Page 65 of A Hint of Delirium

I shrugged. “I don’t know. That’syourjob.” I ran a hand through my hair. “I’m taking a huge risk by outing myself, and the last thing I want to do is traipse into the lion’s den with no way out. I’m notthatstupid!”

Alec tilted his head and gave a quizzical look. “Don’t you trust me?”

“Honestly?” I scoffed. “No.”

“Well, then,” he added dryly. “This isn’t the start of a healthy relationship.”

I grunted. “Buddy, this is as toxic as it gets.”

He leered and walked closer until he was just a foot away. “You and I are going to have a lot of fun together.”

That’s what I’m afraid of.

31

ANSEL

Istepped out of the portal and into Luka’s place, quickly approaching the bustling bar where Luka was slinging drinks. I bypassed many fae of different species, avoiding eye contact and unwanted questions. I rapped on the bar top to catch Luka’s attention.

“Hey,” I greeted. “You got my package?”

Luka was pouring a draft beer and gave a quick nod in response. After handing the frosty mug to his customer, he told the other bartender he was going on break before motioning me to the back room. With a quick glance around, I followed him into his office.

He closed the door behind us and walked over to his safe. Entering the combination code, he unlocked it and swung the door open, retrieving a small box. He handed it to me silently and stretched his neck to the side, a tic that meant he was uncomfortable with the task. The iron collar around his neck had left angry red welts, a punishment from the Unseelie King that suppressed his powers.

“Are you sure you want that, man?” Luka warily watched as I opened the box.

I popped the top off and moved the packaging aside, pleased when I saw a brand-new iron anklet that would be ten times stronger than the one Violet currently wore.

“Yeah, I’m sure.” I covered the anklet back up and replaced the lid.

Luka sighed. “I don’t know what you’re up to, Ansel, but no one should be collared. Take it from someone who knows,” he said as he pointed to his own iron collar.

“These are special circumstances,” I replied mindlessly. “This personwantsto be collared.”

Luka’s eyes widened and his mouth fell open, unable to fathom someone inflicting that kind of torment onto themselves.

I laughed at his expression. “It’s a long story. Maybe one day I’ll tell you about it.”

Luka shook out of his stupor and leaned forward to whisper, “I don’t know if this has anything to do with what you’re up to, but you should know Sage is up to somethingbig.”

I snapped to attention. “What do you mean?”

“Word on the street is that she found the host of the orb,” he said in a low voice in case anyone outside his office was listening. “That word made its way to the Unseelie King …andthe Seelie Queen.”

Now it was my turn to be shocked. My eyes widened in surprise. If the Seelie Queen managed to find out, she would send back-up any day now. And if she did that, it meant trouble.

“Did you stop looking for the host once you found the registry?” Luka asked carefully. “Or did you find the host?” His brows rose.

I shook my head but kept quiet, giving a non-answer since I was unable to lie.

He relaxed. “So you stopped looking.”

I exhaled and shook my head again. “I didn’t stop looking; I just have a lot on my plate.”

“You know this takes priority over anything else you’re working on, Ansel,” he chastised. “The Seelie Queen won’t be happy if the Unseelie find the host first.”

He was right – the Queen wouldn’t be happy. But it wouldn’t matter, because once the King or Queen found out what Violet was, they’d kill her. She was too dangerous.

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