It wasn’t like he needed to take care of the girl. He could have sent her into the system and let the government worry about it. He owed nothing to her mother.
But the man’s only concern seemed to be if he was good enough to help raise Alison, not if he should. The guy blathered on about keeping his life simple, but was now a foster parent to a half-Oriceran girl and holding onto a magical wish for her. That shit was many things, but simple wasn’t one of them.
What’s going on in your head, Brownstone? Geez, Carson, you should wonder. You’ve taken in a powerful gray elf who bested an Ice Witch and left her alone with Peyton. Who’s crazy now?
He pointed toward the road leading away from the circle drive. “That gate was a joke. I could climb it in seconds.”
“Yeah, except for the whole magic blocking-spell deal. It probably fries people or summons a dragon if they touch it.”
He grunted. “And the forest? You could hide a whole group of mercenaries in there.”
Shay laughed. “Yeah, and they probably have werewolves and jabberwockies in there, too, if not ferret archers.”
Brownstone shook his head. “No security’s perfect, not even in a government-sponsored magic school.”
“Not saying it is. I’m just saying you shouldn’t expect some sort of military-base layout at a school. At least here, there’s a bunch of people with magic and magical creatures. Short of sticking her in Fort Knox or the White House, I don’t see how she’s gonna be much safer.”
Brownstone nodded as they made their way to a narrower path leading between two of the smaller buildings. “You really think it’s safe?”
“Yeah, I do. We both did our research. Besides, it’s not like LA was kind to her, and if anyone outside this school knew her true heritage and what that meant, they might come for her. At least here she has all these wizards and witches to defend her.”
Brownstone frowned and nodded slowly. “Let’s just check things out a little more. Maybe I’ll find something all the wizards and witches didn’t think of.”
Shay chuckled. “No problem.”
Nothing wrong with an overprotective father. She could respect that, even if she hadn’t personally experienced it. The tomb raider’s smile faded, and she looked the opposite way.
Respecting Brownstone for parental skills didn’t make any sense. They wouldn’t help him take down his enemies or gather useful information. It wasn’t all that long ago she wouldn’t have cared about something like that, and would have considered him weak for caring about some girl he hadn’t known for that long.
But there it was—she did care.
She shouldn’t. Getting too entangled with Brownstone wasn’t in her plans, but she couldn’t deny her growing respect for the man.
The trip around the school satisfied Brownstone that Harriken assassins wouldn’t be emerging from the trees anytime soon, but he kept frowning as they made their way back to the SUV and didn’t open his mouth as they started on their way back to the airport.
They were halfway back to the airport before he spoke again, which made things easier for her.
“What’s with the case?” Brownstone rumbled.
“Huh?”
“That silver case.” He jerked a thumb over his shoulder. “The one in the back.”
“Oh, that? Just something I picked up on a quick day job.”
They talked about the contents and the job for a minute and Brownstone shrugged. “I half-ass trust you.”
“Fair enough.”
He exhaled slowly. “Speaking of jobs, I kind of need your help.”
After he explained, Shay grinned. “Oh. Well, if someone is paying me, of course I’d be glad to help.”
“I never doubted it.”
Shay pulled out her phone and texted Brownstone.
I’m on my way to the front now.
You find your guy?
Yep. I’m richer now for no real effort.
It felt good to be back in LA and great to be $50k richer. The courier’d picked up the suitcase, and now Shay could relax until it was time for whatever job Smite-Williams had cooked up for the pair.
Shay navigated through the crowds, her gaze flicking from person to person. She could never be sure who might be in an airport waiting to ambush her, or Brownstone for that matter.
His big-ass F-350 sat outside in the loading zone. She shook her head and couldn’t understand what he saw in that relic.
She threw open the door and hopped into the passenger seat.
“Feels good to be in a real vehicle,” Brownstone said, flexing his fingers on the steering wheel.
Shay laughed. “I love my Spider, but not enough to marry it—unlike you and this fucking antique truck.” She gestured with a flourish. “I now pronounce you man and truck.”
“Quality never goes out of style, Shay.”
The bounty hunter’s phone beeped inside the console. He pulled it out and frowned.
“What?” Shay said.
“The Professor says he got our message, but he doesn’t want to meet tonight. He says you should call him, though, for some background info.”
Since he looked worried, she spent a few moments reassuring him. Finally she agreed to contact the man. “I’ll let you know if he tells me anything useful when I call him.”
She still needed some details anyway.
Brownstone nodded.
Shay settled on her couch before calling Dr. Smite-Williams.
“Good evening, Miz Carson.”
After the usual pleasantries had been exchanged, he got down to it. “Have you heard of the Green Dragon Crescent Blade?”
Shay agreed that she had and told him what she knew.
Smite-Williams clapped. “Congratulations, Miz Carson. You’re very well-informed.”
“So that’s what you want me to get? That blade, or the jade?”
“Aye, and soon. Within the next few weeks.”
They agreed on a price and Shay sighed as the called ended. More than a few of her kind had gone looking for the Green Dragon Crescent Blade, and none had ever come back alive. Some claimed the blade would destroy anyone who lacked the spiritual strength to wield it.
Shay would need help with this one. Unlike academics, she had a variety of colorful
