Page 73 of A Token of Blood and Betrayal

Deagan proceeded to give me a page worth of explanations, threats, and little digs, all of which were slightly vague and nonsensical if you didn’t already know what he was talking about.I didn’t try to keep up with his train of thought.Instead, I ignored his suggestions and kept the message succinct.

Satine,

Not all the plates burned.

Leave me and mine alone.Don’t, and Samuel learns everything.

Kennedy Rain

“How do I get it to her?”I asked, interrupting Deagan’s ongoing monologue.He peered down at the letter.

“I suppose that works.”

I gave him a little smile, folded the paper, then placed it in the envelope.

Deagan took the letter.“I know an individual who will deliver it immediately.”

I lifted the pillow-cased journal.“Any chance you have notes on fey?”

“Probably.I’ve been alive a long time.It’s a big book.I wrote things down so I wouldn’t have to remember.”

Not helpful.I’d have to find time to look more closely.“I need to run.I have a couple of things to do before I go home.”

Thordis bounced to her feet.“Good.I was beginning to get bored.”

“You can go back to the hotel.”

“Nope,” she said.“Can’t leave you unprotected.”

“I have Deagan.”

She crossed her toned arms.“Sun’s still up.”

“She does have a point,” Deagan said.“For the next three hours or so.”

I pressed my lips together.I’d been planning on Deagan “protecting” me from the trunk.Thordis was the more logical choice, but… “I’ll be interacting with humans.You don’t always act… normal.”Politely put.“It’ll be boring and mundane, and you’ll go crazy just sitting there.That will attract attention I don’t want.”

“No problem,” she said.Her posture, the lift of her chin, her crossed arms—damn, I wish I had her muscle definition—said I had no chance of changing her mind.

“Fine.Get your shoes.You’ll have to leave your weapons in the car.”

She laughed dismissively.“That wouldn’t be very protector-y.”

“It will be fine.We’ll be around humans, not paranorms.”

“I’ll borrow a pillowcase.”

“They don’t allow pillowcases.”I had no idea if that was true, but it would draw attention.

“That’s dumb,” Thordis said.“It’s more difficult than you would think to smother someone with an empty pillowcase.”

I chose not to respond to that.

It might have been cruel, but Irelishedthe way Thordis visibly wilted from inactivity.I’d warned her the errands would be boring.Twenty minutes wasn’t even a long time to wait at a bank.The service was so quick and efficient I considered writing a review.I’d honestly thought obtaining a cashier’s check would be difficult considering the not-so-high amount sitting in my account.

Thordis didn’t appreciate how smooth the whole process went.Even the power company had its act together, and the woman who took the check was remarkably pleasant considering how long it had been since I paid.Yet within thirty seconds of her asking us to sit, Thordis was squirming in her chair, tapping her foot on the ground, drumming her fingers on the wooden armrest.Multiple times, I found myself excusing her restlessness with a tight smile and "She struggles in social situations.”

We left after the clerk assured us The Rain’s electricity would be restored within the hour.I’d actually accomplished something.Sure, I’d screwed up by not paying the bill in the first place, but I gave myself credit for adulting.