“May I help you, sir?” She pulled herself up to her full height of five feet and three inches, though only a fool would think her an easy target. “Not only have you been staring quite rudely, but to follow me is completely ungentlemanly of you.”
“My apologies.” He looked quite different to your typical Englishman, but his speech was that of a Londoner—and rather learned at that. His eyes scanned her face as if searching for something. “I’d heard my grandmother speak of your kind, but never gave it much credence.”
It felt like the ground beneath her feet had fallen away, though she refused to let him see his words had an effect. Surely he could not be referring to her being a reaper. “I’m shocked to think I’m the first woman you’ve ever laid eyes on, and frankly think you’ve seen enough.”
He threw back his head and laughed, as she spun on her heels and continued walking. “Who knew death would wear such a pretty face?”
His words stopped her cold.
Shaken, she slowly turned and pinned him with a stare to glamour him, an ability every reaper learned to perfect. It allowed them to walk amongst the living forgotten and unnoticed, memories erased, and thoughts manipulated. “You will forget you ever met me.”
His eyes widened in question, humor in his eyes. “Is that so? For I do not believe I’ll forget you anytime soon, dear lady.”
Chapter Four
“Lilly, calm down and tell me once more what happened.” Mason took her hand in his to put an end to her pacing and to offer her some comfort. She was completely shaken, and her ramblings left him with very little information to go on.
After a difficult day searching for Jack and an exhausting meeting with the Elders, Mason had been ready to find distraction in the form of drink and cards, when Lilly’s footman turned up on his doorstep. Her note had said nothing more than to come as soon as he was able.
“He knew I was a reaper—said his grandmother had told him about our kind. I denied it, of course; made out that he was insane. I just do not understand how this is possible.” Her eyes were filled with worry and shock. “I’ve never heard of anyone seeing us for what we truly are.”
Mason gave it some thought. He needed to make sure she hadn’t misunderstood the man. “Did he say the word ‘reaper’? Or are you jumping to conclusions? The ability to see our true nature is a rare one, Lilly. I cannot imagine it to be the case.”
He saw the anger spark in her eyes—and the fire within her did nothing but set flame to his passions. He knew he shouldn’t try her patience, yet he could not stop himself. The heat that swept across her cheeks and the fierceness in her eyes left him barely able to resist her.
“Though he didn’t call me a reaper, I am not jumping to conclusions, Mason.” When his eyebrows perked up in question, she added, “He said he hadn’t expected death to wear such a pretty face. Death is damned close, if you ask me.”
A pretty face indeed—locks black as midnight and pearly white skin made her glacial blue eyes striking, demanding attention, while stealing one’s heart and imagination. “Yes. Close enough.”
“There’s more, Mason. I tried to glamour him so he’d forget, and it had absolutely no effect.”
It was now Mason’s turn to pace. “Do you know anything about the man?”
“He sounded like a Londoner, even if he didn’t really look it. One with quite a bit of schooling, I might add. However, he didn’t mention his name, and I didn’t ask.” Lilly pressed her hand to her temples as if to ward off a headache that would never come.
“He may not have been an Englishman, but these days, London is no longer for just the English. Tensions are high throughout the city with regards to foreigners and finding one amongst many won’t be easy.” He ran a hand roughly through his hair as he gave it some thought. “Is there anything else you can think of?” Already, he was thinking he’d send his lieutenant, Pierce Knowles, to investigate.
Lilly’s brow furrowed and she shook her head as if trying to grasp a thought that remained just out of reach. “Earlier that night… it felt as if I was being watched. And there was something about him that made me think I’ve seen him before. I’m wondering whether he was at one of my reaps. That might explain it.”
“Perhaps, but it wouldn’t explain why you could not glamour him. There are those who can see past the veil that separates the living from the dead, but most who make the claim are charlatans. With that said, there are a few whose ability is genuine. Out of those, even fewer can see our true nature—but they do exist.”
“Now there’s a lovely thought.” Lilly closed her eyes and took a deep breath, slowly letting it out. “Let me tell you, it was quite the shock.”
Mason hated to see her so shaken, and he could not blame her for being distressed when she could have easily come to harm. It was one thing to pester and provoke her, but another to see her truly upset. He took her hand and brought it to his lips, happy to see the small gesture ease the lines of worry from her face.
“Where did he find you? We might be able to go back and track him down, especially if it’s a place he often frequents.”
Lilly turned away from him and went back to pacing. “The Sword and Crown.”
Jack’s pub. Mason’s jaw clenched and his gaze hardened. Even though he’d expected her to search him out, it still disappointed him. “You went looking for Jack? Were you going to tell me?”
“If I found him. Perhaps.” Lilly crossed her arms and stood her ground, infuriating him. “You need not worry though. He’s not been seen since the night of the murder, and he hasn’t been home either. Though come to think of it, I could have sworn I was being watched even outside his home.”
