Page 111 of Bargain with Fate
“If you circle back to restraints, I’m leaving.”
He laughed. “Gods, you’re easy to rile.”
I made a show of rubbing my head. “It’s the injury.”
“Right.” He clapped his hands as he stood. “Now, what would you like to eat? Are you hungry for a meal or a snack?”
The thought of food made my stomach rumble. “A meal, apparently, but I can eat at home.” I started to rise, but Vale urged me back to the bed.
“You heard Harriet. She said no releasing you until you’ve had food and water. I won’t have you passing out and falling overboard.”
“Fine. I’ll eat and run. Normally that’s considered bad manners.”
“I don’t think anyone here expects manners from you, Maya.”
My mouth opened to object, then snapped closed again. He was right; manners weren’t my forte. Never had been. Not much opportunity to practice them. It would’ve been strange to exchange pleasantries with someone right before plunging a sword into their gut. Anonymity and detachment were survival tools.
They still were.
“Knock, knock. Delivery service.” Nina entered the bedroom, carrying a tray overflowing with food and a tall glass of water. “Hope you’re hungry.”
“Thank you. That looks amazing.”
“Thank you, Nina. That’s all for now,” Vale said.
The shifter withdrew without another word.
I smeared a slice of toast with butter and grape jam and took a satisfying bite. It tasted like childhood.
Toast in hand, I walked to the window that stretched from floor to ceiling and peered through the curtains. The square was quiet and devoid of people. Then I noticed the color of the sky—dark purple, like a bruise. I turned to Vale. “Is it sunset?”
“Just about. Why?”
“See for yourself.”
He joined me at the window. “Ominous color.”
“No kidding.” The sunset should’ve been orange and yellow. Maybe pink. But deep purple? The hairs on my arms stood at attention. “I sense magic. Do you feel it?”
“Coranians?”
“Seems likely.” I darted to the bedside table to retrieve my phone and noticed it was at full battery. “You charged my phone?”
“There are chargers in every room. What are you doing?” Vale asked.
“Calling Justine to update her on the situation.”
“Whatever’s happening, Maya, it’s happening in my territory, not yours.”
“And if it spills over to the island?” If anything happened to the Neighborhood because I wasn’t there, I’d never forgive myself. “Weapons. I need weapons, and lots of them.”
“I know you’re talented, August, but you only have two hands. How many do you think you can wield at the same time?”
“You’d be surprised.”
“Actually, I don’t think I would.” Vale tapped his phone screen. “Gage, I need you and Cowboy to round up help. We have a developing situation.”
I dared to glance outside again. The purple had deepened to black. The sky had become a void, a dark funnel through which seven sorcerers were about to make another entrance.
