Page 160 of Bedeviled

Bargainer

You’re not saying the shitty part out loud.

The shitty part?

Bargainer

You want “someone” to steal the scroll for you.

Me.

I’m the someone.

I stare at my phone screen for a long moment because, yeah, that was what I was getting at.

Bargainer

I’m also a fae king and the ruler of a rival kingdom. So the optics of this request look like cow dung to me.

Selene Bowers

We’ll pay you.

My heart is beating fast. If the Bargainer could get ahold of the scroll, then he could actually keep Eislyn at bay—but he has to agree to it first. And right now it doesn’t seem like he will.

Bargainer

If you can get me the blood of the first witch, then I’ll steal your scroll.

The blood of the first witch? What the actual fuck?

Selene Bowers

You made that up, didn’t you?

Bargainer

Is that a question? Because that, too, will cost you.

Ugh.

Selene Bowers

Fine, don’t steal the scroll. Let’s just wait until shit hits the fan.

I have to wait a whole minute before the fairy’s reply comes in.

Bargainer

How about this:

I will look into sending someone to steal this scroll with Eislyn’s judgment on it, but you will have to be patient with me. This will take time.

Selene Bowers

How long?

Bargainer