By Fairy Means or Foul: A Starfig Investigations Novel(74)

“That’s fucked up.”

“Yep. Royally.” His expression went dreamy.

“Okaaay. Well, I’m not your therapist, so I’m just gonna let you work that one out.” I snapped my fingers in front of his face to get his attention. “Hey, don’t float away. I need the horn.”

“Oh, right! Sorry.” Bill felt around on his body, his hand seeming to pass through different body parts until he pulled the horn out. “Here you go. You’ll understand if I don’t bring it to him in person.”

“You still think I’d use it against you?”

He chuckled. “No, not really. You’ve been nothing but decent to me. We both know the unicorn wouldn’t be the same. He’d exploit every bit of his magic to get my name. That’s the kind of bastard he is.” He sighed again, paused for only a second before handing me the horn.

No accounting for taste, I guess. I nodded my thanks, relieved to have the horn finally in my possession. Returning to the room, I held up the horn so Brandsome could see it. His face lit up.

“I was hoping we could conclude our business today.” I circled around my desk to avoid any contact. He clearly thought I was playing hard to get, trying to keep my head clear from his influence, but I just didn’t want him to touch me. My dragon didn’t like it one bit, and I needed to keep my cool if I wanted to negotiate for Quinn’s contract.

“So, you did manage to retrieve it. Juicy jellybeans, I knew I was right to put faith in you.” Brandsome shifted the chair closer and leaned toward me. Quinn stood at attention behind his chair, his expression thunderous.

“It wasn’t easy, but that’s a long, boring story I’m sure you don’t have time for.”

“Quite right.” Brandsome glanced over his shoulder at Quinn. His frown said he didn’t like what he saw. Turning back to me he said, “I see you let my pet become slovenly.” He sighed. “I guess I’ll need to take him to a groomer when we get home and reapply everything. He’s really rather plain without all his enhancements.”

I ground my back teeth together, keeping my expression blank. There was nothing plain about Quinn Broomsparkle. Clenching my fists in my lap, I forced my claws to stay in. I wanted to rip him apart for even hinting that Quinn wasn’t perfect. I took a harsh breath through my nose. Brandsome seemed to think I was trying to breathe his scent. Hardly. But I managed not to say that. Before I could defend Quinn’s honor, Quinn hummed a few bars of a sweet lullaby. He cut off abruptly and our eyes locked, his round and startled.

“Pet, I see you’ve developed many bad habits in Mr. Starfinger’s company.” Brandsome sighed, long suffering. “I’m sorry for that,” he said to me. “Dreadful screeching, I know. I probably should have had his voice box removed when it became clear he couldn’t control his sounds.”

For a moment, my vision went red and claws began to push through the ends of my fingers. Took everything I had to clear my vision and retract my claws, while keeping a snarl off my face. I cleared my throat, trying to regain control.

“About that . . .” Now or never. Amazing that my voice sounded so nonchalant, like I wasn’t bargaining for our future. “I’d like to buy his contract. He seems as if he’s been nothing but trouble and I’d be willing to keep him. He was . . . uh, good at office work.” It sounded lame even to my own ears. Quinn rolled his eyes skyward.

Brandsome raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow. “Interesting.” He looked between the two of us. “I wouldn’t mind discussing this more. Say, over dinner.”

“Dinner?”

“Yes, you know the meal you eat at the day’s end? You, me, some good food and some . . . dessert.” Brandsome’s voice dropped into a sensual lilt. “If you like, I can keep my pet around so he can watch. I bet you like an audience, a big, strong dragon like you.” I didn’t have to read Quinn’s thoughts to know he was furious. I managed not to twist my lips in distaste. Now that Brandsome’s magic didn’t affect me so strongly, I easily saw how ugly he was underneath the physical perfection.

“Unfortunately, I have plans tonight. But I’m prepared to offer you a generous sum for Quinn’s services.”

Brandsome’s smile was sly and I got the feeling I wasn’t going to like his answer. He craned his neck so he could see Quinn.

“So, pet, I see you’ve enamored the dragon. Just like I taught you. Good boy. Did you successfully mate with him, too? Hmm?”

“No, sir.” Quinn went so white he could be a crew member on Pie’s ghost ship. His posture couldn’t be any stiffer, but a slight tremble in his limbs told me that cost him a lot.

“I told you to mate him, did I not?”

My eyes shot to Quinn. He swallowed convulsively. “Yes, sir.”

“Didn’t you use the pheromone sprays I gave you?”

“He didn’t like them.”

“So you failed?”

“Yes. I’m afraid I did . . . sir.”

“You remember the punishment for failure, sweetness?”

“Yes, sir.” His gaze dropped to the floor.

“You told him to mate with me?” What the fuck was this? Steam rolled from my nose, my patience quickly coming to an end.

Brandsome smiled, his teeth shiny white. “Yes, of course.”