Storm Mistress

by Rivers, Brandy L

  "I don't know," she cried.

  * * * *

  Her phone started ringing. Her father's tone. As much as Preston wanted to ask, he held his tongue. He could get the information another way. He hoped his restraint proved something to her.

  "Should I leave?" he asked casually.

  She sighed. "I'm not answering. I refuse to help him."

  While he believed that, he had to wonder how much she knew about her father's situation. Like the fact he was wanted for treason and a laundry list of crimes against women. Or the fact that, last he heard, Remus was near-death when he escaped.

  Then his phone started-up again. He sighed. "I should probably find out what has Robert’s panties in a wad. He's never this persistent."

  "Go ahead. I need a shower."

  "I'd rather join you.”

  "Look, I'm beginning to believe you. But I still need time to think. Without you clogging up my head. So you go to work, or whatever. Let me decompress. Tonight you can take me out."

  Preston pushed his fingers through his hair. "I'll call you once I know what he wants. If I'm on assignment, I may not be able to take you out."

  She chewed her lip a moment. "You'll call either way?"

  "I will. I want to see you tonight. We’ll figure something out."

  Nodding, she turned and shut herself in the bathroom.

  * * * *

  Preston pulled his clothes on, snagged his phone, and left Dacia’s house. He climbed into his Maserati and pressed his fingers against his temples trying to subdue the migraine.

  Whatever was going on, he was lost, and he hoped Robert might have answers. Without checking his messages or texts, he called his oldest friend.

  “About time,” Robert answered.

  "Sorry. It's been a crazy morning."

  "Where are you?" Robert asked urgently. That tone meant Robert planned to translocate his happy ass to wherever they needed to be.

  "Fuck me. I'll warn you now, I'm hung-over. Hurling on you is a definite possibility if you zap me around."

  "I'll take that chance. We need you. Before your connections with the fae break the treaty and hunt Remus Arc down themselves."

  "I could drive to Seattle to meet with Toryn Flame."

  "Where are you, exactly?"

  “Three blocks from my place."

  "Meet me there. You can drive. You do sound like hell."

  "Thanks." He plugged his phone in and drove to meet Robert.

  * * * *

  Dacia stood in her bathroom until Preston left. She believed him and was scared to death she might be wrong. On impulse, she made a rash decision to follow him.

  She skipped the shower, and phased out, taking up residence in the Maserati. She only caught one side of the conversation, but the name Toryn Flame caught her attention.

  Dacia knew Preston was working on finding her father. However, he hadn’t asked about Remus for over a week. Then, out of nowhere, he asked to take her to her cousin’s place for a housewarming party last night.

  Amazingly, not one person asked about her father when they probably should have.

  Which was why she decided to give in to temptation in the first place. She needed to know if Preston was for real, and the best way was to let him closer to see what he would do. What’s the saying? Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.

  The bond was a surprise. Remus had told her half-fae couldn’t bond, though she honestly didn’t know if that was true. Her father filled her with so many twisted truths and prejudiced beliefs, it was hard to know what to believe.

  Preston parked his car in front of his apartment and Robert appeared in the seat next to him. His brow arched as he looked over. “You look like hell.”

  “I warned you. I’m hung-over.”

  “Should I drive?”

  “Fuck you. I like this car.” Preston pulled back onto the street and pushed the pedal to the metal. “What the hell did I miss?”

  “For starters, Toryn wants an update. He says the queen wants news. Plus, they are ready to sign the treaty.”

  “I’m working on it on getting information. At least they are cooperating, though,” Preston answered.

  “What happened last night? Why are you in this state? I don’t remember you ever drinking enough to leave you incapacitated.”

  “Honestly?”

  “Yes, honestly.” Robert answered with narrowed eyes as his hand wrapped around the door handle in a death grip.

  “I think someone slipped me something at Toryn’s party.”

  Dacia almost materialized to beat him upside the head, or worse. Knowing he didn’t remember hurt like a bitch.

  Robert snorted. “Dacia? You took her to the party. Are you sure it wasn’t her?”

  Preston’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. He didn’t hesitate to answer. “No. It wasn’t her. I know it wasn’t her. I wish I remembered more of last night.”

  Robert’s brow arched. “How are you so certain?”

  “I was with her all night. I don’t believe she would drug me, and then seduce me with the way she wants to believe what I feel is real.”

  “What do you feel?” Dacia smiled as Robert spoke the words on her mind.

  “I’m not ready to define it. I know I want her. That there’s something there, but she’s making it really damned hard with the way she runs hot and cold.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Doesn’t matter, I want her so damned bad I’ll endure it. I need to know what this is.”

  Robert shook his head. “You sure you aren’t simply ready to settle down and she’s the first woman available?”

  “It’s not that. If it was that simple, I would have moved on already. You know me, I don’t stay and fight for a woman who doesn’t want me. She’s pretty damned insistent about shoving me away. I need to figure out how to convince her to give me a real chance.”

  In that honest moment, Preston did convince her. He wasn’t using her for information, and he could have. She travelled back home before they made the freeway.

  Mending Scars is coming this winter.