Page 91 of I Accidentally Hired a Shadow Walker
“Yeah, yeah, I did.” I thought of the little seed that turned into so much more. “Kaa.”
“She's an interesting little thing, isn't she? Honestly, she's going to be amazing when she reaches her full potential.”
“Her full potential?” I stepped toward Likosa. “What do you know about Kaa?”
“She's not from your world, so there's only so much growth she can do there. It would be wonderful to see what she’s capable of if properly nourished. Maybe…hopefully, someday, that will happen.”
“Okay.” I glanced at Raymond, who shrugged.
“Sometimes, she's a little eccentric.” He smirked.
“What about the cat?” Likosa asked, pulling my attention back to her.
“The cat? What cat? I don't have a cat.”
“The cat. Black and full of attitude.” Likosa explained. “He wasn't meant for you. He was meant to be given to someone else.”
“Maverick?” My heart raced in my chest. I knew exactly what catch she was talking about. It was a cat I had given away. I told Jackie to be careful and made sure it got to my sister. “That came from you?”
“Yes, I sent it your way with a message.” She sighed. “It can be difficult using the earthly witches to do my bidding, but I can't always go down there. It's too risky. So, I asked her to make sure you got it, to make sure you understood it had to go to someone special, someone who needed it.”
“I can’t handle this.” I looked around for somewhere to sit, but there was nothing.
“Yes, you can. You’re strong,” Likosa said matter-of-factly. “Stronger than the last one who came here. Brand new. She didn't know a thing about who she was, and if I'm honest, she was a little annoying. How many times does one have to tell you what's going on before you stop questioning it? But I can already see you're way more receptive to all of this. You've been exposed to the magical world, and you've had time to adjust and understand there are things outside of your current understanding but not entirely impossible.”
“Why did you want us here?” Raymond asked. “Cufio said you asked for us.”
“Oh, well, about that. I don’t think you’re ready, so don’t worry about it.” She waved his question off. “My timing is off, which doesn’t happen often, but no oneis perfect.”
“Ready for what? Don’t play with us, Likosa.” Raymond’s jaw tightened. “There is too much going on for you to waste our time like this.”
“The bond, obviously.” She leaned forward in her seat. “Why else would I want you here?”
“What bond?” I asked.
“The marriage of souls.” Likosa’s lips stretched in a hopeful smile, like she thought I would jump at the sound of that. They quickly dropped when I stepped away from her.
“Excuse me?” Well, so much for that calming effect she had. Panic. It was time to panic. “I didn’t come here for a marriage.”
“We are not doing that,” Raymond said. “That is not a favor you can ask.”
“Oh.” She paused, waving her fingers at us and twisting her lips. “I assumed.”
“What did you assume?” he asked, jaw tight and voice laced with venom.
“Are you two…together?” She tapped her chin. “I couldn’t have been that far off.”
“No,” I blurted, then shot a nervous glance at Raymond. “I mean, not like that.”
“Right,” she sighed. “I’ve seen, well…I guess I’ll have to wait.”
“Look, I am here to save my friend.” I held my hands up as I cleared the air. “That’s all. Whatever exists between me and Raymond is our business.”
“Of course. I must just be losing my touch,” Likosa said, but the strange lilt to her voice told me she didn’t mean what she said. She believed I would marry Raymond.
“They said I owe you a favor,” Raymond said. “What is it?”
“You? Oh no.Youowe me nothing.” Those pink eyes shifted to look at me. “She does.”
