Though she suspected he was. Or, at least, he wasn’t telling her everything. She didn’t have time to pursue it now though. She had a meeting to get to.
His gaze slid to her arm, and he lifted it gently, turning it toward the light. “You sure you’re all right?” he asked, his thumb sweeping lightly across her now completely healed skin.
The lump in her throat precluded speech. She could only give a slight nod.
He gave a satisfied nod of his own and then planted a hard kiss on her mouth. It was over before she got to enjoy it. “I’ll see you later?” he asked, his voice deep and husky. As soon as she shook her head in agreement he kissed her again, this time a little softer and a little slower, pulling her close to him again. She relaxed into him, letting his big body support most of her weight, and rested her hands on his lean waist. The stubble of a couple days’ worth of beard scratched her face, making her want to feel that roughness in her most intimate places. Too bad there wasn’t enough time.
His mouth lifted and he sighed. “Bye,” he murmured. He stroked his fingers over her jaw, then turned and left the room.
Keira heard him say something to Rudi about coming back later and to set something aside for him, but she couldn’t hear all of it over the pounding of her pulse in her ears. She did hear the chime over the front door sound, and slowly moved out of the alcove. She left the Cactus Room and walked onto the main floor. After drawing in a deep, cleansing breath, she yelled, “Bye, Rudi.”
The gallery owner came out of his office. “I’m sorry I haven’t moved anything for you today, Keira.”
“Oh, don’t worry. I’m sure we’ll get another sale soon.” She wasn’t worried about her art selling. In the past she’d had no trouble. It would move, eventually. She said her good-byes and went out to her car. She started it up but sat there, pondering her next move. She would go to the meeting and mask her emotions in case there were any other empaths in the room. She didn’t want them to pick up on her true feelings. She’d listen. And watch.
Centuries ago, over a millennium actually, she’d been friends with some of the Fianna, the strong, powerful men who’d guarded the High King of Ireland. She’d admired their courage and the stoutness of their morals even while she had to fight so hard to have even a thimbleful of the same. The code by which they’d lived had been one she’d tried to adopt: Honesty in our hearts, strength in our limbs, and deeds to honor our vows.
Her natural instinct was to manipulate people to her advantage, not be honest. And while as a fey she had strength of body, in the past she had rarely put her promises into action and followed through with them. Which meant that no matter how difficult it might get, no matter how much danger she might get herself into, she’d keep her promise to Caladh. She owed it to herself. And because of that, she was being dishonest and manipulative. Doing what she did best for the greater good. No one but the two of them could know she was infiltrating the rogue group of preternaturals who were trying to mess with the rift. She couldn’t even tell Finn.
Speaking of Finn, what was she going to do about him? In spite of herself that one time they’d made love had meant more to her than she’d expected. She might even be halfway in love with him, which tempted her to take their relationship to a deeper emotional level. Except her logical side told her he wasn’t ready for—or interested in—that type of commitment. Not now, maybe not ever.
She’d been alone for so long. She’d never been one to make friends easily, perhaps because in her former life in the other dimension her “friends” had been people she could call upon for a con job. They’d been the kind of friends who wouldn’t have hesitated to turn around and sell her out. Then she’d come to Earth only to discover she was immortal. Any human friends she’d made had grown old and died while she stayed the same. And, of course, there had been the whole having to pick up and move every fifteen years or so to keep her immortality hidden.
The few preternatural friends she’d made had quickly moved on as well. Before the computer age it was even more difficult to keep in touch. After the Internet and cell phones came on the scene, it was easy. Just not done.
Right now she would focus on the job she was doing for Caladh. As long as she was successful, it should garner her recognition among the prominent movers and shakers within the pret community.
She wanted, needed, to not be alone any longer. Most days she was fine on her own, but sometimes the loneliness seemed to eat her alive. If she got attached to Finn and he dropped out of her life without staying in touch, it would be too much for her to bear.
Without using her empathic abilities on him, she could sense there was something about her that made him hold back. She didn’t know if it was her background, or that she was fey, or if she’d said or done something. Finn liked her, she knew. Maybe he thought his job was too dangerous to get deeply involved with her.
Which was fine. She had to keep reminding herself of that. She had work to do as well, after all. And regardless she seemed to have a penchant for falling for the wrong kind of guy.
Keira fastened her seatbelt and pulled out of the gallery parking lot. She had just enough time to go home and soak up some Earth energy before heading over to the meeting.
It was taking place at the Devil’s Domain, which she wasn’t sure was a good omen or not. She’d find out in an hour.
Chapter Five
Finn pulled his motorcycle into the rear parking lot of the Devil’s Domain and cut the engine. He sat there a moment, watching people heading toward the back door. The big, beefy guy at the door double-checked the codes the attendees showed him on their cell phone screens. After a quick pat down for hidden weapons, he buzzed them in.
Everyone going through the door had varying natural weapons. They didn’t need guns or knives, though no doubt some carried them. Hell, he usually had a gun and short sword on him. Sometimes he preferred the easier and less messy way of dealing with a problem over being hands on. Tonight he figured security would be tight, so he had only his body as a weapon.
