Page 17 of Wicked Little Tricks

He gave me a disgusted look, then his eyes darted toward the figure by the fire. I looked over to see a single finger raised.

My escort frowned, then shoved me toward an adjoining doorway. He opened the door, swinging it against the interior wall.

I glanced inside to see a full proper bathroom, toilet included. I hadn’t been sure what I would find in such a medieval feeling place.

I started to walk inside, then the large goblin grabbed my arm again and used his other hand to snatch Ringo away. At my wide-eyed look, he simply said, “Collateral.”

Ringo trembled in his grip, and I tried to snatch him back. “He’s scared. And what am I going to do? Go out the window?”

“You’re going tohurry,” he said pointedly, dangling Ringo by the scruff of his neck.

And he was right, unless I wanted topee my pants. I gave Ringo an encouraging look, then hurried into the bathroom, shutting the door behind me.

Once I had made use of the gleaming modern toilet, I took a quick look around at the clawfoot tub and the pedestal sink. There was nothing of use to me in either of them, so I looked out the narrow window to see we wereveryhigh up. And considering I could see only night-darkened greenery beyond, we weren’t facing the city. When I looked out to the east, I could see the outline of other structures within the Citadel, far enough away that no one would hear me scream—which I hoped wasn’t on the agenda for the night.

With nothing else to do, and Ringo waiting for me, I washed my hands then went back into the sitting room.

The big goblin was still waiting right outside the door, still dangling Ringo.

I reached out for the little goblin, but he pulled him away from me. Ringo let out a little shriek. “Cooperate, and you’ll get him back,” the freakishly large goblin calmly stated.

I kept my hands extended. “He’sscared. I’m obviously not going anywhere.”

“Give her the goblin, Gabriel,” Mistral said tiredly from his seat by the fire.

The other goblin, Gabriel, didn’t seem happy about it, but he handed Ringo over. He curled up in my arms, still trembling.

I glanced toward the empty seat by the fire, wonderingif it was for me.

His eyes dark with irritation, Gabriel gave me a less than encouraging nod.

Wondering what the whole show was about, I approached the fire. “I didn’t eat your enchanted food, so if you’re hoping I’ll spill my guts, you have another thing coming.”

Mistral looked up at me as I neared. “The food wasn’t enchanted.” If it was at all possible, he sounded evenmoretired and annoyed. “I simply needed time to gather information on your true identity.”

I watched his expression for any hint of a lie—not that I would really be able to tell in a being so ancient—but I didn’t see anything there. Still hesitant, I sat. “So you know I’m not a spy?“

He leaned back against his seat, looking at the fire. Every movement of his was a dance, making him seem not entirelyreal. “I wouldn’t go that far.”

Gods, he was gorgeous with the orange glow of the fire on him. It made him seem a little less cold than before.

He turned those sharp gray eyes on me and I had to retract the thought. “As far as I can tell, you are a simple night runner, so why did Sebastian send you?”

“You know him?”

He frowned. “Everyone does, unfortunately. Why did he choose you to come here?”

I shrugged, still holding little Ringo. “Convenience, I guess. He couldn’t very well come here himself.”

He scrutinized me. “No, there must be more to it than that. And so, I would like to offer you a bargain.”

“No more bargains,” I groaned. I leaned back, setting Ringo in my lap now that he seemed more calm. I really shouldn’t be getting so comfortable, but my bones were achy from being wet and cold, and the fire felt divine.

“Do you want your information about Celeste, or not?”

I perked up at that. If I could get the information, I’d be one step closer to getting escaping my bargain with Sebastian. Of course, if I entered a bargain with Mistral instead, was I really any better off?

“I have information about Celeste’s location,” he continued. “You can go back and speak it to your master. Fulfill your bargain with him.”

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