Page 33 of Reapers Don’t Ride

He took off while I studied the goblin who was staring at me like I was a serious disease that he’d contracted, only I might be killable.

“I’m really not,” I assured him, flashing fangs in a way that made him flinch. “The contract is solid. Be glad that’s all I took from you. If you even think about coming after any of us, or whispering about this business, you’ll wake up dead. Remove her collar.”

He glowered and then brushed his fingers over the silver until it snapped and came off into his hand. That glower was so intense. He was definitely going to try to kill me for this.

We stepped outside and Gavriel put the girl on his shoulder so she could see the goblin market. She stared around with rapt eyes, but she was mostly looking backwards until her brother caught up to us. He had a small bag over his shoulder that wasn’t enough for anyone’s belongings. Other than mine.

I scratched Crucible under the chin, and he nudged my neck and nibbled my ear.

“Don’t bite me,” I warned. “Vampire flesh will make you sick. Pix, do you know a booth that sells ferret food?”

“Don’t call me pix,” he said, glowering at me and his sister who was perched on the angel’s shoulder. “What are you going to do with her?”

“No idea. I just needed revenge for what he did to my darling Crucible. Do you have any family that might take you lot in?”

He hesitated, then shrugged. “I have a half-brother.”

“What a surprise. He sounds like a criminal. Do you want to get involved with that, or would you prefer to be placed somewhere else? The fairy grove would be a good place to find law-abiding contacts. At least that’s what the criminals say. Dust is not allowed. I’m not dropping either one of you until I’m certain you’re in a good place. And I’ll check periodically.”

He grabbed my arm, so I spun around to face the fairy boy and his pale lashes. “I thought you were an assassin. Why are you helping us? That’s what you’re doing, right?”

I studied him, then shrugged, glancing at Gavriel. “My angel says that I have a soul worth saving. If I do, then a couple of fairy kids definitely do. And saving is harder than killing. Maybe I’m ready for a challenge.”

Gavriel smiled at me, and I ducked my head, feeling awkward. Also slightly glowing. That was approval in his eyes. I’d solved the problem without killing, and he’s the only one who got shot. The scent of fresh blood was gone, so I wasn’t worried. All right, I was worried, and the second I had him alone, I was taking off his shirt to check his wound. I’d hate that so much, but some sacrifices had to be made for his safety.