She swallowed the lump in her throat. “Maxim left me a message. He pretended he was in danger. I though the killer had gone after him. When I arrived, he overpowered me. You know the rest.” A shiver ran through the marrow of her bones as she remembered the hate and insanity in Maxim’s yellow eyes. “And no, I didn’t go to his house for…whatever. Maxim and I were over, even before you kissed me.”
“Really? I’m supposed to believe that you two were done and you came running the instant he called for help?” Gavin’s voice dropped an octave. “Were you planning to continue seeing both of us? Or just me after you found out Maxim was a killer?”
Lava-hot outrage spread through her at his accusation. “I don’t know. When were you planning to tell me about your redhead? Are you two planning to reunite in London?”
Gavin scrunched up his forehead. “What are you talking about?”
Heat crept into her face. He didn’t know she had seen the photos. He would be livid once she came clean about going through his personal stuff, but she had said too much already, she couldn’t backpedal. “I found the album in your office. I was searching for the inventory.” Her head and neck stooped heavy with shame, and Sierra wished the ground would swallow her whole. “It doesn’t matter. Let’s just go to London and pretend like nothing ever happened,” she mumbled.
She only made it a few steps before Gavin’s hand clamped down on her shoulder. His breath tickled her skin.
“I’m single. I’ve been single for the last three years.”
Slowly, she looked at him.
“The photos you found, when going through my drawer, were of a girl I knew in high school.” No inflection in his voice, but the pain on his face was unmistakable.
Sierra cleared her throat. “I didn’t take you for the nostalgic type to have keepsakes,” she justified.
Gavin sighed. His fists clenched and unclenched several times. “I kept it as a reminder to never again make somebody my priority, for whom I’m nothing more than a pastime.”
She didn’t know what to reply, yet she understood too well. Ben had been her whole world at one point. She hadn’t been his. At the first sign of inconvenience, he had bailed.
“You misunderstood my apology. It wasn’t because I don’t find you attractive or because I think kissing you is a mistake. I just don’t do relationships. I’m not good at this.” Gavin motioned with his arms. “Too much shit has happened in my life. You deserve someone better, someone undamaged.”
Was that how he viewed himself? Her first instinct was to reassure him, but then she rethought her approach. If she said something nice, he would perceive it as pity.
She jutted her hip out. “I see. And when I find someone else, you won’t act all jealous and possessive, right? You won’t mind somebody else kissing and touching me, seeing us together?”
With one swift move, Gavin closed the space between them. His hands cupped her face; his lips met hers. Sierra breathed in his woodsy scent, leaned into his strong body, absorbing his heat. The kiss was filled with desire yet tender. Fizzy, liquid need pulsated through her, leaving her lightheaded when Gavin pulled away.
“Don’t you dare say this was a mistake too,” she said, catching her breath.
“I won’t say that, but I will repeat: I’m not good with relationships. I don’t want to disappoint you. I’ve lost so many people, it’s easier to be alone.”
A few sentences. In a few sentences, Gavin conveyed more than in the last four weeks. It wasn’t that he didn’t care; it was that he cared too much. His aloof behavior was his way of guarding against heartache.
Sierra could relate to this. In a way, she had done the same her whole life. Her approach involved settling for less, doubting herself, her worth, and her powers. Gavin didn’t allow anyone in, didn’t allow others to see the real him, for fear he would become vulnerable. The possibility of losing a loved one again too much to bear.
“You’re going to miss out on a lot if you allow fear to dictate your choices.”
“I want the best for you, Sierra. A guy who has no trouble telling you how he feels about you. A guy who’s easy, charming, agreeable.” His eyes shone with conviction. He truly believed what he said. Too bad she disagreed with him.
“That guy you’re describing wouldn’t be you. Plus, he would probably bore me to death, and I would overwhelm him with my stubbornness.”
A tiny smiled crept up Gavin’s face.
“Let me be the judge of what’s good for me, okay? I don’t want someone who’s easy. I want you.”
He tilted his head. “You barely know me. You might not like me.”
