Oh for Luck's Sake Read online

  Easy to say when you’re gorgeous and wealthy.

  The swish-swish of the wiper blades lulled me into a stupor. When Sonya spoke, I started. “Where are you going?”

  “I hadn't really thought that far,” I replied. “Could you drop me off at home? If that's not too far out of your way?”

  Sonya pressed her lips together.

  Before she could reply, I rushed on. “I have money. I’ll pay you for the ride.” I fumbled for my purse at my feet, but couldn’t reach the strap due to the seatbelt. I sat back. “I don't want to have to owe you anything.”

  Sonya waved her hand me. “Don't be foolish. I do not want your payment. We supes must stick together.”

  My heart sank. Getting a ride in the middle of a rainstorm, definitely counted as a burst of good luck. I would pay for this later.

  “I’m not the sticking type,” I said, trying to choose my words carefully. “I don't want to be indebted to you.”

  And I don’t want you mad at me. Please don’t be mad at me. Please don’t skin me alive and leave my corpse on the side of the road for the buzzards.

  Sonya studied me with her icy eyes until I was convinced we would drive into a tree.

  “Shouldn’t you watch the road?” I suggested, nervously.

  The landscape whizzed by, but she kept her eyes fixed on me. “This is not your luck that brings us together, but mine.”

  I eyed her suspiciously. “What do you mean?”

  “I require a favor.” To my relief, her attention returned to the road. Sonya shifted gears as we whizzed into town. “I’m on my way to a job, which means I need to reject some potential clients. You will deliver the bad news.”

  Even as I groaned, I was grateful that Sonya allowed me to pay her back. Getting a ride in the rain constituted good luck. The last thing I needed was another spell of suffering.

  “Sure,” I said. “Just tell me when, where, and who.”

  Sonya smiled at me. From the way she showed teeth, the result was as she expected. “Excellent,” she crooned. She turned down Ward Street. “I’ll drop you off at Goblin Joe's.”

  I knew there would be a catch. “Actually,” I confessed, “I’m trying to avoid Joe.”

  “Why?”

  I hesitated. “I owe him money. Lots of money. Ten grand.”

  Sonya tapped her fingers on the steering wheel. “You come work for me. You would make twice that amount for a single job.” Sonya had quit Goblin Joe’s years ago and now worked for herself.

  “As a Collector? Hunting down dangerous supernaturals?” I shook my head. “Uh-uh.”

  Too many people counted on me.

  “It’s good pay, and most of them deserve hunting down.” Sonya turned down a side street. “Besides, some jobs are simpler. Couriering items. Delivery girl stuff. You could do that. I would provide body guards.”

  “Against people trying to kill me? No, thanks,” I said firmly. “Not the life for me. Can I meet your clients elsewhere?”

  Sonya hit the brakes, and we jerked to a halt. A car honked at our sudden stop.

  “Cassie, do not mistake my kindness for weakness. You can either get out now, and I’ll call this a favor, from one friend to another.” The threat behind the words was clear. She knew about my shitty luck. She would abandon me to it.

  I swallowed hard. With friends like these…

  “Or, you go to Goblin Joe’s, and do as I've asked.”

  I imagined how the fates would repay me, versus how Sonya would. “Okay, okay,” I grumbled. “Describe your clients.”

  “There will be four of them.” Sonya started the car, her lips curved in triumph. “You’ll know them when you see them.”

  “Sure,” I said. “Four strangers. I’ll keep an eye out for them while I avoid Joe.”

  “Don't worry,” Sonya said. “Maybe you will be lucky and Joe will not be there tonight.”

  Hardee-har-har.

  We pulled into the lot in front of Goblin Joe’s, and Sonya parked. “In exchange for this ride,” she said, “I have your word you will do as I have asked.”

  It was not a question.

  “Yeah, yeah,” I mumbled. “I promise I will talk to these guys for you.”

  As I threw open the door Sonya's hand grabbed mine. In the center of my palm, a geas spell prickled, binding me to my word. If I tried to run, the geas would let Sonya know I’d welched on our deal, and I had no doubt she would paint the walls of whatever hidey-hole I’d chosen with my blood.

  Rich people.

