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“I only want to keep you safe, dear Eva.”

“Only so no one else can use me instead of you.”

He lifted one shoulder in a graceful half shrug. “Carry your card at all times, and I will swear a vow of secrecy for not only this client, but all clients. As long asour contract is in play, I will protect you at further deliveries at no additional cost.”

I wanted to argue that he wouldn’t be coming on any more deliveries, but I knew it probably wasn’t the truth. Until we figured out the mystery surrounding my mother, people would want to kidnap me, or worse. And I still hadn’t fully gotten over the feeling of having a blade at my throat, knowing my death was only seconds away.

I held out my hand, though I maintained my glare.

He wrapped his long fingers around my palm, gripping far too tightly. His dark magic wrapped around us, and I knew the new contract was sealed.

I continued glaring at him. “You’re the worst.”

Still gripping my hand, he leaned his face right in front of mine, close enough to kiss. “You don’t really think that, dear Eva.”

“Go to hell.”

He laughed, releasing my hand. He walked past me, back in the direction of the bus stop.

I hurried after him. “We can take a cab this time.”

“Oh no.” He strolled along with his hands in his pockets, shoulders back, city lights reflecting off his black hair. “I found the bus rather enjoyable.”

The card in my back pocket felt heavier already.

5

The cool airskimming across the top of the lake hit my face with a wash of fertile scents—rich soil, algae, and a hint of magic. Rumor had it that some of the things swimming in the depths of the Lower City Lake were beyond the imagination. Not just naiads, but ancient creatures entirely lost to myth.

I personally thought it was all a load of crap. Naiads loved the water just as much as they loved playing tricks on anyone who came too close to it.

Luckily, we weren’t going to be diving below the depths tonight. I looked around the dark forested park. There had been a few people lingering near the borders, but fewer still would brave the deeper parts of the massive park at night.

Ringo clung to my shoulder, pressing against my neck beneath my hair. I could feel him trembling slightly.

“Don’t worry,” I soothed. “Nothing will be able to snatch us.” Maybe I wasn’t big and scary, but I was great at escaping when people tried to grab me.

Sebastian appeared suddenly at my shoulder, making me jump. “No one is here.”

“I know. I leave the package in a different place around the park every time. I’m just trying to find where I’m supposed to leave it now.”

I could feel the warmth of him near my back as he asked, “And why is it taking you so long to find the location?”

I glowered. “We’re delivering a package to a nymph. She makes a single flower grow where she wants me to leave it, and her magic disguises it once I put it down.”

“And why all of the secrecy?”

I turned toward him, putting my hands on my hips. “Why all of the questions?”

He lowered his chin. “I swore your little vow. You need not protect the nymph from me.”

I rolled my eyes. He was right, which meant his questions were just actual curiosity. And itwasa strange delivery. Every other month, Seraphina would send a package to her sister. Whatever was within was important enough to risk her sister being disowned, just like she had. And it wasn’t as simple as just being cut off from their family. They would also be cut off from the magical well each family possessed.

I started walking the perimeter of the lake, lookingfor the small white flower. “I don’t know what’s in the package, so I don’t know why it’s so important.”

He appeared right at my side again, then walked along with me. “You mean you’ve never taken a peek?”

“Not my business.”