Page 41 of Stubborn as a Shadow

“Ugh. Fine,” he bit out. “But it’s a rental, so I can’t leave it here too long or I’ll be charged extra.”

That was the least of my worries, but I nodded anyway. “Of course.”

He scratched his arm. When he realized what he was doing, he narrowed his eyes at me. Could my lies make him itchy too?

“Wait.” His forehead furrowed. “How am I going to make a distraction if I’m outside?”

“You aren’t.”

“I’m not what? Outside?”

“Making a distraction.”

Morgan scowled. I was pretty sure if he’d been in his shifted form, he’d be aiming his horn at me about now. “That’s a bad plan. I object.”

“I don’t need a distraction. It’ll be easier to drop the tracker on them if they stay relaxed and calm. They won’t have their guard up that way,” I pointed out. “A distraction might backfire and make them more vigilant.”

“You’re just like Violet,” he muttered. “She never wants me to have fun either.”

14

A UNICORN HAS TO DO WHAT A UNICORN HAS TO DO

MORGAN

I strode across the lobby using the boring, practical steps I’d practiced with Violet.

Thinking about my cousin reminded me of our conversation. She’d tried to veto this change in plans, but she wasn’t here. She hadn’t met Nelson. She couldn’t understand how trustworthy he was without having talked to him face to face.

Because he was trustworthy. I was sure of it. I didn’t question my impulse to trust him. Not even a little bit. Now, if only Violet and Nelson could trust me the same way. Someday I would prove to them what a super amazing asset I was, but alas, that wouldn’t be today.

The little market from earlier was gone now, and only a few people lingered in the large space. Based on the raucous laughter and loud conversations coming from the pub, I figured everyone had relocated there. At least someone was enjoying a nightcap.

Cold air slammed into me as soon as I stepped outside. Wind and snow whirled around me and swept under the billowing fabric of my cloak. I shivered.

Oh,thiswas probably why cloaks weren’t a winter fashion item anymore. Well, that sucked.

But every problem had a solution. I’d figure it out. Because I wasn’t ready to abandon my cloak-renaissance yet. A detachable faux-fur lining might work. Or one of those emergency rescue blankets. Oh! That’d make the inside of the cloak shiny like a foil-wrapped baked potato. I rather liked that idea. It didn’t have as much appeal as, say, a fuchsia-colored cloak, but if I had to put up with a black cloak, something fun on the underside would be the way to go.

The sun had set ages ago, so everything was dreary and bleak. Even the lights in the parking lot gave off only a dull shimmer because of the heavy storm. Their weak glow bounced off the gathering snow, making the parking lot appear eerie and otherworldly. The mountains weren’t visible at all now, which was a shame. Oh well, I wasn’t standing out here for the view. I was here for the limo.

I glanced around. It hadn’t arrived yet.

Sheesh. How long was this going to take?

Ticktock. Ticktock.

I shuffled back and forth. My toes were getting cold. Could I bounce? Or was that a no-go? I didn’t have Violet talking in my ear, but I was sixty percent sure that Rudy Tada wouldn’t hop around to keep warm.

Waiting.

Gah. This was so boring.

Still waiting.

I opened my mouth to catch snowflakes on my tongue, then quickly snapped it closed again because that was a little too much like having fun. And I wasn’t supposed to do that, was I? Why was it so difficult to pretend to be someone different?

At least no one was watching me. That was good, right? Because Nelson was convinced I was at risk. But honestly, merely existing felt like a risk most days. I sighed.