Chapter Twenty-One
Three days later and they’d graduated from the regular cars to bringing the Ferrari on the track. After completing the practice course successfully every time, Danny had taken to switching up the track between each run. Apparently, all the traps were somehow on a pulley system in blocks, and Danny literally had somehow made it so he could move the blocks around without lifting a hand to have to do so. It was all mechanical and the most he needed was a forklift to help them along. When Cricket had found out the system, she’d stared at Danny in amazement. All this time being a butler when he could have been an evil genius.
They’d made minor adjustments to the car, tweaking things here and there to ensure everything would go according to plan for the race. All the weapons had been checked to make sure they worked, a fun day for Radley. He’d enjoyed firing all the weapons at the totaled cars they’d piled in a corner of the yard. She’d never seen him smile so much.
It was later as they stood in the garage, both under the rear hood of the car as Cricket made adjustments. They’d added more fairy dust to the car, the bursts working so well, it was an important asset. They added a system that would allow them one massive burst during the race rather than a bunch of small ones, which means they’d have to make it count.
“So, whose blood powers this one?” Radley asked as she tightened a bolt back down.
She glanced at him. “What?”
“I’d heard fae cars run on blood somehow, but I didn’t quite believe it until I saw the container for it.” He raised his brows as he pointed at the smaller valve near the middle of the advanced engine. “So, who did you milk?”
Shrugging, she continued tightening the bolt. It was in such a tight space, even her tiny hands barely fit in there, making it more difficult to tighten it down. “I didn’t have to milk anyone.”
“Given then?”
“Fates, no,” she laughed. “I used my own blood.”
Radley frowned. “I know that’s not the norm. . . or is it?”
“It’s not, but my father has threatened anyone that might have offered. They’re too scared to help, so I avoided it altogether. I started taking a bit of mine each day since I decided to race so it wouldn’t affect me with the loss. Been storing it until it was time to send it to the mechanic shop.”
“Clever,” he mused, leaning over to see her progress.
“Desperate, perhaps.” Cricket shrugged. “For you, this race is a way to not owe my father a favor, which is smart. It’s better not to owe the Snapdragon family a debt at all. If I lose, I’ll be a phantom for the rest of my life. A lot weighs on this race.”
She finished the bolt and leaned back. Radley carefully took the socket wrench from her and set it aside. Closing the rear hood, Radley sighed and met her eyes.
“Phantoms can have power.”
“Perhaps, in your world. In mine, phantoms are nothing more than decoration, told not to speak unless spoken to. I don’t think I’ll be able to do much more than attend parties and smile. It depends on the male, honestly.”
Radley reached up to touch her chin, forcing her eyes to his. She hadn’t even realized she’d been looking down. “If I have my way, no one will ever silence you, sugar plum.”
Cricket shook her head. “You can’t have your way. You may control your clan, but you can’t control the fae. You can’t change tradition. All I can do is win this race and hope my father holds up his end of the bargain he struck.”
But Radley just stared at her. It took her a moment to realize his fingers were still on her chin, his thumb gently caressing her jawline.
“What?” she asked.
“You’re beautiful,” he murmured. “I don’t understand how your father can’t see the passion in your eyes, how he could want to see it snuffed out.”
Cricket blushed and looked away. “You said I’m annoying.”
He grabbed her and pulled her close so suddenly, she squeaked. His warmth pressed against her, and she found herself pressing her palms to his chest and looking up into eyes lit with fire.
“What are you doing?” she asked, her own eyes wide.
“What I should have done a long time ago,” he groaned, just before slamming his lips to hers.