  “Nothing personal,” Sonya said. The dispassionate words didn’t negate the flare of warning in her eyes. “Don’t disappoint me.”

  I swallowed hard. The full glare of an angry valkyrie would make anyone quake. I hurried out of the car and closed the door behind me. Sonya’s car roared off, her tires kicking up mud. I shoved my hands into my pockets and, with a weary sigh, walked into Goblin Joe's to face the music.

  Chapter Two

  CASSIE

  Goblin Joe's Grill and Bar was a dive bar and shithole even by dive bar and shithole standards. A dozen health code violation notices, coated in dust, covered the front door which opened with a protesting squeal. The chimes hung overhead jingled, announcing to the room that someone magical had entered.

  Bright neon signs, stolen from various other businesses and advertisements, lined the walls, flashing in unpredictable patterns. The noise level was a low buzz layered underneath the pounding 80s power rock anthems from the jukebox. The counters at Goblin Joe's might not be clean, but at least the beer was close to drinkable.

  Sometimes.

  If you were desperate.

  Or suicidal.

  The interior reeked of body odor and stale vomit, a heady combination of smells, sounds, and sensations that left one feeling unable to focus. It gave the patrons a chance to eye whoever entered. At the sight of me, people lowered their faces to their beers. I was a regular. Nothing special.

  The patrons were an interesting mix of various supernaturals. Rocko, the rock-troll was easily the biggest creature in the place. In the corner, I spotted a trio of tiny fairies, drinking whiskey from thimbles. Across from them, a harpy sipped from a bowl clutched in her talons. Like most neutral spaces, the bar was filled with winged creatures. The Breaking gave them nowhere else to be, and often, they clustered together for safety, which explained the strange group in the corner.

  I took a seat at the bar, nodding to a few familiar faces. Toni, the mixed-blood supernatural bartender, leaned across the counter, revealing an ample amount of cleavage. I suspected some succubus blood in her heritage, but it was rude to speculate, let alone ask.

  “What can I getcha, Cass?”

  “Just water tonight, Toni,” I said.

  Toni smiled. She slid an amber bottle across the counter towards me, anyway. She winked. “This one's on me, honey,” she said. “You look like you've earned it.”

  “Shit, no, Toni…” I began to protest, reaching for my purse to pay her, before the free drink caused even more trouble for me. But when I touched my hip, I realized I'd forgotten my purse in Sonya's car. I groaned.

  “What else could go wrong tonight?” I exhaled, watching a drip of condensation slip down the side of the bottle. Screw my luck. Toni was right. I’d earned this beer.

  “To Jane-Ann,” I muttered, raising the bottle. “May she fly in the afterlife.”

  I chugged down half the beer, which was cold because Toni liked me, but was cheap because Toni ran a business. My shoulders were just beginning to unhitch from my ears, when a gravelly voice at my left shoulder made me jump and choke on my drink.

  “Hello, little Cassie.”

  Goblin Joe, like his name implied, was a goblin, and the ugliest motherfucker this side of hell. Even by goblin standards, which were pretty low, he was one gross dude. He crossed his scrawny arms over his massive gut. He might look unassuming, but Goblin Joe controlled the largest Procurer business in the state. You didn’t mess with him.

>   Or stiff him.

  I gave him a bright, and very fake smile. “Hey, Joe. How’s it going? New shirt?” I pointed to his T-shirt, which featured a caricature of a pizza delivery guy with a giant sausage and the words ‘guaranteed to come in thirty seconds or your money back’. “Very classy.”

  “Well, well, if it isn’t my favorite Procurer,” he said, ignoring the dig. “Can I assume by your presence here in my fine establishment, that you have procured my money?”

  “I’m working on it, Joe,” I replied, trying to sound confident. “Any day now.”

  “That's what you said last month, Cassie.”

  “Did I?” I took a sip. “Don’t recall.”

  Joe waggled his bushy eyebrows suggestively. Dandruff drifted down and stuck to the oil slick on his nose. “If you’re struggling to pay me, perhaps we can make some alternative arrangements.”

  I suppressed a full-body shudder. “I don't think it will come to that, Joe,” I said with a bright smile.

  “Oh, come on, Cassie,” Joe wheedled. “We can break it down in a way that makes us both happy. Say, a blow job for fifty dollars? Full sex for two hundred? Back door action will earn you five.”

