Chapter 6

CHAPTER SIX

I groaned inwardly as a group of children streamed into the library ahead of me. As usual, I’d chosen the wrong time for peace and quiet.

I entered the building and immediately spotted a frazzled Hailey Jones as she ushered children to the reading section. Story hour seemed to cause the librarian more stress than The Corporation caused me. I waited for the kids to be seated on the floor cushions before I approached her.

“Hi, Hailey. How’s it going?”

“It’s a process,” she replied vaguely.

“Do you have a minute? I could use your help with something.”

Her features rearranged themselves into a picture of calm. “For you? Absolutely. Anything at all.”

“I’m researching fairy tales.”

Hailey clapped her hands. “Oh, gosh. How fun!”

Fairy tale research seemed more appropriate for Hailey than runes and curses. It was also much easier to explain Goran’s predicament than Alessandro’s .

“I’d like to know all the methods used to turn a creature back into a prince. The more obscure, the better.”

I still felt guilty that I wasn’t able to help Goran reverse the curse that had turned him into a water spirit. Despite his claims that he was fine with his appearance, I felt obligated to find a solution that didn’t involve the Givers, the Slavic Fates responsible for the curse.

“Are we talking about a frog or a beast?” Hailey asked.

“All the options. Even if there’s a lesser-known fairy tale about a rock that turns back into a prince, I want to know about it.”

Hailey’s brown eyes twinkled. “No problem.”

“And bonus points if it’s a Slavic story.”

“Got it.” Her gaze darted to the dozen antsy children in the reading section. “Would you mind if I enlisted the help of others? I think this is the kind of research project that would keep the kids engaged.”

“Sounds like a great idea.”

Hailey radiated with giddy excitement. “I’ll compile the information in a spreadsheet and send it to you when we’re done. I’ll organize the tabs by area of origin, fairy tale title, and method.” She didn’t wait for my response. “I can’t wait to get started!” She hurried to the reading section, bubbling with enthusiasm.

Next, I checked the computer for books on runes, as well as curses and hexes. I pulled four books from the shelves and found an empty table in a quiet corner. The first book was on Norse runes. I flipped straight to Fehu. According to the book, people once wore Fehu rune pendants for luck. The more I learned about Fehu, the more I was convinced it was the correct rune. What I didn’t understand was its connection to Alessandro and why the luck he experienced was bad rather than good.

I cracked open the next book, eager to see whether there were any lesser-known runes that resembled Fehu. It was possible a similar rune in a different culture marked its bearer for misfortune. If nothing here shed light on the situation, I’d try my luck at Jessie Talbot’s secondhand bookstore, Leather Bound. The elderly woman had an excellent collection of older tomes and had made it clear I was welcome to use her shop as a library. Both me and my bank account appreciated the kind gesture.

I was halfway through the first book when a shadow fell over the page.

“Hello there. You must be Lorelei Clay.”

I glanced up to see a woman best described as a life-sized doll complete with a pink dress and blonde hair adorned with a sparkly pink band. “And you must be Barbie.”

Her laughter tinkled. “No, but I’ll take the compliment.”

“It seems you have the advantage because I have no clue who you are.”

She flashed a blinding white smile that revealed two dimples and slid into the chair across from me. “Oh, honey, as I’m sure you’ve figured out by now, we always have the advantage.”

I closed the book in front of me. “And which department are you from? Idle Threats? No, wait. Pretty in Pink. Pinkalicious?”

She snapped open her shiny pink handbag and retrieved a business card. “This will help.” She flicked the card across the table to me.

Posy Martell. Recruiter.

“Interesting name. Ironic, too, considering posies were used to ward off evil spirits.”

“The Middle Ages were a long time ago. Times have changed.”

I tossed the card back to her. “Shouldn’t this say Mergers I’d suppressed that particular unpleasant memory. I’d felt responsible for his death.

“Still sticking to that story? Really, Miss Clay, there’s no need. Now that we know your identity, we’re willing to forgive all your previous transgressions against our organization.”

“Are you sure you’re a recruiter? Because if you’re supposed to be luring me to the dark side, you’re not being very persuasive. I think Darth Vader has a better chance.”

Posy’s mouth tightened. “I could sing a few notes right now and lure every child in this library to their doom. Would you like to see? I’ll even let you borrow the noise canceling headphones I keep in my handbag.”

