by Lyla Oweds
Should I treat him the same? I hardly knew the man to begin with.
“I’m one of Mu’s descendants,” Gregory chimed in, smirking at me.
“Oh, shut up.” I waved him off—this wasn’t the time for his middle-child syndrome to be acting up. “I’ll deal with…” Then his words registered, and I narrowed my gaze at him. “What?”
Gregory shrugged as if the thing he admitted to was of little importance. “Yes, among the fae, my family is the second closest bloodline to his. Well, excluding those who have been eradicated.”
My heart was pounding furiously as my ears rang and my gaze returned to Michael. “What about you?” I asked, waving my hand in his direction. “Are you going to tell me that you’re from Huo’s line?”
“Of course not.” Michael frowned, his expression dark. “His anger was a furious force. And he was a bit more vigilant about the purge. His wrath was so great that even the third and fourth generations of his descendants do not reside on the earthly realm. They chose to live in exile instead of risking his wrath.”
I had no idea what that meant, but a throbbing in my temples made me not really care at the moment either.
“Whatever…” I sighed. “I asked this before, but now I’m doubly curious. You are powerful.” I pointed at Mr. Kohler and Gregory then moved my gesture to include Michael. “How is it the council hasn’t forced you into a quintet? I thought they could do that to individuals who reached a certain strength. But Gregory said that you weren’t…”
Mr. Kohler and Michael scowled at the fae, who—for the first time since I’d known him—had the decency to look somewhat ashamed. “Technically, we’re not in a quintet.”
“Well.” Mr. Kohler leaned back in his seat, studying the two of us. “That is true. Much in the same way that Miss Protean technically isn’t in a quintet.”
Well, it was true. I wasn’t in a quintet. But despite my denial, I knew it was an eventual thing. I was drawn to Caleb, Jordan, and Daniel. So while we weren’t a quintet yet, I knew that acceptance was inevitable.
But right now, I’d rather not think deep thoughts about Caleb. Or plan to work closely with him. While he’d been decent during the meeting with Jordan, he still annoyed me.
I turned toward Mr. Kohler. “Are you telling me that you three are in the same quintet?” I asked. “Who is your witch… and your shifter?”
“That’s an interesting story.” Mr. Kohler shrugged, not answering my question. “But yes. Michael, Gregory, and I are in the same quintet. We’re Er Bashou by proxy, until the next generation is born.”
“How old are you?” I felt myself frowning at him. I’d assumed he was around our age, but he also had three children.
“That’s a rather intrusive question.” Mr. Kohler frowned at me. “But I’m twenty-eight.”
Twenty-eight? Why, he was basically our age.
“But that’s of little importance,” Mr. Kohler continued. “Our witch is a solitary practitioner. She’s my age, and lives as a hermit with her young son and husband. Her name is Kathleen Geier. As far as witches go, she’s an odd sort.”
My jaw was tight, and my heart pounding. “And what about your shifter?”
Michael shifted nervously beside me, returning to his seat. But it was Gregory who was the first to look away, to return his attention back to his paperwork.
So it was Mr. Kohler who responded.
“Unfortunately, we’ve not confirmed with certainty yet. But I have a suspicion.” His mouth twisted apologetically. “The council has been trying to wear him down for many years, but he refuses to budge. You shifters are a stubborn lot.”
“We are not.” I crossed my arms, glowering at him. “Perhaps we have different priorities. Shifters are naturally pack-focused. Joining a quintet forces us to expand that circle. It’s uncomfortable, and difficult.”
Gregory’s attention returned toward me. “Why, Miss Gloria, that was rather insightful.”
“Does that mean you’re going to join your quintet?” Michael asked, raising his eyebrows.
I didn’t respond, glowering at Michael instead.
“Very well.” Mr. Kohler shrugged, not offended by my harsh response. “We’ve other matters to discuss. We’re at a standstill at the moment. You’ve all been briefed about Victoria Estrada. We’ve no choice but to interview her. Both Michael—and I—feel as though she’s the missing link in this case. The problem is, no one knows where she is.”
