by MJ Fletcher
“What the hell gave you that idea?” I slammed the door closed and walked past him toward the kitchen area. I grabbed a bottle of wine, sitting on the counter, and pulled the cork and poured myself a glass.
“Bloody hell, Jess, I’m sorry alright? I got annoyed Merric was there and when I saw you and him together I got worried. Christ, you saw what happened to him when he lost control.”
“I can take care of myself. You don’t have to worry about me.”
“I don’t have to,” he said letting the words hang in the air between us.
“We’re partners. I get it,” I said attempting to avoid the implication.
“I didn’t get to say how sorry I was about DeAndre.”
“Thank you,” I said.
“Now can we talk about everything else that happened?”
“What do you mean?”
“When you were losing control of the Artifact, I could have helped you,” he said.
“I took care of it,” I reminded him.
“You got lucky,” he said. “Do you realize how badly that could have gone? You should have let me help you.”
“I’m not big on people helping me.”
I crossed the room to the sofa and sat down, pulling my legs up beside me and letting my robe cover me. I failed to mention how Merric had helped me. I still didn’t know what to make of all that. I wanted to talk to him, but I didn’t know how to approach him about it. Plus I was still freaked out about how he had completely lost it during the fight with Nyla’s men. He’d been like a wild animal tearing into its prey.
Ronan grabbed the bottle of wine and poured himself a glass, then took a deep gulp.
“Help yourself,” I said with a smirk.
“Don’t even start with me. I’m trying to help you and all you do is give me grief. You know damn well LaReina has issues with you, yet I continue helping you. The least you could do is work with me.”
He sat down across from me and took another drink of wine. He was dressed well as usual, his French cut dress shirt hugged tightly to his torso. His eyes searched mine, looking for something, understanding maybe? But I wasn’t going to give in that easily. Ronan was growing on me, but something kept holding me back. I’d learned the hard way, on more than one occasion that I wasn’t very good at choosing which people to trust.
“Why do you want to help me?” I asked.
“What?”
“You heard me, why?”
“You don’t know?” He leaned forward, placing his wine glass on the table between us. He lifted his hand and tugged at his tie, loosening it and unbuttoning his collar. The edges of his mouth turned up slightly.
“Clearly, I don’t.” I said.
“I thought I’d been rather obvious about it.”
My throat went very dry, and I suddenly realized I was wearing nothing but a robe. I wanted to hit myself for not putting something on before letting him come in.
“I’m not interested in a relationship,” I said quickly.
“Okay,” he said.
“If you haven’t noticed, I have a lot going on right now.” I waved my hand around dramatically and thought I must sound like a lunatic or at least look like one. The sleeve of my robe dropped down past my elbow and revealed my scarred and tattooed forearm. Ronan’s eyes lingered over it, and I slowly lowered it laying it across my lap.
“Mr. Slade said you had the device,” —his eyes remained on the tattoo— “is that true?”
“Yes it is.” I pulled the sleeve down, covering my arm.
“It took me a while to make my way back from the outer dimensions.”
“Sorry about that,” I said slipping my legs off the sofa and standing.
Ronan stood along with me and smiled. “I guess I should let you get some rest. When we get more information from Mr. Slade we’re going to be rather busy.”
“True,” I said.
“Jess.” Ronan stepped toward me.
I instinctively stepped back. “Sorry, I’m a little jumpy.”
“I understand, and I want you to know that I am willing to listen if you want to talk.”
“Thanks.” I shrugged. All I could think about was the fact that I was standing in my robe, nothing else, across from this gorgeous man. What the hell was I thinking?
“You mind if I use a portal out of here?” he asked slipping his Skeleton Key from his pocket.
“No, go ahead.”
He twisted his wrist and a crimson doorway formed in front of him. He stepped toward it, then stopped and turned toward me. He moved forward with grace and speed. He was standing over me, looking down with a slight smile spreading across his face.
He leaned down, his face so close to mine that his warm breath tickled my mouth. I didn’t move. I hadn’t been this close to a man who showed interest in me in a very long time. I’d almost forgotten how it felt.
“I want you to know I am intrigued by the kind of woman you are.”
“And what kind of woman would that be?”
“So in control,” he said.
I nearly laughed. He thought I was so in control when in reality I fought to keep control when near people, though it was more fear that kept me that way. I feared someone getting close, too close, and I feared I wouldn’t have the courage to reciprocate.
“That’s me,” I lied.
“Well, let me leave no doubt that I am interested.”
“Good to know.” And though it frightened me, it also thrilled me.
“I think the feeling is mutual,” he said.
“Is that so?” Could he read me so well? Not possible. I worked hard at keeping myself closed off from others.
“Yes,” he said confidently.
Ronan’s fingers slipped over my sleeve and tugged me toward him.
I didn’t stop him; I let him draw me closer. This was crazy. I barely knew him and wasn’t even sure I could trust him. Yet I was attracted to him, and it felt so good to act like a normal female, if only for a few minutes.
Gathering my courage, I said, “I might be interested.”
