It was almost like his own initial reaction bothered him—unless he was just doing this for effect?
“Connor? Are you okay?”
He blinked and my concern grew, until he spoke. “I can’t believe you just said that.”
“It was a joke,” I said.
“That wasn’t a joke. That was striking at every vampire’s weakness: their good looks. That’s it!” Connor declared. “We’re having Humor Camp 101 instead of your next baking attempt. Your sense of humor isn’t just bad, it’s dead. Not dying, but dead.”
“Sure, you can give a lecture as long as you hold my cellphone so I can see the recipe card,” I said.
“Whatever.” Connor’s eyebrows flattened as he pulled his cellphone out of a pocket and studied it. “Have a lovely sprint, Supper, but I’m afraid I must part with you here.”
“Oh.” My good mood chilled—he was leaving? “Weren’t we going to wander downtown once I finished? Or did you get too bored?” I asked.
Connor waggled his phone at me. “No, something came up.” He glanced down at me and smiled, but it was one of the handsome/friendly ones he used on our human neighbors. “I’ll put your backpack and water bottle in the café. The barista won’t care.”
“Okay, thanks!” I glanced at the Café’s glass door. “Hey, do you know if they sell tea in there?”
“They do—loose leaf because fae are snobs about their weed water.” Connor tilted his head and seemed to momentarily settle back into place. “Don’t tell me you’re leaving coffee for tea?”
“No, but I was going to get some tea for a fae,” I said.
“Ah. Then this store’s tea will be adequate.” Connor started to reach towards me but froze with his arm half outstretched, then dropped it. “See you around, Jade.”
“Bye, Connor.” I waved to him as I walked backwards for a few steps, then turned around so I could check for traffic and cross the street.
I was a little disappointed he was leaving, but it was okay. Now after my run—and purchasing tea—I’d be able to head home and make a protein smoothie and finish out today’s training with a good stretch session.
I looked back one last time. Connor—holding my water and with my backpack slung across his back—waved to me, all smiles and charm once again.
Yeah…he has something going on. I was more certain of that now. But I’d gently pushed him for answers, and he’d slithered out of it. I couldn’t force it, so I’d just have to wait until he was ready to share.
I waited at a streetlight for the crosswalk sign to light up.
My time would be better spent trying to pick apart House Tellier’s action. A library fire, lots of monetary donations, and meeting up with other supernaturals? None of it makes sense.
I’d seen another House Tellier wizard meet up with a vampire in September. It probably had nothing to do with their sketchy timeline with the library—unless it did? Maybe they were trying to pull some political maneuvering and were trying to get other races to join them.
The crosswalk sign blinked to life, but I still looked both ways before jogging across it to reach a new block.
I’ve been so focused on the Telliers, I haven’t gotten anywhere with figuring out if Gisila is the real culprit behind Orrin’s attack on Tutu’s or not. There’s so much to do, and it feels like I keep scraping at the issues but never get any real proof.
I shook my head, dislodging my worries as I started regulating my breathing.
I needed to figure those things out, but now it was time to run. I needed to train if I wanted to stay in good enough condition to solve these issues.
I took a deep breath, then started sprinting.
“Trying again?” The female werewolf from the dayshift was once again stationed outside Orrin’s temporary holding room. “He’s still pretty ornery.”
“Yeah.” I uncomfortably held out my paper bag, which was emblazoned with the Queen’s Court Café logo. “I have some tea to give him. Bought it from a café. Sarge cleared it but said you should give it a sniff.” I was speaking too fast—and my sentences were too short. But I was able to give the werewolf a smile that didn’t feel half strangled, so that was something.
“Sure. If it’s enchanted, I’ll be able to smell it. Ma’am,” the werewolf added.
I’d been in the process of handing it over, but at that title of respect I paused and squinted at her through my secured mask.