Page 63 of Stroke of Shadows

Harper wrapped her coat tighter around herself, the coffee shop a bright beacon through the hazy car window.

Anxiety crawled beneath her skin, the thought of getting caught enough to want to keep her time away as short as possible. She’d never snuck out before, and she knew if Angel found out, he’d definitely restrict her freedom. But she was at a dead-end, and Wyatt’s threats were increasing.

Last warning. Find me that chalice, or you’ll receive a visit soon. You don’t want a repeat of the last time, do you?

She’d turned cold as she’d read the message, her hand shaking as she’d deleted it. The documents she’d found at the museum were unreadable, and yet were her only lead. She needed help, and after searching anonymously online, she’d found someone who could.

Paying for the black cab with cash, she slipped out into the drizzle, running towards the door. The little bell dinged gently, rousing the tired-looking barista behind the bar. With a face of apology, she shook her head and scanned the tables for the person she risked her privacy for at two in the morning.

Luckily, there was only a single table taken, and she matched the description perfectly.

“BurnBabyBurn69?” Harper whispered to the woman who sat in the corner, her fingers moving across the keyboard of her laptop at an impressive speed. She looked up, dark brows pulled together at the interruption, before her entire face brightened.

“You must be Default6547. Honestly, I didn’t think you would show. No one ever shows from that forum.” Slapping the top of her laptop down, she swept her arm out for Harper to take a seat. “Oh, I’m Thea, by the way.”

“Harper.” She sat, the wood hard against her back. “You’re not what I expected.”

Large, light brown eyes. Pastel pink hair that was messily braided and a friendly heart-shaped face. A gold nose ring hugged Thea’s septum, and Harper swore there was something on her tongue. Even her ears were pierced, with three hoops in each of her lobes.

“Did you expect some dude with an attitude problem?” Thea snorted. Her oversized knitted jumper rolled up her arms to reveal black and white floral tattoos.

“Yes, actually.” For some reason, she imagined a large burly guy, not a woman made from rainbows. “So you’re confident you can find it?”

“Of course, this is what I do.” She reached for her steaming hot chocolate, complete with cream and marshmallows. “But just so you know, my fee is 10k upfront in cash, and then 10k in Ravyns when I’ve handed the thingumabob over to you.” She sipped from the mug, observing over the rim.

“That’s fine.” Harper had brought more than that with her, Wyatt giving her unlimited money when it came to the artifact. “So you’re a professional artefact hunter?”

Thea rolled her eyes, letting out a little puff of air before she set down her drink. “Sure, if you want to call it that. I’m simply an expert in finding and relocating things.”

She tried not to show her unease at Thea, essentially, being a thief. Harper was good at what she did, but she wasn’t any closer to obtaining the chalice. She also didn’t have any other options since no one else responded to her post. “So you’ve looked at the paperwork regarding the chalice? You can read it?”

“Of course not.” A delicate giggle. “No one can read Celestrian unless you have celestrial blood. But don’t worry, that’s never stopped me before.” She tucked a piece of pink hair behind her ear, and Harper froze.

Thea’s ears were pointed.

Which meant she was Fae.

Thea noticed the change, her smile straining. “Is this going to be a problem?”

“No… of course not.” Harper tried to control the slight tremor in her voice. “I’m sorry, that was rude of me.”

Thea pursed her lips, staring for a few seconds. “Look, I get that not all Fae have pointed ears, but it doesn’t make me lower class than you.”

“No, that’s…” Harper cleared her throat. “I don’t meet with many Breed.”

“Oh, so, human parents? Yeah, I have those. If it makes you feel any better, I was born here, like you. I don’t have the same attachment to the ‘rules’ as the others do.” She even did air quotes, her fingernails painted a ruby red.

Harper’s brows pulled together, her hands clenching on her knees beneath the table. “The rules?”

“You know, the rules?” Thea cocked her head. “Wow, you really have been living under a rock.”

Harper couldn’t help but smile at the insult, Thea’s personality infectious. “I don’t get to communicate with many people. Not just Breed,” she admitted quietly.

“Like anyone? At all? That’s sad.”

Harper’s face softened. “So these rules? Will they affect your job?”

“Of course not, but you’re sitting there nervous, and I would rather you get to know me before we get into a contract. Okay?” It was hard not to match Thea’s enthusiasm. “I don’t want you flaking out after I do all the work because you don’t like my ears.”

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