Page 75 of Goblins Don't Count
She smiled a large, sharp-toothed grin. “You asked to save the city, not you. He’s giving you a safe place to stay until you can find somewhere better, but he’s not part of the package. Well played. I think you’re the first human to get out once the Goblin King gets his hooks into her.”
I stared at her while shock mingled with hurt. Anger. Betrayal. I raised my chin. “I need him close to me, or I’ll turn into a goblin.”
She rolled her eyes. “People kill for that kind of power. Green skin can be covered up by a glamour if you hate it that much.”
I whirled around, heading back to the bedroom, Trata trailing after me.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m getting dressed. I’m Lieutenant Sato. I have work to do.” So much work, and I had no idea where to start. But probably with the maid. Was she really working alone? How could a mother choose to summon a greater demon who would destroy the entire city? It didn’t seem possible. Like it didn’t seem possible that Sashimi would call me love if he was going to throw me away immediately afterwards.
Trata smiled, tossing her dreadlocks. “Oh good. I thought…I’ll get the truck ready. I’m your bodyguard today.”
I shot her a look. “Are you? I thought Sashimi was done with me.”
She batted her dark lashes at me. “Done with you? Of course not. You’re his sushi dealer, and he’s still your protector, just from a distance.”
I shook my head and went into the bathroom, climbing in the shower so the spray could beat on my skin. I didn’t want to turn green. He’d said that he chose me to be his Goblin Bride. Did he find someone better between now and the demon? I used his shampoo, but I craved him, not his scent.
I dressed and braided my hair, checking the mirror to see that I looked healthy, vibrant, without a tinge of green. Good. I intended to keep it that way.
When I came out of the bedroom, I headed to the room where Mr. Raccoon had vomited on the floor. I hadn’t seen him since I woke up. Where did he disappear to? He’d turn up eventually. When I least wanted him.
“Where are you going? I got the truck,” Trata asked, trailing me.
“I’m taking the rocket to Granite today,” I told her, slipping inside the clear tube.
She stared at me, blinking, uncertain what to do.
“But, um…”
I forced a smile. “I need him with me when I interview the maid summoner. He’ll be able to read whether or not she’s lying. I need to find out if there’s a bigger threat behind her actions.”
“Oh.” She frowned but nodded. “No one can read a lie better than Corcarn.”
I put my hand on the glass. “Take me to the Granite,” I told it, like I knew what I was doing. Nothing happened.
Trata took over, tapping the glass in a complex pattern that left a slight purple glow behind and then it shot into the air, leaving her behind.
It was terrifying without Sashimi’s arms wrapped around me. As small as the tube was, the space was too large for just me. I sank to the floor with my arms wrapped around my knees and waited for the ride to be over. It only took a few minutes, shooting through the dark, then through the grass, into the sky, over Sing until it came down with five shocks into Sashimi’s closet.
I stayed where I was, arms locked around my knees until he was there, wearing a banker’s navy suit, red tie, eyes golden and glowing as he opened the panel.
I shuddered and then crawled out, past his feet, noticing his beautifully polished shoes before I stood and brushed off my own gray suit. Somehow, I didn’t throw up.
“Sashimi, I need you.”
He held his breath. “Trata was to help you with anything you need.” His voice was low, smooth, elegant.
I grabbed his hand and hauled him with me out the room that had his bed, to the office where Mr. Raccoon was sprawled on the window seat looking hung-over. He belched and rolled over, kicking his feet. Yep. Definitely hung-over.
“Did you get Mr. Raccoon drunk?” How did he get drunk so fast between me waking up and now? On second thought, I didn’t really want to know. I shook my head. “Never mind. I’m sure it was an accident.” I yanked him faster.
He dug in his feet, pulling my shoulder as he brought us to a stop. “Rynne, I’m at work right now. I don’t have time to play today.”
I spun around to face him. He looked so tidy, with his long hair in elaborate braids secured with brass clasps.
“Oh.” My heart pounded in my chest while he stood there looking edible. Also unapproachable. He looked like wealth, royalty, and power. Out of my league in absolutely every way. He was not the goblin who called me love, and told me I was his bride.
