Page 10 of Deadly Little Games

“And can the elf king help you find it?”

I shook my head. “No. I don’t think he has any answers.”But Crispin might, I added internally.

Now I would just have to think of a good excuse to give Sebastian for going back there. “So what now?”

He didn’t look at me, though he was still standing too close. “I’ll take you home. There are some other avenues I need to explore. Keep the card on you, and don’t go beyond any boundaries where I can’t reach you.”

I bristled at being ordered around.

He finally met my gaze. “Do as I say, Eva. I am your best chance at survival.”

“Fine,” I huffed. It was a good thing I only had a bargain of truth with Mistral.

He maintained eye contact for a moment longer, then his gaze drifted down to my lips.

I licked them reflexively, wondering if he was going to try to kiss me again.

Then a horn honked somewhere below us, and the moment was over.

He gripped my arm. “Let’s go. You can tell meexactlywhat King Francis said to you on the way.”

He tugged me toward the roof entrance, and I reluctantly followed. It would be dark by the time we reached my apartment, which meant traveling to the Bogs while Ivan and his vampires were awake. The elf king had offered me his protection, but it would probably be foolish to actually test it.

Not that I wouldn’t do it, but I hated proving Gabriel right.

As soon asSebastian was gone, I packed up a few things to head to the Bogs. With my bag slung over my shoulder, I reached into my back pocket for Sebastian’s playing card. I looked down at the two of hearts, flicking the card with my finger. I was a little hesitant to leave it behind with Lucas still out there, but I would just have to make my journey quick. Once I was beyond the boundary, I would be fine.

As I set the card on my nightstand, I looked down at a folded piece of paper near my boots. Had that fallen from my pocket when I removed the card? It definitely hadn’t been there this morning.

Ringo hopped down from his bookshelf to see what I was staring at.

Glancing at him perched on my bed, I picked up the paper and unfolded it. There were only a few words written, and I didn’t recognize the handwriting. I might have tossed it out if the words weren’t so terribly relevant to my current situation.

Do not trust the elves.

I stared down at the paper, wracking my brain to figure out where it had come from. The only people who had been close enough to slip it into my pocket were Lucas, Elena, and Sebastian. But I would have noticed, wouldn’t I?

I stared at the paper for a moment longer, then folded it and walked over to stick it between two books on my shelf. It made me uneasy, but it hadn’t really told me anything new. I couldn’t fully trustanyone.

Leaving the paper behind, I grabbed a sweater, then opened the flap of my bag for Ringo. “Let’s get out of here before Sebastian realizes we’re gone.”

He hopped into my bag without question. Braxton had headed out to visit his mom in the country, so I’d left his wolfsbane in his room. I was glad he had gone. He would be back in a day or two, but those were at least two days where I wouldn’t have to worry about him. He would be with many members of his pack. No one would be taking him from there. Hopefully by the time he returned, the elf king’s protection would be known throughout the city.

I headed out into the living room, then into the adjoining bathroom. It was already dark, so I was realistic enough to assume I might be staying the night in the Citadel. My toothbrush and deodorant went into the bag with Ringo. After they were both secure he held out his paw for one more thing, and I handed him the tube of toothpaste.

I thought once more about the strange note, then shook my head. Too many problems, and that was the least of my worries. My magic was reacting more strongly to Sebastian. I needed to speak with the goblin who had unlocked it all to begin with.

5

We had just madeit past the first goblin settlement when I spotted a tall figure on horseback further down the path.

I continued my approach until I was looking up at Gabriel. As much as I had been around him lately, I was still taken aback by the sheer size of him. “I’m beginning to think you just watch the gates all the time, waiting for me to arrive.”

He frowned down at me. His cream colored linen shirt left his impressive arms bare, the even brown tone of his skin contrasting nicely with the lighter fabric. He had pulled his black hair away from his face, with only a few strands falling forward to frame his dark eyes.

“You know,” I continued, “because you’re always out here to find me?”

“Mistral can sense when someone crosses the boundary.” He offered me his hand.