Rori moved about the room on light feet, possessing a particular grace that captivated him. Cael’s woman’s voice faded in the background as she talked about things he had no interest in, his attention solely focused on the petite redheaded wonder who made his blood seethe through his veins. She pulled out a button-down shirt—Goddess, what was it with these masculine outfits?—and tugged it on. When she hooked her fingers on the waist of her pants, she paused. He caught the sudden tension in her shoulders, the faint flush that rose from her neck to her cheeks.
She twisted suddenly, her green eyes cutting across the room, her mouth taut.
Thaddeus held his breath, feeding the veil around him more magic. The energy of power hummed against his skin. He remained statue still, gaze fastened on the woman no more than ten feet away. Did she sense him? Did his magic hold no weight in her presence? If Cael’s words rang with truth, mayhap she could see through the veil. Or see a distorted image of him between the threads of his spell.
Her gaze shifted, piercing him. For a long, breathless moment, they seemed to stare at each other. He picked at her expression, the hardness of her gaze, the flicker of fear behind the bright green. From his periphery, he noticed her chest begin to rise and fall on shallow breaths. A faint tremor shook her arms.
“Rori, are you there?”
Her eyes narrowed slightly, her head tilting as she scrutinized the area where he hid.
Did my magic fail?
At last, Rori shook her head and shoved her pants down slender, pale legs. Thaddeus bit back a groan and quietly leaned his head against the wall, finding a spot on the wall tostare at while the mortal switched out one pair of hideous pants for another.
“Yeah. I’m here. Getting ready for work.”
“You don’t start until five.”
“Going in early. Got bills to pay.” She snatched a long piece of fabric off her dresser, draped it around her neck, and buttoned up her shirt. “I have clinicals tomorrow at the hospital. I’ve already spoken with my instructor regarding the call, and she agreed to allow me the time I need. I’ll let you know how it goes, though. Are you hanging with Steve?”
“Finishing up at Publix, then will head over to his place. Need anything before I check out?”
She stood before the mirror over her dresser and pulled her hair back. Waves bounced back over her cheeks, too short to reach the band she used to hold her hair. “Maybe a box of protein bars?”
“On it!”
“Thanks, Cassy.” She paused and stared at the reflection of herself in the mirror. Thaddeus’s fingers fisted until his bones ached. The desire to wrap one of those rebel waves around his finger and tuck it behind her ear threatened to split open the veil and reveal him. “Hey, be careful, okay?”
“Uh, okay?” The woman speaking through the phone cleared her throat. “I don’t like the way that sounded. Is everything okay with you?”
“Of course. I’ll talk to you later. Thanks for picking up the bars for me.” Rori tapped the screen and the phone went silent. A despondent sigh fled her lips. Her shoulders sagged. “I wish I could talk to you, Cassy. Tell you the truth. But I won’t put you in harm’s way by revealing what I saw.”
Thaddeus caught himself pushing away from the wall. The veil faltered. He wove more power into the spell before it came down. His heart gave an uncanny thump, one that madehis muscles warm and weaken momentarily. Goddess, why did he feel like this? Why did he waste his time listening to the mere mortal weakling? Why did thatpictureignite a fury that steadily burned at the back of his mind, beckoning him to find the one responsible and mercilessly draw blood?
Rori hurried past him to the bathroom, tucking her shirt into her pants. He craned his neck to keep her in his sights, but jerked when she took a step backward, coming to stand parallel to him. Those sharp eyes raked over him, but their lack of focus brought a shred of ease. She didn’t see him, but she sensed something. Realization hit him when he caught the flare of her nostrils, followed by her slow inhalation.
She couldsmellhim.
How the bloody hell was that possible? His magic should shield him completely.
The woman hesitantly lifted her arm, stretching her hand in his direction.
Thaddeus sifted from the room and reappeared in the living quarters, holding the veil intact as he settled in the furthest corner of the room. Away from any chance of being found. He wasn’t through observing, investigating, learning. Otherwise, he’d care not if she discovered him.
She didn’t make him wait long before she rushed through the living space, glancing in each nook and cranny, suspicion creating a delicate crease between her brows. She grabbed her bag and keys from the counter, tossed one final, lingering glance over her shoulder, then left.
Thaddeus cut his arm across the veil, disbanding the spell and releasing the tension that had built in his shoulders with a wave of magic. ’Twas time for him to escape this abode, the stifling air, theheatthis heinous place set alive throughout his body. He’d come to investigate Cael and ended up overlycurious about a meaningless mortal who deserved not a moment of his time, let alone his concern.
Concern.
Pinching his forehead, he let out a low rumble. “Maintain focus. Devise your plan.” Lifting his chin and setting his shoulders straight, a cold grin touched the corner of his mouth.
What is your motivation in sending me here, Grison? I’m beginning to believe it has naught to do with Cael, and everything to do with me.
7
“Be sure to keep a close watch on his whereabouts. I want to know his every move. He’s a cunning Fae, and a potential threat if we can’t keep him under control.”
