“Yup,” I said, taking another sip. “At least until we get on with things. I don’t know if you two are mated or not, but with Fin and my bond, I’ve started feeling all the things he feels.” I took another long draw of the clear liquid. “And as you can imagine, that’s super fun right now.”
She didn’t offer anything by way of explanation for Helix and their association. They appeared close but there wasn’t the same overt sexual tension Fin and I shared when we got within two feet of each other. Maybe I’d read their situation wrong.
Whatever their relationship, Helix cared for her.
I took another drink and wandered back to my spot beside Fin on the couch. I nudged the contract toward her. “You’re the one who came to us this time. While I appreciate how difficult that was, and the sacrifice you are making to help us, we can at least get things rolling by signing the contract.”
She picked up the pen. “Of course. You’re right.”
With a flourish she signed, folded up the paper, and handed it to Helix along with the pen.
I glanced between them. “What now? Does it happen automatically, or...”
Fin spoke, seeming to shake his attention back to me. “No, it involves an exchange of power, by touching or something similar.”
“How do you not know about magical contracts?” Melinda asked me. “I can see magic pooling around you like a crack in the pavement.”
“I’m a late bloomer, I guess. It’s a long story, really. Maybe I’ll share it sometime if I’m alive in a few weeks.”
She flinched but I didn’t have it in me to feel bad, especially with Fin’s anguish pouring through me like a thick black sludge.
We sat in silence, queueing up questions in our minds that no one would risk asking.
Finally, Fin asked, “What happened to you?”
“Before or after he took me?” Melinda whispered.
A fissure of pain shot through me. I rubbed at my chest and sipped my drink, wondering if I’d ever be able to turn this connection off.
“He took me and forced me to use my magic to help him trap others and steal their power. He used me, draining me every day to further his own goals. Then one day I pretended to be tapped when I wasn’t and escaped. I spent what felt like ages running from place to place, hiding and trying to survive. And then I slowly worked myself up to use my abilities in the Night Market and by word of mouth my business grew. Since then, I’ve stayed under the radar and off the grid. Helix is the only one who ever knows where I am at any given time. He’s my best friend and protector.” She slid her gaze to mine. “Not my mate.”
Her eyes glowed the same blue as her brother’s did when he became emotional.
“What do you want me to say?” My temper flared. “I asked you for help and you used it as a way to come here and berate Fin, for what? Letting Esteban have you? Because he didn’t. If you came here to take care of business, then let’s do that, but if you came here for some kind of revenge...get it over with.”
“Zoey.” Fin said my name with a snap.
I glared his way and clunked my glass onto the coffee table. “Do not speak to me that way or we are going to have bigger problems than we already do.”
“You don’t need to defend me.”
I waved at Melinda. “Well, you’re sure as shit not doing it for yourself. I thought I’d lend a hand. If she blames you for what she endured then someone needs to correct things.”
“Let me handle this,” he said.
Fine. Fuck him and his ridiculous honor.
I sat back, sipped my drink, and stared out at the skyline.
“There are things you’re entitled to since our parent’s passing,” Fin said to Melinda. “Land, money, many possessions in the house. It’s yours to take and do with what you will.”
She crossed her arms under her breasts and shook her head. “I don’t want anything from you. I thought I made it clear I don’t need anything. I’m only here for the same reason you two are—revenge. I’m tired of being scared all the time.”
Revenge was something I could understand, and even support. “Then do the magic transfer thingy so we can get on with our plan and get out of your life, if that’s where you want us.”
I couldn’t explain my hostile attitude toward her, but hated what this little meeting was doing to Fin.
She leaned forward over the coffee table.