Page 32 of The Monster's Obsession
Saber nods. “We need a favor. I’ve heard from very reliable sources that you have a network of spies and assassins that’s active in Faere to this day.”
“Unfortunately, you got bad information.” Bane rocks back on his heels. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“There’s a fae in Autumn Court named Rowan Van Amari,” Saber says. “He kept Vivie as his prisoner for decades. Took her sight temporarily. Her scent permanently. He left lasting emotional and physical damage. I want his head.”
Well, that’s something we can agree on.
Bane’s jaw clenches, and he finally nods. “I won’t charge you a broker fee, but you’ll have to pay the team that apprehends him. You’ll also have to pay for the portal to get the proof here.”
“Gladly.” Saber holds out a hand. “So you’ll help us?”
Bane pulls his hand from his pocket. “I’ll make it happen. If I have any questions, you’ll need to meet me in person. I don’t conduct actual business over the phone.”
Saber nods as they shake. “Understood.”
Another two weeks pass, but we don’t share any of the progress reports with Vivie. It’s taxing enough on me to know what’s happening. We made the choice to tell her only once we had the proof in hand.
Bane shows up on our doorstep late Sunday evening and shoves a box at my chest. “I paid extra for them to magically preserve it. It’s easier to identify someone before decomposition kicks in.”
I take the box, blinking profusely.
Bane spins around, heading off. He waves over his shoulder. “You’re welcome.”
I finally get my shit together, clearing my throat. “Thank you.”
I make it down the hallway still in a daze. I’m not really ahold a head in a boxkinda guy.
Saber takes the container—thank the Gods—and we get Vivie settled on the couch in the family room.
She looks between us, trying to feel us out in the bond. “Okay, someone… Out with whatever it is that you’ve been hiding.”
I take a seat at her side and wrap her hand in mine. “We have something for you, but I’m afraid it might be traumatic to see what it is?—”
“You suck at this,” Saber says, shaking the box and dropping it onto the coffee table. “Rowan is dead. That box holds his preserved head. Will it make you feel safer to see it for yourself?”
Vivie’s mouth falls open. “You brought me Rowan’s head?”
“We told you not to waste another second worrying about that bastard.” Saber gestures to the box. “Now, do you want to visually see the evidence to set your mind at ease?”
Vivie nods. “Yes, then I want to have a bonfire in the firepit. Once that’s done, we can take a dip in the pool.”
Saber chuckles. “I love the hell out of you.”
Vivie twists to face him, and he’s already in the process of pulling her mouth to his.
They share a tantalizing kiss before she pulls back and whispers, “I love you too.”
Saber claps. “I’ll go build a fire. We can open the box outside to avoid any odors in the house.”
I snort, but I really hope this is what will finally set Vivie at ease.
Epilogue
Vivie
As it turns out, all my system needed to feel comfortable growing the eggs was to see with my own eyes that Rowan was dead.
I’m rarely grateful for my lack of a sense of smell, but based on the faces Laz and Saber made while Rowan’s head burned… I’m lucky I couldn’t smell the stench.