“Perhaps. But I’m willing to take the risk, and I’ve already seen your annoying qualities.” He raised his eyebrow in silent question. “I can deal with aloof and bossy, Gavin.”
He chortled. “Really? Is that what you think I’m like?”
“Yes. Don’t you?” Sierra leaned in, her lips brushing his.
Gavin kissed her back, none of the hesitation in his mouth or touch. When he leaned back, he whispered, “I don’t know what this is between us or what it could be, but yesterday when you were in danger, I nearly lost it. I want you in my life.”
Him admitting this meant the world to her. A lot of uncertainty remained, but she knew either of them running from their feelings wouldn’t solve anything.
Hand in hand, they boarded the plane. Sierra’s eyes widened as she realized they were flying first class. A British flight attendant came by with a tray of champagne glasses. Sierra followed Gavin’s lead and took one. If last night had been straight out of a horror film, this day felt like the opening scene of a Hollywood romance.
“Who will take care of Veneficia while you’re in London?” she asked, fastening her seat belt.
“Jillian will take over some managing responsibilities, and Whitney will step up as well. Gio will be the marshal and report to Louis. Everything should run smoothly.” Gavin scooted closer to her, his knees touching hers.
They clinked glasses. A tingling sensation spread through her body. Soon the wheels of the airplane were rolling. Her stomach contracted with anticipation. This was it. She was leaving Savannah and going to London. She tried her best not to panic at the idea of how far away she would be from home. Without Gran, Sierra would have no one to guide her or tell her the rules of the headquarters. She would be on her own. No, that wasn’t true. Gavin would be right next to her.
She tilted her head toward him and his mouth claimed hers. The kiss melted her from the inside out, bliss replacing anxiety.
“Ha, I knew I could smell sexual tension between the two of you from miles away the other day!” The triumphant voice brought an abrupt end to the kiss. Sierra looked up and gawked at Cooper. He winked at her before sitting down next to them.
“Cheers.” Cooper raised his glass, his grin mischievous.
And just like that, a romantic flight for two turned into a trip for three.
Sneak peek
Turn the page for a preview of the next installment by Margo Ryekerk in the Ardere Series.
Mirror Sacrifice
The Ardere Series
Book 2
Coming February 2018!
Excerpt from Mirror Sacrifice
Sierra stared at the empty seat next to her. Gavin had left the compartment as soon as Heathrow Express spurred into motion. He’d said he had to make some calls, but she wondered if he was avoiding her. Their journey from Savannah to London had started out promising. Finally admitting they had feelings for each other, they kissed on the airplane and toasted with champagne. And then Cooper had showed up, and Gavin had become frosty.
Eager to hide her disappointment from Cooper, Sierra turned to the window and focused on the landscape rushing past the train.
The flat, green fields were so unlike her native, hilly Vermont. As for the gray sky and the drizzle of rain, it made her already miss Savannah, the southern Georgian city she had called home for the last month.
&nbs
p; “Dragoons—excellent fighters but rotten communicators,” Cooper said, breaking the silence.
She snorted in response, considering Cooper’s theory. How much of Gavin’s demeanor and difficulty to communicate was due to him being a Dragoon? With their powers being primarily physical, Dragoons weren’t exactly known to be the gushy type.
“Personally, I enjoy communication. Perhaps I should apply for a teaching position at Langcombe Academy,” Cooper mused.
Sierra’s ears perked up. Langcombe Academy was the most prestigious supernatural school in Europe. Was that where she would receive her training? Despite her powers awakening a month ago, she hadn’t had any formal training, due to her Gran’s distrust of the regency. Killed by an Umbra, Gran was gone now, and Sierra needed to learn how to control her powers and how to stay safe from the Culpatus, a group intent on kidnapping her and using her Fluidus abilities.
“Are you excited to meet the elite?” Cooper leaned back and propped his feet up on the seat opposite him. His dark brown, layered hair looked as if it hadn’t seen a comb in days, and his cerulean, buttoned shirt was crumpled from the journey. He didn’t seem to notice or care, his lake-blue eyes at ease. As far as Sierra could tell, no situation made him uncomfortable. He was the most optimistic and relaxed person she had ever met. It made her wonder if all Blurs were like that. If so, was their free-spirited personality connected to their ability to teleport and disintegrate into air or water? If they could escape physical peril, did this enable them to escape psychological stress?