  I tried to hide the curve of distaste on my lip by taking another drink of the beer. “Tempting idea, Joe,” I said, pretending to ponder his proposal, then frowned as if a thought occurred to me. “The working ladies will object. I'd like to stay on their good side. They’re some of my best contacts.”

  Joe spat. The whores around here wouldn’t give Joe the time of day. Not even female goblins enjoyed sex with male goblins. Too many spikes on their dicks, or so I’ve heard. Not that I chose to confirm that rumor for myself.

  I needed to stop thinking about Joe’s dick, or I was gonna hurl.

  “When do I get paid, Cassie?” The jovial tone had evaporated from Joe's voice. Now he just sounded mad, and rightfully so. Ten thousand dollars was no laughing matter.

  “I’m good for it, Joe. You know me, I’m cat-like. Always land on my feet.”

  Joe snapped his fingers, and Rocko turned toward the noise. The bouncer rose to his feet and lumbered toward us. He took his place behind my back, and suddenly it felt like I stood in front of a brick wall. I straightened, hoping I wouldn’t have to fight my way out.

  “If you get down on all fours, all cat-like, I’ll cut you a deal,” Joe said, leaning against the counter, trapping me between his arm and Rocko’s torso. His arm brushed mine, and I was thankful for my jacket. “Be a good little pussy.”

  Now I really needed a shower.

  “I'm waiting for some clients right now. From what I hear,” I said, dropping my voice, “they are high paying.”

  They would have to be to afford Sonya’s rates.

  Jingling at the door caught my attention. “In fact,” I said, mentally crossing my fingers and toes, “that's probably them right now.”

  With a frown, Goblin Joe turned his attention to the door. I leaned over to peer around Rocko’s giant arm. Even the troll took a step back to check out who had entered.

  At the door stood a giant of a man. He ducked under the lintel of the door and into the bar, where his gaze wandered around the room, taking in every minor detail. He was built like a linebacker. Two linebackers. Two linebackers in a trench-coat, trying to sneak into the movies with one ticket. When he crossed his arms, they bulged, muscle piled on top of muscle.

  His charcoal gray hair was pulled back into a loose, high ponytail. On any other man, the style might have looked ridiculous, but on this Iron Giant motherfucker, it accented his cheekbones and the slant of his silver eyes. Even his skin had a grayish hue to it. I couldn’t tell what kind of supernatural he was, but I hazarded a guess that he could wipe the floor with Rocko.

  A second figure pushed past the giant, ducking under his arm. The newcomer appeared childlike and delicate beside his massive friend. Despite his short stature, neon orange sneakers, and mustard bowling shirt, the newcomer was definitely male and definitely a grown-up. From the look of him, I pegged him as one of the fae folk. Fae never gave a fuck about disguises, and their wild appearances made their species obvious.

  Two ridges of bone arched from his temples and curved along the top of his skull, ending in blunt horns. His blueberry-colored skin gleamed a deep navy with a hint of purple. In stark contrast, his bright orange eyes glowed in the darkness of his face. He grinned up at the Iron Giant and spoke. I saw the flash of white fangs in his mouth. When he tossed his head, the shock of sapphire hair on his head flopped into his eyes.

  The giant tilted his head behind him, and spoke, before stepping aside. In walked a man who was the leader of the pack. I could tell by the way the other two deferred to him, making space for him, though there didn't appear to be anything special about the guy. Yet the other two, even the big guy, seemed to orbit around him.

  Of the three, he most resembled a human. Good-looking enough to draw eyes and rugged enough to keep their attention. A trim beard framed his face, and the side part in his chocolate hair could cut a bitch if she wasn’t careful. His tailored suit clung to his broad shoulders in a manner that rustled my delicates.

  “That’s three,” I whispered. “Come on…”

  I held my breath in anticipation and was rewarded with the sight of a fourth man stepping through the door. A hush fell over the room, save for the blaring rock anthem on the jukebox, and the air buzzed with an almost electrical energy. Behind me, Toni leaned across the bar.

  “Wow,” she said, her voice breathy and high. “Incubus.”

