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

We talk about the Blood Stone and the Crimson River, both of which could just be myths, but, for now, we need to assume they’re true.

The three of us get to work, Myles and Rainey so much more earnest in the book research. I end up letting my thoughts drift. I think about Carrick because it’s impossible to go five minutes without doing so. I also think about my sister and whether she could be evil like Kymaris. The thought is untenable. I think about dying and saving the world, and how, if I do, no one will even know.

Carrick ascending and finally achieving true peace is next up, and that’s the most depressing thought ever.

So, then I try to focus back on my research.

“Did… um… Carrick talk to you about One Bean yet?” Rainey asks.

At first, her words don’t register. I look up from the book where I’d been staring at the same page for several minutes without having read a word. “One Bean? What about it?”

Myles is off in the stacks, searching for his next read.

“A lot is going on with the rebuild,” Rainey says.

I sigh. “I know. I’ve not been able to really concentrate on it, though.”

“Which is why Carrick approached me about helping out.”

I frown at my best friend, but not in a mad way. Instead, in a way that shows I’m entirely confused because out of everything I had been thinking about, One Bean was not one of them, and a wave of guilt hits me.

“He thinks I’m falling down on the job, doesn’t he?” I ask, pushing the book aside. No matter what else is going on around us, I somehow managed to forget Carrick and I are business partners and that he’s rebuilding my coffee shop.

Rainey gives a hard and fast shake of her head. “Not at all. In fact, he wants to remove the burden from you so you can concentrate on the prophecy. So he asked if I’d be willing to oversee the rebuild.”

Eyes on Rainey, I try to comprehend the thoughtfulness of Carrick doing that, as well as the thoughtlessness of him to burden her with it. She’s got a full-time job and she’s helping with the prophecy.

“I’m sorry.” My voice is heavy with sincerity. “It was rude of him to ask you that. You have a job, you’re helping us with the prophecy, and—”

Rainey shakes her head again, laughing. “No, Finley. I didn’t say that right. He actually offered me a paid position to oversee it.”

Now, over the past few months, there have been things I’ve seen that have shocked me beyond belief. Moments my jaw hung wide open with astonishment.

This would be another one of those. “He offered you a job to oversee the rebuild?”

“Let’s face it, Finley,” Rainey says primly. “I’ve got more inside me than just being able to paint women’s faces.”

“True,” I drawl hesitantly. “I’ve always known you could do anything you set your mind to.”

She wrinkles her nose. “I’m glad you think so. I can’t be out on the front lines fighting because I don’t have skills or powers. But if I can help you and Carrick behind the scenes, so you can do your jobs better with the prophecy, then that will be fulfilling for me.”

I sit back in my chair. “Wow,” I say because this is a bit overwhelming—Carrick trusting my friend like this, I mean, and Rainey wanting to help more than what she’s already doing.

My gaze moves to her. “I can’t think of anyone better to help oversee the rebuild of One Bean than you, and I’m so grateful you took the job.”

“Really?” she asks with a relieved smile.

“Totally,” I assure her. “In fact, a while back, the general contractor said we could make changes to the layout if we wanted, and I just couldn’t wrap my head around it. Think if I toss you a few ideas, you can run with it?”

Rainey’s eyes go big with wonder, then start to sparkle with excitement. She grabs a yellow pad of paper, pulls off the top sheet she’d filled with notes from some old book, and poises a pen while waiting expectantly.

“Okay… tell me all your thoughts.”

Rainey and I forget about fae and prophecies for the next thirty minutes as we talk about One Bean. Myles continues researching, but he occasionally tosses out an idea.

We’re discussing the expansion of the second floor when we hear footsteps on the spiral staircase. Carrick comes into view and, yes, as always happens when I first see him, my heart beats a little faster.

He sits beside me, and his proximity is disconcerting in the best kind of way. I wonder if it’s like that between Rainey and Myles.

Rainey subtly turns the yellow pad over so he doesn’t see we were sort of goofing off rather than researching. I grin, and she winks back.