“This is between us. I don’t think we need to involve innocent bystanders.”

“Are you sure? There’s a creek not far from here.” Her mouth lifted at the corners. “Did you know it only takes 1.2 inches of water to drown?” Her dimples reappeared. “Ask me how I know.”

“Not interested.”

She tilted her head. “Or even better, I can send the little miscreants marching uphill. There’s a big house at the top with a moat. I mean, who even has a moat in this day and age, am I right? Seems like overkill to me.”

It didn’t seem like overkill from where I was sitting. Despite her plastic facade, Posy was lethal. No doubt about it.

“How about a little demonstration? Mainly because I like to show off.” Her lips parted. The sound was too high-pitched for human ears, but I heard every note. My heart raced. Nearby shelves shook. In the distance, a chorus of barks broke out.

I tried to appear nonchalant. “Congratulations. You’ve alerted the kennel to your presence.”

Leaning forward, she lowered her voice. “I think we can both agree there are many forms of persuasion.”

I hid my shaking hands under the table. “Leave the children out of this. They’re innocent humans.”

“Good point. Perhaps there are a few future avatars in this very room.” She made a show of scanning the area. “Oh, I could see that little boy in desperate need of a guiding hand in his late teens. The Corporation excels in providing that.”

“What your employer excels in is using that desperation to its advantage. Preying on the weak. I’ve got news for you, Posy—I’m neither desperate nor weak.”

Posy responded with a slow clap. “I like you. Mathis wasn’t a fan, but I blame his misogyny.”

“Mathis wasn’t a fan because he failed to get what he wanted.”

“He’s highly overrated, as far as I’m concerned. Plus, he has terrible taste. Rhinestones on boots? Blech.” She made a grotesque face. “He thinks the god within him is Elvis.”

She was trying to find common ground to win me over. Too bad I wasn’t interested in anything she had to offer.

“Let’s make a deal,” I said. “You leave quietly, and I promise not to tell Mathis what you really think of him. I still have his business card. One text and he’ll hold a grudge against you for the rest of your existence.”

“Oh, aren’t you adorable? Mathis knows I can’t stand him. He hates that I’m one of the few women who doesn’t succumb to his charms. I think he resented you for that, too. I believe ‘lonely shrew’ was the term he used in his report.”

Another child wandered past our table dragging a wooden alligator on wheels behind him. He seemed more interested in the floor than the books around him.

Posy noticed my gaze. “What a darling little boy. It would be devastating for his family to lose him so young.”

My insides threatened to boil over. “Leave this town and never, ever return.” I bit off each word.

“Tread carefully, sweetie. It sounds like you’re threatening me.”

“Oh, I’m definitely threatening you. And Mathis. And the whole damn organization. Fairhaven is under my protection. If any harm comes to it or anyone who lives here, you’ll pay the price.”

“All the more reason to come to us willingly. If we have to drag you kicking and screaming—which is my personal preference, in case you were wondering—we can’t help the collateral damage. If any harm befalls the residents of this town, the fault will be yours and yours alone.”

“Take your Pepto Bismol self out the door and don’t come back.”

She dusted off her sleeves. “Don’t be silly. Pepto Bismol is a much lighter shade of pink. ”

“Tell your bosses to give up. I have no interest in engaging with them, not even for a simple conversation.”

“Very well then.” Posy hoisted the strap of her handbag over her shoulder. “I’ll be sure to pass along your rather rude message.”

Despite my trembling limbs, I waited until she passed through the automatic doors to collapse against the chair as Hailey dawdled over carrying a basket of books.

“I have a few promising leads,” Hailey said in a chipper voice. “Slavic sources aren’t that easy to find, but I’ve submitted a request to the interlibrary loan system.” She seemed to notice my attention was still on the exit. “Was that lady a friend of yours? I loved her outfit. I’ve never been a big fan of pink, but she has me reconsidering.”

I kept my focus on the automatic doors, half afraid Posy would rethink her decision to leave without a fight. Despite her soft pink exterior, there was a steeliness to her—she was a hard candy shell without the gooey center.

“She isn’t my friend, and if you ever see her again, don’t compliment her. Don’t even look at her.”

“You want me to ignore her?”

I shifted my gaze to Hailey. “I want you to run.”