21. Chapter Twenty-One
1675 Words
21
Chapter Twenty-One
Bryar Rose
As Knox and I walk along the never-ending gravel road to his castle, I can’t help but notice how he glares at all the fish-shaped topiaries and fountains.
“Something wrong with the gardens?” I ask.
“This is all Ty’s doing. I told her not to change anything. And she knows I hate all this fish stuff.”
“So.” I try to process this bit of news. Nope, I can’t do it. “Let me get this straight. Your ex-girlfriend is living in your castle and redecorating.”
“We only dated for a few weeks. Before that, we were just friends, you know?”
I don’t really know because Knox is my first kiss and boyfriend, not counting how I fake-dated Jules. Even so, I nod. Knox is trying to share here, and it seems like the right thing to do.
Knox continues. “Most of the time, Ty and I just killed Denarii together. That went on for years. It all changed after we caught Reggie, though. Once Reggie was in custody, Ty thought there could be more to us.” He sighs. “I gave it a try. From the get-go, it was clear things wouldn’t work out. Ty could never move on from that fact.”
Now, I have total faith in my relationship with Knox. But does it feel just a little bit awesome to know he only dated Ty for a sort time and didn’t enjoy any of it?
Um, yes. Not sure what that says about me as a person.
Talking to Knox must help the time go faster, because before I know it, we’re stepping through the main gate and entering the castle proper. Inside, the place is all huge rooms with lots of heavy wooden furniture. Some threadbare tapestries of wolves hang on the walls. And there are indoor fountains everywhere. There are even ones set into the walls where stone fish heads spit out water into a lower basin.
Knox is really a leather chair and modern furniture kind of guy. All these fountains don’t match his style. They have to be Ty’s handiwork.
WaterGirl.
Sure, we’re here to get the Codex Mechanica and find the fountain, but I must admit, my curiosity is definitely piqued about Ty herself. She’s got to be some piece of work.
As we walk along, there’s no missing the tons of servants running around. All of them human and wide eyed. They hold the doors open for us as we make a lot of twists and turns inside the castle. At last, we pause in front of a heavy wooden door.
For the first time, this one is closed.
Louis—who’d been following behind us up until now—suddenly steps up to the door and clears his throat. “Presenting Mademoiselle Ty.”
Louis pushes the door open. Inside, there’s another long stone room with fountains set into the walls. Only here, there’s also a hefty wooden dining room table and a lit fireplace.
And Knox’s ex.
It’s easy to pick her out. At the end of the table sits a beautiful young girl dressed in a yellow gown. She looks about eighteen with pale skin and brown eyes the same shade as her long hair. As we enter the room, she pretends to read a book. I know the pretending part because even from across the chamber, I can see that it’s an upside-down encyclopedia.
“You must be Ty,” I say.
Ty doesn’t even glance in my direction. Instead, she slams the book onto the tabletop. “You interrupted my very important and intellectual book, Knox. You know how I love to read.”
Something about this girl sets off my rebel-reflex. I point to my own face. “I’m still here, you know. And you had that book upside down.”
Knox wraps his arm protectively around my waist. “Ty, this is Bryar Rose. She’s my mate.”
In response, Ty pounds her fist on the tabletop. “I want breakfast, people!” Her ability to ignore things and just start demanding stuff is actually impressive. Color floods her cheeks as Ty raises her voice. “I’m your guest, remember?”
And with that, I know exactly what Knox’s fairy tale life template is.
He’s a Beast.
And Ty thinks that she’s his Beauty.
Ugh.
The servants rush in and out, their arms laden with silver platters. Within seconds, the entire table is covered with every kind of food imaginable, regardless of whether it’s breakfasty or not. There’s even one of those baked pigs with an apple stuck in its mouth. Gross.
Ty makes a great show of pushing every platter away. “I have no appetite. But what do you expect? I’m a prisoner. Trapped.”
“No,” says Knox. “You’re trespassing.”
Ty sets the back of her hand on her forehead in the universal move of drama queens everywhere. It has zero effect on Knox.
“This is horrible.” Ty lets out an overlong sigh. “Release me from your castle.”
“Great. Go already.” Knox hitches his thumb toward the door. “I broke up with you. Leave. For the love of all that’s sacred. TAKE. OFF.”
If Ty hears what Knox is saying, she doesn’t show it. Instead, she keeps right on with her own personal tirade. “And the servants all act strangely to me.” Ty clasps her hands by her throat. “You know, I believe that they might be enchanted?”