The betrayal stung, for he knew Lilly would not have told him she’d gone looking for Jack if the stranger hadn’t startled her. “Were you there to warn him about the Elders?”
He took a step closer so they now stood with their bodies brushing, and she was forced to crane her neck upwards to hold his gaze. Yet she did not take a step back, nor did she look away. This close, he could see the copper flecks in her eyes, despite them being hidden behind long lashes.
“I was trying to find him, Mason. Is that not what we’re doing?” She scoffed with a sly smile. “If I didn’t know you better, I’d think you were jealous.” She turned and put some distance between them, while waving him away. “Do not worry yourself, though. I’d never mistake you for caring that much.”
His chest tightened and his pulse raced. Unable to do otherwise, he pulled her into his arms, the scent of her French lavender soap filling his head, her soft curves molding to his body. With a fist in her hair, he pulled her head back just enough to expose a lovely length of delicate skin. He could feast on her an eternity and never get his fill. When he nuzzled her cheek and nipped at her neck, her protests died on her lips.
“Do you not think me capable of caring, my love? You’d be mistaken.” When he spoke, it was no more than a murmur against her skin, all words silenced when his mouth found hers.
His kiss deepened as she clung to him and returned his passions. He then did the hardest thing he’d done in a very long time—he pulled away and left her standing there.
“Send word if you find Jack or come across any information on this stranger. In the mean time, I’ll warn the Elders.” He grabbed his coat and managed a peck on her cheek, a smile tugging at his lips to mask how desperately he wanted her. “Have yourself a pleasant evening, my dear.”
Without a second glance, he headed for the door.
***
“No. I’m afraid that was all the information Lilly had on the man. She had been at the pub looking for Jack Torrington, and when she left, the man approached her on the street.” Mason took a long sip of his whiskey, settling back in the armchair, his need for Lilly still haunting him.
Damon tilted his head and gave him a shrug. “It happens from time to time. Do your best to take care of the matter. For now, I’m more concerned about the murder. You’re to find Jack
and bring him in before matters get further out of hand. Speaking of which, why was the girl looking for Jack alone? Trying to warn him, was she?”
Mason could have strangled Lilly with his bare hands. How the hell was he supposed to keep her safe and out of the hands of the Elders when she was always thinking with her heart rather than her head.
“She’d already agreed to help with the investigation, and was hoping to find Jack in order to turn him in. Nothing more, Damon.”
“And you still think it a wise decision to involve her?” Damon’s eyebrows perked in question, his smirk telling Mason he thought him daft to trust Lilly. “Make a mess of this and it won’t be just her head on the line.”
Mason held back a curse, hoping he’d not regret his decision. Lilly could be a huge help, but she was far from predictable, and a more headstrong woman he’d never met. He thought having Lilly help with the investigation would ease the difficulties she’d had with the Elders and offer him information on Jack he’d not get otherwise. Now he wasn’t so sure it’d be worth the risk.
Needing to reassure himself as much as Damon, he said, “She has insight on Jack no one else can give us, and if there’s another murder, fates forbid, she’ll be the only one capable of recreating it, given their relations. We’d be fools to not take advantage of it.” It was nothing short of the truth.
“You do realize she could easily betray your moves to Jack, and warn him each step of the way. You’ve stood up for her in the past when she’s gotten herself into trouble, and it did neither one of any good, Mason. I’d have thought you learned your lesson. You took the majority of her punishment for her, and for what? Does she even know the sacrifice you made?”
Mason gritted his teeth, not wanting to be reminded of that blasted incident with her betrothed—a man she was still pining for. He had not told of her of his involvement, and truth be told, in the end he’d only spared her the worst of it. As for Lilly warning Jack, he knew it may very well be the case, though he’d not admit it to Damon.
“No, she doesn’t know—and it’s to stay that way. As for Jack, she’s seen what was done to the woman, and if he’s guilty, she wants justice served.”
Damon scoffed. “If? Don’t be daft. There is no other logical explanation.” He took a long sip of his drink, his gaze scrutinizing. “You’d be wise not to get attached to the girl. I need you to keep your head clear, though I want you to continue your relations. It’ll give you the opportunity to keep a close eye on her, in case she still has any involvement with Jack. It may also make her think twice about betraying you.”
Mason bit back the growl threatening to erupt. He knew it was no time for high emotions, yet he could not help himself when Lilly was involved. “She’d no more betray me than she’d betray Jack. She’s not involved with him or the murder, and any relations I keep with the girl certainly will not be with the purpose of spying on her.”
The thought made his stomach churn. If Lilly ever found out, she’d never forgive him, and though he did not want to risk pursuing anything serious with her, he also did not want to ruin what they had or hurt her in any way. “Perhaps I’m not the best man for this job.”
Damon’s lips curled with humor. “You wanted to involve her, Mason, and now you have.”
