City In Embers (Collector, #1)

by Stacey Marie Brown

“Ryker, we have to go.” I continued to bobble. His hand came up and covered my mouth. “Shut up.” I blinked rapidly. Then I licked his hand. “Ugh.” He drew it away, drying his palm on his pants. “What the hell are you on right now?”

“Someone broke in, Sprig.” “Good thing he was untidy. The robbers wouldn’t be able to find a damn thing in this mess.”

“Can I have her?” A stuffed goat popped over the lip of my bag, whirling around, as if it were possessed by a ghost. I snapped the present I gave Daniel into my hand. “No.” “But Pam says she likes me,” Sprig whined. “Pam?” “It’s her name.” “You named the goat Pam?” “It seemed to fit.” “Sprig, you can’t have the goat.” “She doesn’t like being called goat. Her name is Pam.” “You know she’s not real, right? Like Sussanna.” Silence. “You are not talking to me anymore, huh?” “No.” “Oh, thank the gods.” Ryker let his head fall back. His gaze darted to me. “Now, if only you would shut up as well, my day would be immensely better.”

“Hey! Hey!” Sprig came out of the pouch, pushing between us. “Time-out, kiddies. I am too young to see Mommy and Daddy using whips and chains on each other, especially if it’s not in the fun way.”

“Mead?” He shook his head. “You actually think I’m a Viking, don’t you?” “You look and act like one.” “And you’re an asshole,” a voice came from my bag. “Isn’t it the main criterion for a Viking?”

“Eye, Matty.” “It’s aye, matey.”

“Your sister was right. You keep toes warm.” I could have sworn I heard him utter, “And what about your heart?”