Empire of Shadows (Raiders of the Arcana, #1)

by Jacquelyn Benson

“Is it about a man? Do tell me that it’s a man.” Ellie stiffened with alarm. “Gracious, no!” she exclaimed. “What on earth would I want to do with one of those? No. It’s… well, this.”

“But there are still so many books I haven’t read!”

So relatable

“Now, I’m going to take off this gag,” Bates said evenly. “And then you’re going to tell me exactly what sort of trouble you’ve gotten yourself into. Clear enough, Princess?”

“You know, what’d really help with that hangover is taking the last couple swallows of the rum,” he suggested. “If you bring that bottle near me, I will beat you with it,” Ellie calmly replied. “More coconuts then,” he concluded with a cheerful toss of his machete.

“Princess… you fell on me from a balcony with a gag on,” Adam pointed out. “I’m pretty sure I knew how much trouble I was getting into.”

“Stay perfectly still, Mr. Bates.” “I’ve had my tongue in your ear,” Adam cheerfully reminded her. “Pretty sure we can drop the ‘mister.’”

Ellie ran her hands over her face, unsure whether she wanted to break out into hysterics or simply lie down on the ground. “We are going to get ourselves killed.”

“I have become inordinately fond of you, you know,” Ellie abruptly admitted. “Well, then, we’re gonna have to do our damnedest not to die,” Adam replied as he gazed down at her warmly—very warmly.

“Trust me,” she said. Adam did.