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“Yes,” she said, her shoulders slouching lower.

“Don’t worry,” I said, setting a brisk pace away from the building. “We’ll convince him to sign that document.”

“How?”

I winked at her. “With magic, of course.”

“How? Mr. Barrens was right about your magic, you know. It doesn’t work on us.”

“Yes, I saw that with the receptionist.” I nibbled on my lip. “Why is that, by the way?”

“Our skin is like armor, a shield against magic. It keeps magic out. It protects us.”

Well, that was something new.

“How did you manage to make your skin magic-proof?” I asked her.

“It wasn’t anything we did. We were just born that way. Our civilization is old. Our kingdom has been around since beforegods and demons. Even the ancient Immortals couldn’t work their magic on us.”

“Did they try to?” I asked.

“No.” Aspen shook her head. “The Immortals were not conquerors. Many people worshiped them for their incredible powers, but since those powers didn’t work on us, we never did. We had a few encounters with them over the millennia. According to historical records, the Immortals were quite perplexed by our resistance to their magic. Apparently, that’s uncommon.”

“Yeah, in their time, the Immortals were kind of the magical powerhouses of the known universe,” I said. “But it’s not like other kinds of magic don’t exist out there.”

A new, improved plan was taking shape in my mind.

“So what now?” Aspen looked at me like I had all the answers.

And I had no intention of disappointing her.

“Remember what I said about killing two birds with one stone?” I said. “Well, I’m actually going to need two stones. But luckily they seem to travel in pairs.”

Aspen blinked, clearly perplexed. “You are a very unusual, very confusing person.”

“I know.” I flashed her a grin. “Now, come on. Let’s go find those stones.”

CHAPTER 5

RENDEZVOUS IN THE PARK

She met up with us in a small park not far from the notary’s office, wearing red leather armor, a pair of tight Dutch braids, and a skeptical expression. “You called?” Cupid asked, brows lifted.

“And you answered,” I replied with a big smile.

Her eyes narrowed. “You’re trouble, Leda Pandora. I’ve always said that.”

I shrugged. “And yet you came.”

“Yes.” Her sigh was soft, almost silent. “I can’t seem to help myself. I’m drawn to trouble.”

“I have that effect on people.” I smirked at her. “It’s a gift.”

Cupid’s gaze slid to Aspen standing right beside me. “How did Leda draw you into this?” She waved her hands around. “Whateverthisis.”

“Actually, I dragged her into it,” Aspen told her. “She’s here to help me.”

“Help you do what exactly?”