Page 71 of Hell Raising and Other Pastimes (Grave Concerns 2)

“Shut up,” I muttered before elbowing Troy.

He pressed a kiss to my head and released me. “Go on. I have a few things to discuss with Fredrick before the second round starts.”

I pressed my lips into an unhappy line at the reminder of the competition, of the dangers, that we weren’t just at some party.

Still, I did as he said, spotting Grant. He wasn’t talking with someone I recognized, but given how human they looked, I had to guess mages.

Grant spotted me before I approached, but he didn’t reach out, not like Hunter and Troy had.

Because of that, I didn’t reach for him, either, letting him set the tone.

“Ava,” he said, voice friendly but careful. “This is Jameson Cleric and his apprentice, Victoria Brown.” Grant gestured toward me. “This is Ava Harlin.”

Jameson, a man who appeared to be in his forties with a pair of round glasses, stared at me with no attempt to hide his displeasure. “I’ve heard your name a lot in recent weeks.”

“Well, that’s vague and mildly threatening,” I said.

His eyebrow lifted, as if he hadn’t expected my response. “I am the acting Magistrate and given there was a mage in the competition, it was expected for me to attend once we found out.”

“But he isn’t in the guild.”

Jameson’s gaze moved to Grant’s in question.

“I am so tired of people trying to decide what I should know. Out with it.”

“Grant’s position in the guild is tenuous.”

“And what does that mean?”

Jameson didn’t wilt at all, despite my hard look. “It means if you wish to know more, you should ask him yourself. I am here because it would be improper for someone from the guild not to be present.”

“And that someone had to be acting Magistrate, who I would imagine is the highest up in the guild?”

Jameson didn’t answer the question, telling me that all mages were as annoying as Grant when it came to information sharing. “It was nice to meet you, Ms. Harlin, and I suspect I will be hearing more of you in the future. Grant, please think over what I’ve said.”

“We both know that won’t happen.,” Grant answered.

Jameson only nodded, as if he’d expected no other answer, before leaving, the woman Victoria on his heels.

“What was that about?”

“History, and not the fun kind.” Grant hadn’t removed his gaze from the two, not until they were far enough away, they blended into the party. Only then did he turn back toward me, offering me that charming smile of his I knew so well.

The one I also knew hid whatever he really thought.

“What was he talking about?” I asked to derail whatever Grant was going to say, because no doubt it was all about changing the subject.

“Nothing important.”

I crossed my arms like a defiant kid.

He rolled his eyes and let out a sigh as if I tested his patience. “It is an old story that now is not the time to tell.”

“Let’s go with simple here, since you told me you wouldn’t lie to me anymore. Are you in the guild?”

“I didn’t lie about that—it simply isn’t an easy answer.”

“You said you killed people and you left.”

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