Chapter 8
EIGHT
Islept like a rock, cringing as my watch alarm chimed from the nightstand.
It took me a few tries to find the right button to turn it off, and by the time I did I could hear the coffee pot brewing in the kitchen beyond the closed bedroom door, along with a distinct sizzling.
I thought about grabbing a cup of coffee before getting ready, then thought better of it.
It might be just Sebastian out there, and I really wasn’t sure how to feel about what had happened between us again.
Shaking my head, I slipped from the silk sheets and walked toward the closet as I secured my watch around my wrist. I had initially avoided hanging up my clothes, wanting to believe I’d only be at the apartment for a night or two, but after those first few nights I started feeling silly living out of a suitcase.
And the closet had been empty and ready for use.
I wasn’t sure where Sebastian kept his clothes, and I was yet to ask.
Maybe he just kept them in some demonic shadow pocket void space.
I tugged down one of my folded pairs of jeans from the shelf above the clothes rod, then reached for a silky green button up.
I had only met Penelope once, and she’d been dressed like a villain from a Victorian fantasy novel.
I had a feeling in a teeshirt I would be underdressed.
With Ringo still asleep on his pillow, I crept toward the bathroom, breaking into a run the last few steps and shutting the door behind me just as his fluffy head popped up.
He had a bad habit of racing into the bathroom before I could get a chance.
I had showered the previous night, so it didn’t take long for me to get ready and braid my hair.
I preferred wearing it loose, but I had been tossed around a lot lately.
Didn’t want the hair getting in the way at the wrong moment.
I dutifully avoided looking at the counter and remembering what had happened just a few hours ago.
As I brushed my teeth my watch buzzed. I spat into the sink, then looked down at a text from Gabriel.
All is well here. Did you sleep?
Frowning to myself, I dictated a text back. Did you?
Not a wink.
I knew he must be at the border to be sending texts and I considered calling, but there wasn’t much time if I was going to have coffee and breakfast before the meeting with Penelope. So instead I typed back, I’m going to go forage for coffee. Talk soon.
I’m already at the border. I’ll be there before the meeting, was his reply.
Sighing, I exited the bathroom. I supposed it was wishful thinking that I might be able to keep Sebastian and Gabriel apart until it was time to hunt my great grandfather.
When that time came, I would likely need all of the guys together to give me enough of a power boost to reach him.
Hopefully Sebastian would keep his promise and leave his mocking at the door.
I stepped out of the bedroom to find not the devil in question, but Crispin.
He stood in front of the stove, eggs and bacon sizzling before him.
When he turned, I saw that he wore a white apron over his emerald button up and houndstooth pants.
I frowned down at my shirt, exactly the same shade as his.
Not seeming to notice, Crispin waved a spatula in the air. “Almost ready!”
I approached the other side of the counter, sliding onto one of the stools there, wondering if he had sensed what happened last night.
“You went to bed just as late as I did. How are you up early enough to make breakfast?” It wasn’t the first time I had been shocked by his early rising, but he looked fresh as a daisy and it was annoying.
At least maybe that meant I hadn’t kept him up.
Toast popped in the toaster just as he plated three eggs and a heap of bacon, sliding the plate in front of me before reaching for the toast. “As I’ve told you before, I do not require much sleep.” He buttered the toast, then added it to my plate.
It was a much more pleasant interaction than anything I would have gotten out of Sebastian, but still, was I… disappointed?
“He went to that alchemist’s shop,” Crispin explained, reading my expression.
Of course he did. He would want to be prepared for any tricks his sister might try to pull.
Although I wasn’t sure if Isadora would help him since we still owed her for the last batch.
Her potions had saved our asses when we faced a fairy with a magical vortex ready to eat up my magic—they were well worth giving her some of that magic to bottle up in return, but we just hadn’t had the time.
And by hadn’t had the time, I meant I had deemed visiting the Bogs as more important.
I looked down at the eggs and the ungodly amount of bacon as Crispin fixed his plate. “Is this really how much you think I eat?”
He slid a mug of coffee my way, then walked around the counter to sit on the stool beside me. “All you had yesterday was a donut and takeout.” He lowered his voice as he leaned in near my shoulder. “And if I’m not mistaken, you worked up an appetite last night.”
