Page 53 of Bargain with Fate
“No shit. Why do you think we host hyaku monogatari?”
“That’s different. Your purpose for that is to scare each other. I’m talking about a meaningful exchange of experiences.”
“An exchange, huh?”
“With each other,” I clarified. “I’m still history in the making, as Kaito pointed out.”
Leaning her elbows on the counter, she fixed her gaze on me. “I think you and I both know you’ve packed more experiences into your thirty-five years than most people your age. Hell, you’ve probably had more remarkable encounters than half the people on this island.”
I broke eye contact. “You seem to think I’m far more compelling than I actually I am.”
“How about this? I share one little-known fact about me, then you do the same. It’ll grease the wheels for game night.” My face must have registered hesitation because she added, “It won’t hurt. I promise.”
“Okay, fine. According to Vanessa, I’m a Leo with Leo Rising, whatever that means.”
Amusement rumbled from her mouth, low and pleasant. “That’s your offering?”
“You failed to stipulate that my little-known fact had to be impactful.”
“Talking to you is like talking to the fae. Next time I’ll choose my words more carefully.”
“You could always compel me to talk with some kind of potion in my drink.” I gestured to the wineglass.
“I’d prefer the information to be offered freely. I’m asking because I’m interested in you as a person, Maya August, not because I’m collecting intel to use as bargaining chips.”
The twin flames of guilt and shame flickered within me. “I know. I’m sorry.” I was still growing accustomed to this “normal” way of life. In my previous one, information was currency and nothing more. No one knew me; no one could without risk of harm. If you knew me at all, that likely meant you’d tempted fate and come out on the wrong side.
In this life, knowing too much about me could get us both killed. My mind flicked back to the light on Meemaw’s map. I’d have to be more careful. One wrong spell and I’d put the whole island in danger, which was the exact opposite of my purpose as acting security director.
The Neighbors were under my protection—and that included protection from me.
Chapter
Nine
Iwaited until morning to follow up on Meemaw’s lead. The shadow itself wouldn’t leave an obvious trail, but if its magical signature was strong enough to show up in Meemaw’s abnormality spell, then I should be able to use a more localized spell to detect any magical residue.
I rummaged through the pantry for the necessary ingredients. There was a reason I maintained my own section in the community gardens. Unlike Meemaw, I preferred to grow my own inventory. I’d witnessed enough instances where unscrupulous sellers substituted dangerous lookalikes, causing a spell to backfire in catastrophic fashion. In other words, I trusted no one, not even when it came to basic herbs.
The prep only took ten minutes. This was a potion I’d spent years perfecting and had been an invaluable tool during my “bounty hunting” days. That line of work hadn’t required a spell like Meemaw’s. The target’s general location had been provided by my handlers, leaving the rest up to me. When the location was a New York City block, a spell that narrowed the scope was a necessity.
I poured the bright green potion into a spray bottle and set off for Terrapin to search the grounds for evidence of the rogue shadow.
I couldn’t have chosen a busier time. I passed a stream of Neighbors heading out to their morning activities. Tennis racquets, golf clubs, pickleball paddles. I didn’t know how I expected to conduct a search without interference.
I fielded a gluttony of greetings “Good morning, Maya.” “Hello, Maya.” “Fancy seeing you here, Miss August.” I felt like the mayor of Evermore.
I continued to the building identified on Meemaw’s map. Once the coast was clear, I began to spray the pathway that led to the entrance. No sign of residue there.
I walked outside the building’s perimeter, spritzing each section along the way. It wasn’t until I reached the interior courtyard that I hit the jackpot. Blades of grass glowed a brighter shade of green.
Hello, darkness, my old friend.
I spritzed again and scanned the area to see if I could find a path. There were a few glowing green patches, but that was it. Thinking of Darlene’s second-floor condo, I sprayed the side of the wall in case the shadow had scaled it here too. Nothing.
What were my options? Spray every door and window in the building with my special green goop? Knock on every door and search each unit?
Not if I hoped to keep pandemonium from breaking out.
