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This fey was nearly out of control if her magic was seeping out enough to burn the carpet, but I wasn’t about to say anything. I had a feeling that would go over like shit on rice.
Lania pulled a green velvet pouch from beside the register. “I will not speak of this to anyone.” Whiffs of smoke came up from the carpet with each step she took toward us. “I trust you both will keep your silence. It would do me no favors if someone were to find out I was involved in handing this over.”
I nodded. “Of course.” I had no idea what Cosette was doing, but I was totally okay with keeping my mouth shut.
Cosette nodded. “Until we next meet.”
“Until we next meet,” Lania responded, but the words sounded hollow.
“Come on,” Cosette said as she strode back into the mall.
She didn’t tell me what was in the bag.
A part of me wasn’t sure if I wanted my questions answered, but the rest needed to know why Cosette was risking trouble with her queen. Because whatever the reason was, it had to be big.
Chapter Three
Cosette moved through the mall at breakneck speeds. I wasn’t sure what the rush was, but I didn’t want to ask any real questions until she was ready. Instead, I kept pace beside her.
“Where’re we headed?” I asked, finally. Not that I cared. Getting out of that incense was enough motivation to keep me moving. Add in the possibility of shopping, and it was all good. I could just look at things, never buy a thing, and be happy.
“Shoes. I have a need for shoes.”
“Shoe emergency. Got it. Nordies?”
&nb
sp; “Hmm,” she said, and I took that as agreement.
The mall had a Nordstrom at one end. A few people did double takes as we passed. Maybe I was paranoid after that girl recognized me, but Cosette didn’t seem fazed, so I shrugged it off. Cosette was a force to be next to. Especially since she wasn’t hiding her fey very well. Her skin had a golden glow that no amount of salt scrubs could replicate, and as she walked, homegirl looked like a fan was blowing on her, making her dark blonde curls flow gracefully around her shoulders and down her back. It was kind of a sight if I was being completely honest.
“I would’ve answered your calls sooner, but cell reception is abysmal at court.” Cosette offered me the tiny, green coin purse. “This is for you.”
“No worries. I figured you were tied up.” I gave the purse some serious side-eye. Insulting Cosette would be bad, but I didn’t want to take anything from her until I knew what the hell it was. “I don’t know… After how your cousin looked at me, are you sure you want to give me anything?”
“I’ve heard what’s going on in Ireland. Donovan’s pack is a mess, and it’s about to get worse.”
I stopped walking. How on earth would she know anything about Donovan’s pack? “I’m sorry, what?” I asked when I caught up with her again. “How do you know what’s going on with the Weres?”
“The entrance to my court is in Ireland.”
“Then why’re you here?” Denver wasn’t exactly next door to Ireland. It was at least a twelve-hour flight with a stop. Unless Van, her fey bestie slash possible boyfriend—I wasn’t quite sure which way she leaned when it came to him—had teleported her out like he was Scotty and she was in an episode of Star Trek.
“I’m harder to assassinate when I’m half a world away.” She shrugged. “Plus, my condo in Denver rocks, the coven here is more than welcoming, and the Colorado pack likes me better than my family does. I tend to like them back.”
“Assassinate?” Someone was trying to assassinate her?
“Hmm.” Cosette wasn’t elaborating. Honestly, I was shocked she’d said so much.
I put that aside and asked a question she might answer. “What’s with you and the pack?” Cosette got along really well with the unmated guys at St. Ailbe’s and not one Cazador had ever complained she could be a security threat. It seemed odd when things were supposed to be so tense between our races.
She flipped her long curls over her shoulder. “I have a thing for wolves.”
“Oookaaaay.” That so wasn’t an answer. I tapped my fingers on my leg as we walked. At least there was one thing she could tell me about right now. Or so I hoped. “What’s in the pouch?”
“Your get out of jail free card. I was hoping to get coins for Tessa and Claudia, too, but for now, I just have the one, and you need it the most.” She held the pouch out to me again. “Although, I’ll warn you. You shouldn’t go to Ireland right now if you can avoid it.”
I had exactly zero plans to go anywhere—especially Ireland—in the near future, but it was odd that she was worried about it. “Why?”
