Illarion stopped me when we reached the bed and gently turned me toward him.
‘Go slow.’ He whispered, tracing gentle lines across my arms.
‘I can do that.’
A dangerous glint filled his dark eyes and when I slowly stepped closer, he pulled me against him, kissing me like it was the first time.
Every cell inside my body was waking up, Illarion must have felt it because each second that passed was filled with a deeper desire and somehow, I didn’t think he’d have the patience to hold on and go slow.
Either way, it didn’t matter, we were here together.
Standing skin to skin, our bodies flush, I breathed in deeply and slowly led him backwards to the bed, when the back of my legs hit the mattress, I sat down, pulling him over me.
That’s when a side of Illarion I’d never seen, came through. His eyes lowered, and his lips dipped to my pulse. He’d always been gentle and patient, but the tenderness flowing between us now was unlike anything I’d ever felt and that made me crazy for him.
He was the spark I’d been missing and with each slow caress and gentle kiss, I unraveled faster than I could believe.
My hands floated across his skin and with each passing second, I was growing weaker and more desperate. He knew, and he was on the same page.
Finally, after what seemed like the longest wait of my life, Illarion positioned himself above me and carefully eased our bodies together. A broken gasp was caught in the kiss he pressed to my lips as he slipped his hand to my waist and pulled me up toward him.
Fire filled my veins fueling the static in the air around us, a familiar build of power soared through me and where it normally would have fried everything connected to a power source, instead it simmered, gently billowing out around us, lifting small objects into the air.
Illarion looked around in awe and steadily brought his eyes back to mine.
‘You’re incredible.’ He whispered, cupping my cheek.
Returning his smile, I closed my eyes, breathing him in.
‘I think this was a bad idea.’
When he raised himself up to his elbow, his eyes found mine and questioning look met me.
‘I think going slow was stupid.’ I clarified.
A smirk quickly filled his features.
With little persuasion, he kissed me deeply and increased the pace. Painful sensitivity rolled through me with each movement and I held onto him, pulling him down, willing him to increase the friction.
He slipped his hand under me, arching my back up.
His breath hitched with each motion and finally, the tension began building until neither could hold out any longer. His muscles tensed under my fingertips as he held onto me and then when the first wave of explosive tremors rocked through us, he folded.
A cry was caught on my lips as another and another rolled through us. He gripped my hips tightly until the tremors slowed and I could barely hold onto him.
We collapsed side by side letting our breathing even out.
When I could finally speak again, I turned on my side, smiling.
‘So, what’s for dinner?’ I pulled the sheets up and leaned against the bedhead.
Illarion chuckled beside me, pressing a kiss to my forehead.
‘Chicken and mushroom carbonara with ricotta tortellini.’
My eyes widened, ‘Seriously?’
‘I usually put bacon in, but you didn’t have any. I used it all when I made breakfast a few days ago.’
Laughing, I shook my head.
‘What?’
‘You’re incredible.’
‘I know.’ He nodded with a grin. ‘Dinner in bed?’
‘I think that’s a perfect idea.’
‘Done.’
***
The very last piece of tortellini went down like heaven. I couldn’t believe how good it tasted, if I’d attempted to put together the ingredients he found in my fridge, it wouldn’t have been anywhere near as palatable.
Illarion watched in fascination as I devoured every last piece even licking the fork completely clean.
‘Oh my God,’ I let out a satisfied breath. ‘That was so good.’
‘What have you been living on?’
When I laughed, he shook his head.
‘You don’t want to know.’
‘You can cook.’ He said with a smile. ‘But you don’t?’
‘No.’ I picked up his empty plate and placed it on top of mine. ‘I really don’t have the time; I’m usually working sixteen-hour days.’
He frowned, pulling on his Calvin’s before taking the plates from me. Before I could argue he shot me a look. Groaning, I released my hold on them, letting him take them to the kitchen and when he returned, he sat back down and in all his glory, I got to appreciate the grace of his movement and his statuesque frame.
‘You’re working yourself too much.’
‘Maybe.’
‘I’m serious.’ He said quietly, turning his body toward me. ‘Why are you taking on so many cases?’
‘Because I can help, so I do.’
‘That’s not the complete truth, is it?’
Shielding a smile, I turned my eyes down. How could I forget that I couldn’t get anything past him?
‘Hey.’ He tipped my chin up. ‘They’re lucky to have you, but you’re wearing yourself thin.’
‘That obvious, huh?’
‘Little bit.’ He gave me a small smile. ‘Why are you doing it?’
‘It’s a distraction.’
He pressed a soft kiss to my cheek and pulled me into his arms.
‘What are you distracting yourself from?’
‘Illarion,’ I stopped him. ‘I don’t need this.’
‘What?’
‘This, this knight in shining armor charade.’
‘I know you don’t.’ He said, taken aback. ‘That’s not what this is.’
‘What is it then?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Well you’re not here to cook and clean for me, so what is it then? You pity me? You want to make me open up and bare my soul to you?’
‘I don’t want anything you can’t give, Ace.’
‘And you’re not here because you want to know what happened in Paris.’
