I laughed, looked him up and down. He was nicely built for a human, but size didn’t make much difference in this realm. Not without some magic to back it up. “Why would I do that?”

“Because I know a lot about Lapus and the way he operates. I’m also pretty good at getting into places. Um, places where I’m not supposed to be.”

“So, you are a thief. I figured as much.”

“What? No! I just like puzzles. Most locks are puzzles of some sort. Like take yours. You used your handprint to gain entrance, but with the right herb, I can mimic it.” He rummaged around in his bag and pulled out a leather purse. Opening it, he took out several smaller pouches. He selected one, untied it, and put a pinch of some kind of powder in his hand. It began to glow. “Shake my hand.”

“Why?”

“Just try it. It’s not anything harmful. I promise.”

“Fine.” I gripped his hand and a shiver raced down my spine that was reminiscent of Brandsome’s touch. The herb? Or more of the unicorn’s magic?

Releasing me, he then approached the door, placing his palm against the latch. The door unlocked.

I sucked in a harsh breath. Wow. I’d heard some humans were good with herbs, but I never saw anything like this during my time in their realm. “You must have been some thief. No wonder you were sold into servitude.”

Quinn’s eyes narrowed. “I said, I’m not a thief. I’ve just always liked plants. My mother was an herbalist.”

“Uh huh.” Apparently, he took me for an idiot.

“You don’t believe me.” He rubbed briskly at the back of his neck. “Figures.”

“If not a thief, then why are you in the Elder?”

“That’s none of your business.” His tone had turned defensive, his eyes wary.

“So you’re either a criminal or you voluntarily sold yourself. Which would you rather I think?”

“You can think whatever you want.”

The silence stretched between us. I didn’t have time for this.

“Well, I don’t need your help. Rainbowpebbles is dangerous. I wouldn’t want to worry about protecting you.”

“Who says I’d need your protection?” He puffed out his chest. “I’ve made it this far.”

“Under Brandsome’s safe-keeping. The Elder is no place for non-magical creatures.”

“So you’re one of those. I should have known you were like everyone else in this damnable realm.” His jaw ticked and his fists clenched.

“Those?” Was it wrong his anger amused me?

“A magicusist.”

“A what, now? I don’t even think I can get my tongue to say that.”

“Magicusist. You think because you’re magical you’re better than me.”

“Whoa there, Blondie, I think you’re reading way too much into my words.”

“Am I?” He glared. “And my name is Quinn.”

“Look, Quinn, I don’t think you’re less, but you don’t have the magical defenses the rest of us rely on in the Elder. Being non-magical isn’t a bad thing in itself, but I’m not crashing a tea-party. Rainbowpebbles wouldn’t hesitate to hurt you.”

“Or you.”

I chortled. “I’m a dragon. We’re hard to kill.”

“Half.”

“What?”

“Half-dragon, right?”

“And your point?” I huffed. I hated being reminded I wasn’t fully dragon or fairy. I was a one-of-a-kind creature that didn’t fit into either world.

“Have you been accepted here among the tiny, cute fairies, fae, and sprites? I mean, look at you. You’re huge. And definitely not cute.”

“Wow, you know how to stroke a guy’s ego.” I practically growled. “Make yourself at home. I’ll probably return late.”

“Wait! I-I didn’t mean that like it sounded. I just meant that since you’re not exactly the typical member of the Alphae Guild, haven’t you experienced discrimination? That’s what every day is like for me.” He blushed as he said it. It took the edge off my anger.

Okay, yeah, being a half-breed sucked. I didn’t fit in. I towered over all the other tiny Alphae members, yet I was too small to fly with a dragon clan—if I could even completely shift, which I couldn’t. Not surprisingly, I was chased out.

So yeah, I got where Quinn was coming from. “Of course. Why do you think I feel the way I do about social hierarchy? It isn’t fair. It isn’t kind. If I could, I’d abolish all indentured servitude and the guild system. But I still don’t see your point.”

“That we’re alike and should stick together. I can be a big help. Please don’t make me feel useless. It’s been three long years with Brandsome.”

Nice speech. I still wouldn’t put him in any danger. I sighed. “I don’t think you’re useless. Just not best suited to storming the gate—”

“But—”

“—Besides, I work alone.”

“Come on, I know the Steamy Bean Café like the back of my hand.” He held it up and wiggled his fingers. “I can help you find the horn. I bet I even know where he keeps it.”

“I. Don’t. Need. Your. Help. First, you tell me I’m runty, then say I’m huge, and definitely not cute. Well, you know what, Quinn, I’m dragon-born and fairy-born. That means I’ve got some of each of their powers. Dragons know how to find treasure. I can sense it in my bones. For example, I know you’re hiding a trinket in your bag that’s old, probably a ring. It’s gold with some sort of gem.” I inhaled. “Ruby. With a faint trace of magic. You’ve used it recently.”

His face showed his surprise.

