Page 60 of Expose Me

Zey reared back and punched my best friend in the head—hard. I winced, then helped him to lower his bulk to the ground gently.

We ran to the bike, my mind working in overdrive to think of where we could possibly go to get away from what I was sure were now dozens of people coming after us.

Chapter18

One of the perks of my job, and my side-hustle, was all the travel and the many things I got to learn. Like how to find a witch who was willing to open a portal for the right price, for example.

Zey maneuvered the motorcycle with expert ease, weaving through the narrow, busy streets of Macapá. I pointed where I wanted him to turn, and he moved at a frightening speed, somehow still managing to not hit any people or inanimate objects.

Between directions, I was keeping my eye out for our pursuers, but they’d been nowhere in sight since we blew through the border of Sea and Serpentine territory and into No Man’s Land several blocks ago.

I navigated us around a few more turns, then gestured for Zey to stop. We parked the motorcycle in an alleyway.

“We don’t have much time.” Zey was looking over my shoulder, feeling out the Vuulectians after us.

“Yeah, yeah. What else is new?” I grumbled and scanned the busy street as we walked. The buildings here were crumbling, held together by magic and duct tape, the area a bustling mash-up of bars, street food vendors, and markets selling everything from burner phones to viloss dust.

I spotted a young fae leaning in the doorway of one of the rowdier establishments and smoking a pipe that produced green smoke. Usually, I didn’t like to get heavy-handed, preferring to get my information through more diplomatic means. But I simply didn’t have time for that.

I marched right up to the fae, giving him a sultry grin. His eyes quickly scanned my scantily clad body, and he smirked after blowing out a big plume of green smoke. Once I was in his space, I summoned my favorite blade, shoved him against the door, and held the blade to his neck.

“Tell me where I can find a witch to open a portal. Now,” I demanded. His eyes bugged out, and he started trembling. A string of high-pitched Portuguese came tumbling out of his mouth, wisps of green smoke trailing out after.

I growled in frustration, ready to threaten him some more, but Zey appeared next to us.

His hand gently wrapped around my wrist, but his gaze was fixed on the fae as he said something in what I was sure was perfect Portuguese. His voice was low, soothing, and the fae nodded, then said some more things I didn’t understand while pointing at something across the street.

“Let’s go.” Zey tugged on my wrist, and I released the terrified man.

I followed Zey across the street and into a narrow one-way lane.

“Was the violence really necessary?” Zey arched a brow at me.

“Yes,” I huffed and tucked the blade into the holster at my thigh.

Zey chuckled. “Our frightened friend informed me there is a powerful crone witch in the building on the corner with the purple door.”

There were fewer people as we walked further away from the main strip, the buildings quiet or boarded up.

I let Zey lead me along as I clutched the second Onuei in my hand and concentrated on seeking out the third one.

At the next intersection, we came upon a purple door. I knocked firmly.

A female voice shouted something from the inside.

“She says they are closed for the day,” Zey translated.

“Tell her we’ll pay her just for opening the door,” I said.

The faded purple door swung open before Zey could convey my message in Portuguese.

A woman in jean shorts and a loose shirt opened the door. She was about my age, her dark hair piled on her head in a messy bun, her striking eyes narrowed.

She looked us up and down as she said in accented English, “You must be in a hell of a clusterfuck if you’re offering to pay me just for opening the door.”

“Just on a very tight deadline.” I gave her a thin smile. “We need a portal. Only a few minutes of your time. Name your price.”

She pursed her lips, but after a moment, stepped aside so we could enter.

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