“That sounds wise. She is one smart cookie; I’m sure she’ll have a new perspective.”
“Yeah. I’m still trying to wrap up a few things with a previous case—the one where the fae loosed several rounds of fae monsters in Magiford,” I said. I told Nan about most of my cases—just nothing about Considine/Ruin—but I didn’t share if it wasn’t public. Orrin’s case was considered solved, so it was fine for me to talk about it. “She might be able to give me a few insights on fae culture.”
“As a brownie herself, I imagine she might have a few tips and tricks to share!”
“Yeah.” I glanced up and down the hallway. It had been mostly abandoned before, but more task force members were passing through as we got closer to the shift change. “I should probably go—I still have to eat before muster. Thanks for calling, Nan!”
“Of course! Love you, Lass! Take care—and remember to stab first and ask questions later!”
I laughed, and my phone clicked as Nan hung up.
My heart lighter, it only took a minute to get to the team’s meeting room.
I opened the meeting room door and stepped in, expecting the usual quite atmosphere.
Instead, I was greeted with Tetiana wailing.
CHAPTER
TWELVE
Jade
“You cannot take my fae queen. I have the Night Queen—you can only have her if you have the Night King!” Tetiana glared at Juggernaut across the table.
It took me a moment to realize that she was referring to the cards fanned out in her hand.
Oh, they’re playing cards again. They must have gotten here really early.
Today Binx, April, Juggernaut, Tetiana, and Clarence were all playing. They were the only ones in the meeting room this early, and they nodded to me as I slunk deeper into the room.
Juggernaut rearranged his cards in his hand. “She’s not the Night Queen, she’s the queen of spades,” he said to Tetiana. “And the king of spades isn’t a match—she needs to be matched with other queens!”
“You said I could call her the Night Queen,” Tetiana stubbornly said.
Juggernaut set his cards face down so he could rub his eyes. “I said you could call her whatever you want! And Clarence, don’t think I haven’t noticed that you are cheating somehow! You’ve won the last four games in a row!”
I sat down at my table—where my smoothie was waiting—and finished removing my mask so I could take a sip.
The beige drink was still thick even though I’d left it out for a while. I’d made it with coffee I’d frozen in ice cube trays, frozen carrots, half and half, and a dash of cocoa and sugar.
April rearranged her hand of cards. “You started it all, Juggernaut. You were the one who drew House Bellus’s wizard insignia on all the aces’ cards.”
“As a joke,” Juggernaut grumbled. “If I’d known that meant we were going to personalize all the cards I wouldn’t have done it. Tetiana, hand over the queen.”
“Show me that you have the Night King,” Tetiana demanded.
“Look, I’ll agree that the Night Queen has to match with the Night King,” Juggernaut said. “But whether I have the Night King or not doesn’t matter, it’s go fish! I asked and you have it, so you have to hand it over!”
I was about halfway through my smoothie when the door swung open, and Brody stuck his head in. He usually talked with Binx before meetings, but since she was absorbed in the game he sat down at an empty table and watched.
“Fear not, Tetiana.” Clarence innocently smiled over the top of his cards. I noticed that he hadn’t gone with his usual white cravat tonight, instead he wore one that was navy-blue with golden fleurs to match our uniform. “Juggernaut doesn’t have the Night King, so you can get the Night Queen back on your next turn.”
Juggernaut leaned back, holding his cards flush against his chest. “That’s it, I knew you were cheating!”
Clarence, cheating? He’s a vampire so he has the abilities to manage it, but it’s unexpected for Clarence. He doesn’t have the strongest constitution. I eyed Clarence with new appreciation before I tipped my cup back, finishing the last of my gritty smoothie.
Tetiana settled back into her chair. “True. Fine—here, you scavenger. Take the Night Queen.” Tetiana flicked a card at Juggernaut so it landed on the table directly in front of him.
Juggernaut picked it up and added it to his hand. “Thanks.” He glanced over at Binx. “I don’t suppose you’ve figured out how Clarence is cheating?”