Blinking to clear my mind, I mutter, “It’s illegal to raise the dead inside city limits without proper permits.”
At the reminder of everything riding on this, a tight smile curls my lips, and nausea roils in my stomach. I wish for the millionth time that Dr. Vesalius, my business partner, could have been the one responsible for figuring out the permits. Paperwork has always been more his thing. And how unfair is it that I scored myself a date with the personification of tall, dark, and handsome, and it’s under these pretenses?
Even if he doesn’t seem very interested. Where is the sweet, funny dude from our online exchanges? I wantthatguy.
When I look up, Seth is staring at me blankly. “I mean, why the rush? Just file it with your zone. They get approved in like, less than a month. Why put yourself through all the bother of helping me and thisdate?”
Okay, rude. Maybe he’s just miffed that I went full business on him? Should I push the seduction angle?Fuck.I’m not built for these types of undefined situations. I’ve been pretty straightforward, why can’t he be? It doesn’t help that playing coy is not my forte, especially when my brain is screaming,‘Do you like me?’on repeat in the background.
Oh, fuck it. My pulse quickens, and I inject some honey into my voice to counteract the weird tension that’s taken over this interaction. “I need it as soon as possible. By tomorrow would be best.” I watch his eyes widen at my insane timeline and hold my breath. I’m pushing, and I know it.
“I’ll do anything you want. Whatever it takes.” I lick my lips and lean forward to rest a hand on his. I hope he takes me up on my very unsubtle innuendo, because I’d like to see him naked almost as much as I need this favor, even with the weird hot and cold vibes. Actually, I can work with hot and cold roleplay in bed. An electric current racesthrough me at the thought, and my eyes drop to his full bottom lip, currently pinned by his teeth.
When he stiffens at my touch, I silently curse myself for being too pushy and reading him wrong, again! He pulls his hand away and shakes his head.
“Please, don’t do that.” His voice is quiet, yet firm.
My cheeks flame with embarrassment, and I nod stiffly, “I’m sorry.”
He holds my stare for a long moment before he slowly nods.
“Give me your paperwork and a written proposal. If your permit is legit, I’ll sign it.”
Hope flares in my chest, and I smile, mumbling a timid, “Thank you.”
“I’m not doing it for free, I need help with my thing—and if it’s for any kind of ritual sacrifice, you can consider it a no-go.”
Indignant anger quickly replaces the hope, and my smile turns into a scowl. “Excuse me? Ritual sacrifice? Are you serious?”
Seth raises his chiseled jaw and glares at me through cold eyes, “You’re a necromancer, Ryn. There’s no rush if the people are already dead, right? Over fifty percent of all rush permits submitted by necromancers in this region are for ritual sacrifice. It’s not exactly an out-of-pocket assumption…especially considering you set up a date sight unseen and just offered to fuck me for a signature.” His eyes are hard, a muscle in his jaw ticking as it clenches.
My own jaw goes slack as I recoil.
“How dare you?” While I can admit that it’s not uncommon for necromancers to face prejudice and derision, I wasn’t expecting it from a psychopomp. If anyone can understand what it feels like to be judged based on what you are, it should be him.
He shifts uneasily in his seat, looking suddenly uncertain as I level a glare at him.
“You weren’t hiding the fact you were searching for someone to help your little friend. I can help. I need help as well. It was a win-win scenario. The fact I find you attractive and thought we hit it off was just a bonus.” I can feel my throat ache with the threat of tears, which only pisses me off further. Especially when he shifts in his seat, looking all uncertain and adorable.
I take a deep breath and glare before finishing my impromptu speech, “I have been honest every step of the way with this. Excuse me for thinking I might mix a little business with pleasure. You’re the one acting all weird. If you’re not interested in me, just fucking say so!”
Seth’s eyes widen, and he sits forward. It feels like time stills as his eyes make a loop of my face, as if he’s hunting for some sign of insincerity. By the time his mouth opens to say something, I’m over it. I’m not sure how I started off with leverage and ended up so fucking vulnerable, but Iloathethis feeling.
“No. Whatever you’re going to say, keep it to yourself, Reaper. This—” I gesture between us with a shaking finger and move to stand. “This is done. I’ll find someone else to help.” I can feel the heat of embarrassment and rage on my face as I throw in a cheap shot for good measure, “And to fuck.”
“Ryn, please—” His velvety voice sounds contrite and pleading, and I can feel his gaze on me, but I refuse to meet his eyes.
“No.” Tears of frustration sting at the back of my eyes, and I groan, refusing to let them fall. I’m being stupid, and I know it. I need his help, but my heart is beating too fast, and it aches with each pulse. I’m overtired, emotional, and desperate, and it’s making me impulsive. The insult of being grouped in with typical Unseelie trash, when I’ve workedso hardto be better—it’s just too much. I grab my cup from the table and turn to leave.
“I’ll sign it!”
Gods damn it.
I freeze mid-step and close my eyes, pulling a breath in through my nose and letting it out slowly.
This isn’t about me. We need this. Dr. Vesalius and our patients are counting on me. I clear my throat and turn around slowly, willing my face to appear unbothered.
“It’s not illegal. I-I’m not like that. I’ve never killed anyone. I would never.” My voice wavers a little, but thankfully doesn’t crack.