“Might?”
“You heard me.”
“You want to have a go?”
He slipped his arm around my waist and pulled me against him. Then he lifted my chin and kissed me. And though I’d forgotten how good it felt to kiss someone, I didn’t forget how it felt to kiss someone who knew what he was doing, and Ronan really knew what he was doing.
It was so easy to respond to the play of his tongue against mine, and damn if I couldn’t get enough of the taste of him. My hand went to the back of his neck and yanked him closer, my nails digging into his skin. It had been too long, and I didn’t want the kiss to end.
I couldn’t stop myself, I dragged my hands down his neck and tore at his tie, pulling it off and tossing it across the room. The buttons on his shirt became my next victim as I ripped each open, popping them in sequence.
He didn’t seem to mind as his fingers slipped into my hair and yanked my head back. His lips moved from my mouth to my neck, tasting and biting me, and sending shocks of joy and pain throughout my body.
I writhed against him as his hips thrust forward, and his hard body rubbed against me much too invitingly. My legs trembled, my body quivered, and I realized I wanted more, much more.
“Jess,” he whispered.
“Shut up,” I said not wanting him to break the spell. I wanted to remain lost in the here and now and not think about anything else.
His other hand slipped up my back and into my wet hair, releasing my ponytail and digging his fingers into my scalp.
I slid my hand over his chest, enjoying the feel of his steel-hard muscles. I wanted him and his silky British accent. I wanted to forget my problems and enjoy myself for once without being Jess, the cursed.
His hands moved down along my neck to the edges of my robe spreading it opened slightly. Then his fingers slipped inside and faintly brushed over the scars that crossed my body before stopping and lingering on them. A
shudder rushed up my spine. If this went any further, I would soon be naked in front of him, and scars that I had kept hidden so well would be fully exposed. The scars I had a hard time looking at myself and the scars that left me feeling vulnerable.
“No,” I said and pulled away from him. I took a step back and held my hand up between us.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Please, just leave,” I said shaking my head.
“Jess, what happened? Tell me”
“Leave,” I said raising my voice.
“Jess, please tell me.”
“Now!” I yelled pulling my robe closed.
“I’m sorry,” he said and stepped through his portal without another word.
I watched as the portal disappeared and took a deep breath, unsure if I would ever be able to be close to anyone ever again. My hand squeezed the edges of my robe together, and I stood alone in my loft with my thoughts and fears.
Chapter 41
“You got him,” Slade said as he walked alongside me.
He was wearing a long scarf and a Henley shirt that stretched to the limits trying to contain his massive arms and helped to conceal the portions of his body that were now less than human. The sunglasses he wore hid the depths of his anger at his father. But I knew him well enough to know how he was feeling right now.
“Yes, the Guild has him,” I said as we made our way along the Champs-Élysées.
“Did he really create a device to remove the Artifact from you?”
“He did, and I have it.”
“Good, when do we use it?” Slade said abruptly.
“We can’t. Your father said it might kill me. He thinks he underestimated my level of power.”
“Damn it.” Slade kicked at the pavement as we strolled along.
“Could you look at it and tell me what you think?” I asked.
“Is the Guild willing to let an Engineer look it over?”
“No, but I am,” I said stopping and placing my hand on his arm.
He pulled his glasses off and hooked them onto the neck of his shirt. “Anything to help you, Jess.”
“Thank you,” I said.
“When do you want me to look over the device?”
“Now if you can.”
“You got it. Where to?”
I wish I could trust others as easily as I trusted my friends. But then we had history together that had solidified our friendships and trust. How could I ever expect to have that with Ronan if I didn’t give him a chance? I had wanted to kiss him and he had certainly wanted to kiss me, so what do I do when things are going great? I yell at him and tell him to leave. Way to go Jess.
“Is everything okay, Jess?” Slade asked.
“I’m honestly not sure, Slade.”
“You know if you need anything you can come to me or any of us?”
Slade was talking about our friends; Nightshade, Edgar, Val and my cousin Chloe. He was right. We’d always been there for each other, but for some reason I felt this was something I was most likely going to have to do on my own.
“I know and I appreciate having all of you, but sometimes—”
“You just have to battle some demons on your own,” Slade finished.
I gave his arm a playful poke, not that he felt it through all those muscles. “You know me too well. Now let’s go take a look at this thing and see if it’ll be of any use to me.”
I lifted my hands, created a portal, and pulled it open. We stepped through into the crimson swirl that soon gave way to the grey of the In Between.
But it was only a passing thought, and I stepped out into the halls of the Reliquary. It was a fortress that only my friends and I could access since it drifted from one dimension to another day after day.
“You brought it here?” Slade asked.
“I figured it was the safest place, since I’m short on trust lately.”
“Where is it?”
“Your workroom.”
“I’ll check it out,” he said walking off.
“Find me when you’re done,” I called after him and walked toward the Great Room of the Reliquary. This ancient place has a way of calming me, so I didn’t mind having a few minutes to wander around to collect my thoughts.