“So what do we do?” I asked. “If Mr. DuClaw doesn’t even know where she is, then it’s hopeless.”
“She wanted to retreat from society thirty years ago. So he backed off and let her loose out of respect for her sister,” Mr. Kohler responded. “However, Michael feels as though she’s still in the area.”
Michael shrugged. “It’s just a hunch. We might be looking in the wrong direction entirely. We need someone well-versed in research.”
“You know,” I mumbled, narrowing my eyes at him, “these vague statements of yours are getting rather old. You should be putting your talents to better use.”
I hadn’t expected Michael to hear my statement, but the amused glance he tossed at me caused my heart to jerk. I was used to making sarcastic comments about Michael under my breath, it was how I survived university with my sanity in check. But now, he was sitting right next to me. And he was supposed to be my boyfriend, of all things.
I wasn’t allowed to pick on him anymore, that wasn’t very supportive.
My hands twisted in my lap nervously as my pulse raced. “Um…”
For some reason, my reaction caused Michael to grin wider, the expression lighting up his handsome face to almost blinding levels. And my stomach churned as he lowered his head toward me, his lips barely brushing over the shell of my ear.
“This isn’t the only thing I’m talented in,” he whispered in a voice so low that only I could hear. “I’m going to take you out on a date tonight.” His voice was smug and his breath spicy. Then, without another word, he returned to his previous position beside me.
Mr. Kohler and Gregory were watching the two of us curiously, but Michael’s face was the picture of innocence.
“It’s private,” was all he said. “An inside joke from our college years.”
They glanced at each other, shrugging, before the two of them began to—once again—speak of Victoria Estrada, and how it might be possible to track her down.
Their voices continued to drift around me, reminding me how hopeless this case really was. But even that did little to sway my emotions. Michael’s nearness had thrown me off so badly that it took a moment for his statement to register.
For my heartrate to return to normal.
But when it did, the assuming nature of his words slammed into me.
“Excuse me?” I spun in my seat, glaring at the subject of my thoughts. “That was a rather conceited display. Who do you think you are?”
Michael only grinned in response.
“You just now realized that Michael is conceited?” Gregory’s voice was heavy with mirth. “Who is the one rather slow on the uptake now?”
“Oh, shut up, Gregory.” Not even sparing him a glance, I shot a rather unladylike gesture in his direction. “You and I are going to talk about this,” I added, addressing Michael, making sure to make my voice as stern as it could possibly get.
“Of course.” Michael crossed his legs and examined his nails. “I expect nothing less.” And with a sly glance toward the others and a voice so low that even I could barely hear, he whispered against my ear, “I’ll pick you up at six.”
Chapter Fourteen
“I could have gotten you from your house.” Michael waited until we were already halfway to our destination before he addressed the elephant in the room. “Or is there a reason why you don’t want me to meet your parents?”
“That’s not the problem!” I’d already been nervous about this date. At work, he hadn’t given me any inkling of what his plans were for tonight. “My
parents aren’t home today anyway, and I needed the fresh air. So it was nothing to meet you at the front gate.”
Michael’s lips thinned, but he didn’t say anything as he glanced at me—and my outfit—out of the corner of his eye.
His expression asked the question I knew haunted him.
I’d felt guilty about ruining the first part of his date plans. Which, according to him, meant picking up me at my house and having a moment of male bonding with my father. And I knew it bothered him that I hadn’t let him into that aspect of my life yet.
So in an effort to make things right, I’d taken extra care with my appearance.
I hadn’t lied; my parents were not home. Because if they had been, my mother would have locked me in the house if she saw the little black dress and red pumps that I wore. Even my hair and makeup were perfect, and though the nature of the outfit was questionable, I’d hoped to make an impression.
