Nora begins to pack up her bag, pocketing the small crystal that is no longer glowing. She pats her cargos and does a final sweep of the office to make sure she has everything. I do the same after grabbing a few binders from behind Gary’s desk. I’ll return them on Monday with any excuse for why I used my access code on a weekend. Augustine immediately takes them from my hand to tuck them under one arm before grabbing my hand with the other. Goodbyes are quick after that, and I am soon nestled into my chair in Augustine’s office.
I have to fight the urge to chew on my nails. That is really not how I wanted that little meetup to go. Nora was supposed to confirm there was nothing, not there absolutely is something hidden in that office that could be setting some crazy shit off. Florals and honey fill the room as Augustine pours tea for us. He passes me a cup, a small chocolate-covered biscuit tucked against the saucer.
“Thank you,” I say, unable to keep from frowning. “I know what you are going to say.”
“And what is that?”
“This is not something my queen should lower herself to, mon abeille. You are above this menial office work. They should be so lucky to have had you for as long as they have. You are better than those plebeians. I hate Lance.” My nose scrunches up as I play up Augustine’s French accent.
He rolls his eyes with an indulgent smile that sets me at ease. I sigh into my tea before taking a sip. Augustine leans against his desk and stares at me, his teacup balanced easily on his finger.
We are complete opposites.
While I feel like a tight bundle of nerves and anxiety and guilt for something I can’t even place, he appears languid and at ease. I am average and forgettable and Augustine extraordinary and commanding. His very presence demands acknowledgement. He is always so in control, collected in his thoughts and actions, while I am drowning in even the most basic of tasks and barely able to keep my head screwed on straight.
“You are thinking too hard, mon abeille. Tell me what has you so sour?”
“You are perfect, and I don’t know how you ever looked twice at me,” I confess.
“Mmm, well I did not,” he shrugs. “I looked once and was blinded by the truly opulent nature of you. Golden, burning, and honey sweet, your dreams were a drug I could not resist.”
Heat rushes to my cheek and I take another sip of my tea. Augustine inhales deeply and an over-large smile grows on his cheeks.
“Spun sugar that teases my senses all the more now that we are bound for eternity.”
I take a deep breath as my belly somersaults. I don’t think I will ever get over his own sweetness.
“Can you explain the magic shit to me again?”
“Such vulgar words from sweet lips.” He clicks his tongue and gives me a pointed look before continuing. “The Fae magic that Nora was sensing is from her predecessors. At the first rustling of war with the South, the last monarch reached out to Deg’Doriel to make a bargain. In exchange for moving their gateways to safety, our local militia would be protected from death.”
“Yeah, but why not just move anywhere? Why bargain?”
“I cannot say. I was in London at the time assisting with the beginnings of a society similar to our group forming.”
“So they made a deal, got magicked up, but then post-war didn’t clear shit up?” I asked.
“It would appear that some more advantageous humans were able to hide away their Fae gifts, and now someone is out to get their hands on it.”
“Are all monsters ancient?”
“No,” Augustine scoffs like the very idea offends him. “Different species, different lifespans.”
“You’re being snooty,” I say, looking at him with my own pointed expression.
“As one of the oldest, it is my right.” He smiles, finishing his tea. “But I wouldn’t be surprised if one of your new hires is a young monster looking for a longer life and they are willing to do whatever it takes to get it. Harming humans will mean nothing to them.”
“So you think it is a monster?”
“Definitely,” he asserts. “Humans are greedy, but stupid-”
“Rude.”
“And they cannot tell normal from paranormal, so they are not a risk.”
“I’m still upset with how this has all turned out.” I slump deeper into my chair and kick off my trainers. “It was supposed to be an easy win for me to show Patrick I am actually good at my job.”
“Joanna.”
