Page 92 of Beneath the Cursed Veil

“Put the damn gun down, Sadie.”

This man must have a death wish. Few people could be on the other end of a redcap’s weapon and appear unaffected, if annoyed.

“Not a fat chance.” I flicked off the safety of the pistol. The leprechaun closed his hand around the coin, shaking his head.

“You’re a smart lass. I’m sure Meera told you how the contracts work. I can’t tell you where the prince is—even if I knew.” His head tilted, eyes glancing behind me before flicking back to my face.

Magic wrapped around me and my hands both lowered against my will. I knew without looking that it was Amelia’s. She might be the bartender, but she also acted as an enforcer when people got out of hand.

“Sadie, what the hell are you thinking?” the witch asked, grabbing my bicep. “You know the rules?—”

Before she could pull me away, I dropped my parting words. “You better sleep with one eye open, leprechaun.” Amelia tugged me, but I only moved an inch. “Meera’s a Wylde. You should have known not to fuck with us. When Cadoc gets ahold of you . . .” I smiled cruelly. My second eldest brother had a reputation, one Lou seemed to know of given the thinning of his lips.

Threat made, I let Amelia drag me away.

“I ought to kick you out,” she said. While beautiful, her red eyes were also unnerving. People moved around, but not a single person touched us. Either Amelia’s magic was repelling them, or the axe still gripped tight in my hand had.

I shrugged, unapologetic. “Meera’s my sister and best friend. I know that arrogant prick had a hand in her being taken.”

Amelia tsked, her mauve lips twisting to hide the grin Isaw in her eyes. “So you thought you’d hold an axe to his neck and a gun to his bodyguard’s head?” She shook her head. “Fucking redcaps.”

“Lou knew who he was dealing with when he screwed Meera over. If he didn’t want to deal with a family of bloodthirsty fae—he should have fucked off after my brothers warned him last time. Not give her an even more dangerous job.”

Amelia sighed. “Put the weapons away, Sadie. I get where you’re coming from. I do.” She had a thousand-yard stare on her face despite facing me. “But sometimes you have to follow the rules and play the long game.” She blinked, eyes sharpening once more. “Draw another weapon and I’ll have to ban you from here.”

I slipped the gun back in its holster. “Technically the rules say I can’t use it on another person, doesn’t say anything about threatening someone.”

She couldn’t hide her smile this time, as she tossed her head back and laughed. “This is why I like you. Not often you find a girl with a temper like yours but the level headedness and brains to not be ruled by it.” We came to a stop at the edge of her bar counter where the panel flipped up.

“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re coming on to me.”

“Maybe I am.”

I rolled my eyes. “You’re such a flirt.”

“Only with the pretty ones.” She winked. I laughed despite the emotions wreaking havoc on me. I’d been searching for days. Raging for days. Hopeless and desperate and above all, worried.

The slight reprieve was nice, even if it didn’t last. My smile faded, reality edging back in. Amelia must have sensed it because her expression softened. “You heading out?”

I nodded. “I’m running on fumes right now. I need to sleep if I’m going to stand a chance of finding my sister.”

She rubbed a hand up and down my arm in sympathy. “You’ll find her.” I wish I could be as sure as she sounded.

Instead of trying to answer around the lump forming in my throat, I started to back away with a sad smile.

“Wait.” She glanced between me and the rowdy counter where people were growing impatient. “I know you need to go but would you mind grabbing me a bottle of Grey Goose from the back? I’m almost out up here.”

“Sure thing.”

She released a sigh of relief, turning to the counter as I switched direction for the back door right behind the counter where it was still flipped up.

The metal handle was cold to the touch, and the door was heavier than I expected. I stepped inside, squinting in the darkness as I felt around for a light switch. The door slammed behind me. I flinched but sighed in relief when my fingers brushed over the switch. I flipped it on. Bright fluorescent light filled the space. Shelves lined the walls, curving to the left. I walked forward, eyes scanning the inventory.

I almost didn’t notice it.

Not six inches in front of me, the cement floor gave way to a swirling black vortex.

The door opened, and I turned my head without taking my eyes off the floor. “Amelia . . .” I started. High heels clicked behind me. “Why is there a portal in your?—”

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