Page 60 of A Hint of Delirium

I stiffened. “So?”

“Rumor has it someone burned down the Ancient Order of Leviathans’ compound. It couldn’tpossiblyhave been you, could it?”

I dug through my refrigerator and pulled out a beer instead of water. Using the edge of the counter to pop the cap, I gulped half the beer in one swig. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Sage threw her head back and laughed. “You’re a horrible liar, Alec. Now my only question is, why would you eliminate our only lead?”

I kept quiet. Any answer I gave would give Ansel and Violet away since I couldn’t lie. Sage didn’t have alliances with anyone, only herself. She would turn on me in a split second.

“Don’t tell me you found the host already, Alec.” She sashayed toward where I stood in the kitchen, exaggerating the sway of her hips. I moved behind the kitchen island, putting distance between us. The loft was painfully quiet and full of tension until she suddenly blurted, “Who is the human you slept with, Alec?”

I whirled on her. “Excuse me?”

She snorted. “You know who I’m talking about. The half-naked brunette who was here the other day. Who is she?”

“She’s no one.”

“She’s somebody,” Sage insisted. “I’m starting to think she’s somebody rather important.”

I remained quiet and gritted my teeth.Damnit. Sage is too damn smart for her own good.

“I never would’ve thought you, Alec, of all people, would fall in love with a mark,” she scoffed.

“What?” I gasped. “You’re insane! I’m not in love with her!”

“Well, at least I know you’re not lying aboutthat,” she smirked. “So, is she the host?”

I snapped my mouth shut.Son of a bitch. “I never said that, Sage.”

“But you’re not denying it, either.” She gave a feral grin. “Where is she, Alec?”

“Obviously not here.”

She growled. “Don’t get smart with me. Bring her herenow.”

I shook my head. “I can’t. I don’t know where she is.”

Sage launched herself at me, grabbing my throat and shoving me against the wall. My beer bottle crashed to the floor and brown glass skittered across the floor in all directions. Her grip tightened.

It was true fae couldn’t lie, but I wasn’t necessarily lying. I didn’t know if Vi was in Ansel’s apartment, or at work, or if she’d decided to skip out on Ansel like she did the other day. It was a bit of a loophole lie.

“Do you want me to tell the King you lost track of the host after a one-night stand?” she growled in my face.

“You can tell him whatever you’d like,” I gritted between my teeth. “She was right under your nose and you never even realized it. What do you think he’ll say to his favorite mercenary?” I countered. “You’re losing your touch, Sage.”

She pushed me hard against the wall, making my head bounce against it like a ball before releasing me with a disgusted snarl. “You son of bitch.”

I chuckled and coughed, rubbing at my neck. “I wouldn’t talk about my mom like that.”

She rolled her eyes and turned away. “How do we find her?”

“Who said I’m teaming up with you to find her just so you can take all the credit like you’ve done countless times before? I don’t think so,” I scoffed. “I work alone.”

She turned on me, her feline eyes blazing. “You think you can deliver her to the King?”

I huffed. “I know I can.”

Her eyes narrowed on me. “What aren’t you telling me?”

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