“It was a pleasure, my dear, and an excuse to once more gaze upon your lovely countenance.”

I laughed and gently pulled my fingers from his. Most fae didn’t need a whole lot of encouragement to start a pursuit, and one fae was more than enough for me.

“If you’ve quite finished,” Jackson said, his voice dry, “we need to get away from this area before the patrols return. Did you bring the scooter?”

“Scooter?” I looked from one man to the other. “You expect me to get on the back of a scooter with you two?”

“While I could think of nothing more pleasurable than having you behind me,” Dmitri said, “I’m afraid it is a pleasure that is not for me. I, sadly, have a car.”

I smiled. “Maybe some other time.”

“I might just hold you to that.”

Jackson groaned. “Now you’ve done it. Don’t you know those of dirt and stone are akin to lava—slow moving but relentless?”

Dmitri grinned. “And those of fire are quick to ignite and just as quick to wither away.”

My smile grew. “So why do we have a Vespa rather than a car?”

“Because Dmitri cannot be seen with us, and because no one in their right mind would choose it for a getaway,” Jackson said. “Therefore, it is unlikely to attract much attention.”

“So if you would follow me, I will show you to your new chariot.” He paused. “Although I really would rather be following you.”

“That pleasure,” Jackson said, “is all mine.”

I shook my head at their banter and followed Dmitri through the long grass. We crossed a small creek bed, then made our way across a major road toward a very familiar and—if the sudden rumblings from the general direction of my stomach were anything to go by—most welcome sign.

“Jackson said you might be hungry,” Dmitri said, making me wonder if he’d heard my stomach. It really was that loud. “And it was safer for me to park here. Less obvious.”

He led us through the parking area and stopped at a beautifully restored F100.

“Lovely car,” I said as he opened the rear door and carefully removed the Vespa.

“Thanks. It took me years to restore it.” He placed the Vespa down, then handed Jackson the keys. “I’ve borrowed it, so please return it in one piece.”

Jackson grinned. “Always do.”

“Yeah.” Dmitri’s droll tone suggested otherwise. He blew me a kiss, then nodded at Jackson and climbed back into his car. Seconds later, he was gone, though the pleasant rumble of his car’s engine seemed to echo across the darkness for a while.

Jackson wheeled the Vespa closer to the main entrance. “Let’s grab something to eat and decide our next step.”

I raised an eyebrow. “I thought our next step was already decided? Or have your little swimmers gone into a state of hibernation?”