Chapter 12
CHAPTER TWELVE
Outside Sage, Flame, & Crystal, I yanked Ranth into the alley that ran between two buildings. We were close enough to the address Rose had given me in the Marina district, so going there first seemed like a good plan.
“We should lay some rules down before we go to our next location.” I was starting to feel like we were in a video game.
“I’m listening.” He folded his arms, flashing his bare midriff as he leaned against the wall.
I didn’t usually judge what people wore, but the vampire kitty T-shirt, paired with camo track pants and blue shoes, made him stand out.
If he was going to be around for a while, we’d need something that fit him.
“I know you explained why everyone sees you now, but when I went to Brenda’s, you were invisible, even to me. So can you turn it off like that?”
His hair swung around his chin, and he pushed it back. “I could if I chose to. I like having a body again.”
“Too bad. You choose. I don’t want Harold to know you’re in the room. Actually, I’d prefer if no one else saw you other than who we’ve already talked to.”
“What’s the advantage in that for me?” He sucked his teeth, and if I was the kind of person who hit people, I would have slapped him.
“How about, I’d really like you to?” I cocked my head.
His intense eyes narrowed. “How about if you ask nicely, then I’ll stay out of view—but only if you grant me three favors.”
“What am I, a genie?”
“What’s a genie?”
“Never mind. What are the favors?” I crossed my arms.
“I will decide what to ask of you later when I have need of the favor.”
“Absolutely not. My mother said to never make deals with demons or planar creatures.”
“I’m neither of those.”
“Close enough.”
“Excellent. Then who are we going to meet next?” He straightened up and moved toward the sidewalk.
I hauled him back, and once the amber-apricot thing veiled around us, I let go. “Stop. I can’t make a deal with you. Deals with strangers always end badly. Haven’t you watched TV or movies since your imprisonment?”
“I’ve seen unfortunate outcomes, yes. But that’s not real life.”
“It’s modeled on life. I’m not stupid. If you want an open-ended deal, then you have ulterior motives.”
“Great, I’m looking forward to meeting this Harold.”
I was not up for this standoff. I closed my eyes and tipped my chin up to the clear blue of the early spring sky. I knew better than to make a deal with an unknown entity, but I needed to be in control of the meeting with Harold. Compelling Ranth to be invisible was worth something to me.
“Fine. One favor with right of refusal, but I want a favor in return, no questions asked.”
Ranth pursed his lips. “I won’t agree to that. One favor each, but each with rights of refusal.”
“This is not some haggling bazaar. No deal.”
“It was your idea, I think. Is that the transportation we require?” He looked over my shoulder at the Muni bus in the distance.
I yanked him back by the arm, the touch doing that same thing with the amber and apricot honey sandalwood. I dropped my hand and stared at it as if it had betrayed me. “Look, do this for me.”
“Do a favor for you, you mean?”
Crocus. He was good. “Yes. Do me this favor of disappearing when I need you to.” I glanced at the street. We didn’t have much time.
“Then I want the same. One favor, no refusal. It’s only fair.”
I uncurled my fists, willing myself to relax. Having this wizard get under my skin could undermine my fine work. He’d already won. The only way to safeguard this was to get two favors.
“I want a second favor, then. Same terms, no questions, but we can both refuse. So, you have two left and I have one.”
“Deal.”
“Deal.” I breathed out, hoping my soul was still wherever it should be.
“Should we shake hands?” he asked, licking his lips.
“It’s a promise made, and I expect you to hold up your end. We’re going to take that—transportation. Can you manage to stay out of sight until I call for you?”
“Isn’t that the favor?”
“It’s the deal we made for the favors. But yes, I literally just explained that.”
“Right.” He chuckled. “I can do that.” Purple smoke came out of his skin.
“No! Not here. Not like that,” I said, pulling him deeper into the alley. His muscled arms slipped around me like it was the natural effect of being close, and I batted them off as the amber scent rose from his skin.
“You can’t disappear so close to the street, or people will notice. Hang on a minute.” I stepped out from the alley and looked around. Two pedestrians were way up at the corner. On the other side, three had already passed us.
I stepped back. “Okay, quick, do it.”
“Do what?”
“Disappear into purple smoke.”
“Purple?” His nose wrinkled. It was kind of adorable if he was adorable which he wasn’t.
“Your smoke is purple. Go away. I’ll call you out after we get there.”
“That’s interesting. Is it a dark purple or a light purple?”
“Dark, like in eggplant skin, you probably call it aubergine. Now go away.”
“Don’t we need a special sign or word to call me back?” His lips shifted up on one side making a dimple.
“A safe word? Not a bad idea. How about Annoying Wizard.”
“That might come up. How about Chestnut? That’s another word for Sorrel.”
“Perfect. Chestnut. Go away. I’ll call you back in a bit.”
The edges of his skin turned inky purple, then wispy as he disappeared.
“Don’t worry, I’m still here, Sorrel.”
“Get out of my head,” I said, clasping my ears and stumbling out from the alley. The couple coming down the sidewalk did a double take and stepped off the curb to avoid getting too close to me.
I grinned at them. Then, with all senses on alert for portals, I darted across the street to catch the Muni.