Muses, Mishaps, and Murder! Full Novel.

Chapter 23 A Book Boyfriend

Muse Silver-Green

Three supervisors stood in the hall with Apollo. He leaned against a motivational poster that hung on the door.

"Spies are messing with our program," I said.

A supervisor glared at Paisley. "Zander's and Holbrook's new Muses complained you were a cultist, but now you are lying about them."

"We came to you, and you're accusing me! Green and Apollo never said I was the spy. Holbrook's and Zander's Muses are. Why did you believe their word over mine?"

"Because they were recommended by the old Apollo," a supervisor said.

"I thought I messed up with Holbrook, but it wasn't me." Muse Paisley's wings flapped.

"Of course not. When Muse Paisley insults Mason or is rude to him, Paisley writes it down."

"I go by the rules, and... well... they didn't," Paisley said.

"Zander admitted he was a cult member since he was a teen, so his Muses must have known," Apollo said.

I shoved the notes into the supervisor's face.

"Is our tech vulnerable?" Paisley asked.

Apollo stood straight. "The tech is hidden on another planet and projected into the booths. Kay controls it just like her mother did before her."

Apollo flew through the hall, opened the door, and yanked two of Holbrook's Muses by the wings.

The largest Muse tried to inject him with some sort of poison, but Apollo knocked it to the ground.

The third Muse ran down the hall.

But being old, I didn't chase the cultist, but I tripped the traitor with my cane. The cultist's entire body went limp.

"I failed her. Deb is the light," the cultist said. "We'll make money if we reach the top level."

"I'll be Holbrook's Muse," a supervisor said.

Apollo's wings fluttered. "You're going to apologize and leave her alone. She has proven she wasn't corrupted. We were!" He spoke again. "Zander's and Holbrook's Muses were assigned to five different creatives and rarely got two hours of sleep."

I plodded down the hall. "Paisley and I need to get back to work." I reached for the door, and Paisley followed me in. An hour had passed, and Mason and Holbrook entered the shop.

Rose Madness Gift Shop didn't have metal racks. Items were stacked inside flower pots, wooden barrels, or locked inside glass cases.

Holbrook and Mason ignored the cheap flower-themed souvenirs, seed packets, toys, and books. She touched a glass case of rings. "Pick one, and I'll buy it for you. Hopefully, it'll stop Rob from bothering me."

"He chose a band with a comedy and tragedy mask engraved on one side and a daisy on the other."

Holbrook purchased the ring and talked to the clerk.

"Oh, hi, Holbrook. Why are you buying an engagement ring?" He stepped back. He stared at Mason. The man was of the forest fairy wolf race, the same as Mason. "Does your mom know?"

"She knows." Mason breathed deeply. "I'm sorry I destroyed your marriage by my existence."

"But you haven't. Lace and I are agents, and Rock-Heart gave us different assignments. This shop is an information hub." Mason's stepfather winked at him.

"Was the king's family here?" Holbrook asked.

"Yes, they closed the shop for them, but the royal twin's mother was here. Her hair was dyed brown, and her face painted. She hugged her teens."