The Evolution of Fae and Gods (Chronicles of the Stone Veil 3)

I make a long lunge, hold it while placing my hands behind my head and then leaning to arch my back. Groaning at how good the stretch feels, I marvel I don’t feel a single side effect from my injuries this morning. Stan may be an asshole, but he’s an amazing healer. Maybe I should send him a cake in gratitude or something.

Despite hiding out in Carrick’s condo, my day has been quite busy. I called Rainey and Myles to inform them One Bean had burned down. That couldn’t wait for when they came over to visit as they were going to hear it once I sent the newsletter to my patrons since they were subscribers, not to mention they have friends and coworkers who go there as well.

I wanted them to hear that jarring news personally from me, but I purposely withheld what happened, only telling them I’d fill them in on the details tomorrow. They were flying in late tonight, and we’ve made plans for them to come here tomorrow. I have so much to tell them that’s happened in such a short time.

I’ve been to Faere, found out Carrick is a demi-god, learned I have a real twin sister trapped in the Underworld, Fallon is a changeling, and, oh yeah… she is the one who burned One Bean down and tried to kill me. Plus, Carrick miraculously saved me, and I might be falling mightily hard for him, but he doesn’t return the feelings.

Phew… it’s a lot.

Sucking in a huge breath, I let it out slowly. A thousand worries on my plate, and not many I can control. I’m going to be glad to share all of this with my besties tomorrow before hopefully convincing them to leave.

I managed to contact all of my vendors for One Bean, stop auto ships, and send out a personal email to the staff, who had been apprised early this morning that there was a fire and we were closed. But I wanted to have them hear from me personally that they would be taken care of until we can rebuild.

Carrick is being tremendously generous in covering everyone’s salaries. Before he left this morning, I asked him to add the cost of those salaries onto the original loan he’d given me, and I would pay it all back to him.

I was surprised he looked a bit offended, especially since he made it clear earlier that he was only helping to rebuild because it was a business investment.

“I’ve got more money than I know what to do with,” he said drolly as he refused my offer to pay him back for the salaries. “Don’t worry about it.”

Of course, I jokingly replied, “Why don’t you just waive the loan I owe you then?”

Carrick didn’t laugh, only gave me one of those looks that said he was in full business mode. “Oh, no, Miss Porter. You’re going to work to pay that back; otherwise, you won’t appreciate it.”

That didn’t bother me in the slightest. I wasn’t serious about my request, and I always believe in paying my debts. Not sure I liked him calling me Miss Porter as it seems like that’s his way to keep things professional with us since we had “the kiss”.

Regardless, it took me half a day to do all those things and put in a claim with the insurance company. They will have an adjuster come out to evaluate it but not until after the arson investigation is done.

I do wonder what they’ll find. It won’t be an electrical issue or a grease fire, nor will they find any accelerant. It will most likely look like spontaneous combustion, but I doubt that will go on the report. It certainly won’t say “fire due to Dark Fae fireballs”.

Most likely, it will be inconclusive and as long as the insurance processes quickly, we can start the rebuild. Carrick has assured me he can get crews working immediately because, as it turns out, his conglomerate includes a commercial construction division. He explained they normally do the high rises that seem to be going up all the time, but they’ll slum it for a little coffee shop.

He was teasing, of course.

About the slumming-it part.

“There you are,” I hear Titus call as he enters the gym. I release the stretch on my back and pull out of my lunge, turning to face him. He grins, giving a slow sweep of his gaze up and down. “Back from Faere, and you don’t look any worse for wear.”

I frown. “You mean I’m no worse for wear after Dark Fae Fallon tried to kill me today, don’t you?”

Titus’ eyes bug out. “Say what?”

“Carrick didn’t tell you?”

Titus shakes his head and walks my way, coming to stand with his arms crossed over his beefy chest and concern on his face. “I was in Detroit battling a nest of dark daemons that were on a murderous rampage.”