Page 23 of Kick the Candle (Knight Games 2)
Rick shrugged.
A flurry of black flapping wings circled our heads and landed on the lip of the dumpster. "Well, I'm sure standing there talking about what we don't know is going to be productive." Poe's beady black eyes rolled in his head.
"Hey, the sarcasm isn't helping, Poe," I said.
Rick grimaced. "Do you know this bird?"
"Rick, this is my new familiar, Poe. Poe, this is my caretaker, Rick."
"You called a familiar? Already?" Rick asked.
"Oh, sure, question my existence. Don't bother thanking me for saving her life or anything. If not for me, her head would be impaled on the end of the mountain troll's club." Poe flapped his glossy black wings.
"Thank you, Poe," I said. I didn't appreciate his attitude but he had a point. He had saved my life.
"You're welcome. Now, tell me I can have some of the Finfolk. I have a taste for fish."
I gagged a little. "You want to eat that?"
"Don't judge."
Silas must have overheard because he made eye contact and nodded his head.
"Guess it's okay, Poe. Enjoy."
Without hesitation, he soared down and attacked the carnage.
"Mi cielo, we should probably go. More to do tonight, and we are behind schedule," Rick prompted.
"Right." I approached Soleil and Silas, extending my hand. "Rick and I need to move on. It's been a pleasure."
Soleil gripped my fingers, her gaze meeting mine in the most intense way. "In gratitude for your help, I grant you one favor, Grateful Knight." Her body glowed, and I shielded my eyes. "Thank you for your service to the Celestial Fae."
The skin of my face felt warm, like I was lying in a tanning bed or on the beach. I released her hand and touched my cheek. "Uh, thanks."
She retreated inside, and Rick ushered me out of the alley.
"You are very fortunate, mi cielo."
"Yeah?"
"A fae favor is as good as a miracle. Use it wisely." Rick pressed his lips together, his gaze deadly serious.
Why did his explanation sound more like a warning? "What are you trying to say Rick? You know what? Never mind. I'll look it up later in the Book of Light. My brain can't handle any more surprises."
He nodded curtly. Now if only fate would be as agreeable as Rick.
Mr. Nekomata
Bang. Bang.
Pause.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
Monday morning. Someone was knocking on my front door. I opened one eye and groaned. My alarm clock said it was just after eight. I'd worked all day Sunday and then Rick and I had patrolled into the wee hours of the night, trying our best to keep up with the influx of supernatural activity. I'd clocked approximately three hours of sleep. Who the hell had come-a-callin' at this hour?
The metal on metal sound of a key turning in a lock had me bolt upright in bed. What the heck? The only other person with a key to my house was my dad and he...Oh crap.
