“Dude.” Bix shut the door behind him and ambled over to the couch. “Where you been, anyway? And what’s this?”
He picked up the velvet bag and pulled out a handful of leaves. A few drifted down to lie on the garage floor.
“That’s stupidity,” Aran said. “I can’t explain now, but I have a huge favor to ask.”
“Whatever you need.” Bix stuffed the leaves back into the bag and sat down.
“Could I borrow your grav-cycle for a couple days? And some cash.”
Bix blinked at him with sleepy eyes. Then he frowned. “If my parents found out—”
“Okay, not the bike.” Aran knew that was asking too much. “But I need bus money to Landover.”
“No,” Bix said.
Aran’s gut clenched. “I thought you—”
“You’re not riding the bus all that way. Whatever’s going on, I trust you. I’ll figure out what to tell my parents. Hold on while I get the keys.”
Swallowing past the sudden lump in his throat, Aran punched Bix lightly on the shoulder.
“I don’t deserve friends like you,” he said.
“Yeah, well, you’ll have to settle for me anyway.” Bix grinned. “Whatever adventure you’re on, though, you gotta tell me all about it when you’re done.”
“I will.” Aran put every ounce of truth behind his words.
Even if Bix wouldn’t believe him.
Nine by Night: A Multi-Author Urban Fantasy Bundle of Kickass Heroines, Adventure, Magic
CHAPTER TWENTY
Arguing voices in the hall outside her door woke Spark. She blinked at the dim light struggling through the curtains, her brain fuzzy. Then memory of what happened last night crashed over her.
She lunged for her messager, heart sinking when she saw the blank screen.
Whoever was in the hall, they were getting louder. And they kept saying her name. Scooping her hair out of her face, she went to the door and looked out the peephole.
Disbelief flashed through her, cold, then hot. She undid the locks and flung her door open.
“Aran!” It was him.
“Miss Jaxley.” Her security guard, Joe, had Aran by the arm. “Sorry to disturb you. I was just escorting Mr. Cole out. Burt instructed us he wasn’t welcome.”
“Wait,” she said. “I want to talk to him.”
“You do?” Joe’s look of confusion was almost funny.
“Yes,” she said.
“I told you so.” Aran pulled free of Joe’s grasp and tugged his leather jacket back into place. “Can I come in?”
Spark stepped back and held the door wider. She knew she looked terrible, with her sleep-tangled hair and slept-in clothes, but that didn’t matter. When Joe started to follow Aran into her room, she held up her hand.
“Just him,” she said.
“But Miss Jaxley—”
“He’s safe. And you can check back in a half hour, okay? Aran and I need to talk. Alone.”
“Burt’s going to kill me,” Joe said.
“Tell Burt I insisted. Since that’s exactly what I’m doing. Bye.” She shut the door in his face, then locked it.
Slowly, she turned. Yes, Aran really stood there, hands in his pockets. She wanted to hug him. She wanted to slap him. She wanted to shake him until his teeth rattled.
Instead she folded her arms, wincing as she jarred her wrist.
“Are you okay?” He was suddenly way too close, setting one gentle finger on her splint. “Is this… did you get injured in-game?”
“Yep. No thanks to you.”
His eyes widened with horror. “Oh, crap. I am so sorry. I didn’t know—”
“It’s just sprained. Though, yes, if you get injured in the realm, it carries over to the real world.” She brushed past him, going to one of the two chairs set at the far end of the room. “Tell me how you escaped the Dark Realm. And what happened to the gateway between the worlds.”
“Ah.” He looked down at the floor, then back to her. “I screwed up, and I need your help.”
“Now you’re asking for my help?” Anger flared through her, and she was wide awake. “After our little encounter in-game, why would you even think I’d lift a finger for you? You managed to get out of the realm. I’d say you’re doing fine on your own.”
He sat in the other chair and rested his forearms on his knees.
“Ever hear of gold coins turning to leaves?” he asked.
“Faerie gold. Dammit, Aran. What happened?”
He let out a long breath, his dark eyes haunted. “I thought I’d finally be set. Do what the queen asked, open the gateway, get my reward, and be done.”