‘I do want to know what happened there, but you’ll tell me when you’re ready.’
‘I lost control and I killed him. that’s what happened.’
‘It’s not that simple, is it?’
I clamped my mouth shut.
‘I told you that I’m not here for anything you can’t give. But you have to give me something.’
‘They told me about the Legion.’
Illarion’s eyes narrowed. ‘What is that?’
‘No idea, but something to do with whatever that note meant, something to do with the end.’
‘The note you and Matt found?’
‘Yes.’
‘Okay, I’ll get someone onto it.’
Illarion looked hurt.
He pulled back and got up, his eyes averted from mine and his body defensively stiff.
Shit. ‘Ila. I’m sorry.’ I groaned. ‘I’m just, all of this is messing with my head. I don’t know what’s going on.’
‘I understand.’ He said simply.
And there it was, I’d blown it.
Going back to the conversation Aurel and I had, I repositioned myself, facing him completely.
His attention immediately returned to me. I crossed my legs and began; it was the least I could do.
‘Illarion…’
‘It’s fine, Ace, I get it. You don’t have to say anything.’
‘The nightmares I told you about. I think they’re Dalca.’
Illarion looked back at me.
‘I already told you that he torments me, tells me he’ll find me again. But I didn’t tell you that I feel him, in this plane, not just in my dreams.’
His features hardened and he sat.
‘It comes in waves, he’ll be
there when I’m making coffee, or trying to read…it’s only a glimmer, but it’s him.’
A cold spread through me forcing a shiver to the surface, Illarion noticed, wrapping the throw over my shoulders.
‘I told Aurel about it. He doesn’t believe me, I could see it on his face. But I know what I feel, and every day, for the past three months, it’s been getting stronger. Like he’s pulling me in, trying to drag me away from this world.’
‘The Darkness you feel, it’s a part of this isn’t it?’
‘Yes. I’ve never felt such a massive loss of control, Ila. Never. Even back…in New York, I knew I was in there somewhere. This, it’s different.’
‘It’s growing.’
‘Yes, but it’s more than that, it’s reacting to him, the way the connection inside me, reacts to you.’
Illarion scrubbed his jaw, looking away momentarily.
‘You don’t believe me.’ I murmured, keeping my eyes on his face.
He didn’t respond, not right away, but a line in his jaw feathered and then his eyes were back on mine.
‘It’s impossible to explain.’ I said with a shake of the head. ‘It’s always been there, but it’s broken, out of tune and it’s slowly getting clearer.’
His gaze dropped for a moment before he returned his attention to me and took my hands in his.
‘Please don’t look at me like that.’
‘Like what?’
‘Like you think I’m going crazy, or already there.’
A half smile found me, before he cupped my cheek.
‘I do believe you, Ace. I’m just trying to think of all the possibilities.’
‘In a world like ours, anything’s possible.’
He considered me for a moment. ‘You know yourself better than anyone, Ace. Think hard, is it identical? Is there something that doesn’t feel right? Anything that could rule him out?’
Going through every dream, every taunt, I set my mind on a dangerous path. It could break apart all the walls I’d built, and it could push me to a point I was afraid I wouldn’t come back from. And, after yesterday, I wasn’t about to risk reaching that level of Darkness again.
‘I won’t let you get to that point again.’ Illarion said softly.
Giving him a quick look, I pushed myself deeper into those memories. There were endless rivers of fear, nothing new, anger and pain, but no Dalca. An exasperated sigh came out before I could stop it. There was nothing. Nothing out of the ordinary.
‘It’s okay. If it is him, we’ll find him, and we’ll do it together.’
Illarion must have sensed the apprehension because a soft, gentle kiss landed on my cheek again.
‘You’re stronger. Stand against him and force him to show his hand. He can’t hurt you in there. Not anymore.’
‘I know.’
‘Good.’ He smiled. ‘Can I use your shower?’
‘Did you seriously just ask if you could use my shower?’
‘It’s your home, Ace. I’m not just taking over.’
‘You’re welcome to use the shower, Ila, and whatever else is in here—which isn’t much.’
‘It’s more than enough.’
‘Yeah, I mean it’s great, the whole apartment is as big as my old living room.’
He chuckled. ‘It’s still your apartment, Ace. You can kick your tenants out.’
‘Hmm. Don’t tempt me.’
With another chuckle I watched him disappear behind the door into the adjoining bathroom taking the moment alone to get dressed and make the bed.
As much as Illarion wanted to do the whole, cook and clean thing for me, I took it upon myself to do it while he was busy. This was still my place and he was my guest. I picked a playlist on Spotify and tied my hair up and began tackling the dishes.
Humming along to Britney Spears, I squeezed more dish liquid onto the sponge and stopped as soon as I caught movement from the corner of my eye.
Dropping the plate, I ignored the loud bang it made shattering in the sink and swiped my hand under the counter.
Silently un-holstering my gun, I aimed it up at the window.
My breath stilled, like it always did when the power inside me surged. I focused on the sounds outside, blocking out the traffic on the bustling streets.
Nothing. Anywhere.
The bathroom door opened, and I spun, holding my gun out, Illarion emerged shirtless, with a low hanging pair of tracksuit pants on.