“I’m also able to wield magic to protect myself. Like most fairies.” I didn’t say that my protection spells were weaker than most, but with my increased strength and thick hide, I’d say I got the better deal. Plus, harmful magic generally didn’t work on me.

“Okay, then it should be that much easier.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Yes. For me. Alone.”

“But—”

“Look, what gives, Quinn? You have a death wish or something?” I stalked toward him and he began backing up as I loomed over him. If he couldn’t stand his ground with me, no way was I taking him to Rainbowpebbles’s place. “You an adrenaline junkie? That it? You one of those freaky humans that puts on a dragon suit and jumps off village clock towers or something?”

His back came up against the wall and I leaned into him, using my arms to cage him. It was an a-hole thing to do considering I promised I wouldn’t hurt him and here I was scaring the shit out of him. Except, he needed to understand; I wasn’t putting him in harm’s way. Non- negotiable.

The vein at the base of Quinn’s neck beat in time to his frantic heart. Even though he schooled his features, I sensed his fear. But to give the guy credit, his spine straightened and he glared at me.

“You can try to intimidate me all you want. Won’t change my mind.” He tilted his chin up so he could stare me down. Under all that face paint and fear, he was a feisty one.

I approved.

With our faces pressed close, I sensed the tremor he tried to hide. Our lips were so near I just needed to lean forward a bare inch . . . but I promised him he’d be safe with me.

As I slowly drew back, I caught another glimpse of the ink on his neck, mostly hidden by the collar. Humans would tattoo anything, anywhere. Adornment wouldn’t stick to fairy skin, though with my dragon heritage, I might be able to ink some runes on my skin. Full-blooded dragons sported tattoo-like markings resembling scales that ran over various parts of their bodies when in their shifted forms. Since I didn’t have any, I admired skin adornment more than most.

Without thinking, I ran a finger down his cheek. He gasped. I continued down his chin, trailing onto his neck, and hooked my finger into his collar. His hand flew to mine and stilled it.

“Don’t.” His eyes went wide again, his impassive mask slipping.

Interesting. I had the urge to ask him about it, but removed my hand. Everyone was entitled to their secrets.

“You didn’t answer my question.” After an awkward pause, I put a little more distance between our bodies. Not enough if my hardening cock had anything to do with it. Well, demon dicks, what was that about? Why did his defiance turn me on?

“W-What question was that?” His voice trembled. More and more curious.

“Why you want to get involved in my job.”

He blinked. Clearly he hadn’t expected that to be my question. He tilted his head slightly, considering.

“You wouldn’t understand.”

“Try me, Blondie.”

“Can you please just call me Quinn?” His jaw clenched as he said it, but his tone was almost pleading, his eyes squeezing shut. “You’re the first person to say my name in . . . a long time.”

I longed to brush my knuckle across his cheek again, but held back. WTF? Was Brandsome’s magic still affecting me? I said I wouldn’t molest him and here I was getting all touchy feely. I was being a total bastard and I knew it. I owed him an apology. Instead, I said, “Try me, Quinn.”

“I want to set the sprite free.”

I considered his words. “Why?”

His eyes snapped open and he shoved me. I didn’t budge, but it was a good effort.

“What do you mean, ‘why?’ Why do you think? What kind of life does she have in Lapus’s hands? Being drained of her blood, kept in a cage.” He shuddered. “Enslaved to the whims of her master. He’s vile.”

I agreed with him. “In a cage, you say?”

He nodded.

Sprites were not meant for cages. They needed lots of fresh air and to be surrounded by nature. They didn’t even do well in cities. A cage would be torture. Right up Rainbowpebble’s alley.

“I’ll see what I can do.” That’s all I could promise.

“I-I thought while you distracted him, I could set her free.”

“Doesn’t work that way. You should know that.”

“You don’t know whether she’s under contract. He might have kidnapped her.”

I shook my head. “She’s under contract.”

I certainly wouldn’t put kidnapping past Rainbowpebbles, but I didn’t believe it. Too risky. He was one crazy fuck, but he wouldn’t court High Council retaliation. Especially not here in Lighthelm, the capital. It would be extremely foolish. Rainbowpebbles was many things, but stupid wasn’t one of them.

Besides, he already tried it with me, and the consequences hadn’t been kind. With increased scrutiny—my father made sure of that—he wouldn’t risk his businesses, no matter how tempting.

“You can’t know that.” His voice trailed off at the end, pained. “Or maybe he tricked her.”

A distinct possibility. Also not illegal. “Stay here. I’m ordering you, as your temporary master. I don’t want you leaving my place. Got it?”

“So much for being equals.”

“I don’t do guilt, Quinn. I’m trying to keep you safe. Now, I want to hear you say you’ll stay here.” His nostrils flared and I could see he wanted to mutiny in every line, but he gave a curt nod.

One problem solved. Now, I just needed to figure out a way to get the horn back from Rainbowpebbles. Easy, right?