Chapter Five
Lilly awoke, startled and struggling against a body that had her pinned to the bed, her mouth covered to stifle her screams, her heart thudding against her ribs. Still the middle of the night, she couldn’t see who had hold of her, and he was too strong for her to slip free of him.
She fired off a mental jolt of energy, but it did little good. Her concentration was shattered, and it was an attack she was not used to using. Unable to get a knee up to nail the bastard, panic set in. She did the only thing she could think of and bit down as hard as she could on the hand covering her mouth.
The man growled low in pain, but kept his voice down when he spoke, the smell of drink on his breath. “Lilly, stop it. It’s me. Jack.” He tentatively removed his hand, and when she didn’t scream, let go of her completely. “I’m sorry to scare you, but I couldn’t risk coming to your door. The Elders are looking for me.”
“Do you think I don’t know that?” She sat up and lit the candle by her bed, her heart still thudding against her ribs. “What the hell happened, Jack? That poor woman. I’ve never seen anything so horrible.” She squeezed her eyes shut as the images invaded her mind. “Tell me you had nothing to do with her death.”
“That bastard. Archer took you to witness such horrors? The man has no tact or consideration.” He shook his head.
“This has nothing to do with Mason.” Her gut clenched tighter with each moment her question was left unanswered. “Answer me, damn it. Did you have anything to do with that woman’s death?”
“How could you think such a thing of me, Lilly?” Jack got up and moved across the room, his body stiff. But she cared not if he was upset—she still wanted answers to her questions.
She grabbed her dressing gown from the foot of the bed and threw it on, feeling naked in Jack’s presence when wearing nothing but her shift.
“Then how do you explain it? Please tell me how that woman could be dead without being reaped if you had nothing to do with it. For you were there, Jack. Don’t try to deny it.”
He crossed to her side and took her hands in his. “I won’t deny I was there, but things are complicated. Just know that I did not harm that woman. I wish I could tell you more, but I’m afraid I cannot.”
“Was it another reaper?” It was the only other logical explanation, though she could not imagine Jack protecting anyone from something of this magnitude.
“Lilly… I have no answers for you.” She saw his shoulders slump as he hung his head.
“So that’s it? You’re not going to explain any of it?” When he said nothing, frustration choked her. “Then why come here? What’s the point?”
He let out a ragged sigh. “I don’t know. I suppose I did not want you to think me capable of such horrors.” He brushed a curl from her face, his fingers lingering on her skin. “Lilly… I need you to believe me.”
“How can I? If you are innocent of that woman’s murder, then go and speak to the Elders. You’ll do nothing but make things worse for yourself by staying away. As is, Mason’s looking for you, and I know not how I’ll explain your presence here.”
“My presence? Here in your sleeping chambers?” He shook his head and laughed, but it was not a sound of humor. “Are we bored again, Lilly?”
“How dare you.” She resisted the urge to slap him. “My relations are none of your concern—especially when you did everything in your power to guarantee the failure of our own affair.”
“I’ll take most of the blame, but to turn to Mason—for comfort of all things—is beyond my comprehension.” Jack shook his head, the strong angular planes of his face cast in shadow from the glowing embers of her fire. “You know he cares for no one but himself. Do you not find it an odd coincidence that he’s suddenly sharing his bed, just as he needs your help to catch me?”
“Don’t you dare judge me or try to make me question my life. We all do whatever it takes to get by, and I’m no different than anyone else.”
“That’s where you’d be mistaken, love.” He ran a hand down her cheek. “I’m sorry to cause you problems. Send the bastard my regards.”
***
Upset as Lilly was, she could not get back to sleep. All for the best, since there was a pounding on her front door barely half an hour later. She managed to get a light lit and her dressing gown on when Daniel knocked on her door.
“I’m sorry to wake you, Mum, but I’m afraid you’ll need to come. ‘Tis urgent.” There was another voice in the hall and a commotion. Her bedroom door was yanked open, and Mason entered.
He closed the door behind him, and without a word walked around her room, eventually stopping before the window Jack used to enter. “I knew it’d not be long before Jack came to you. Were
you going to tell me he was here, Lilly?”
Lilly looked at him dumbfounded. “Were you going to give me the chance? It’s the middle of the night.” He wandered around the room, further annoying her. “Why are you here? Were you having my home watched or was it one of your charms?” The thought incensed her.
“A charm, though you cannot blame me.” His voice held a tension she had not expected. He ran a hand over the window frame where Jack had entered. “Did you let him in or did he skulk in like a thief in the night?”
“Mason, you try my patience.” Lilly let out a deep breath in a futile attempt to calm her nerves.
“And you try mine. I’m here as chancellor to the Elders, and given their current mood, you should be thankful they sent me and not someone else. You have no idea how much is at risk—holes torn in the fabric of fate, futures rewritten. Now answer my question, Lilly.”
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