Page 122 of World's Okayest Oracle (Reluctantly) Seeks Demon

Well, that didn’t bode well for her next performance appraisal. “I apologize for my failure to uncover—”

“Thora.” He held up a hand, and she fell silent. “You’ve done nothing wrong. You’re a lone spy whom I sent into a nest of vipers without any backup or previous experience, and underthose circumstances, I’m not surprised that you weren’t able to unravel all the group’s plans in time. I’m just grateful you made it out alive—especially since you’re far easier to kill than a full fae. I don’t intend to leave you that vulnerable again, and the event is geared toward couples instead of individuals anyway.”

She allowed herself one quiet protest. “I can handle myself.”

“I know.” He actually smiled at her. “You’re strong, smart, intuitive, detail oriented, impeccably discreet, well aware of both fae and human customs, and able to change your own appearance at will via glamours.”

Why was he buttering her up? To ease her guilt? Or did he suspect she wouldn’t like whatever plans he’d already set into motion?

“Unlike most half-fae, I can also glamour others,” she reminded him.

“I know,” he repeated. “Your partner’s safety will rely on that hidden talent. In return, he’ll offer you a more convincing cover story, along with whatever assistance and physical protection you might require.”

Hugh hesitated then. “Well…he’ll try, anyway. To the best of his abilities.”

What did that mean? But more importantly—“Who do you trust that much?”

“Someone who already knows about the conspiracy, understands the high stakes involved, and is willing to help our cause.” Another hesitation. “For a price.”

“A price?” Okay, she was now allowing herself two protests. No more than that, though. “You want me to infiltrate the group with amercenary?”

“Not a mercenary. He doesn’t want money.” Hugh heaved asilent sigh. “Just unlimited lifetime access to the Sunday brunch buffets at several top-rated restaurants. Including one with a Michelin star.”

Thora prided herself on her unflappability and ability to smoothly adjust to any situation that might unexpectedly confront her. At this moment, however, she found herself entirely unsure of what to say.

“The house party starts in two days, and you need preparation and travel time, Thora.” Hugh sounded apologetic. “I couldn’t locate a better option on such short notice.”

Resigned, she waited in silence for the sword of Damocles to fall.

“You’re attending the party with a troll,” he told her. “He’ll portray your faux-fae husband, and I’m relying on your unparalleled espionage skills and secret glamouring ability to pull off the deception.”

And there it was. The sword piercing her unwitting head.

“Atroll?” Her voice had risen from a whisper, so she took a calming breath to regain her composure. “That raises three areas of concern for me.”

Her boss nodded with zero surprise in his expression. “List them.”

“First, trolls tend to respond…unpredictably…to glamours.” Especially if those glamours were weaker than most, as hers tended to be. “Second, trolls may possess enormous strength, but they also possess enormous”—she waved an illustrative hand toward the tiled ceiling—“enormity. They’re huge and loud and don’t go anywhere discreetly, which makes them essentially the opposite of a good spy.”

He didn’t dispute any of those facts. “And third?”

“I don’t personally know any trolls”—although they were apparently a great deal of fun to be around, something that had rarely been said about her—“but by common reputation, they tend toward clumsiness and are incapable of deceit or subtlety.”

From what she’d heard, they were also none too bright. Which certainly wasn’t a mark against their good character, but would nevertheless make the vast majority of spying missions an insurmountable challenge to them.

“About that.” Hugh leaned in even closer and dropped his voice even lower. “They’ve been trolling everyone, Thora. Literallyandfiguratively.”

She blinked at him.

“Their gargantuan size…” He searched for the right words. “It may sometimes make them less graceful than desired. But they’re intelligent, shrewd, and loyal to a fault.”

If they’d managed to hide their native intelligence all these centuries, she supposed they’dhaveto be quite cunning. How in the world had they accomplished such a feat?

“They’re also very fond of gourmet food. Like,alarminglyfond.” He scratched at his beard. “At least, your intended partner, Kip, is all those things.”

Pulling his secure phone from his pocket, he sent a quick text, then rose to unlock the door again.

“And this…Kip…” Holy fuck, what an inane name. “He’s amenable to your plan? Willing to play my husband for an entire week, no matter what subterfuge that might entail?”