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“A simple curse.”
His aura flared with fury. “What curse?”
“You want the gory details?” She waited for the jerky nod of his head. “Okay. First, you’re going to endure a bout of explosive diarrhea that will last for around an hour. But that’s only a prelude to the main event. At precisely midnight, your balls are going to swell up to the size of cantaloupes.” It was Peri’s turn to run her gaze down his stiff body, her smile mocking. “If you don’t mind a suggestion, you might want to head home before the diarrhea hits. And make sure you have some ice packs ready for your balls. I’m told the pain is intense.”
Elias made a choked sound. Was he struggling to breathe? Peri hoped so.
“How much?” he at last managed to wheeze.
“Excuse me?”
His face turned an interesting shade of purple. “How much to remove the curse, bitch?”
“Oh. Unfortunately—at least for you—your wife paid a very generous sum to make sure the curse remained in place for at least forty-eight hours.” Peri reached into her push-up bra to pull out a gilt-edged business card. “Come into the office on Monday and we can negotiate a new contract.”
The purple drained from Elias’s face to leave it a strange shade of ash. “Why you—”
Peri braced herself as the demon prepared to lunge at her. She wasn’t scared. She was far from helpless, especially with the magic of the Gyre pumping through her. But she preferred to avoid drawing attention. There were worse things than being beaten by an enraged goblin.
Thankfully, there was a blur of motion and suddenly a male was standing between them. He was well over six foot with copper hair that was pulled into a knot on top of his head. He was wearing a black T-shirt with gold lettering that spelled out Neverland and black jeans that fit with heart-stopping perfection. His face was impossibly beautiful and his dark gold eyes usually held a sinful promise of endless pleasure. At the moment, however, they were hard with warning as he glared at Elias.
Aston Wellman was the manager of Neverland and one of the most powerful fey creatures that Peri had ever encountered.
“Don’t make matters worse for yourself, Mitchell.” His voice was soft, but the threat carried easily over the thumping music. “Not unless you want to be banished.”
The demon clenched his teeth, but wisely backed away. Carefully, he inched his way around Aston, but as he stepped past Peri he bent to the side to whisper in her ear.
“I won’t forget this.”
She blew him a kiss, not bothering to watch as he stormed out of the nightclub. Her interest was locked on the fairy, who leaned casually against the edge of the bar. His green aura shimmered so bright Peri found it impossible to believe that the gathered humans couldn’t see it.
“Always a pleasure to see you in action, Peri,” Aston murmured.
“Not much action. But the contract paid well.”
Aston folded his arms over his chest, his muscles rippling beneath the tight T-shirt.
“I could pay more.”
Peri’s heart fluttered. Really, a woman would have to be dead not to be bedazzled by this exquisite male.
“I prefer my independence.”
He studied her with a searing intensity. “Are you truly independent?”
She arched her brows. Was he referring to her two partners, Maya and Skye? Or the mysterious Benefactor who provided protection for them?
“For the most part.” Her tone warned she wasn’t going to discuss private mage business.
“I could triple whatever you’re getting paid.” A warm pulse of energy swirled around her, seeping into her skin. Her bracelet glowed as it absorbed the fey magic. “I could get you an apartment overlooking the park. And allow you unlimited time in my special playroom.”
He whispered the wordplayroomas if it was a sexual invitation. It wasn’t. The playroom was a space where a demon or mage could use their magic without it being detected or traced. Most mages had specific talents. Like brewing potions or using magical items that intensified a spell. Just like the bracelet around her wrist. It absorbed and stored the magical essence of demons, allowing her to convert it into magic. Just like a portable battery.
Her talent was quite simply her amazing power. It came in handy when she was working, but unfortunately created a target that allowed demons and other nasty creatures to pinpoint her location when she was practicing her magic. She preferred to keep her more exotic spells a hidden asset.
She shook her head. “Tempting, but no.”
Aston tilted his head, his expression curious. “Is it me specifically that you don’t want as an employer?”