If it came down to it, that would be enough.
He hopped off the bike and got into line behind a couple of vampires. When his turn came, he pulled out his cell phone and brought up the message that held the bar code. The bouncer gave a brief nod. “Raise your arms to the sides,” he instructed. After giving Finn the same impersonal frisking he’d given the others, he let him into the building.
There was a small landing and then stairs leading down into a sublevel. Finn followed the vamps down, aware that there were more prets coming in behind him. It made the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. He hated having anyone behind him—he was more exposed to an attack if he couldn’t see it coming.
Once he got to the bottom of the steps he moved to one side and let the rest go ahead of him. Then he started off after them, passing a few closed doors on each side. There were double doors at the end of the hall, and he followed the others through into a surprisingly large room. Rows of chairs set up theater style were separated into three sections with aisles between. With a quick glance he figured the room seated about a hundred fifty to two hundred, and it was mostly full already.
A small portable stage area was at the front of the room with a podium and microphone in the center. Plenty of recessed lighting gave the room a bright, airy appearance. Finn looked around and figured the room was roughly half the size of the club upstairs.
And he’d never known of its existence. Interesting.
He directed his attention to the inhabitants of the room. He didn’t know what he’d expected, but he was surprised at the variety. Preternaturals of every shape and size represented their clans. There were werewolves hanging out in the front near the podium, and several vamps talked in groups at the back just a few feet from where Finn now stood. Elves, pixies, sprites, leprechauns, and even a few trolls interspersed with werelions, werebears, and wereleopards. There were even a few of the elusive and shy brownies in attendance.
There were
lots of demons, which didn’t surprise him in the least. Most of them he knew, including Phoebus. “So,” the other demon said as he walked up to Finn, “I must admit I’m surprised to see you here.”
Finn gave a lopsided shrug. Shoving his hands into his pockets, he continued to stare out over the crowd. He didn’t want to give Phoebus the time of day. He also didn’t want to alienate someone he might need later on. However, just because Phoebus might come in handy later on didn’t mean Finn had to start being nice to him.
“Does Lucifer know you’re here?” Phoebus crossed his arms and tilted his head to one side, curiosity bright in his eyes.
“Nope.” Finn wasn’t lying. He hadn’t told his dad he’d gotten the actual invitation, so Lucifer didn’t know that Finn was attending a meeting or where the meeting was being held. Though if it turned out that the vampire who owned the building had given permission for this particular group to meet here, it in all likelihood meant that he was part of this mess. If he hadn’t given permission, then he didn’t have a good handle on what was going on within his own empire. Either scenario spelled trouble.
“I suppose I shouldn’t be so surprised to see you here,” Phoebus said, his voice so smarmy it made Finn want to punch him in the face. Which was his usual reaction any time he was around the guy. “You follow Lucifer’s direction only as far as you have to.” Phoebus gestured around the room. “This must seem like an answer to your prayers.”
“Oh?” Finn glanced at him. “Why is that?”
“Are you kidding?” Phoebus rested his hands on his hips. “Do you really think Lucifer will be able to hold on to power when people loyal to our leader arrive?”
Finn shifted his position to face Phoebus but was still able to keep an eye on the room at large. He couldn’t appear to have prior knowledge of the intricacies of the group and, really, he only knew the name of the vampire who led things. He didn’t know what he looked like, nor did he know who any of the members were. But since he suspected that most new members didn’t know as much as he did, as little as it was, to keep up the act he asked, “And exactly who is our leader?”
Phoebus folded his arms across his chest again and shook his head with a smile. “You’ll find out in a few minutes.”
If it was longer than that Phoebus might find that smug smile pounded off his face. It would be worth having to put up with this rogue nonsense for the chance to take care of unfinished business with the bastard.
Finn shot Phoebus a look and moved away, walking along the back wall toward the corner. He ignored the curious looks he got from some of those he passed by. As he neared a couple of vampires, one of them lifted his lip in a sneer and muttered, “Fucking demons. We should call a blood feud and exterminate ’em like the vermin they are.”
Finn didn’t need to use any preternatural abilities to hear the guy. He hadn’t exactly tried to be quiet with his comments. He’d obviously wanted Finn to hear him. So the guy wanted to rumble? Finn was willing to oblige.
“You know,” he said in a musing tone, giving both vamps a dismissive glance, “some might say the same thing of vampires. Not me, of course.” He lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “I think carrion feeders have their own ignoble place in the circle of life.” When the two bloodsuckers scowled, he added in a nonchalant tone, “You should own your space, boys. Be proud of what you are.”
“Son of a…” The vamp who’d made the initial comment took a step forward. He was slender, but tall and wiry. And he was a vampire, which automatically made him strong. “I’ll make you eat those words, demon.”
“Really?” Finn was of the old school that said you never backed down from a fight, and if you didn’t start it you’d damn well better finish it. He cocked an eyebrow and glanced at the vamp’s shorter companion. “You and who? Him?” He chuckled and shook his head in disbelief.