“I’m nervous,” she admitted.
“Why?”
Was he for real? Up until the day of her eighteenth birthday, she’d been clueless to the existence of supernaturals, much less that she was one of them. And now she was going to the British Ardere headquarters to meet the regent, Lady Lorna Windsor, and her court, the elite. On top of that, just when Sierra thought she and Gavin were finally on the same page, he had clammed up. Was it because he was second-guessing the decision to pursue a relationship with her? Or did it have to do with Cooper? Perhaps Gavin was merely not ready to take their relationship public, and that’s why he was giving her the cold shoulder. She sighed. Noticing Cooper’s expectant look, she realized she hadn’t answered his question. What had he asked again? Right, why she was nervous. “It’s my first time abroad.” She debated elaborating further, but then decided to leave it at that. Until today, she had only seen Cooper a handful of times, so there was no need to spill her guts to him.
“I apologize if me accompanying you and Gavin last-minute on your journey… complicated things.” Sincerity replaced the impish expression Cooper tended to wear by default.
“It’s not your fault. You were sent by Lorna, right?” He nodded, and she smiled. As much as she wanted to, she couldn’t blame Cooper for Gavin shutting down. She could understand Gavin’s unwillingness to show PDA, but Cooper’s presence was no reason to barely utter a word in the last twelve hours.
“We’re almost here. Lorna is expecting us so there won’t be time for sightseeing, but I’ll try to point out as many landmarks as I can on our cab ride.” Cooper lifted Sierra’s suitcase from the overhead shelf and put it gently on the ground.
“Thank you,” Sierra said, surprised by how quickly the countryside had given way to high-density architecture. Red and brown brick residential buildings stood next to corner shops and pubs on London’s busy streets, which swarmed with people. Sierra took a deep breath, trying to calm her rapidly beating heart. How she wished Gran was here, or Jillian, the friend she had made in Savannah. Both women were Guardians and always instinctively knew the right thing to say to calm Sierra. But Gran was dead, and it was still nighttime in Savannah, meaning Jillian was fast asleep. Sierra was on her own in navigating the British Ardere headquarters. She longed for the days when she didn’t know she was a rare supernatural and her biggest concerns were curfews and high-school grades.
“Let’s go.” Gavin gave her an odd glance, as if he was seeing her for the first time. She had no time to dwell on it as she stepped onto the platform and admired Paddington station with its vaulted glass dome, countless stores, and hundreds of people in a rush. Sierra jostled her way through the crowd, struggling to keep up with Gavin and Cooper’s quick pace. A myriad of smells, including pizza, noodles, and fried chicken, tempted her as she hurried past various food vendors. With the afternoon tea looming ahead of her, comfort food was out of the question.
A huge pack of tourists blocked one side of the exit while earnest-looking business people scurried down the other side, clasping newspapers and briefcases. Words of different languages pelted down upon her ears.
“Vamonos!”
“Jag kommer att vara sent för klass!”
“Ile to kosztuje?”
In addition to Spanish, Swedish, and Polish, a dozen English accents assaulted her, coming at her from all sides. In Savannah, where foreigners were the exception, not the norm, it had been easy to deal with her omnilingualism. Yet London was a different beast. Less than ten minutes in the bustling city, and already her head throbbed. When Gavin hailed a black cab, Sierra climbed in hastily, eager to escape the cacophony.
Throughout the drive, Gavin remained silent. Fixated on his phone, he was oblivious to the nervousness raging within her. Trying not to read too much into his behavior, Sierra fastened her attention on Cooper, who was playing tour guide.
“Hyde Park, a fantastic place to explore on the few yearly days when London’s rain is on vacation. Westminster Cathedral,”—he pointed at a beautiful red and white Neo-Byzantine building—“a must-see if you’re capable of enduring the several hour-long wait to get inside.”
