Page 34 of Wicked Little Tricks

I couldn’t trust anyone, least of all another ancient being who had tricked me into a bargain.

But that didn’t mean I didn’t admire the sight of those smooth linen pants as he led me out of the room.

14

We walked furtherdown the long hall toward the bed chambers. Gabriel carried Ringo on his outstretched palms. Ringo continued to snore softly.

Feeling warm and woozy from the wine, I observed the sconces in the walls, and the closed doors we passed. I stopped abruptly when we happened upon an open one, curiously glancing inside. The dark room looked like a study with a desk and shelves of books, and had a balcony with a more modern looking sliding glass door. By the light of the moon, I could see something out on the balcony.

I glanced back to see both goblins watching me, wondering why I wasn’t moving. “Is that a telescope out there?”

Mistral rolled his eyes over to Gabriel. “Take the little one to Eva’s bed chamber.”

Gabriel gave him a strange look, then continued walking.

Mistral gestured for me to enter the dark room.

Suddenly nervous, but bolstered by too much alcohol, I walked into the darkness, heading straight for the balcony and the telescope beyond. It was larger than any normal telescope I’d seen, and glinted silver in the soft light of the moon and stars. I slid open the door without invitation, then stepped outside, wrapping my arms around myself as the cold snaked over my skin.

Mistral joined me, watching silently as I leaned down to look through the eye of the telescope, but all I saw were blurry shapes.

Mistral leaned around me, adjusting a few knobs. I could feel the warmth of his body standing so close. “It’s a special goblin design. You’ll be able to see far more than any common telescope would allow.”

I looked back at him with my jaw slightly agape. I couldn’t recall the last time I’d even had a chance to look through a regular telescope. Probably when I was a kid, but I didn’t remember it.

I leaned toward the small glass and looked through once more, then gasped. Glittering swirls of galaxies seemed like they were right before my face. As I watched, a comet shot by. “Holy shit,” I muttered. I started to pull back, shook my head, then kept looking, sensing Mistral still close behind me.

Mistral’s voice sounded even closer than I thought itwould be. “Did your mother ever take you to her realm?”

My shoulders stiffened at another mention of my mother. There was definitely something there, but what? I barely knew the woman. “No, I can’t go there. I’m only half celestial. Plus, my mom didn’t do much for me at all. I was mostly raised by my father.”

I bit my tongue, not sure why I was being so sharing. Probably the several glasses of wine. Yeah, that would explain it. “What about your parents?” I asked before he could press me further.

“Both dead, a very long time ago.” He went silent after that.

I pulled away from the telescope to look back at him standing close enough to touch, which gave me a little thrill. I just couldn’t help myself. It was the wine.Definitelythe wine. “Oh come now, you can’t ask me such probing questions and not expect to answer any in return.”

There was a flicker of something across his face, and I realized it was real emotion. A small glimpse of what was hidden behind his mask. He bowed his head slightly in acknowledgment.“Goblins are not raised in the manner of humans.”

I gave him a look. “Neither are celestials. Trust me.”

Once again, he bowed his head slightly in acknowledgement. “What happened to your father?”

I crossed my arms and leaned my butt against the narrow stone wall bordering the balcony. There was along drop behind me, but the wall was tall enough for me to feel secure. “I’ll tell you, if you tell me about your parents.”

He lifted a brow, stepping closer again. “Are you offering me another bargain?”

My eyes flew wide. “No way. I’m just trying to show you how a proper conversation should go. Tit for tat.”

His eyebrow twitched. “Very well. Tell me about your father, and I’ll tell you about mine.”

As I thought over my words, I already regretted this new bargain. It was difficult speaking about my past. I didn’t even know where to begin. “Since it seems like you already know a bit about celestials, you know they can’t be tied down. My mom wasn’t around much, that I remember. But I remember my dad. He was human, and broke, but he raised me the best he could. He died when I was 13, and my mother didn’t come back for me. Braxton and his mom were my neighbors. They took me in.”

He gave me an inquisitive look, and I rolled my eyes. “Don’t pretend you don’t already know about my werewolf roommate.”

He smiled, silently admitting that he did. Just how many goblin spies did he have out in the city?

I spread my hands. “And that’s it. My father was a good guy. He died too young. Your turn.”

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