“They’re not under a spell,” says Knox.
“Poppycock.” Ty sniffs. “I tell you, the servants treat me strangely.”
“No, the staff hates you because you treat them like crap. Not the same thing.” Knox gestures across the table. “I mean, what’s all this? You demand these huge meals and then you don’t eat a thing.” He points at the pig. “And that’s just nasty.”
I raise my hand. “Totally agree.”
Ty’s mouth hangs open for a second before she speaks again. “I have it. You’re simply out of sorts today. I know just what will cheer you up. I’ll sing a song to the tune of ‘Oh My Darling Clementine.’” Ty stands.
I speak to Knox from the side of my mouth. “She’s not really going to do this, is she?”
“Why do you think we broke up?”
Ty starts singing. “Oh your darling, oh your darling, oh your darling me-me-meeeeee!” She taps her chest when she says the “me” part. “I’m so lovely and your Beauty. You’re my Beastie, Knox sweetieeeee.”
Knox and I share a long look. I mouth two words: Knox sweetie? For a minute, I’m not sure if we’ll both scream or burst out laughing.
It ends up being the second thing.
Knox breaks into a deep, rumbling guffaw that is everything awesome. Meanwhile, I chortle for so long, I might pee my pants a little bit.
Eventually, our giggle-fest ticks off Ty enough that she halts right in the middle of a Knox sweetieeeee. “Do you two mind? It’s my moment here.”
“Look.” Knox exhales a long breath. “Much as I appreciate the crazy show, we came by for a reason.”
I set my fist on my hip. “You have a certain device that you promised to give me. Instead of making good on your word, you tried to get me killed. Bad plan, by the way.”
Ty slumps into her chair. All pretense of acting like the innocent Beauty is gone. “Screw you,” she says with a sneer. “I knew them French weres wouldn’t make a dent in your precious hide. I just wanted to get Knox to haul his shapely ass to my side of the pond.”
Now, there are two things that really bother me about that little speech. First, Ty has stopped acting like a pretty princess and has instantly transformed into a streetwise potty mouth. Second, I’m the only one who gets to appreciate Knox’s butt.
“You called and told me she was at risk, and it was all a trick to get me closer.” Knox’s voice lowers to a growl. “That’s low, even for you.”
“That’s what you say now,” retorts Ty. “But wait until we all have a little chat and clear things up.”
“Not happening,” I say. “I’m not doing anything until you hand over the Codex Mechanica.”
Ty gestures to the chairs nearby. “Have a seat, answer three questions, and then, I’ll give you the device, just as I promised.”
I frown. “Really? Three little questions and we get the device?”
“I’ll cast a spell to ensure it happens,” says Ty.
I’m still not sure about this. “What kind of spell?”
“One that will hold me to my word. Watch.” Ty raises her hands, palms upward. A pair of rubies gleams on her outstretched palms. I’ve seen Alec with those kinds of stones before. Classic tools for any witch or wizard. For a moment, the gemstones flare with unearthly light. After that, a line of water arcs from her left hand to her right. Inside the water there gleams tiny red spots of brightness.
I hate to admit this, but it’s a pretty cool spell.
“This spell is unbreakable,” says Ty. “It will hold me to the following promise. I will give you the Codex Mechanica if you answer my three questions honestly.” The crimson lights inside the water gleam more strongly. After that, they disappear. With it, the water vanishes as well. “And the spell is cast.”
I look to Knox. “You know her better than I do. Can we trust that spell? Will Ty keep her word?”
“We can trust it.” Knox stalks over to the table and pulls out a chair for me. “Have a seat, Bry.”
I plunk down and drag out the chair beside me for Knox. He slides in as well.
“We’ll answer your damned questions,” says Knox. “After that, I want you out of my house.”
Ty checks her manicure. “Like you could keep me here with your little pet around.”
With that settled, Knox waves to the servants. “Give us a little privacy, yeah?”
None of them need to be told twice. They servants all exit in record time. Soon it’s just me, Ty, and Knox.
A nasty smile rounds T’s perfect smile. “Shall we begin?”
I match her smarmy grin with one of my own. “Please.”
Outside, I think that I’m looking pretty calm. But inside? My soul is churning with worry. Ty lured me and Knox to this very spot for a reason. And my mate is right. Ty is unhinged.
Whatever questions she’s about to ask, I don’t think I’ll like them.
Not one bit.
- Writer