Right now, it was the only way to show him I was serious, especially because my words and actions hadn’t been portraying that reality. Outside of my acceptance of this relationship, we’d shared little more than shy glances and light touches to confirm that we were, in fact, a couple.
And so, I’d dressed up for him. But instead of looking happy, he watched me with a wariness I didn’t like.
“You wanted to walk in those shoes?” he asked finally, doubt lacing his tone. Apprehension tainted the air, mixed with the bitter scent of fear. “And you are still hiding our relationship. Is there a reason you’re dressing up tonight?”
“Let’s just go on our date.” I sighed, glancing out of the window. The sun had just started to set, and shadows deepened across the ground as he drove. “You said you wanted to go out. So where are you planning on taking me?”
“I have reservations at Café Rouge—”
“No.” I turned my gaze to him, my heartbeat ringing in my ears. Café Rouge was in the center of town. Anyone could see us there. “I want to go someplace private.”
Michael’s mouth dipped, but his eyes didn’t move from the road even as he slowed the vehicle. “Why?”
“Please, Michael.” I was hurting him, but we had to clear the air before we went any further. “We need to talk.”
His jaw clenched, and this time his gaze did flicker in my direction. The fear that had been present before grew in intensity. “Are you breaking up with me?”
“No…” I had to explain. “But I want to go someplace where we can be alone. Where no one will recognize us.”
Bewilderment crossed his expression, but the tense lines of his jaw relaxed slightly, and he nodded. “I’ll find something,” he said. “Trust me.”
Something ended up being a drive-in theater, far from the respectable part of town. An unfamiliar film was playing, but the lot wasn’t crowded and the lights were low.
And that was the important thing. No one would recognize us here.
Even after we pulled into the lot, he seemed to have doubts. And he’d given me the choice between dinner and this film.
There was no hesitation in my choice.
However, my eagerness had backfired, and now Michael appeared to be under the impression that there was another reason I’d wanted to be alone with him.
Damn it.
“Did you really want to come see this movie?” Michael pressed his mouth to my ear, causing a shiver to run down my spine. “Or did you really want to be alone with me?” His breath fanned against my cheek.
I shivered again.
His closeness was making my heart thunder, and dizziness scattered my resolve. While the fear of our discovery had faded, the reality of my new situation washed over me. “Yes…”
“Yes to what?” he asked, and I could feel his smirk against the side of my mouth. His lips pressed against the corner of my own—teasing, testing the limits.
I wouldn’t push him away, not yet.
I’d never fully allowed myself to completely focus on his presence before, but his scent was intoxicating. He was warm summer nights and bonfires. But there was something wild and mischievous beneath, something that couldn’t be tamed.
My breathing turned shallow. I was trying not to make it obvious that I was sniffing his neck like a psychopath. But when his chest moved against mine, I realized he was laughing at me.
“Do you like what you smell?” His voice was deeper than I’d ever heard it. And as he spoke, he pushed back slightly, bringing his hands to my face as his thumbs ran over my cheeks.
I was mouth-breathing now, trying to avoid taking any more of him in. As he glanced at my lips, the self-satisfied smirk on his face grew wider.
“That’s what I thought.” His thumbs stilled, and he urged my face toward his. He lowered his head toward mine, lips brushing against my own. “You’re terrible at hiding your emotions. Just thought you ought to know.”
Before I could do more than gasp, he kissed me. His soft mouth pressed lightly over mine; it wasn’t a kiss that was meant to do more than distract.
But it worked, and my thoughts scrambled as fingers tangled in my hair, urging the moment to deepen.
Compared to earlier, it was short and sweet, and my lips tingled when it ended. Even that couldn’t distract me from his next question. “Or is the reason we came here because you want to keep me a secret?”
The whirlwind of my thoughts slammed to a halt, and my throat closed. For a second, I forgot how to breathe, and when my eyes turned toward his, I knew the instant he realized the truth in his words.
