Page 49 of Grimoire Omens

Explaining to Ulseere the concept of Skip the Dishes proved entertaining, but once he understood someone would be delivering us food, he smiled. “A brilliant idea.”

“You’ll have to race downstairs when the driver gets close. I set the address for that garden nursery up the road. It’s a five-minute walk from here.” I couldn’t use our actual location since, apparently, unfinished buildings weren’t recognized by the app.

“Walk,” he scoffed. “A rapid run will allow me to make it there and back in less than that.”

“While juggling everything?”

Again, he snorted as if I’d said the most ridiculous thing.

When the tracker showed the driver ten minutes out, Ulseere left, and I sat with my knees tucked to my chin, basking in the late afternoon sun. Since I lacked a chair, I sat on the paper bag holding the Grimoire, speaking of which, I yanked it out and started flipping the pages. The more I saw, the more my lips pursed. Most of the spells weren’t very nice. It shouldn’t have surprised, but you’d think a book this old would have some things that would actually help people like healing potions and good luck charms. However, it seemed to be mostly about casting curses and poxes, ways of causing ruin to your rivals, and more summoning-type spells for creatures that, quite honestly, only a fucking moron would attempt. I mean, why would anyone have need for a basilisk, a lizard thing that turned folks to stone? Then again, if it petrified the spell caster, it might do the gene pool a favor because stupid shouldn’t reproduce.

I slammed the book shut and headed for the edge of the building and glanced down in time to see Ulseere sprinting for the fence. If he could move as quickly as he claimed, I’d soon be sinking my teeth into a yummy pizza. Some might find it odd I had an appetite. Like, hello, stress always provided an excuse to eat—as did happiness and sadness and anger. Food had long been my emotional blanket. When mom died, the corner store made a mint from the many bags of chips and chocolate bars I bought.

“I’m surprised Ulseere left you alone. Did you do it on purpose to rid yourself of the hunter that we might have the opportunity to meet again?”

The voice, unexpected, unwelcome, and yet surprisingly suave and charming, had me whirling, even as I already knew who spoke.

Gryvak.

“Ulseere will be back any second.” I lied because, even if he grabbed the pizza in the next five seconds and then raced back, he’d need at least five more to reach us, assuming he sprinted full speed. However, he’d have no reason to go all out since he didn’t have a clue the enemy chose to arrive early.

“Don’t bother lying. We both know the hunter won’t make it back in time to save you.” The shadow elf looked much too handsome in daylight, with his chiseled features, blond hair perfectly layered, in jeans and a snug henley, the perfect outfit for fitting in. Yet, for all his good looks, the evil in him made him ugly. Repulsive even.

“Who says I won’t save myself?” I lifted my chin and tried to not internally deflate at his laughter.

“Do you really think you, a human witch, is a match for a prince who’s been trained to fight?”

Knowing he tried to psyche me out didn’t make his claim any less true.

“How the hell did you get up here without Ulseere seeing you?” Surely, they’d have passed each other on the stairs?

“Aren’t you going to ask how I found you?” he countered.

“Fine. How did you find me?”

“I’ve been tracking you since you left the hotel. Surprised? You shouldn’t be. Did you think your burst of magic last night would go unnoticed?”

“If you knew where I was, why didn’t you come after me in the hotel?”

“I debated it, however I decided to wait and see if a more opportune moment presented itself.”

“You still didn’t say how you followed without us noticing.” I kept talking, stalling for time.

“The same way I got to the top of this building.” A glow surrounded Gryvak and his feet left the ground. I blinked at the sight of him hovering several inches above the roof. “A good thing I was always strong in air element. I can sustain flight for longer than most.”

Of course, the fucker could fly. “I don’t know why you keep wasting your time coming after me. I’ve already told you I won’t cooperate, and I’m not afraid to fight.” To prove it, I dropped into a half-crouch hands out and curled into claws. Would it do me any good? No idea, but it seemed to be the battle position of choice in movies.

“Do you really think you have enough power to take me on?” he mocked.

“Why don’t we find out?” I challenged in the hopes he’d hesitate if I appeared confident enough.

My feint led to Gryvak releasing a low chuckle of male amusement. “I’m almost tempted to let you try.” His gaze slewed left, and his lips curved. “I see you brought the Grimoire.”

“It won’t do any good. I removed the summoning spell from it.” I lifted my chin, proud I’d foiled him.

“That doesn’t matter since it no longer interests me.”

Wait what? “I thought you wanted it,” I blurted out.