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“What do you need it for?”
At that, Lennie’s lips thinned. “That’s confidential.”
Pearl shrugged. “If it’s for an aging potion, it’s missing two key ingredients and I have them at home. I also have the potion, though it’s a temporary one. There’s no permanent immortality unless you’re from a powerful clan…oh, or a vampire. Or a Fae.”
Lennie had turned red in the face, highly offended. “Who said I needed it for an aging spell? I’m not that old.”
“Just let me know if you need a potion. Extra payment, of course.”
“I said I don’t need one.”
She hummed, nodded, and held out her palm. “Then my task is done. I need my payment, Mr. Serving.”
“Absolutely not. You did nothing right.”
Pearl stared. “I followed the list.”
“You followed it wrong. They said you were the best mission-taker on the island these days but it looks like you’re just another weak female.”
Oh, he did not just…
Whatever politeness she had been trying to cling to popped like a balloon as she narrowed her gaze.
“The list is bound by the contract and didn’t specify what you needed the ingredients for,” she said firmly. “My job is to deliver what was in there and I did. In turn, I need payment for the service of hunting down those ingredients outside of Broom’s Isle.”
“No.”
“Then you leave me no choice but to take this to the Council. I’m sure they wouldn’t mind reviewing the contract and checking every single thing I got right—and paying me for it, of course.”
This meant that Lennie would be obligated to pay the Council instead and it would put a dent in his clean records. The man gasped, perhaps unused to the concept of not getting his way. Black eyes bulged as he stepped closer.
“Have you always been this difficult?” he bit out.
Pearl tilted her head. “I don’t know. Have you always been this much of a jerk?”
His energy sizzled in the air, outraged. So did hers. It occurred to her that she was much more powerful than he was and could beat him in a single match, but power didn’t just come from magic. The moment she hurt him, she would be messing with a higher figure and could kiss her newly-built reputation goodbye.
“Why, you little bit—”
“Pearl! Mr. Serving! Why are you both standing under all this harsh sunlight? It’s not good for the skin.”
Ruby Sutton strode into the scene, orange-toned hair flying in the wind and cheeks flushed. Despite Ruby’s smaller stature, the woman exuded an aura of confidence and absolute unflappability, emphasized when she casually placed herself in between the two. Lennie glared at her while she smiled.
“Mr. Serving, it’s so nice to see you again after last week. I hope your livestock is in good condition and the traps that Maddox made are working well.”
Lennie glared further. Ruby continued smiling.
“I also hope that the magical spells I put in place are working as the best alarm for your property. They’re my best work as of late and they are most effective when the property owner and the magic setter are in a harmonious relationship.”
The glare disintegrated slowly while Ruby’s smile widened innocently. There was a struggle in Lennie’s form as he looked like he still wanted to smack Pearl, but now had an obstacle in his path: Ruby, who was infinitely more powerful than either of them, and proved it when she had saved the island from a demon attack a few years ago. Lennie also knew this, which was probably why he acquired her services…and why he subtly backed out of the confrontation, head held high and huffing.
“They’re working. A good day to you, Miss—”
“Payment,” Pearl called out shortly.
Oh, if looks really could kill. The man slapped some coins into her hand, the spark from his skin flashing hot. But he held back from burning her and stalked off, steps brimming with fury and defeat. Pearl wanted to crow in victory, but it didn’t feel like one.
“I had that handled,” she said once the man was out of earshot.