He didn’t look hurt—he’d expected it. But it was impossible to miss the slight tightening of his jaw. The disappointment passing over his expression made my heart twist.
“I don’t mean it like that.” I was the worst person in the world. “I really don’t! I— I…” There were no words to explain the sinking feeling in my chest. The feeling inside that threatened to rip me in two.
My family, my pack… They’d never approve.
But I wanted this. For myself. I’d never done anything solely for myself my entire life. With Michael, I felt as though I’d have a chance for happiness. Even if it wasn’t normal for my kind. Even if it went against tradition.
Michael’s forehead creased and his head tilted. His thumb brushed over my mouth as his own lips turned down. “What are you scared of?”
“I think I like you!” My heart raced, and my face turned hot. I was so nervous, and I was such an idiot. But I’d never felt like this before, so vulnerable. One word from him would cause my heart to shatter.
“I would hope so,” he replied dryly, his tone at odds to the sudden smug look on his face. “Considering that you’re my girlfriend. I’d hope you found me pleasing to be around, at the very least.”
“That’s not what I mean.” I glanced toward the movie screen, noting that the actress in the film seemed to be on the verge of confessing her own feelings to the male lead. How cliché, here was the expected love confession. I couldn’t have picked a better moment. I couldn’t say it out loud, it was too embarrassing. But maybe I didn’t need to.
The heavens were helping me, blessing this union. Instead, I pointed at the screen. “It’s like that!”
“Oh, Howard. I’ll abandon my vows of chastity for you. I don’t want to be a nun anymore. I want to marry you and have your children!” The lead actress swooned dramatically.
The dark-haired heartthrob rushed forward, collecting the woman’s frail body in his arms. “Yes, my love. We’ve no choice but to run away and begin a civilization of our own.”
My finger lowered as I watched the screen in disbelief. What in the world kind of movie had Michael chosen for us to watch? “She’s a nun?” How had I missed this? Had I really been that distracted during the first half of the film? “Why are they on an island? What is…” My voice trailed off as the two stars began to kiss. “Is she taking off her shirt?”
“I say ‘yes,’” Michael responded, a mischievous note to his voice.
My attention snapped
back to him, and I remembered what had led to this conversation. “No! I’m not going to take off my shirt for you!” I pressed my hand over the side of my face, covering my eyes from the screen. “Michael, what movie is this?”
“It’s the only thing playing right now. And it was your idea to come here.” His grin grew as he gestured toward the decrepit surroundings. “This isn’t exactly a red carpet movie. Do you like it?”
“It’s indecent!” I replied, peeking through the gaps in my fingers. At this point, the camera had panned to the floor. In time to capture the female lead’s panties dropping at her feet, and the male lead all but humping against her. “What is this?”
It was horrible, the way they fell into each other’s arms. Yet I couldn’t look away. A heat began to swirl in my lower belly. “What are they doing…”
“Well, Gloria.” Michael’s voice was rife with amusement. “I’m a bit surprised to be having this conversation with you. You are a modern, college-educated woman. But when a man and a woman love each other very much, there is a desire to consummate that affection—”
“Oh my God.” I slapped my hand over my eyes and blindly punched at him. “Shut up. That’s not what I meant.”
He had grabbed my hand and his fingers entwined between mine. I opened my eyes, meeting his curious gaze. His face was perfect seriousness. “Then what were you talking about? What did you want to tell me?”
“I didn’t mean to say it like that…” Dare I ask? I glanced at the screen again, they were facing each other. Kissing. Clothes were continuing to be thrown onto the floor. How much was this movie going to show?
“Gloria?” Michael touched my chin, turning my attention back to him.
Between his attention and the activities taking place on screen, my face was on fire. “I was just trying to say what she said!”
“Oh?” His satisfaction grew until it was almost a tangible current in the air. “Let me see if I understand this correctly,” he began, and my heart pounded. This smirk—no way he was not going to take this someplace really horrifying.
