Chapter 4 #2
Grayson made a striking form. Covered in more jewelry than any witch or warlock I’d ever seen, Grayson’s trinkets held no obvious rhyme or reason.
There was no particular style to the hardware.
Most likely, it was random. Will-o’-the-wisps liked displaying their treasure, stolen though it was.
It was an uncharitable thought. Was it really stealing if the object had been abandoned?
Perhaps not. Perhaps it didn’t matter. My perception of the situation wouldn’t allow a different point of view.
Now irritated with myself for finding anything about Grayson Delarue attractive, my voice took on a harder-than-needed edge when I said, “Hard at work, I see. Good to know Keir hired the right will-o’-the-wisp for the job.
Perhaps I should speak to Keir now, let him know how seriously you’re taking your latest commission. ”
In answer, Grayson barely raised his right hand enough to give me the bird. “Your precious treasure isn’t going anywhere.”
Pressure filled my fingertips, my branches itching to be let loose. “You don’t know that.”
Rolling on his side, Grayson lifted his head enough to ask, “Oh? Do tell.”
Gaia, he was irritating. Smug too. As far as I could tell, Grayson had no reason to be so cocky.
“Others know something is here.” I didn’t bother saying that most of those individuals were now dead.
Keir had related the story to me, how the previous head of the Warlock Council had been involved with Tenzen Huxley and had schemed to get control of the Magical Usage Council in order to get at whatever Huxley had left behind.
It was the reason we were even aware there was something hidden.
Those warlocks were no longer a concern. That didn’t mean others might not come. There was no way to know if Huxley had spoken with anyone else.
“Not surprising.” Grayson shrugged before pushing himself up and sitting cross-legged. He patted an uncomfortable looking patch of concrete beside him. “Might as well sit instead of looming over there.”
“I am not looming.” I didn’t loom. I was a mighty oak for Gaia’s sake.
Grayson cocked his head. His silvery-white hair flopped, revealing blue highlights close to his scalp. His eyes were so pale blue they barely had any color at all. “You need to lighten up a little.” Grayson shook his body. “You know, shake off the tension and all that.”
My body responded by tightening up more. “You hardly know me well enough to make such a statement.”
Grayson had the audacity to yawn, as if my presence were tiring. “Whatever, I’m just saying you’d be a lot happier if you learned to relax a little.”
I stared at the concrete patch he’d indicated earlier. “That hardly appears to be a comfortable place to relax.” I already knew the companionship wouldn’t lend itself to relaxation either.
“Eh, can’t disagree there. I really hope you’ve got a better room for me in this huge place. A bed and bathroom would be fantastic. Not to mention somewhere I can cook a meal.”
My muscles tensed for another reason. “Has no one shown you to your quarters yet?”
“Would I still be sitting here if they had?”
“I wouldn’t know.”
Grayson appeared to roll that around in his head for a hot minute before he gave a curt nod. “Fair enough.” Standing, he dusted off the rear of his pants. “So, I do have somewhere else to hang my proverbial hat.”
I sighed, more than a bit embarrassed. Despite my feelings regarding Grayson’s presence, common courtesy was important and a practice that shouldn’t be forgotten. Being a gracious host was good manners, plain and simple. Clearly, we’d all dropped the ball.
Walking toward a door on the opposite side of the room, I waved a hand and said, “If you’d follow me. Please.” The last was reluctantly said.
“I’ll bet that last bit hurt.” Grayson chuckled. The sound sent odd little shivers down my spine. It was surprisingly pleasant and…honest? I wasn’t certain that was the correct term. Genuine might be better.
“You have no idea,” I grumbled, barely loud enough for Grayson to hear.
His mirth only grew. “You’re a bit more entertaining than I originally thought. Nice ass too.”
I came to a dead stop, swiftly turning, eyes wide as saucers. “You’re watching my ass?”
Grayson shoved his hands in his pockets and shrugged. “Sure. Like I said, it’s a nice ass. Why wouldn’t I look?”
“Why wouldn’t you…” My mouth opened and closed, words escaping me. My cheeks flushed, skin on fire. My indignation finally found a few letters to scramble together. “You don’t say things like that.”
“How do you know? Maybe I say shit like that all the time.”
I wasn’t ready to analyze why the thought of Grayson commenting on another’s assets bothered me more than the comment itself. “That’s not what I meant.”
“Then what did you mean?” Grayson sounded genuinely confused.
“I… That’s something you might think, but you don’t say it out loud. Dear Gaia, were you born and raised in a barn? Do you truly have no manners at all?”
Grayson blew out an irritated breath and waved me off. “That’s ridiculous. Why keep something like that inside? I don’t keep secrets, Martin. I told you before, secrets are treasures that want to be found. Keeping something like that inside doesn’t feel good.”
Whatever I’d been about to say died on my lips as I truly considered those words. “It’s painful?”
“I wouldn’t go that far, but it’s not comfortable either.
You’ll find I’m a pretty honest guy. Nearly every will-o’-the-wisp is.
It’s another reason we’re not all that popular as a species.
We’re not considered as bad as necromancers, but we’re not invited to a lot of parties either.
Shame really. Will-o’-the-wisps like a good party and we tend to liven things up. If you ask me, others are missing out.”
I took a moment to ruminate on this latest bit of knowledge. Grayson was right. Will-o’-the-wisps were often blunt and said things that didn’t seem or feel appropriate. I’d always chalked it up to poor manners, but maybe that wasn’t it, or at least, not all it was.
I didn’t think Grayson Delarue was playing me. Admittedly, after Huxley’s betrayal, I wasn’t terribly confident when it came to trusting others. However, if it really made will-o’-the-wisps uncomfortable to not tell the truth…
“That is surprisingly refreshing,” I mumbled, more to myself than for Grayson’s benefit.
The grin lighting up Grayson’s face softened his features. “Bet that was even harder for you to say.”
“Not as much as you’d think.”
“Yeah? Huh.” Grayson rubbed the back of his neck, his shoulders rounded. Despite the restful position I’d found him in, Grayson truly did look tired.
“Come on,” I said, turning. “Let’s get you settled. I’m afraid I don’t have anyone to spare to collect your things.”
“No worries. I can call the hotel and have them bring my stuff over.”
Not knowing what to say, I kept walking. If there was an extra little swagger in my step and a slight sway to my hips, that was totally unintentional. And if I stood in my room later, turning just enough to see the outline of my ass… Well, no one needed to know that either.
I’d always known will-o’-the-wisps to take treasure. I’d never known one to freely give it away.