It was practically an invitation. “Don’t say that.”

“What, they might be listening?”

“My dad.”

He glanced around. “I…” Beat. “No, after all I’ve seen, I would believe he could randomly hear us.”

The waiter came back to the table with a bottle.

No, it wasn’t the waiter. I rolled my eyes. “We didn’t order that.”

“It’s not even alcoholic,” he said with a snort, setting it on the table.
Sarlac was eyeing him suspiciously. “Random constituent gift.”

“No.” I elected not to warn him further.

Loki poured two glasses. I took a sip.

No alcohol, no. But whatever spices were in it were enough to blow the top off of your head and clear your sinuses in one shot.

Sarlac sipped his own and almost dropped it. “What is that stuff?”

“My dad’s idea of a joke.” Of course, he’d already disappeared. “He…likes…spicy stuff.”

“It makes a bloody Mary taste like water!”

“You shouldn’t have mentioned my parents.”

“Apparently not.”

I finished my glass and showed every sign of enjoying it, which caused him to look at me suspiciously.

“What’s your gullet made out of, girl?”

I grinned, then, “It’s my heritage.” And while it was spicier than I would have liked, it was certainly drinkable. For me. Sarlac wasn’t finishing his.

“It’s not fair is what it is. You’re whiter than I am and have more spice tolerance.”

I laughed. “I won’t share the magic brownies with you, then.”

“Not the kind with pot?”

“No. The kind with cayenne.”

“That’s ruining perfectly good brownies.”

I was liking him more and more. The fact that I knew he would never hit on me helped. But otherwise, I just liked him.

I didn’t want him involved, but I knew it was too late. He remembered. He knew. And Loki had tested him.

He was involved and there was no way to pull him back out. “You’re in my world now,” I warned him.

“I know.”
“Be careful.”

“I’m getting protection.”

I hoped he was getting it fast.