If there was an Engineer alive who could figure out the device, I knew it was Slade. I’d trusted him with my life before and I would do so again. Life had changed so drastically for me after taking on the Artifact, and the Gremlin attack hadn’t helped much.
I stopped and leaned against the row of floor to ceiling windows that dotted the Great Room of the Reliquary and looked out on the latest dimension the fortress had moved itself to for the day. I traced my finger along the window and my eyes caught the edge of my tattoo peeking out from under my sleeve. I pulled my sleeve back, feeling the urge to look death in the eye.
I couldn’t deny that the tattoo was beautiful. I had thought about nothing but getting rid of it since the day I took on the family curse. Warmth traveled up my body, my breathing slowed and a serenity I hadn’t known for a very long time settled over me.
Why would I want to lose something so perfect?
It was a reasonable question, though the Artifact was dangerous. It was as if death itself was embedded in my arms. But I had controlled it for some time now, so why should I let go of it. I shook my head confused by my own thoughts. Did I think I was controlling it when it had nearly burned me alive recently? What the hell was I thinking?
“What have we here?”
My grandmother entered the room wearing a tight black dress, her white hair swept back and looking distinctly official. Beside her was Winslow wearing his usual sneer. He still looked like a weasel to me. I didn’t like him being here, but he had become Gran’s shadow. I took small comfort in the thought that he didn’t know the coordinates to the Reliquary. So he could never return without her.
“I brought Slade to check out the device,” I replied.
“I’m glad you found it,” she said.
She smiled and wrapped her arms around me, pulling me into a massive hug. She pressed her cheek against mine for a moment, and then quickly swiped her hand across her cheeks, wiping away tears. Gran had raised me since I was a child, and I knew she had been worried about me ever since I took on the Artifact.
“We should talk about DeAndre,” she said.
“Another time,” I said shaking my head, not wanting to open that raw wound again.
“I told you that you needed to meet with LaReina and yet here we are,” Winslow said looking around the Reliquary, “wherever here is.”
“Here is none of your business. You’re at this place because I’ve allowed it and my grandmother requested it,” I said sharply.
“Jessica, he is only doing his job. He does answer to the Council. I thought you might bring the device here before letting Council have it,” Gran said.
“I’m sure they all can’t wait to get their hands on it. But since it concerns me, I am holding onto it for now.” I crossed my arms over my chest and stared, waiting for her to challenge me.
“LaReina is pitching a fit that you haven’t returned to the League of Skull & Bones to report. How is the assignment going?” Gran asked.
I noticed Winslow leaning in closer as we talked as if trying to hear every scrap of conversation.
“It certainly seems like everyone wants a piece of the device,” I said.
“It does seem that way,” Gran agreed.
“I do think it would be best if we return the device to the Council, Ms. Grimm,” Winslow interrupted.
“Winslow, I brought you along as a courtesy to the Quorum. I didn’t say I wanted or needed your advice. As you can see the device is in good hands. You may leave the way we came.” Gran waved her hand at him and Winslow’s face turned a brighter shade of red.
“Ma’am?”
“You heard me,” Gran said.
Winslow turned, exiting the room and I smiled and called out after him. “I wouldn’t tak
e a wrong turn or try to use a different exit location. The Reliquary wouldn’t take too kindly to that and you might wind up somewhere very bad.”
I laughed as he mumbled to himself, leaving Gran and me alone at last.
“What have you learned about LaReina?”
“Not enough. She plays it coy and has been by the book when it comes to assignments so far. I think me getting the device is the first real chance I will have to draw her out and determine if she is the one helping Nyla. I can’t believe she would risk everything for a power play.”
“Agreed, but it’s the way of things in the Guild,” Gran added.
“I’m going to have to bring her the device at some point. When I had questioned Smidgeon, he mentioned the Timelock that Merric had moved had to work in unison with a device. This is what I assume he meant.”
“You need to be careful,” Gran warned. “LaReina may make a move when you bring her the device. I want you safe, and if that means me running interference with the Council, then so be it.”
“Thanks, Gran. I’m still trying to figure this out as I go and trying to be smart about it.”
“Don’t worry, you’re definitely being smart,” Gran said with a smile, though it faded as she continued. “Jess, this isn’t a game and it is not nearly as black and white as when we fought the First Kind. By you joining the League, you’ve moved into a world of shadows. You need to question everything and everyone. They all have their own motives. Don’t ever forget that.”
“I won’t,” I said with a lump in my throat. Gran always looked out for me and loved me like no one else could.
“I want you prepared for what’s coming,” Gran said adamantly.
“I already have a mad woman after me for this thing.” I raised my arm to punctuate my point. “What else can go wrong?”
“Nyla isn’t your only concern, Jess. There are people moving against you in the shadows. You need to tread carefully.” She tapped her foot on the floor as if making a point and it echoed all around us.
“Don’t talk in riddles, tell me,” I demanded.
“I don’t know everything yet, but your name has been placed on the docket for a special Council session, and I’m not sure why.”