The famous and gothic Westminster Abbey and Big Ben followed. “It’s not as big as I’d expected,” Sierra admitted about the latter.
“It was built in the nineteenth century,” Gavin commented dryly. At his haughty tone, she scowled. He didn’t notice her misgiving, still preoccupied with his phone.
“When are we meeting Lorna?” Sierra asked, pushing back the cuticles on her nails.
Gavin’s body stiffened. “As soon as we arrive at Atterbury. Lorna will discuss your training and my case.” Gavin’s turquoise eyes were hard and cold. For someone who had insisted on coming to London, he didn’t seem happy to be here.
The cab came to an abrupt stop, jerking Sierra forward, then back into the car seat.
“The Strand. Please follow me,” Cooper said with a playful flourish of his hand. He had mentioned earlier that he had worked for Lorna the last few years as an apprentice, and Sierra bet he knew London as well as a native.
She climbed out of the cab, anxiety at the upcoming meeting turning her back clammy. Her fingers itched to reach out to Gavin and seek his comfort. But her pride won out, and she tucked her hands into her jeans pockets, surreptitiously glancing at him out of the corner of her eye. His chiseled face was schooled into an impenetrable expression, his lips a harsh line.
“Welcome to Atterbury House,” Cooper said.
In front of them stood a grandiose, white building with dramatic columns at the main entrance, atop of which a triangular pediment showcased a war scene, reminiscent of ancient Greek architecture.
Sierra was surprised how much she remembered from her high school history lessons on European architecture. It seemed the onset of her Fluidus powers had sharpened her mind, in addition to improving her senses.
“Who will be present?” Gavin asked, ripping Sierra out of her thoughts.
“I don’t know. Lorna didn’t give me a list.”
Gavin’s jaw twitched at Cooper’s reply, and Sierra tried to understand why Gavin was so on edge. As far as she was concerned, she was the newcomer. He had grown up in the Ardere society and had met Lorna before. This was his world, and he should feel at ease.
Whoosh! One step past the entrance, Sierra’s foot slid forward, and she found herself on her behind.
“You okay?” Cooper held out his hand to help her up. S
he took it, cursing underneath her breath at the polished, marble floor. Her eyes met Gavin’s, and she could read the clear disapproval in them. Well, she wasn’t too fond of him at the moment either. Rubbing down her clothes, she was glad to find her modest sweater-and-jeans attire hadn’t torn. Her mahogany, suede ankle boots, however, now featured dark stains, courtesy of London’s rain-soaked streets. Great, she already felt self-conscious about her first meeting with the supernatural royals, and now she had to worry about her appearance as well.
The empty, long marble corridor with snow-white columns only intimidated her further. Her footsteps reverberated as she passed an array of rooms adorned with velvet couches, gilded chandeliers, and crown moldings, depicting acanthus leaves. Cooper stopped at an intricately carved wooden door, which opened without him knocking.
A gray-haired butler bowed and indicated for them to come inside. “Welcome to the tea room. Lady Lorna Windsor will be with you shortly.”
The three of them perched on a lemon brocade couch, Sierra taking the seat between Cooper and Gavin. She smoothed her hair, noticing this room featured dainty columns in the corners. On them stood porcelain vases filled with pale pink ranunculus blossoms. A majestic Murano glass chandelier hung from the center of the ceiling.
Gavin squeezed her hand. His touch took her by surprise. Grateful for the first reassuring gesture since their journey, she smiled at him. Perhaps she had judged him too harshly, and his distance had nothing to do with her, but with his upcoming mission.
With a clicking noise, the door at the opposite end of the room opened. Gavin let go of her hand as a tall and slender woman, clad in a lilac suit, glided toward them—Lady Lorna Windsor.
Sierra’s breath hitched as her senses screamed: Charmer. She wasn’t too fond of the Ardere faction after the last Charmer she had met—Maxim—had turned out to be a madman and serial killer. He had inflicted terrifying illusions on her and chocked her, and she was still recovering from his viciousness.
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