Page 96 of Stone Temptation
We clinked bottles again.
“Oh, I have a friend who crashes here,” he said. “Not sure how I’ll make this work when you’re both here, but I will.”
“Who’s your friend?”
“Maren. She’s a mermaid mote spirit. A really good friend.”
“Cool. Looking forward to meeting her.”
“And Tom. Human friend of the really good quality.”
I swigged on the beer. “Looking forward to meeting them both. Ready to head out?”
“I’ll just get changed.”
I waited downstairs for him, wishing I could be front row and center for his strip show.
Really, knobhead?
TWENTY-TWO
Luke
Brinecrest seemed so much smaller from the air. With the number of streets and nooks and crannies the town possessed, I always thought it much bigger than this.
Interesting.
Nestled in Asher’s arms like the comfiest hang-glider, but with more muscle and sandalwood, I pointed things out to him.
“Can you see that stretch of purple?” I asked loudly, the air whistling in my ears.
“Yeah.”
“That’s Aubergine Road. The most purple place on the planet.”
“Why?”
“God knows. It’s a street of shops where anything you buy is purple. Touristy gimmick, I think.”
“Let’s check it out.”
He landed in the middle of the pedestrianized street, startling a couple of people. They soon greeted him with respect, forgetting he’d made them drop their purple baguettes from the bakery.
“Sorry about that,” he told an old man, helping him.
“Not to worry.” He tipped his hat, thanking Asher for his assistance.
Asher waved him off, turning on the spot to take in the purple buildings of various shades, all of them different sizes. Aubergine Road was one straight line, connecting to two one-way streets at either end, the northern one leading to the gargoyle tower.
I pushed any thoughts of Seth aside. After everything I’d learned about him this weekend, from his turning on me and sucking off Asher’s ex, he belonged at the bottom of a well.
What about my rent? Was our deal wet paper now?
Damn.
“It’s like something from a book,” Asher said. “Very cool.”
“If you’re into purple.”