Page 11 of Harnessed in Gold

“Yeah, the hotel had the buffet, remember?”

“Oh, that’s right.” The breakfast buffet I was supposed to enjoy in the afterglow with Zander. I clear my throat. “Well, I’m off to grab something to eat.”

“Betts,” Liv stalls me. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yeah,” I say.

But we both know I’m lying.

On my way to the dining hall, a text comes through from Leo, but I seriously consider ignoring it.

Can you meet us at Avery’s at 4?

No, I can’t. I quit. I don’t know what the hell I was thinking, volunteering to help. It hurts too much.

But as if they have a will of their own, my fingers type,Sure.

I can’tnothelp. I hate to admit it, but Leo’s idea to use human psychics is a good one. His recruitment method was questionable—especially how he went about ‘recruiting’ me—but the plan itself is solid. My power, combined with Aaron’s clairaudience and Avery’s psychometry, appears to be the faes’ best chance of finding this weapon.

So I’m still in. But I’m checking my heart at the door. Leo can have my brain and my clairsentience, but that’s all. And when this mission is over, I’m going back to normal life.

Even though I’ll probably never feel normal again.

That afternoon, I spend more time sleeping than studying. Liv, however, has suddenly become a super-scholar. I’ve never seen her so absorbed in her homework. If she weren’t stealing glances at me every few minutes, and if I couldn’t sense her indignation and worry, it might be a convincing performance.

I feel terrible for shutting her out, but what am I supposed to do? There’s a huge faerie-sized crater separating us, and I have no idea how to bridge it. So we both sulk, not mad at each other, but wounded all the same.

When it’s finally time to leave for Avery’s, I’m relieved, and considering who’s going to be there, that’s no small thing. I dash through the sleet as I head downtown, ice decorating my wool peacoat like seed pearls on a dark wedding gown. Thankfully, Avery’s living room is toasty warm.

No sooner do I shimmy out of my coat than Aaron jumps up to wrap me in his long arms. “Betts! You’re on board.”

“I’m on board,” I affirm, hugginghim back.

Avery greets me with a grin. “Leo told us you saw Brier’s team at the hotel.”

“Yeah. Kinda freaked me out.”

“But you used your power. You saw through their glamours and everything.” She gives my arm a proud squeeze as she escorts me to the crowded living room. I wave a reluctant hello to Topaz, who merely blinks in return. Rime offers me a broad smile.

When Aaron gestures for me to take his spot on the couch next to Leo, I shake my head and hop onto the sofa’s arm instead. “I’m good, but thanks.” I know I’m being juvenile, but the ride home with Leo this morning was more than enough closeness for the week. I need to focus this evening, not sit here worrying about keeping my arm from brushing his.

The squeaky desk chair groans as Rime leans forward to rest his elbows on his knees. “Betts, we already have a job for you.”

My stomach clenches. They’re not going to ease me into this, are they? “Okay. And what’s that?”

“Have you ever walked along the river, out past where the sports grounds are?”

Sports grounds? I love Rime’s American English. “You mean, like the lacrosse and softball fields?”

Rime looks to Leo, who nods and says, “Yeah. Behind the gym.”

“I don’t think so. Is there a path down there?”

“Only part of the way,” Leo replies.

“Then I probably haven’t.” Alderford may be a fairly safe little town, but I’m a sensible woman. I don’t go wandering around a river in an area not designated for walking.

Rime asks, “Can we persuade you to go?”