Chasing Secrets - Jessica Sorensen Page 0,30

out anything about an energy reader?”

Wisps of East’s blond hair fall into his eyes as he shakes his head. “The entire town is basically shut down, minus a few bars and shops here and there. I asked around about the event, too, and while everyone stated there was one going on, no one would give out any of the specifics. Honestly, it’s almost as if they’re all spelled into secrecy.”

“They might be.” Asher sits down on the edge of the table with his thinking face on. “The question is: why?”

“Well, that answer might lie in that crystal ball,” East says, his gaze lifting to me. “So, you think you know how to steal a crystal ball from a succubus, huh?”

“Not think. Know,” I stress again. “I don’t know why you’re all acting surprised by this. You’ve known from the very beginning that stealing things is my specialty, hence the reason you guys made the bargain with me.”

“Yeah, that was the only reason,” East says while lifting his brows. “It had nothing to do with us wanting to keep you.”

I’d argue with him, except Asher just basically told me that was part of the reason.

“You didn’t keep me,” I say instead. “A bargain was made where I do you favors and in exchange for Asher saving me from dying. But, at the end of the bargain, I get to choose whether or not I leave, so there’s no keeping anyone. It’ll be my choice whether or not I want to stay.”

And for the first time since I met him, East’s expression plummets.

And to be honest, I feel bad. Sure, I hadn’t meant anything by what I said, other than I was just stating the fact. But clearly, something about my wordage upset him.

Maybe because he thinks I’ll leave at the end of all of this.

Will I?

I was once pretty damn determined to do so, had been declaring that I would for most of this journey, but now … Well, the idea terrifies me. Going back to my old life … My life of loneliness … My life without them.

“We need to make a plan first,” Asher states, breaking the silence. “A foolproof one where no one will get caught or hurt.”

I nod. “I agree. But I swear it’s not as complicated as you’re thinking.”

“I hope so,” Asher tells me then looks at Arrow. “Was Ava at the front desk when you headed back to our room?”

Arrow nods. “But she did walk away for a moment. She put the crystal ball inside a magic case while she stepped away.”

“I wonder where the door to the basement even is,” Asher mumbles with a crease between his brow. “I didn’t see one anywhere.”

“Maybe it’s a portal door,” Arrow suggests, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.

As they start bouncing theories back and forth between each other, both Maxton and East remain relatively quiet, which is nothing new for Maxton. East, however, is the biggest blabbermouth I’ve ever met.

I start to turn toward him to ask what’s up when he grabs the back of my shirt. Then he pulls me toward him and down onto his lap, slips one arm around my waist, and uses his free hand to brush my hair to the side.

“I know you have a choice whether you leave or not at the end of our bargain,” he whispers in my ear, “but I want to make it clear that I in no way, shape, or pixie form want you to leave us.” He rests his head against mine, breathing softly as his fingers trace along my side. “If you do go back to your old world, though, take me with you.”

My brows pull together, and I twist around to look at him, figuring he has to be joking. He looks one-hundred percent serious.

“You want to live in the human world?” I question.

He shakes his head. “Not at all.” He slides his other arm around me, looking me straight in the eye. “However, I’d rather live in that hellhole than lose my pet.”

Normally, I’d ream into him for calling me his pet, but I’m way too shocked at the other thing he said.

“East, it’s awful there. Like really, really awful. And dirty. And unmagical.”

“Oh, I know,” he assures me, resting his chin on my shoulder. “Which is why I’m begging you to stay with us. I’m just saying, if you won’t, then I’m going with you.”

“Why would you …?” I have zero idea how to respond.

East, the bassist of East