. I think I’m going to go.”
“Wait,” I start forward, then realize that I’m a frickin’ queen. The word should suffice.
To my astonishment, it does. He turns, blinking pointedly as he waits for me to speak.
“Is that all the information you have for us?” I ask.
“Yeah, that’s about it.” He snaps his fingers. “Oh, except for this: the spell is intended to make you two irresistible to each other. So you produce lots of little puppies. Make of that what you will.”
My hand drops to my stomach.
“Thank you for having me. Really, lovely home you’ve got here,” Jonah says with an exaggerated bow. As he leaves the room, he calls, “You have my PayPal.”
Nathan starts forward but I grip his arm. “Let him go.”
Xiao steps up and addresses Nathan. “Your Majesty. The human said the spell came from thralls in this pack. I’m concerned about the queen’s safety, and the safety of your heir.”
“I’m concerned about that, myself.” Nathan stands by my side and covers my hand with his where it rests on my belly. There’s a desperation in his eyes I’ve never seen before. He swallows thickly and says, “Pack. As quickly as you can, but without drawing too much attention.
“Xiao,” he says, turning to her. “Don’t let the queen out of your sight.”
“Not for a second, Your Majesty,” she answers.
He looks back to me and gives me a tremulous smile I don’t believe. “It’s going to be all right. But we must leave. Now.”
CHAPTER 63
We haven’t been at Wyrding House long enough to completely unpack; Harriet offers to help but I don’t like people going through my stuff. Plus, Nathan and I barely brought anything with us in the first place.
“I feel bad for Xiao,” I say, taking one of my shirts from the wardrobe and folding it over my arm. It ends up in a sloppy bundle, but it gets the job done enough that I can stuff it into my bag. “She just got here and now we’re turning right back around.”
“I’m sure she prefers having you in a more secure location,” is all Nathan says, moving far faster than I am.
“Do you think they’re going to be breaking down the door any second?” I ask, trying to keep my tone light.
“I think the longer we stay here, the more likely that becomes a possibility.” He zips his small, wheeled carry-on. “We have a pissed off magician who could sell us out to the highest bidder and a house teeming with traitorous thralls.”
“Only the below-stairs servants,” I say, mimicking Harriet’s pompous delivery.
He shoots me an annoyed glance.
“I wasn’t trying to be funny.” I double check beneath the bed to make sure I’m not leaving anything behind; I have a strong feeling we’re never, ever coming back here. “I don’t think it’s Jonah we need to worry about. Bet your uncle doesn’t seem so needlessly paranoid, now.”
“No, he does not,” Nathan agrees.
There’s a knock at the parlor door. Nathan and I both freeze, our eyes locked as we listen for what will happen next.
“I just received word that the king and queen are leaving?” It’s Harriet, and she sounds distressed by our departure plans.
Plans that she already knows about.
I make a move toward the door. Maybe she’s just old and confused?
Nathan holds up one finger in warning, stopping me in my tracks.
“Something came up in Toronto,” Xiao lies smoothly. “The king and queen must return immediately.”
“What a shame! But I do need His Majesty to sign off on some documentation. I hope he won’t be in such a hurry to leave that I miss him.” Harriet’s tone is too wheedling, too deferential.
