“Nothing you did could compare with what I did,” Ume muttered.
Her cousin leaned closer and lowered her voice. “I attacked Liam.”
“Yeah? Well, I think I participated in a porno.”
“What?” Julie covered her mouth, looking over her shoulder at the men’s questioning gazes, and slipped her arm through Ume’s. “What?”
Ume sighed. “Don’t ask. I’d rather hear about you attacking Liam.”
“I couldn’t help myself. I feel like a different person here. Like I’ve actually fallen into one of my stories. Does that make sense?” At Ume’s nod she continued. “And Liam is just so sweet and sexy. We went for a walk, and I, I guess I jumped him.”
“Did he go all wolfy?”
Julie lifted a hand to cup her neck thoughtfully. “Sort of.” Her sigh was heartfelt. “It was—”
“Amazing.” The two cousins spoke in unison, catching each other’s gaze and giggling like teenagers.
“There’s something else, Ume. Before we, um, before Liam and I were together, I was hungry, and mentioned really wishing we had some of my mother’s special dumplings. The next thing I knew a man walked by selling dumplings.” Julie stopped and gripped Ume’s arm. “They were her dumplings, Ume. Her recipe.”
Ume furrowed her forehead. “You think Saint is just randomly granting your wishes?”
“I don’t know what to think.”
“I think she’s making it happen.”
The two women turned to stare at Manx, who ducked his head apologetically. “Sorry ladies, I thought it might be more interesting to hang out with you than those two brooders.”
Ume lifted her chin, deciding to ignore the fact that this man had done things to her she’d never even read about. “What do they have to be broody about?” They’d both gotten exactly what they wanted. Ume harrumphed.
But Julie had another question. “What do you mean I’m making it
happen?”
Manx hesitated. “You’re a writer, right. A bard? You’re in a fictional world that is always changing. You must have a pretty powerful imagination.”
Ume shrugged. “Makes as much sense as anything else that’s happened here.”
Julie looked fascinated. “I wish I’d known this sooner. The possibilities are endless.” She sent a suspicious glance toward Manx. “Who are you? How did you know I was a writer?”
Manx shook his head. “Just a friend.” He turned his indigo gaze toward Ume. “Trying to make sure no one gets hurt.”
Ume knew he was trying to tell her something, but before she could decipher his expression, she saw a glimmering in the distance. The sun was coming up, and its rays revealed an archway that could only lead to—the Demon King.
“This is where we get off.” Liam took two large strides and slipped his hand into Julie’s with an apologetic smile.
Julie looked up at him, frowning. “What do you mean?”
Liam’s smile wavered. “This is Ume’s quest. She and Sinner are the only two who will be allowed to go through that archway.”
Ume turned to look at her warrior, who was looking everywhere but at her. “Is this true?”
“Yes.”
She was getting angry. He wasn’t so monosyllabic when he had her tied up a few hours ago. “It would have been nice to know this beforehand.”
His black gaze clashed with hers at last. His looked…tormented. “I’m sorry.”
Manx stepped forward. “I’ll make sure these two get where they need to go.”