Page 67 of Cursed By Fate
Cowboy’s gaze remained cemented on my face. “Is that what happened?”
“I can’t think of another explanation, can you?”
Cowboy leaned against the back of his chair, still observing me. “Looked to me like you sucked the life right out of her during your little brawl.”
“Would be a handy trick.”
“You also pulled out a party trick when we fought the Coranians in Forsyth Park.”
I maintained my game face. “Oh?”
“From what I understand, you’re half Gorgon. Last time I checked, half Gorgons can’t do any of the shit you seem able to do.”
“My father was a mage. I have a predilection for magic.”
“That was more than magic, my friend. That was raw power.” He toyed with a sugar packet on the table. “Did some digging on you, too, or I tried to, anyway. Couldn’t find much on Maya August.”
“As I told Vale before when he raised the same topic, my file was scrubbed when I moved to the island. Standard procedure.”
His nod seemed designed to placate me. “I can see why they’d do that for the residents, but why would they do it for staff? Who knows? You might want to return to the mainland one day.”
“I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.” But I wouldn’t come to it. I’d burned every bridge I’d crossed down to the ground.
He flicked the sugar packet into the container. “I haven’t said anything to Vale, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“I have nothing to be worried about.” I hoped the lie was convincing because my whole existence was riding on it.
“You’ve got secrets, Maya, and it’s my job to protect my boss from anyone who might cause him harm.”
“In that case, why haven’t you shared with Vale what you think you saw in the square with Leanne?”
“Because I like you, and I think whatever you’re hiding, you’ve got a good reason for it.” He folded his arms, the gesture more casual than threatening. “More importantly, I think you’ve got the hots for my boss, and you wouldn’t do anything to hurt him.”
Not intentionally, no. “You’re making me regret my decision to ask for your help.”
“My apologies. That wasn’t my plan.”
I popped to my feet before the conversation continued down a path I had no interest in walking. “I appreciate your input, Cowboy. Thanks for the coffee.”
His fangs were on full display. “Anytime.”
I managed to leave Savannah without running into Vale or any of his minions. Success.
Cowboy was going to be a problem, which was a bummer because I was fond of the vampire. I wasn’t sure what to do about him, though. He was loyal to Vale and a worthy ally—at the moment. There were an infinite number of scenarios where that could change. I’d have to keep my eye on him, which wouldn’t be too hard given that he was likely keeping an eye on me.
It reminded me of my old life, the constant surveillance and lack of trust. I’d come to Evermore to escape that constant state of discomfort, yet somehow, I found myself right back in the thick of it. At some point, I’d have to concede that I was part of the problem.
But today was not that day.
CHAPTER TEN
No alpha. No spell. No vampire blood. I was running low on ideas. There was one option I wasn’t ready to consider—not only because it seemed implausible, but because it required information I could only acquire via bridges I’d burned.
There was one stone left unturned on Evermore. Laurel Oakes, the old, wise druid who lived alone in a rustic cabin in the marshland. Laurel would rather pickle her own organs than play pickleball. She was the type of supernatural that probably would’ve been fine if she’d continued her life on the mainland. I’d be shocked if she left behind a digital footprint that required erasure. Yet she’d migrated to Evermore anyway.
The marshlands were in the northeast corner of the island, which meant it was faster to fly than drive my golf cart.
As I swept over the island, I spied Nessie, the resident alligator, sunning herself beside the murky water. She was quite a distance from her usual stomping grounds. All golf courses would be marked safe from Nessie today, not that she ever bothered anybody. She was like the island mascot at this point.