Both vamps’ eyes went blood red. They moved closer to Finn, fangs out and ready for action.
Finn set his feet shoulder length apart, more than willing to take them on. He held the gaze of the mouthy vamp. “Take your best shot. I’ll wad you up and toss you aside like a piece of paper.”
“Take your seats, everyone.”
The voice came from the front of the room. Finn shot a glance toward the podium to see a slender, swarthy man standing behind it. Was that the guy? Caine had given Finn the name and a vague description, but not an actual photo.
The mouthy vamp glared at Finn. “This isn’t over, demon, not by a long shot.”
“I’d be disappointed if it were,” Finn murmured silkily. It was just as well their altercation had been curtailed. The last thing he needed to do was let his desire to bash some heads together get him kicked out of the group before he’d even gotten a chance to sit through one full meeting. He waited until the two vampires settled into seats, then he went to the end of the last row and stood next to a troll taking up two seats.
The large man looked up at him but didn’t move. Finn stood there, staring down at him, until finally the troll sighed and moved onto one seat. Finn gave him a brief lift of the chin in acknowledgment, then pulled the chair on the end of the row away from the troll to give them both some room. He sat down and looked at the man at the front who was now talking to Phoebus.
Both men stood to one side of the podium, speaking in obviously hushed voices. Finn scooted his chair a little farther away so that his back was to the wall, then he called upon his chameleon abilities and ramped up his hearing like that of a shapeshifter. Damn. There was too much ambient noise in the room for him to filter out a conversation taking place at the front of the room. And as tempted as he was to get up and move closer, he didn’t want to call attention to himself. So he stayed put.
About a minute later he was glad he had.
Gorgeous in a light green V-necked dress that bared her shapely arms and ended midthigh, Keira stopped just inside the doorway and looked around the room. As usual she wore high heels, this pair a bright yellow.
Shock at seeing her there, in this place, with these people, held him immobile for a second. Then, not wanting her to see him, at least not until he figured out how to feel about her being there and what to say about him being there, Finn slowly stood and moved casually behind one of the support columns in the large room. She must have seen someone she knew, because she smiled and lifted a hand in greeting, then walked down the center aisle and did her pardon mes down the row until she reached an empty seat next to the vampire Finn had seen her chase after at Devil’s Domain one night. The guy for whom she’d blown Finn off after they’d shared that sizzling dance.
He stared at her, confused as hell. For all her talk about wanting to be a better person…Damn it, he’d believed her. She’d seemed so sincere; she certainly seemed to be above someone who would join this band of misfits.
Better than him, hands down. Even if he was here under false pretenses, this could have been something he might have joined to see where it would take him. For shits and giggles, and to break up the incredible monotony of being an enforcer for Lucifer.
She glanced around again, and Finn shifted his position so she couldn’t see him. If he leaned backward he could get a look at her profile, and staying where he was he still had a good line of sight to the podium, where it appeared the Grand Poobah was about to speak. Finn folded his arms over his chest and leaned his shoulder against the column, settling in for what he hoped would be a short and sweet speech.
Keira opened her mouth to say something to Javier beyond her original greeting. Glancing his way, she realized she could save her breath. He was too busy flirting with the elf sitting on his other side.
“I can’t wait for Natchook to speak.” The young woman sitting to Keira’s right, some sort of catshifter from what Keira could tell, leaned over and spoke softly, keeping her gaze on the front of the room.
Keira frowned. “Natchook?” She was at a disadvantage—she had been from the beginning—in not knowing who any of the players were. If Caladh knew, he�
�d never told her.
“Our leader.” The catshifter looked at Keira, her surprised expression changing to one of understanding. “Oh, you’re new.” She pointed to the men standing next to the podium. “His name on this planet is Stefan Liuz, which is how most people refer to him, but I prefer to call him by the name he was known by in our original dimension—Natchook ot Renz.” She sighed and stared forward again. The sound was as girly as a teenaged Justin Bieber fan.
Keira followed her gaze, trying to figure out which man was the leader of this motley crew. The taller one had his back to her and she couldn’t tell which pret clan he belonged to. The one facing the group had a Latin look to him—dark hair, darker skin. Wiry build. She leaned over to the catshifter. “Which one is he?”
“The one facing us.” Another sigh. “He planned all of this before he even came here, did you know that? He tried to make things better for all of us in our home dimension, and when that failed he already had plan B in place.” The other woman stuck out her hand. “I’m Tracy, by the way.”
Keira introduced herself and shook Tracy’s hand. “How did Natchook try to make things better?” she asked with a glance at the man under discussion.
“He assassinated the leader of the Talisians.”
Shock robbed Keira of speech for a few seconds. She’d heard of this man. He was the vampire Tobias Caine had been tasked with finding and punishing for the murder of Kai Vardan, the leader of Talis.
What had Caladh gotten her into? Did he even know that Natchook or Liuz, or whatever his name was, was involved? This was about more than a pret trying to bring more prets through the rift.
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