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dusted myself down as best I could, trying to catch the odd thought I’d had, only it was quite gone.
    A polite cough behind me made me turn. Agatha stood there, hands clasped primly in front of her, eyes staring somewhere past my knees. Holly hovered behind her, a green toothy grin spread across her face. At least someone was enjoying the show. Mr Manager had a slightly stunned expression on his face, but he must have been one of those humans who just take magic in their stride, or maybe blank it completely, as Finn cornered him easily enough with the paperwork.
    ‘Maself is glad thee came to our aid, Lady.’ Agatha twisted her fingers, but didn’t look up at me.
    I crouched down. ‘I was pleased to aid you, Aggie.’ She looked up and I caught a glimpse of fear in her eyes. ‘Holly’s going to be fine.’ I patted her shoulder, but when she flinched, I realised I was the cause of her fear, not Holly.
    Damn. Nothing like a magical exhibition to let you know your place in the world.
    I told Finn I’d wait outside whilst he finished up with Mr Manager.
    Standing on the hot pavement, staring at the clear blue of the sky, I let the heat of the day burn away the air-conditioned chill of the restaurant. The magic fizzed and churned restlessly inside me. I dug into my bag and pulled out three liquorice torpedoes, stuffed them into my mouth and crunched down hard, shuddering as the sugar hit my system. The magic ate it up - the sugar makes it easier to control - and I willed it into a sleepy calm.
    The trees along the edge of the road rustled in the slight breeze as Finn strolled out and joined me. ‘Remind me not to take a brownie job again,’ he said, a hint of laughter in his voice.
    ‘If I remember right, you didn’t.’ I teased, but my heart wasn’t in it. ‘This was my job. You just came along for the fun of it.’
    He stepped in front of me, close enough that I had to look up at him. ‘Not for fun, Gen.’ He traced a finger along my jaw, an intent, almost hopeful expression in his eyes. ‘To get to know you better.’
    I dropped my gaze to the base of his neck, my mouth watered and I had to stifle the urge to place my lips on the smooth tanned skin that stretched over his pulse. Shit. The need was getting stronger, less easy to deny. And I didn’t know why. But why wasn’t the problem here. I took a step back, holding up my hands.
    ‘Not biting, Finn.’ Mentally I rolled my eyes at my own Freudian slip.
    ‘Speaking of biting, that was rather interesting, what you told the little faeling.’
    ‘What did I tell her?’
    ‘About how we fae taste to vampires.’ His eyes lit up. ‘Wonder what flavour you would be?’
    ‘I already told you, don’t wander. You’ll only get lost.’
    ‘Yeah, yeah.’ He looked at me speculatively. ‘Oranges, maybe,’ he mused.
    ‘Red hair? Oranges?’ I huffed, striding off. ‘You’ve got to be kidding. Soooo not original.’
    Finn matched his pace to mine. ‘You’re right; oranges are much too ordinary. Umm, what would ... Figs maybe? Now they’re supposed to be sexy.’ Shaking his head, he slid an arm round my waist and pulled me to a stop, smiling. ‘Ah, got it - sweet, exotic, hard knobbly shell - gotta be passion fruit.’
    I gave him my hard knobbly elbow in his ribs. It connected with a satisfying thud.
    ‘Speaking of food,’ Finn gasped as he bent double, ‘how about dinner?’
    Only if he was on the menu . I shook my head. It wasn’t even a euphemism. I had a moment’s fantasy where I said yes: we went out, had fun, and I didn’t spend the evening wanting to rip into his throat. Then I sighed and came back to live in the real world. No way could I go out with him, or any other fae, not with 3V running riot through my veins. Being fae, Finn would feel its taint in me - if I let him get too close - then he’d run for the nearest faerie hill, not to mention I’d be out of a job.
    He caught up with me. ‘C’mon Gen, you’ve got to stop torturing