I rolled my eyes, hoping it distracted from my blush. “Okay, mom.” My elbow bumped his as I reached for my fork, and a little flash of cool magic crept up my skin, making my cheeks flush.
Crispin let out a slow breath, seemingly more affected by the flare than I was.
I lowered my fork without taking a bite. “Are you okay?”
“Fine, dear Eva. Now eat your breakfast.” Though his tone was even, he wasn’t meeting my eyes.
Setting aside my fork and taking up my coffee instead, I swiveled my stool toward him, lightly kicking his leg with my bare foot. “You’re acting weird all of a sudden. Why?” He had teased me the first time I’d slept with Sebastian too, so I doubted it was that.
He grimaced. “I was under the impression we were trying to ignore the magical pull between us.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Says the guy who kisses me just to test a magical theory.”
“It did seem worth testing, yes…” He absentmindedly scraped his fork across his plate.
I sipped my coffee, wondering at the enigma that was Crispin. He flirted, yes, and he was kind, but I had settled into the impression that he was more fascinated with our bond than he was with me.
Crispin turned to say something else, but I jumped as a patch of darkness erupted across the counter from us, then glared once Sebastian became visible. “Don’t you knock?”
“In my own home?” He looked down at our breakfasts. “Eat quickly. We need to stop by Isadora’s shop before we meet Penelope.”
“Gabriel should be on his way here soon.”
“We cannot afford to wait for him.” Sebastian turned toward the coffee pot before I could argue.
I met Crispin’s waiting gaze, but the elf simply shrugged and turned back to his breakfast.
I made a mental note to talk to him later, maybe on our double date, if we actually made it there. The promise I had made to Dawn seemed very far away at the moment. My main concern now was visiting Isadora. Had she refused Sebastian’s request for more potions unless we paid for the first ones?
The last time we’d paid her for something, the situation had escalated into me making out with Sebastian in the middle of Isadora’s work room. Hopefully it wouldn’t come to that this time, since I was getting a little better at summoning my magic.
Of course, it wasn’t so easy when I was put on the spot, and not to mention that we were pressed for time.
I met Sebastian’s dark eyes as he turned away from the coffee pot with a fresh mug in hand. Something told me he already knew exactly how things would go at Isadora’s, and that maybe it was better if Gabriel didn’t arrive before then.
With Crispin now watching me expectantly, I dug into my breakfast, thinking about Crispin’s strange mood, the events of last night, and too many other things to count.
And here I’d thought my life was complicated just running errands and looking for my mom.
I’d really had no damn idea what complicated meant.
Isadora’s shop looked somehow different in the relatively early hours of morning.
Maybe it was because the glowing purple potion bottle wasn’t on yet, or maybe it was because the thick curtains had been pushed aside to let in some light, giving me a glimpse of Isadora behind the front counter.
Today she had a trucker hat tugged over her red pixie cut.
That, paired with a checkered flannel so oversized that she was nearly drowning in it, made her look like a street kid up to no good rather than an experienced alchemist.
Glancing behind us as if someone might be watching, Sebastian gestured for me to walk in ahead of him.
He was being cautious, and I couldn’t blame him.
While he hadn’t caught wind of who our watchers might have been in the Bogs, someone had seen us.
And now there was this female angelic to worry about.
It was only a matter of time before certain information found its way to Elizabeta.
The door jingled as we entered, and Isadora smiled up at me. “Ah, the more agreeable half of the duo. Glad to see you’re still alive.”
I walked up to the counter. “It’s only been a few days since I was here. Did you really think I’d get bumped off so quickly?”
Her lifted brow was the only answer I needed. She’d only heard maybe half the rumors about the bounty, but it was enough for her to see to the heart of the matter. My half-celestial ass was on borrowed time.
The room darkened with the hiss of moving curtains. We both watched as Sebastian walked to the next set, tugging them closed to block out any view of the street. I turned back to Isadora to catch her I told you so look.
I jumped at the sound of the door locking, then Sebastian appeared abruptly at my side. “I have brought your payment. Be quick about it.”
Unperturbed by his tone, Isadora’s eyes danced with mischief as she looked at me. “He really doesn’t ever get more pleasant, does he?”