Page 9 of Cherish

We all laugh because, well, he’s probably right, but before my stomach twists itself into a pretzel, Hudson holds my gaze, the corners of his eyes crinkling in that way that always calms my nerves, makes me feel a little gooey inside. Then he says, “I’m not expecting him to give us the key becauseweasked. But I don’t think there’s anything Jikan wouldn’t do for the Bloodletter or, I’m hoping, the Bloodletter’s granddaughter.”

And it’s true. I get spanked if I freeze one measly person, but Jikan let my grandmother freeze her entire army for a thousand years.

“Do you really think he’ll help?” I ask, excitement making my voice quiver.

“Only one way to find out,” Hudson replies, then reaches up to rub his chest. “Besides, I think a thousand years is long enough for anyone to be kept prisoner, don’t you?”

A stillness comes over the table, even Flint pausing mid-stir of his hot cocoa, as we all think of Hudson and Jaxon’s half sister, Izzy. She was held captive by her father for that same length of time, and Hudson’s right—no one deserves that punishment, even the Shadow Queen.

I squeeze Hudson’s hand and agree softly, “I do.”

Just then, the waitress stops by our table again. She refills our coffee mugs one last time, asking if we need anything else. Hudson hands her his credit card with a smile and a compliment about the sunny scarf she has tied around her neck. The woman, not a day under sixty, blushes like a schoolgirl before walking away. The best part is he means every word.

“So, let’s do this,” Heather says, gathering up her phone and putting it into her cross-body bag.

I start to push back from the table as well, but before I can, Artelya reaches out to me telepathically.We’ve got a problem, Grace.

What kind of problem?I ask, my stomach clenching.My grandparents—?

Are fine, she answers in her brusque way.But I’d rather show you the problem than try to explain it like this. When can you come?

I’m on my way, I answer, my heart racing in my chest.

Then it occurs to me it’s Thursday night across the pond. And that if we head to the Gargoyle Court, I can kill two problems with one quick trip across the Atlantic…

5

Love, Love

Me Don’t

“Ireland!” Heather gasps as she steps out of the portal between San Diego and County Cork. It closes behind us in a swirl of purple magic that sparkles and snaps like a live wire, as if the witch who made it intentionally wanted us to know she could just as easily incinerate us as deliver us to the other side. “We’re inIreland!” She spins around, her braids swinging behind her, before jogging toward the edge of the moonlit cliffs. “And we got here in a couple of minutes, like it’s no big deal.”

“It’s a very big deal,” Flint grouses as he comes up behind me. “I still want to know how you have a portal and we don’t.”

“Because you’re dragons? You’ve got wings and you fly everywhere,” I reply.

“Umm, okay,gargoyle.What are those things you usually have on your back?”

I roll my eyes. “Yes, I have wings. But Hudson doesn’t, and he’s usually traveling back and forth with me. Not to mention he needs to have access to the Vampire Court, too.”

“I guess.” Flint shrugs. “I still feel like the Witch Queen is playing favorites, only making a portal for the gargoyles.”

“Imogen is definitely not playing favorites. In fact, I’m pretty sure she hates me.” I start walking as a stiff breeze comes off the water, making me shiver.

Flint falls into step beside me. “You say that,” he teases, “but the portal says something different.”

“The portal is a result of hours of shrewd negotiating. You should try it.”

Hudson makes a disbelieving sound deep in his throat. “Shrewd negotiating? Is that what you call it?”

“Hey. Just because what she wanted was absurd doesn’t mean I didn’t negotiate,” I answer.

“Oh yeah?” Now Flint looks intrigued. “What did she want?”

“To be in charge of the upcoming investiture ceremony. I got the portal in exchange for letting her plan everything.”

“Everything?” he asks, brows raised.

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