Page 112 of My Pleasure

Caiden nodded. “Where do we start?”

Kendrick turned to Meryn, smiling. “Didn’t you say they liked you?”

“Yeah, because I’m covering their asses in their dealings with humans,” she replied.

“Who did you like best?” he asked.

“Daia,” she answered immediately.

“Why? What about her made you respond like that?” Kendrick asked, looking surprised.

“She likes coffee.”

Kendrick rolled his eyes. “Of course that’s why.” He leveled his gaze at her. “Do you think she’ll come?”

“Seventy-thirty our favor.”

“Call her.”

Meryn got her phone out and put it on speaker.

“Hello?” a woman answered.

“Hey Daia, it’s Meryn, remember me?”

“I don’t see how anyone could forget you,” Daia replied in a warm voice.

“I may have a problem and may need a favor,” Meryn started.

“Are you safe?” she asked, sounding concerned.

“Oh yeah, totally.”

They heard a sigh of relief. “That’s good. What’s going on? I’m not sure how I can help.”

“My friend was like super tested at the Academy, they ended up being a total bust, right? But I just saw them doing magic stuff on the back deck,” Meryn twirled her phone on the table.

“Total bust as in not happy with their score?” Daia asked.

“The Academy told them they didn’t have any measurable magic,” Meryn said.

“I see.” She paused. “You’ve already identified they have an unknown magic and neither Caiden Ironwood nor Kendrick Ashwood knows quite what to do with them, am I right? You’re calling me, because you obviously think the Academy was negligent.”

“Bingo! Also, it kinda got me wondering if they could get missed, who else didn’t get tested correctly,” Meryn pointed out.

“Where would you like to meet?”

“Can you come to the Nu estate?” Meryn asked.

“Meryn, you do know there is a current friction between the Ironwoods and the Witches’ Council, right?” Daia said. “I’m not sure if that’s such a good idea.”

“Yeah, but this is different than that.”

Daia sighed.

“People always be sighing around me,” Meryn said, scrunching up her nose.

Light laughter was heard from the phone. “I can’t imagine why.” She hesitated. “Can you ensure my safety? I’m not too proud to admit I am not even close to Caiden Ironwood’s power.