whatsoever. In fact, if we are to believe the Magic Council, there are members of non-magic families who suddenly sprout magic.”
“You don’t believe that nonsense, and neither do I,” he told her. “Most of what the Magic Council says is complete drivel, nothing but sugar-coated lies to placate the masses.”
“Sera and I don’t have any magic,” Alex said, keeping her breathing normal and her heartbeat steady. A change in either was a telltale sign every assassin would know to look for when trying to sniff out a lie. And she was lying through her teeth right now. “When we were in school, we were tested like everyone else. I’m not pretending to be a magic dud; that was their assessment.”
“You dissolved iron chains.” He counted out one finger. “You shattered a magic barrier back in the fairy bar.” He paused on the second finger, frowning. “I’m still not sure how you did that. I’ve never seen anything like it before.”
“There was a hole in the barrier.”
“I’m sure. There’s always a hole, isn’t there? How convenient.” He flipped open the third finger. “And lastly, you don’t fight like a human. You can make up whatever wild stories about chemical agents and holes about the other two, but this one you cannot explain. I’ve fought a lot of people—human and supernatural. And you are not human, sweetheart. Not by a long shot.”
“You don’t fight like a human either, Mr. Super Soldier.”
“I told you what I am.”
“Genetically engineered? Sounds like a ‘wild story’ to me.”
“You can believe whatever you want. It’s the truth.”
“Right back at you.”
He sighed. “You are an impossible woman. There’s no point in arguing with you.”
She folded her arms across her chest and gave him a triumphant grin. “Precisely.”
“Let’s just grab something to eat while we have the chance. The tournament will be starting soon,” he said, opening the door for her.
“What a fantastic idea,” she replied and walked through it—even though it probably wasn’t a good idea to turn her back to an assassin.
Whatever. If he’d wanted to kill her, he would have done it already. Like back when she’d been unconscious and in chains. But he hadn’t. They were working together now, and she’d just have to trust him. For now. Besides, the perfume of a million magical flavors of chocolate was drawing her forward.
Inside, chocolate filled the shelves of the shop—bars, balls, bunnies and a few other animals—but that’s not what caught Alex’s attention. She headed straight for the cafe. With a dozen chairs around a smattering of tables and only half as many stools at the bar, it wasn’t big. It didn’t matter. The assortment of cakes and cookies behind the glass display counter spoke for itself. This place was heaven on earth.
Alex ordered a cake sampler plate, a cookie sandwich with cream filling, and a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. Then she took a seat at one of the tables and spread out her treasure. Logan joined her, carrying nothing.
“Afraid someone will try to poison your food?” she asked, smirking.
“In my profession, that is a distinct possibility,” he replied. “But no, I’m simply not hungry. I ate already.”
“Then why are we here?”
“Because I knew you were hungry. And you seemed like someone who would appreciate chocolate for breakfast,” he said, watching her as she assaulted the cookie.
Her mouth busy appreciating the delightful marriage of cookie and magic, Alex grunted her approval.
“It appears I was right. Considering your obvious love of chocolate, I’m surprised you haven’t come here yet.”
“I’ve only been here two months.” Alex skewered a cheesecake cube with her fork. “And I’ve been busy making the city safe from monsters. Did you know that the number of monsters in Zurich has more than tripled in the last two months?”
“Yes. I’ve been here a bit longer than you. It used to be
“You don’t believe that nonsense, and neither do I,” he told her. “Most of what the Magic Council says is complete drivel, nothing but sugar-coated lies to placate the masses.”
“Sera and I don’t have any magic,” Alex said, keeping her breathing normal and her heartbeat steady. A change in either was a telltale sign every assassin would know to look for when trying to sniff out a lie. And she was lying through her teeth right now. “When we were in school, we were tested like everyone else. I’m not pretending to be a magic dud; that was their assessment.”
“You dissolved iron chains.” He counted out one finger. “You shattered a magic barrier back in the fairy bar.” He paused on the second finger, frowning. “I’m still not sure how you did that. I’ve never seen anything like it before.”
“There was a hole in the barrier.”
“I’m sure. There’s always a hole, isn’t there? How convenient.” He flipped open the third finger. “And lastly, you don’t fight like a human. You can make up whatever wild stories about chemical agents and holes about the other two, but this one you cannot explain. I’ve fought a lot of people—human and supernatural. And you are not human, sweetheart. Not by a long shot.”
“You don’t fight like a human either, Mr. Super Soldier.”
“I told you what I am.”
“Genetically engineered? Sounds like a ‘wild story’ to me.”
“You can believe whatever you want. It’s the truth.”
“Right back at you.”
He sighed. “You are an impossible woman. There’s no point in arguing with you.”
She folded her arms across her chest and gave him a triumphant grin. “Precisely.”
“Let’s just grab something to eat while we have the chance. The tournament will be starting soon,” he said, opening the door for her.
“What a fantastic idea,” she replied and walked through it—even though it probably wasn’t a good idea to turn her back to an assassin.
Whatever. If he’d wanted to kill her, he would have done it already. Like back when she’d been unconscious and in chains. But he hadn’t. They were working together now, and she’d just have to trust him. For now. Besides, the perfume of a million magical flavors of chocolate was drawing her forward.
Inside, chocolate filled the shelves of the shop—bars, balls, bunnies and a few other animals—but that’s not what caught Alex’s attention. She headed straight for the cafe. With a dozen chairs around a smattering of tables and only half as many stools at the bar, it wasn’t big. It didn’t matter. The assortment of cakes and cookies behind the glass display counter spoke for itself. This place was heaven on earth.
Alex ordered a cake sampler plate, a cookie sandwich with cream filling, and a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. Then she took a seat at one of the tables and spread out her treasure. Logan joined her, carrying nothing.
“Afraid someone will try to poison your food?” she asked, smirking.
“In my profession, that is a distinct possibility,” he replied. “But no, I’m simply not hungry. I ate already.”
“Then why are we here?”
“Because I knew you were hungry. And you seemed like someone who would appreciate chocolate for breakfast,” he said, watching her as she assaulted the cookie.
Her mouth busy appreciating the delightful marriage of cookie and magic, Alex grunted her approval.
“It appears I was right. Considering your obvious love of chocolate, I’m surprised you haven’t come here yet.”
“I’ve only been here two months.” Alex skewered a cheesecake cube with her fork. “And I’ve been busy making the city safe from monsters. Did you know that the number of monsters in Zurich has more than tripled in the last two months?”
“Yes. I’ve been here a bit longer than you. It used to be
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