Free Read Novels Online Home

Chasing Wishes (Capturing Magic Book 1) by Jessica Sorensen (8)

Chapter 8

We find Asher in the kitchen, leaning over the counter, munching on some bacon, eggs, and toast, while reading an article on a handheld hologram. East is nowhere to be seen, and Arrow appears eager to leave, shifting his weight as he and Asher stare silently at each other, exchanging a cryptic look.

“I have some stuff to do to prepare for the mission,” Arrow announces as he backs toward the front door. “When you guys are ready to go, let me know.”

I eyeball the two of them. “Can you two speak telepathically or something? Is that what all the silent looks are about?”

“No,” Asher says at the same time Arrow tells me, “We can actually

Asher cuts him off with a sharp look.

Arrow presses his lips together. “See you guys later.” He exits the vehicle in a hurry, the door banging closed behind him.

“What was that about?” I ask, plopping down onto a stool at the kitchen island and discreetly eyeballing Asher over.

He’s dressed in all black today, with chains embellishing his jeans, and cuffs wrapping his wrists. The metal piercings in his face glint in the low lighting and tattoos peek out from the sleeves of his shirt. He looks like a rock star. That’s all there is to it. A sexy, ridiculously beautiful rock star.

“What do you mean?” Asher stares down at the handheld hologram while popping a piece of bacon into his mouth.

My mouth salivates as I inhale the aroma of freshly cooked eggs. I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen bacon and cooked eggs, let alone tasted them.

“I mean, what’s up with you guys and those cryptic looks you keep giving each other? And why did you cut Arrow off when I asked about it?” I rest my elbows on the counter filled with sleeping mini water fey and try not to stare at his plate of yummy food.

“Because I don’t want you knowing too much about us.” He taps the screen of the handheld hologram.

I crinkle my nose. “Well, that’s sort of rude.”

His gaze flicks to me. “Why would I want you to know anything about us? You’re a thief who already tried to steal from me once.” He returns his attention back to the handheld hologram. “The less you know about me and my band, the better.”

“That’s not really fair. Not when you know …” I sink my teeth into my bottom lip.

I was about to divulge that I overheard him talking about me last night. How he thinks he knows me. But I want to hold on to that secret for now, poke around a bit and gather more information. Announcing that I was eavesdropping on him will only make him put his guard up more.

His curious gaze elevates to me. “When I know what?”

I give a nonchalant shrug. “I don’t know. I’m sure you know a lot of things.”

He eyes me over dubiously. “You’re keeping something from me.”

“I’m keeping a lot of things from you.”

He sets the handheld hologram down, picks up a fork, and scoops up some eggs, his gaze fixed on me. “You know, if I wanted to, I could get every secret out of you.”

My back stiffens, yet my voice is smooth and even when I say, “And I’m sure you will at one point or another. You are a genie, after all.”

Smoke twirls in his pupils as he sets the fork down and leans forward, his expression as cold as an ice storm. “Are you hungry?”

My lips part to fire a comeback before I realize what he said. “Huh?”

The smoke in his eyes evaporates into sparkling dew. “You’ve been staring at my food like you’re a vampire who hasn’t fed in a decade. I’m assuming that means you’re hungry.”

“No,” I lie, my stomach churning in protest. Despite that, I’m not about to take food from a paranormal who already poisoned me once. Or, well, his trunk did. Not to mention I don’t want to need anything from him. “I’m not hungry at all.”

“Really?” he taunts, bringing a piece of bacon up to his mouth. “That’s too bad. It’s really good.” He slowly licks his lips then takes a bite.

I practically drool all over the countertop, for two very different reasons, one of which really pisses me off.

Stop drooling over him! He’s a genie, for crying out loud!

“I’m sure it is, but like I said, I’m not hungry.”

“Suit yourself.” He stuffs the piece of bacon into his mouth.

My stomach growls as a whimper leaves my lips. So much for lying. It’s been too long since I’ve eaten a real meal.

His lips kick up into a smirk, then he devours another piece of bacon. I watch his jaw work as he chews slowly.

“Mmmm …” He presses his lips together and closes his eyes. “It’s so damn good.”

All my willpower goes right out the hologram window.

“Fine, I might be a little bit hungry,” I pathetically choke out.

His smirk returns as he lifts his eyelids open. “Well, I might be able to get you some breakfast, if you ask nicely.”

I grind my teeth from side to side. “May I please have some breakfast?”

“Well, since you asked so nicely …” He snaps his fingers and poof, a plate stacked with pancakes, eggs, and bacon materializes in front of me.

Surprise flickers inside me. Honestly, I expected him to give me something gross, like oatmeal.

I slant forward and sniff the pancakes. “Blueberry. Holy fuck! I haven’t had blueberry pancakes since …” I trail off as I notice Asher watching me with a crease between his brow. “What?”

He gives a dismissive shrug. “It’s nothing. I swear you just remind me of someone. That’s all.”

“A human?” Maybe he hasn’t met me before and is getting me confused with another human.

He shrugs, avoiding my gaze. “Maybe. I’m not really sure.”

I pick up a fork and cut into my pancakes. “Have you met many humans?”

A few.”

“How long ago?”

“The meetings were spread out over the years.”

“Just how old are you?”

“Older than you.”

I roll my eyes. “Thanks for the vague answer. That only leaves, like, a million different ages you could be.”

A trace of a smirk plays at his lips as he glances up at me. “I’m pretty sure the oldest genie still living is only five hundred and thirty-three years old, so that only leaves five hundred and thirty-two different ages.”

