21 Changing The Terms (2/2)

She seemed like she wanted to say something but couldn't find the right words. Her expression was a troubled one. When she did speak, Ash was nearly certain it wasn't what she was originally going to say.

”Not to pry…but does this have anything to do with what you talked about with Blair the other day?”

Ah. So she had caught onto that. Well, he had dragged the witch away by force. That would make anyone suspicious, let alone someone as clever as Ruby.

There was no real reason to lie to her. He didn't have to give any details about it. ”Yes.”

”I see.”

Ruby returned to her pruning without another word for at least fifteen minutes. Ash thought the conversation was over. From the beginning, they both had the mutual understanding that they wouldn't get into each other's business.

Their deal was meant to be simple and temporary. He should have known trying to recruit her would be a hopeless endeavor.

He could always try to go to Las Vegas himself but he had no way to get there and had no idea what to do even if he could. This was the problem with suddenly becoming a coven of one in a world he had long stopped participating in actively.

The Mayhews had kept to themselves and away from humans for millennia. Back when they had to hunt for blood, they were seen as the enemy so there were always humans out to kill them.

Occasionally you would find a quack that was interested in humans and tried to live among them by drinking animal blood and hiding their true natures. If they were clever enough, they got away with it. If they weren't, they would end up the target of vampire hunters that were sometimes successful.

Ash cursed himself for not getting involved with the humans like everyone else had decades ago. He wouldn't be having this problem now if he had a bit of foresight!

”We could change the terms of the deal.” Ruby spoke up so suddenly he whipped his head around to be sure he had heard her correctly.

”What do you mean?”

”I'm going to Las Vegas anyway. I could bring you with me and we could potentially try to get rich fast together before parting ways. But you would have to do something for me in return.”

”Anything,” Ash promised fervently. He had nothing left to lose.

”Don't promise what you can't deliver,” she said lightly. ”When I do buy my property, I want you to create a barrier for me. A full dome so I can keep other fairies out.”

His face immediately fell. Why was she asking the impossible of him? He was no good at blood magic! If he had any one of his former coven members to help it would be simple but they were all gone.