Page 44 of Burn of Obsidian

“What?” She was always told the beaded bracelet could connect to hers, but she’d never used it before gifting it to Harper. “That’s horrible!”

“Your ignorance is amusing. Have you even tried to take it off?”

She had, the rope only tightening when she tried to pass it over her hand. She knew once the bead was twisted on the other bracelet, she could feel the wearer, which was how she was able to drift to Harper without knowing the destination. But the idea behind the bracelets was just creepy as fuck.

“Yeah, you shouldn’t be able to without its other half. I hope you’re still friends with that person, otherwise you’re just their bitch now.”

Shit. Thea should have really researched some of the junk in her drawer thoroughly before using them.

“If it makes you feel better, my aura isn’t strong, either. But that’s because I’m eight inches. What I lack in magic, I make up for in pure masculine excellence.” Ruhne grinned. “What type of faerie are you, anyway?”

Thea’s smile strained. “I don’t know. I was born here.” The lie fell easily from her lips. Her father had always been honest in her heritage, but sharing the information with anyone was a vulnerability she couldn’t risk. There was a reason he’d found her in a cage as a baby, so as an adult, she protected herself by feigning ignorance. Her natural hair was the biggest giveaway, which was why she hid it.

Ruhne nodded, a frown marring his brow. “Do you belong to a court?”

“No.”

“Good. I find anyone that belongs to either side are usually pompous arseholes with superiority problems.” Ruhne frowned at his soggy straw, the wafer tearing as he pulled it apart and shoved it in his mouth. “So, are you mated?”

“What is this, a million and one questions?”

Ruhne sniffed. “I think it’s fair to ask my captor questions before she eats me.”

“I’m not your captor.” Thea pressed the palms of her hands against her eyes. “And I’m not going to eat you.”

Ruhne paused a second before replying. “What if I ask nicely?”

Thea dropped her hands, finding Ruhne grinning like a maniac and covered in chocolate. “I should’ve left you in the cage.”

He pointed a piece of wafer at her. “Just so you’re aware, but the fact your pillow is going to be super itchy tonight is completely unconnected to that comment.”

Thea laughed. “I’ve changed my mind. I’m going to feed you to my cat.”

JAX

With barely curbed anger, he opened the door to the busy coffee shop, scanning the tables until he spotted her in the corner. She was laughing, the sound easing some of his impatience.

It had only been a few hours, and he knew logically she’d gone to meet the fence at the market, the one place he couldn’t track her.

Jax was known as the strong Guardian. The one who’d shift in a moment’s notice to take down a Shadow-Veyn and win. He didn’t have a weakness, because he didn’t care if he lived or died. He rarely reacted with anything other than practical patience, and never with emotions. Yet his anger had built to an uncontrollable level, strong enough that his beast almost burst out of his skin. He wasn’t used to being disregarded so easily, and it had grated against him much more than he’d expected. He wasn’t used to anything breaking through his numbness, until Thea.

She spotted him then, her smile spreading as she kicked out the opposite chair for him to take a seat. As if she’d been waiting for him.

“Ruhne, I’d like to introduce you to my stalker.” Thea nodded to the pixie lying flat on his back on the table, surrounded in crumbs and chocolate.

Her hands encircled her cup. “Jax, this is – ”

“Her boy toy.” Ruhne the pixie grinned, patting his flat stomach. “I have five settings, each designed for her optimal pleasure.”

Jax raises a single brow. “Her other toys are bigger.”

Thea choked, her drink splashing as she settled the mug down before covering her mouth. “How would you know?” she asked between coughs.

Jax didn’t answer, instead returning his attention to the pixie who’d climbed to his feet. He wasn’t as familiar with the smallest of Fae, especially considering they were pretty rare. Ruhne didn’t seem impressed with the scrutiny.

“What you looking at, fucktard? Want me to add some more scars to your ugly face?”

“Ruhne!” Thea squeaked, placing her hand on the table between them. “Seriously Jax, how did you find me? I paid cash, and I was careful.”