Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 128061 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 640(@200wpm)___ 512(@250wpm)___ 427(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128061 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 640(@200wpm)___ 512(@250wpm)___ 427(@300wpm)
We followed the trail of destruction to the right, then back left; the path was surprisingly irregular. A little farther in, we met a wall of green magic that formed a sort of box, attaching to the living hedge and draping across the top.
“They didn’t want you to see it from your bedroom window,” Sebastian said as I traced it with my eyes. “This spell is weak, but it works great from a distance if a person isn’t specifically looking for it. I was assured you’d stopped noticing the minutiae of this yard a long time ago. Edgar was not impressed to learn this. Sorry about that. He might be more mopey than usual about his gardening…abilities.”
“In other words, he’s going to ask to be retired again,” I said.
“Probably, yeah. Sorry.” He looked over my shoulder. “Nessa, I need you to take this computer so I can pull the spell down.”
“I can do it,” I said, applying a grabby sort of spell over his and then ripping it away.
Peeking out from behind the living hedge was a sleek headlight and the gentle curve of a metallic blue bumper. Burned ground crawled up to the wide tires and large black rims.
“They got me a new car?” I asked as everyone parted for me to walk closer. “Oh wow, it’s a Porsche.”
It was the sleekest Porsche I’d ever seen, actually. A black convertible top spanned over the classic Porsche body. A few little embellishments to the fender and spoiler made it look especially fast. Black leather seats matched the top, and subtle wood trim traced parts of the dash and along the doors.
“A Porsche 911 Turbo, if I’m not mistaken,” Austin said, lightly running his hand along the fender as he took the car in. “This baby is quick. And pricy.”
“The color nearly matches your eyes,” I murmured, standing back with my hands on my hips, surveying it. “How pricy?”
“About two hundred grand, all told,” Patty said as she re-entered. “It is ready to be registered in your name.”
“Cairn name?” Nessa once again hovered over Sebastian’s makeshift computer table. “And nearest drag strip?”
“The Khaavalvor cairn,” Patty supplied. “It’s a great gift for Jessie. She can’t keep driving that…eclectic little deathtrap that was parked in the driveway.”
I frowned at her. I most certainly could, especially since I didn’t drive that much. Most of the time Austin drove us around, and if I was going somewhere in town, I walked. A fancy car would be wasted on me.
Then again, apparently the gargoyles at the top of the heap were expected to flash their wealth and status. In this case, it would be flashing Ivy House’s wealth, since I didn’t bring all that much to the table, but the sentiment was the same. Not to mention the crew shared my car, and they might like to drive something without a lightly cracked windshield or gently worn-in seats where the seams were starting to fray and the interior padding was making its way to the exterior.
I shrugged. “It can be the crew’s car. Like a company car for Ivy House.”
Sebastian cracked a smile. “Perfect, Jessie. That is absolutely perfect.”
Patty didn’t look so sure, but she didn’t voice her objections.
“Great, that’s that finished. Finally.” Mr. Tom’s wings ruffled. “Who would like some more refreshments or a snack—no, I will not bring you a beer, you lush.” He turned away from Niamh and strode out of the maze.
Sebastian handed the computer off to Nessa and stepped in close to me. “A word? With you and the alpha.”
“Yeah, sure.” I hung back with Austin.
Sebastian cleared his throat. “I have many…unsavory talents that I have employed to great effect in my tenure as Elliot Graves. One of those talents is knowing how to manipulate people using various items. Like gifts, for example.” He put out a hand. “The gifts I gave you and your team at our meetup in the caves were personal. They were my way of saying thank you for taking me in as a nerdy mage. Those were from me. Sebastian. They weren’t business. I hope you know that. I wasn’t sure if you’d be killing me in the next few days, and I wanted a way to show my appreciation.”
“When I thought those gifts were from Elliot Graves, I was very annoyed at how amazing they were,” I said with a smile. “You were starting to thaw me even though I hated you. Him.”
They’d all been perfect, building me up and rejoicing in who and what I was. The gifts for the crew had been equally amazing—Sebastian had clearly internalized each person and found a sentimental gift that complemented them perfectly.
He nodded. “The talent is great for friends and family, but until recently, I didn’t have any of those, save Nessa. She makes out like a bandit. Christmas is going to be amazing this year. I’m already thinking of gifts. Anyway.” He closed his eyes and shook his head. “Anyway. The unsavory part of this talent is how I can use certain items to elicit a reaction. You didn’t see it, but the other head mages got gifts, too. I didn’t bother with their crews. Those gifts were little trinkets that…set them on edge, mostly. Made them wary or unsettled. Exposed a secret they thought they’d kept. Things like that.”