Page 16 of Oh, Sacred Dark
“I literally don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Of course not, because you’re the dumbest Dom alive. The sub at the library—black hair, short, cute dimples?”
“Oh. He wasn’t—”
“I literally don’t even wanna hear whatever deluded nonsense is gonna come out of your face right now. He wassointo you, dude. I can’t even…”
“I think you’re exaggerating.”
“The fact that you think you can lecture me about scening when you say things like that…” Tyler chided in mock desperation.
Archie opened his mouth. Closed it. Opened it again. “How do you always turn things on me? We were talking aboutyou.”
“Nope. We weren’t. And I have a scene with Kay later this week, okay?”
“Talk about a bad match.”
“Whatever. It’s not easy finding someone compatible. You know that.”
“Yeah, yeah. I’m just worried about you, man. You seem…I dunno.” Archie frowned, dark eyes filled with concern.
“I’m fine. Seriously. Nothing a good night’s rest won’t cure. Now, about Connie’s farm.”
Archie sighed but let the subject drop. “I talked to Cross—he mentioned he’s interested in being a farm hand.”
“Seriously? What kinda magic does he have?”
“He said he doesn’t want to use his magic.”
Tyler blinked, stunned. “Oh.” He’d never heard that before. Most people used their magic at least tangentially in their work, or at least tried to. He’d never heard of someone actively notwantingto. “Okay. That’s…okay. That works, then.”
“Yeah.”
The main problem with finding people to do manual labour on the farm was that it wasn’t a magic-heavy job, something that was off-putting to most people.
“Well,” Tyler went on, “we still need someone with Animal Magic.”
“I’ve been putting feelers out in other covens. Hopefully someone will bite.”
“Okay. And I’m going to drive up to the farm and talk with Connie, see how things are going.”
“Could you take Cross with you?” Archie asked.
“Sure.” Instinctively, Tyler thought about Roman. The kid would probably blanch at the idea of being on a farm—he seemed far too snooty for that.
“Thanks. Okay, I think that’s everything for today. Say hi to Kay for me when you see him.”
“Sure. Say hi to the librarian when he flirts with you again.”
“Oh, go away.”
Tyler laughed as he stepped out of the office, giving Archie a wave over his shoulder as he closed the door.
It was a bright day outside. Sunlight reflected off his phone screen as he took it out to call Connie, see if she was up for a visit, when something caught his attention from the corner of his eye.
He turned his head to see none other than Roman slinking out of the forest. His shoulders were hunched, guilt obvious in all the lines of his body.
Tyler watched as Roman peered around cautiously. Watched the instant Roman saw Tyler. Watched the panic clear on his face.
