Wicked Deal (Shadow Guild: The Rebel 2)

Her brows rose, interest gleaming in her eyes. “All right, then, let’s get started.”

She waved her hand, and three champagne flutes floated over from the back of the shop. Golden liquid gleamed within, bubbles rising toward the surface. A glass stopped in front of each of us, even Cordelia, who plucked it out of the air.

I took mine. “Thank you.”

“But of course.” She drifted toward the back of the shop. “Look around, but in the meantime, I’m going to gather a few pieces I think might suit you.”

“Thanks.” I sipped the champagne, enjoying the burst of bubbles and flavor. “This is a bit different from the secondhand shops where I normally go.”

“Same.” Mac gulped her champagne. “But I could get used to it.”

Me too. Cordelia nimbly climbed onto a padded bench, her glass clutched in one hand. I love a good fashion show.

I looked around, wondering if anyone else was watching the raccoon. I’d grown used to her antics, but this was over the top.

Neither Mac nor the proprietress was paying attention, as if Cordelia were a totally normal part of life. Apparently here, she was.

I shrugged and turned to the shop, entranced by the beautiful fabrics. I liked my uniform of denim and leather, but I had to admit, I didn’t hate the idea of a pretty, sparkly dress. I’d probably have worn them more often if I had any money or a place to go.

In the back of the shop, the Fae proprietress moved quickly through the racks, flicking her hands and making dresses rise of their own accord. Her magic smelled of flowers and tasted like honey.

“Her magic feels lovely,” I murmured.

“You can feel it?” Mac asked.

I nodded. “Can’t you?”

“No. She’s got it locked down tight, like all of us do.”

“Really?”

“Really. But you can sense it?”

“I can.”

Mac whistled low. “That’s something special. You must be very powerful if you can sense the magic people are trying to hide.”

“I don’t think I could do it before.”

She turned to me, eyes widening. “Really? You think you’re changing?”

I shrugged. “Maybe.”

“Well, keep tabs on that. It’s unusual.”

I nodded, watching the woman choose more dresses. Her beauty was so ethereal. Eerie, almost. It dredged up a memory of the two Fae women I’d seen walking toward the necromancer’s horrible ceremony last week.

“What’s on your mind?” Mac whispered. “You look like you ate a bad apple.”

“I was just thinking about the Fae women who were involved in the necromancer’s creepy ceremony.”

“They’re locked up now.”

“Yeah, but they didn’t look evil, and neither does she. There wickedness wasn’t obvious.”

“It never is.”

“But it means there could be people in Guild City who are involved in terrible things.”