Smartass.

“Well, based on your looks, I’m betting you’re somewhere toward the older end.” I smile innocently as his eyes narrow into slits.

“You think I look old?”

Not really. Okay, not at all. But it’s too fun messing with him.

I thrum my fingers against the counter. “I don’t know. Maybe. I mean, it’s really hard to tell with paranormals, but you have a little bit of crow’s feet right here”—I point at the corner of my eye—“so I’m guessing you have to be older. But hey, I’m sure older paranormals can still be considered top-shelf quality.”

He smashes his lips together as vibrant flames ignite in his eyes. “I’m seriously starting to wonder how in the worlds you’re still alive.”

My smile fizzles. “Is that a threat?”

“No, not at all.” He slants toward me. “I’m was just trying to say that, with as much as you smart off, I’m surprised no paranormal has ever tried to kill you. Most don’t tolerate smart-mouthed humans very well.”

I raise a brow. “But you do?”

He gestures at me. “You’re here, aren’t you?”

My lips twitch as I recall our bargain. “For now.”

“I’m not going to kill you, Harlynn. I want you to be safe.” His soft tone and firm gaze shocks me speechless. “Now, please eat your breakfast so we can go. The last thing we want is to go into that forest at nightfall.”

“Wait. I’m not going at night? Because, from my experience, that’s the best time to steal. It makes it less likely that I’ll be seen.”

“You don’t want to be in that forest at nightfall; trust me. And as long as you do exactly what I tell you, you shouldn’t get caught.” He nudges the plate of food closer to me. “You need to eat up. You’re going to need your strength for where we’re going.”

“I thought the whole point of the deal we made was because you needed me to steal these objects for you, so why would you go with me?”

“I’m not going the entire way with you. I can’t. I am going to escort you as far as I can, though.”

I stuff a bite of pancake into my mouth. Oh, my God, I forgot how good food was.

“Are East and Arrow going with us, too?”

“Nope. It’s just going to be you and me.” He surveys my reaction. I’m not sure what sort of face I pull, but a smile graces his lips. “Don’t look so scared, little thief. I promise not to bite you while we’re in that forest.” He turns toward the fridge and opens the door. “All bets are off, though, when we get out.”

I flip him the middle finger. His back may be turned to me, but he chuckles as if he has eyes in the back of his head.

“You’re blushing,” he teases while digging around in the fridge.

“I am not,” I lie. The truth is, my skin is flooded with warmth.

Stupid, traitor body.

He chuckles again as he grabs a small, velvet bag from the fridge then bumps the door shut.

“What is that?” I wonder, desperate for a subject change.

He pats the bag. “It’s how we’re going to break into the forest.”

I start to stuff a bite of eggs into my mouth, then freeze. “We’re breaking into the forest? You can’t just walk in?”

He tucks the velvet bag into the pocket of his black jeans. “Nope. Shimmerland forest is off limits to all paranormals who haven’t been invited in. Since the fey usually only invite their kind inside, Arrow and I can’t get in, and East was banished a long time ago.”

“So, how am I supposed to get in? I’m not fey, either.”

“But you’re human.”

“Aw, thanks for reminding me. I almost forgot for a second.”

He shoots me a playful, dirty look. “You’re such a smartass.”

“Yeah, so?” I shrug then take a bite of bacon. “Since you already declared you’re not going to kill me, I’m going to keep being one.”

Good.”

“Huh …? Wait, what?”

He grins. “Because of our band’s popularity, most paranormals and humans kiss our asses all the damn time. Everyone acts so fake, and honestly, we’ve gotten to the point where we don’t trust anyone. But with you …” He reclines back against the fridge with his arms crossed. “I’ve never met anyone more blunt and real.”

“Hey, I lied to you, remember?”

“Yeah, so? You also told me the truth … eventually.”

The way he’s looking at me, as if I’m the most fascinating creature in all the worlds, it makes me squirm.

“I also told you off a ton of times.”

“I know.” He rounds the island and stops in front of me. His nearness causes me to nearly choke on the bacon in my mouth. “Why do you think East invited you back to our vehicle when we were at the arena?”

I smack my chest as I cough. “Because I’m a smartass?”

He tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear, a bit of confusion flickering across his face. “Because your truthfulness is a breath of fresh air.”

I gulp as he pulls away, tracing his fingers along my jawline.

“So, East wanted me here because I’m a truth-telling smartass?”

He nods. “That and he wanted to play with you a little bit.”

My fingers tighten around my fork. “I’m not a toy. I’ve already told you guys that.”

He cocks his head to the side, his gaze scrolling over me. “Perhaps not, but you’d definitely be fun to play with.”

I work to remain neutral as I shovel a bite of eggs into my mouth. “You’re very hot and cold.”

He shrugs. “Genies aren’t known for their calm demeanor.”

“No, they’re not.” Bitterness creeps into my tone.

The flames in his eyes evaporate. “I’m sorry … about your parents.”

“Why would you be sorry? You didn’t do it, right?” I measure his reaction, but he closes down, a portrait of indifference.

“No, I didn’t. But a genie did, and all genies are connected in one way or another.” Before I can even attempt to ask him what that means, he turns on his heels, calling over his shoulder, “Eat your breakfast, then get dressed in something silver and meet me out front.”

He disappears down the hallway, leaving me with a dozen questions. Like, why are all genies connected? Why do I have to wear silver? And, what on earth am I stealing?

Mostly importantly, how in the worlds am I going to get into the forest if I’m not fey?