His eyes quickly found mine, curiosity replacing his initial shock.
Realizing that it was just him, I let out a breath and lowered the gun. He walked over to the window where my gun was aimed seconds ago.
‘What’s wrong?’
‘I saw someone.’
‘Where?’
He was immediately on guard.
‘Fire escape.’
Illarion retrieved his gun from the bag he’d brought along, pulled on a hoodie and rushed back to the window.
He slipped out, silently dropping onto the metal grate and disappeared down the next few flights. There were six floors to get through, and whoever was there, couldn’t have gone too far. As Illarion went down, floor by floor, I went up.
Stepping up over the last grate, I raised my gun, checking the entire perimeter of the roof.
It was clear. There was nothing aside from the rooftop garden and sun lounges but the lingering essence of a Sensitive filtered through the air. It was subtle, but obvious. Whoever it was though, had long since gone.
Tucking my gun into the back of my yoga pants, I jumped down onto the grate and made my way back to my apartment.
Illarion was already there, waiting by the window.
‘Anything?’
‘No.’ I shook my head, stepping back inside. ‘You?’
‘Nothing.’
‘Shit.’
Locking the window, I secured the rest of the apartment and leaned against the counter. Illarion stood in front of me, pressing a hand to either side of me.
‘What did you see?’
‘It was quick, barely a shadow.’
‘Sensitive?’
‘No.’ I ground out, frustration quickly replacing the shock. ‘This is crazy, they’ve never been this close.’
‘This close?’ His voice thickened. ‘This has happened before?’
‘Yeah, few times.’
‘Jesus, Ace.’ Illarion shook his head. ‘Have you reported this to anyone?’
‘There are always people watching me, Illarion.’
‘What are you talking about?’
‘Since I came back,’ I began, looking up into his dark eyes. ‘There’ve always been people watching me, Sensitives, agents, I don’t even know anymore.’
‘That’s why you’ve been working so much.’
‘Every time I go out, someone’s there, at first it scared the hell out of me and then it became a dull ache like everything else.’
Illarion tipped my chin up when I dropped my gaze.
As his presence filled the space between us, I gently pushed past him and turned to the broken plate in the sink.
‘Let me.’
‘I got it.’
‘Ace.’ Illarion said firmly. ‘You’ve cut your hand, let me finish up here.’
Looking down, I sucked in a breath when I saw the steady stream of blood pooling in the bottom of the sink.
‘It’s okay, go. I’ll clean this up.’
Wrapping a kitchen towel over the cut I moved into my bathroom and turned the tap on in the basin and washed the wound under the stream. The cut was already healing. This was a lot faster than it had ever been which made life a lot easier, thankfully the wound in my shoulder was barely a dull memory now.
A few minutes later I turned the water off and dumped the bloody towel in the wash basket.
Illarion had completely cleaned out the sink and thrown out the broken dish.
‘Okay?’
Holding my hand up, I nodded.
‘There’s something else.’ I
said.
‘What is it?’
‘There were traces of a Sensitive on the roof, I felt their essence. They couldn’t have been gone long.’
‘Has this happened before?’
‘No,
‘That changes things for us. I want to set up surveillance.’ Illarion said softly. ‘Keep a tail on you.’
‘Fine.’
‘I know it’s not ideal. But we have to take this risk seriously. I’ll speak to the store across the road, they have cameras panning across the street. I checked them out before.’
‘The feed doesn’t reach all the way up here.’
‘It doesn’t have to.’ Illarion explained, ‘We just need to see who appears beside the fire escape.’
‘Good call.’
‘Not my first rodeo.’ He winked. ‘I’ll go and talk to them.’
‘Wait.’ I gripped his hand. ‘Don’t go now.’
‘I’m not okay with some guy creeping around your apartment.’
‘I’m not either.’ I said defensively. ‘Believe me. But I don’t want you to go.’
He crossed the space between us and ran his hands over my arms.
‘Okay.’ He smiled. ‘Tomorrow. First thing.’
‘Okay.’
‘Now.’ He settled beside me. ‘Since this new development, I want to go over everything we’ve done so far. What did Xiao give you?’
‘Think it could have something to do with my visitor?’
‘Maybe. I don’t want to rule anything out.’
Leaning back against the bench, I shrugged. ‘He said that the stuff in the safe is about a biochemical weapon, Ila.’
‘Shit.’
‘You know what he’s talking about?’
‘Not entirely, no.’ He frowned. ‘What else did he say?’
‘He said it had to do with me.’
‘It mentioned you by name?’
I nodded.
‘What else?’
‘Damon ordered the commission of the safe, so whatever is in there, goes back a long time.’
He ran a hand over his face.
‘This isn’t the first time we’ve heard about this weapon, Ace.’
‘What are you talking about?’
‘There was mention of it in Dalca’s file notes, also some encrypted files Josh helped me pull.’
‘Did it mention this group at all?’
‘Not by name, but there was mention of some sort of cataclysmic event, something that would make the two realms, yours and ours, collide opening a tear.’
Jack of Hart- Wild Card Page 15