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“No.”
Addison Gray, an avatar of the goddess Aite, recently became aware of my deified status, as well as my ability to pull nightmares into reality. Although I didn’t reveal my true name, it wouldn’t take much for her to figure out my identity and use the information as leverage for some other purpose. From what I gathered, Aite had her own issues with The Corporation, and she seemed like the type willing to sacrifice me in order to regain their favor.
Kane met my gaze and held it. “Starting to regret your decision to move to Fairhaven?”
Truth be told, if I had realized Fairhaven housed a multirealm crossroads that drew otherworldly beings to town, I wouldn’t have bought Bluebeard’s Castle and settled here. I wasn’t sure what I’d been thinking when I hit the buy button on a house from the Gilded Age anyway. Despite its grand history, it was now an enormous money pit. No offense to its original owner, Joseph Edgar Blue III. The tycoon’s heart and wallet were in the right place when he built this house.
“I miss the anonymity I had in London,” I admitted.
“I can understand that, but for selfish reasons…” His phone buzzed, interrupting his statement. His face darkened as he scanned the message. “I’m sorry. I need to go.”
“What’s the problem, Batman? Is the Joker holding up the local bank?”
“Vaughn’s in jail. I need to bail him out.”
“Official business?” I asked. Vaughn worked as an assassin and was a member of the local guild overseen by Kane.
“No. That’s why I’m curious to find out what happened.”
I glanced at the third painting resting on the floor. I still had no clue where I wanted to hang this one. “I’ll come with you. I’ve always wanted to spring somebody from jail.”
His mouth twitched. “This isn’t a jailbreak. It’s perfectly legal.”
“Okay, fine. I just can’t face making this decision alone. I’d rather help you rescue a felon.”
“A misdemeanor.”
I draped the drop cloth across his broad shoulders and dusted the ends. “Not all heroes wear capes.”
CHAPTER 2
February in Fairhaven meant bleak skies and frigid temperatures. I tried to ignore the downsides and focus on the fact that I was alive and, dare I say it, as close to thriving as I’d ever been, despite living in the shadow of fear and uncertainty.
Fairhaven Police Jail looked like a holdover from the Wild West. The small, nondescript building stood in the shadow of the modest police station. The inmates looked more hungover than hardened, except Vaughn who looked like he could slice you in half with the swipe of his impressive jawline.
He didn’t appear remotely surprised to see Kane. “Took you long enough,” the mage said, as the cell door opened.
“You’re lucky I’m here at all,” Kane replied. “I was otherwise engaged.”
Vaughn’s gaze slid to me. “I see. Are you two a package deal now?”
I shrugged. “I’m nosy.”
“What happened?” Kane asked.
Vaughn’s face turned stony. “Outside.”
The mage retrieved his possessions from the lady at the counter. “Is that sketch artist still around, Val? I’d like a copy of those pictures she drew.”
Val’s bushy eyebrows lifted. “So you can play vigilante again? I don’t think so. Those sketches are for cops, not perps.”
Vaughn blew her a kiss. “Love you, too.”
Despite the roll of Val’s eyes, I could tell she enjoyed the interaction. “See you next time, smooth operator.”
I glanced at the assassin as we exited the building. “Not your first visit to the local slammer, I take it.”
“Only murder is off the menu in this town.”
