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A Fae can be happy about things like that.
A full minute passes before I hear,“Mister Sprigg, Mister Akron has accepted your summons. You may enter.”
I know he can see me, so I bow. I wait a few extra seconds so he can take down the enchanted wards that would suffocate me like a fish out of water if I walk through them too quickly.
The large black and brass door clicks, and I close my umbrella before twisting open the handle.
Entering the lavish building, I am greeted by a pixie the size of my thumb. “Mister Sprigg welcome. Follow me, please,” the male says gleefully. His wings resemble hand-spun sunshine, and his uniform glitters under the crystal lights.
He escorts me to the correct elevator. My eyes trail around the room. Everything about this place is crystal, gold, and white marble. All excellent materials for wards to hold on to. The tiny figure doesn’t converse as he sends me to the correct floor and supervises me in the elevator.
I smile and hand him a gold piece as I enter the alabaster-carpeted hallway. Boss owns the only room on this floor, so figuring out where to go is a simple task.
My terrifying employer opens the door as soon as I step in front of it. He’s dressed in a black, knee-length satin robe that I definitely never, ever wanted to see him in. Gods, as if I didn’t already have enough nightmares about the man. His white hair flicks up at the sides, and he eyeballs me. “This had better be good.”
I swallow hard, averting my eyes. “I’m here about the favor, sir.”
“No shit. Make it quick, I am busy.”
In my effort to look away from him, I notice two wine glasses on the long, modern dining table. My eyes trail to the side, and I see the electric aqua-chair. My eyes widen in recognition.The Mer leader.
“Get on with it, kid. I don’t have all night,” Akron growls while he watches me.
I take a deep breath, tightening my grip on my umbrella. “I need the name of the female Winter Fae.”
His expression darkens, and he clenches his fist. “You bastard.” He rakes a hand through his white hair, and his purple eyes bore into me.
I don’t move. I won’t. These are my terms. I’ve waited too long to know her name. On my way here, I convinced myself this is the right thing. This might be my only chance to get this information, and I won’t squander it.
I am rooted in place as I stare at the Warlock’s pupil-less eyes.
“Sprigg–”
“We have a deal,” I practically growl. My voice is hard, and I’m proud of how my words don’t shake. “This has nothing to do with money.”
A minute passes in excruciating slowness. Thetick, tick, tickof the clock is taunting me. The tension in the room grows until breathing is practically impossible. My heart pounds, and the Warlock’s hand twitches at his side. I can see him considering whether he should break the terms of our deal. Whether the consequences of doing so would be better than agreeing to my terms.
“You Summer fool,” he seethes, “hasn’t anyone ever told you that sometimes secrets are vastly more valuable and deadly than money?”
A pit forms in my stomach.
“We have a deal,” I repeat simply. Holding up my hand, I spark a small flame in my palm. It’s a simple threat, but I need something to remind him who I am. He might be a Warlock, but I’m not entirely powerless, either. The flame is orange, and the scent of burning fills the room.
We both stare at the fire for another minute.
Then, the Warlock sighs. “Well, it is a foolhardy deal. I only know her first name.”
My heart speeds up at that. Her first name. Something. Anything.
I haven’t seen her in months, and yet I can conjure her face in my mind’s eye.
Finally, I am getting somewhere.
“What is it?” I ask.
Akron shakes his head. “Her broker never told me her last name. But that doesn’t mean I don’t have my suspicions. If you are smart, you will stay far away,”—he pauses, eying me carefully—“and you will never waste a deal like this ever again.”
“Spare me the lecture.” I sigh. My patience has long since run out, and those butterflies from earlier are turning into nervous knots. I’ve waited too long, dreamed of her far too often to let this go now. “I need her name, and then I will go to work.”
