Total pages in book: 144
Estimated words: 137871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 689(@200wpm)___ 551(@250wpm)___ 460(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 689(@200wpm)___ 551(@250wpm)___ 460(@300wpm)
“This is a bad area,” Juniper explained as she scanned the houses. “We need something a little more upper-crust.”
“Upper-crust?” Adriel tilted her head, frequently confused by the girl’s English vernacular.
“Look!” Juniper pointed to a strip of shops in the distance.
Large, brightly colored signs marked the roads. The sun was up and the traffic had intensified over the last hour, but even under broad daylight, Adriel couldn’t see whatever hope Juniper found.
“What is it?”
“That building over there, they rent cars. Come on.”
Adriel hesitated.
“What’s the problem, Ade?”
She looked down at her black dress. The dirt and blood were only slightly noticeable, but Juniper’s pale, threadbare smock showed every soiled stain. “What about our clothes?”
Juniper briefly glanced down and grimaced. “I…I can’t think about that right now. Shelter first, then we can worry about a wardrobe change.”
It wasn’t fashion that worried Adriel. It was the need to stay inconspicuous. Their filthy, blood-stained, smoke-ridden attire screamed for attention, and wasn’t the point blending in?
Juniper seemed unconcerned. She crossed the parking lot, swiftly walking toward the store where several modern vehicles were parked.
“I’m not sure how the whole glamour thing works, but just follow my lead and step in when I give you the signal.”
“What signal?”
“I’ll look at you.”
Juniper’s plan didn’t seem any better than Adriel’s. “Won’t they expect payment?”
“Not if you do your mind control thing.”
“But that’s dishonest.”
The witch’s rapid steps halted, and she pivoted. “Are you serious? Adriel, look at me. I’m in a smock. I’m barefoot. I’ve been living in a freaking underground dungeon for two years, suffering whatever the hell that deranged order of yours decided to do to me. I’m over your version of right and wrong. Fuck honesty. I’m done playing nice. We need a goddamn car, and you’re going to make them give us one. Hang up whatever ethical issues you’re having and get with the program!”
“But…”
“No buts.” She walked quickly toward the store. Unsure how far her protective spell reached and unwilling to find out, Adriel hurried after her.
The glass door of the establishment magically parted and beeped as they entered. The hum of electricity buzzed to the overhead lights and strange devices on the counter. Adriel was unused to such technologies and wondered how mortals tolerated the constant beeps and buzzing.
Smooth tile turned to flat carpet underfoot, and a man stepped out of the back office, chewing something and wiping his mouth with a napkin.
“Can I help you?” When his glance finally took in their appearance, his eyes widened, and he looked around nervously. “Are you ladies actors or something?”
“We need a car. Something that gets good mileage.”
His stare dragged over their dirt-stained clothes, lingering at the sight of dried blood crusted to Adriel’s neck. She self-consciously covered her throat with her hand.
“Should I call the police?” He reached for the telephone.
“No,” Juniper snapped, buying them a few seconds. She shot Adriel a sharp glance and whistled. “Now. Do it now.”
“Oh.” Adriel was shoved toward the counter to meet the man’s gaze. Unsure what Juniper wanted her to achieve, she first focused on buying time. “You will not call anyone.”
His hand retracted.
“Tell him we need a car,” Juniper instructed, glancing out the window nervously.
Morally torn, she forced the words out. “We need a vehicle. Which one works best?”
He pointed toward the storefront window. “I have a decent hybrid Prius. It has a combustible engine and an electric motor—”
“We’ll take it.” Juniper jumped back from the window and was at the counter, her fingers tapping incessantly on the smooth surface. “Tell him to give us the keys.”
“Find us the keys.”
Without another word, he turned to a cabinet on the wall and removed a small black device.
Juniper snatched the device. “You have to erase his memory. And ask him if there are cameras.”
“Are there cameras recording us?”
He nodded and pointed to the corner of the storeroom.
“Tell him to erase the feed.”
“I want you to erase any recordings of us.”
“I’m not supposed to mess with—”
“Do it,” Juniper snapped at the man, then looked at Adriel. “I thought they couldn’t object to compulsion? Isn’t that how this works?”
Adriel wasn’t used to compelling mortals to do her bidding, so she supposed she wasn’t using a strong enough command. Lifting her chin, she pushed further into the man’s mind. “What’s your name?”
“Matt.”
“Matt, you’re going to destroy any traces of us being here. Then you’ll forget that you saw us. You came to work, ate your breakfast in the back, and had a slow morning with no customers.”
His eyes glazed over as he turned to the computer and pressed several keys. Juniper backed toward the door, and Adriel followed. As they crossed the threshold, the monitor beeped again, but Matt never looked up from his task.
“Come on.” Juniper rushed out the door, jogging toward the cars in the lot. A horn chirped, and lights flashed on a small vehicle. “There’s the car. Get in.”