Page 76 of Death and Donuts

“No. They’re minimalists when they’re in the field, but when researching at home, they have their comforts. It drives Vena nuts because they tend not to sleep much when they fall into a research rabbit hole. She worries about their health.” I didn’t add that Vena’s worry started after her grandparents had disappeared.

When we reached the Hunters’ place, I decided “divide and conquer” was the only way to go.

“Cross, would you mind getting the books while I get the rest of the stuff?”

He agreed, and I jogged up the stairs to collect the other items. Shepard trailed behind me, holding everything I foundas I went. When we returned downstairs for the coffee warmer and slippers in the study, Cross was sitting in the reading chair, flipping through the pages of a familiar book.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“Checking to see if there’s anything useful,” he said.

“What is that?” Shepard asked.

“The book that Cross helped Vena and me find. The book that Miles has been asking for. It mentioned the stones your rings are made out of. Vena and I read it. It’s just a bunch of old stories about encounters between humans and otherworlders.

“It was what Vena’s grandparents were researching when they disappeared. We’re not sure why, but they hid it.”

“You’re right that it doesn’t seem to hold anything useful. Yet, it does seem important. It’s best to return it to his hiding place then.” Cross slipped it back into the hidden desk compartment.

Thankfully, Mrs. Hunter hadn’t asked for the gemstones book or that awful scrotum map, which was also hidden in the desk compartment.

Shepard’s phone rang. He handed his pile of supplies to Cross and briefly looked at the number before answering on speaker.

“How can I help you, Effora?”

“I could think of several ways we could help each other. Perhaps you’d be more interested if I looked like a certain little blon?—”

“If you don’t have anything useful to say, I need to go.”

The flush staining his cheeks was adorable.

“So impatient. I love it,” the fae queen purred. “I was just calling to say that I’ve spoken to Asherah, and she’s fine. A little love play, as I suggested. And before you ask, yes, I inquired about Adriel’s whereabouts. She couldn’t say, though.”

Shepard’s flush increased, but based on his expression, I doubted it was due to embarrassment this time.

“Effora, they targeted Asherah because she was trying to help us locate Adriel.”

“And I find that fair. We’ve promised to stay neutral, after all. They were decent enough to ensure she had a good time being taken by them.”

“I want to talk to her.”

“Excellent. Come to my place tonight. You can talk to me first; then we can all have a chat.”

Shepard surprised me by hanging up on her. I glanced at Cross. He wasn’t smirking as usual, though.

“She’s good at mind games. Don’t let her get to you,” he said to Shepard.

“I don’t care about the mind games. I care that she’s purposely avoiding choosing sides even at the expense of her own people’s safety.”

“I’ve already tried reaching out to Asherah and haven’t heard back from her yet.” He rapid-fired a text and looked at both of us. “I’ve asked my people watching the Shadow Trade to let me know if they hear anything about Asherah. If she’s fine as the Queen says, she’ll be back soon.”

He pocketed his phone and took back the items from Cross. “Do we have everything?”

After double-checking the list, I nodded, and we left.

When we were back on the road, I noticed Shepard tapping on the steering wheel.

“Cookie for your thoughts,” I said.

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