She looked nervous. Wow. For the first time, Marta looked nervous
“Well, I’d be ungrateful if I don’t thank you, Mar. I you hadn’t pushed me to my limits, I wouldn’t have known what I was capable of.”
I could see the disgust in her face. For the first time, yet again, she walked away without saying a word.
**********
I was beyond happy.
Right now, all I wanted to do was go home and have some fun. Like play music in my room, pop a bottle and drink alone.
I wasn’t just celebrating my new job. I was also celebrating the fact that I had the power to save a man’s life. I had the gift to do what others are unable to do.
Maybe it wasn’t really a curse if I use it right. Maybe it’s a gift.
Getting to Darkspire, however, my plans were put on halt when Kael caught up with me in the middle of the hallway.
Oh, right. I’d almost forgotten about his text this morning.
We exchanged pleasantries before he told me the reason he was there.
“I have been running a task, and currently, I just bumped into a problem. I’m supposed to get something-a kind of access from the chairman. But after meeting with him, he told me he had handed those rights over to his son.”
It took me two seconds longer to realize what he was asking.
Oh. “Jace.”
“Yes. Your hot-headed ill-mannered friend.” He hissed, the words dripping with venom.
I tried and failed to stifle my smile. “But…now you need to ask for his help.”
“Yes. And I think we both know your friend is too stubborn to grant me that access.”
“Jace isn’t all that bad,” I rolled my eyes up, looking at him from the perspective of someone who had been my best friend and defender from childhood.
“Come on, Lyric. Even you can see how much of an annoying bastard he is. I hate that I need his help.” Kael’s words oozed with hostility.
I huffed at him. “And you think you’re the saint? Or the victim? The two times you two have been in a fight, you punched him first.”
Kael looked like he’d roll his eyes if he could. Jace had a problem, no doubt. But Kael was no different and didn’t have the right to judge him.
“Anyway,” I crossed my arms. “What’s my role in all of this?”
He looked calmer now. “I need your help setting up a meeting between us.”
Hmph. I guess his pride wouldn’t let him contact Jace himself. So, I have to be the middle woman. Well, I am definitely sensing a war coming.
Fortunately, Jace was free when I asked him to come over. In less than three hours, he was at Darkspire and met Kael and I in the little outdoor restaurant within the Pack.
Jace stopped in his tracks when he found Kael sitting at the table with me. I already told him he was to meet up with someone, but he didn’t know it was Kael.
“The fuck is he doing here?” He asked with a crumpled look. “Is he holding you hostage or something, Lyric? Or he’s just here to try to piss me off again?”
I noticed Kael fist his hand under the table, obviously fighting down his retort.
“Jace, please. Sit.” I urged, tapping the empty seat.
He glared really hard at Kael before sitting down.
Two seconds later, it sank in before I could speak.
He raised his hands. “Nah, hold on. Don’t tell me the ‘someone’ I’m supposed to meet is this fucker?”
“Call me fucker one more time and I’ll fuck you up.” Kael gritted.
“Why don’t you save it, man, for someone who can be fucked over by you.”
Holy smokes.
“Could you two stop? Please!” I slightly hit the table, but it didn’t seem to have much effect on the two men.
“Well, I am trying, Lyric. But like I said, he is too hot-headed and ill-mannered to listen!” Kael argued.
“Wow.” Jace let out a slow clap. “Look who’s talking. Mr. I-Punch-First-Think-Never is suddenly the etiquette police.”
I took a deep breath. “Kael, if you need this to work, you’ll have to actually calm down.”
Thank goodness, they both keep quiet. But Kael looked really pissed. I guess he’d be doing a lot worse if he didn’t need Jace’s help right now.
“Why did you call me, Ly? You should talk fast ’cause the atmosphere here isn’t so appealing,” Jace said as he picked up my glass of wine and drank from it.
“Actually,” I glanced at Kael. “He needs your help.”
Jace choked. Wine sprayed onto the table as he coughed violently, shaking his head.
“Hold up-did you just say he needs my help? With what? Digging his own grave? With what? Digging his grave?”
“Jace, come on. This is serious.”
“Fine.” He rolled his eyes. He shifted his eyes to Kael. “What the hell do you need my help for?”
Kael seemed to struggle with his words. Poor thing. It must be really hard on his ego.
“The Mountain Retreat in the East. Your father told me you have rights to it now. I need access.”
Jace was numb for a moment, like he didn’t quite understand Kael’s words. Then, he burst into laughter.
“Oh, this is rich!” He clapped his hands together like this was the best joke he’d heard all year. “So, Mr. Almighty finally needs me. I should call the news. ‘Kael Swallows His Pride’-headlines would be insane. Shocking to know you’re human, after all.”
“I am not begging, Jace. If you don’t wanna help, spit it out already.”
Geez! Such a really bad temper for someone in need of help.
“Fine. Let’s say I don’t wanna help you, then.”
To my surprise, Jace stood up to leave.
Goodness!
“Please, just sit.” I grabbed his hand.
“No, Lyric. If this guy really needs my help, he’s going to have to ask nicely. With the right attitude.”
I glanced at Kael. Not sure that’s ever going to happen. But…
“Kael, come on. Just try to be the bigger man.” made my av
I needed to get this done and focus on my celebr pleadings they could.
“Are you trying to say I’m the smaller person here, Lyric?” Jace huffed.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.