  Sex-on-Legs did not begin to describe the last man. His tall, lanky frame drew every eye in the room. The rolled sleeves of his button-down shirt revealed corded forearms. From his shiny loafers to his messy coif of auburn hair, he promised all sorts of dirty heaven, wrapped up in a slightly studious exterior.

  The leader of the group leaned forward and whispered in the incubus’s ear. The incubus flushed, his cinnamon cheeks reddening, and he pushed his glasses up. Like someone flipped a switch, the incubus’s hold on the room ended. He’d gone from sex-god, to hot professor. The buzz of conversation resumed, though from the hungry look in people’s eyes, it might be easier for the bar-rats to get laid tonight.

  I shook my head clear from the magical influence. If I wasn’t careful, it would be Goblin Joe getting laid. Focus on the payload.

  Four. My lucky day.

  I hopped off my stool, forcing aside Rocko’s arm. “That’ll be them, right now.” I grinned at my boss. “Right on time. See ya, Joe.”

  Before Joe could say anything, I wound my way through the crowd toward the four newcomers. At my approach all four men turned to watch me. The Iron Giant stepped forward, shielding the leader’s body with his own. I raised my hands to show that they were empty and gave a friendly smile, addressing the leader. “You looking for Sonya?”

  The Leader eyed me up and down, with disinterest. His eyes were black, almost solid coal in the low light of the bar. I tilted my chin upward and let him take me in. When you’ve got hair like mine, you roll with the stares. I knew what I was and what I wasn’t. The subtle curl of his lip didn’t bother me.

  Much.

  “You Sonya?” he drawled.

  “No, I—”

  “Then,” he said, “who the fuck is asking?”

  I take it back. This guy was an asshole and the sneer bothered me.

  “Cassie Lee. I’m an associate of Sonya’s,” I said, keeping my tone professional, though my smile withered. “Why don’t we step into my office? Too many prying eyes.” I jerked my head in Goblin Joe's direction.

  The Leader glanced at the goblin who stared back in open hostility, and gave me a cool nod. “After you, Ms. Lee.”

  Blame the lingering effects of the incubus’s arrival, but I put a sway into my hips as I strolled past the bar. Toni, her eyes dreamy, shot me a look of envy that made me chuckle to myself.

  “Lucky,” she mouthed at me.

  Golly-gee-gosh, I hope
not.

  I led the clients to the very back of the bar where threadbare booths sat empty most of the time. Drinks were easier to get closer to the bar. I shooed away the amorous couple using the furthest booth for indecent activities. They giggled as they dressed, before scurrying off.

  “Kids,” I said, shrugging my shoulders. “Please take a seat.”

  “Ladies first,” The Leader said, raising an eyebrow.

  I hesitated but figured no serious harm could come to me in public. Rocko wasn’t all for show and I knew how to throw fists. I stepped past the bright-haired fae and chose the seat that faced out into the bar, putting the brick wall at my back. My clothes squelched as I sat. The Iron Giant blinked in curiosity at me. My cheeks felt warm.

  “I got caught in the rain,” I said, unsure of why I felt the need to explain myself.

  “We did too.” The bright-haired fae slipped into the seat beside me. At this close range, I could see he was a little older than I’d assumed. He gave me a brilliant smile. “Hi, nice hair. I’m Rowley.”

  I grinned back. “Cassie,” I said. I took his offered hand and we shook awkwardly in the tight space. His hand was strong and warm. The slight fuzz on his skin interested me. “And I like yours too.”

  He shot me a breath-taking, lopsided grin, and leaned in like a co-conspirator. I smelled a hint of mint and lemon. “It’s all natural.”

  I gave him a wink. “So’s mine. All natural from a bottle.”

  The Leader cleared his throat and slid into the seat across from me so we were eye-to-eye. His stare was hard and cold, and an unidentified emotion seethed inside his dark eyes. His knee brushed mine, and I moved my leg, unsure of the contact. The incubus took the seat next to him, folding his hands on the table, his back straight, his expression attentive.

  To my dismay the giant squeezed in next to Rowley, and I was forced closer to the wall. Never been a fan of being caged. Rowley's arm pressed into mine, and while I’m sure I must have stunk to high-heaven, Rowley had the decency to try not to crowd me.

  “Tight quarters,” Rowley muttered.