Asmia had feared she would say that. However, as Penelope’s ritarro, she could deny Obsidian’s ereswa nothing. It was her honor and her duty to tend to Penelope’s every need. Not that the female asked for much, which was both a blessing and a curse. Without something to do, Asmia was left with far too much time to think. And since there was only one thing on her mind these days, the less solitary time she had, the better.
Penelope patted the leather cushion beside her. “Come on. You’re making me tired with all your pacing.”
Reluctantly, Asmia made her way over.
“What’s on your mind?” Penelope probed.
Asmia sighed, a dramatic sound she’d been holding in for so long. On its heels, a sob escaped.
“Oh, Asmia,” Penelope whispered, leaning over and putting her arm around Asmia’s shoulders. “It’s going to be all right. He’ll be back soon.”
“He won’t,” she countered, giving in to the comfort, allowing Penelope to embrace her.
“He will. He just needs some time.”
That seemed to be the consensus these days. What Asmia didn’t understand was why he needed time away from her. Ever since Perfidious had manipulated her mind, it was as though he didn’t want to be near her. It wasn’t like Asmia’d had anything to do with that. She hadn’t recognized the demon at the club, hadn’t purposely given in to him. Yet she was the one being punished for it.
Sniffling, Asmia forced herself to sit up. She accepted the tissues Penelope held out, taking the box and settling it in her lap. She popped one out. Then another. Two more for good measure.
“I’m fine, really.”
“You’re not, but you will be.”
As was expected of her, Asmia nodded and forced a smile. “If there’s nothing else I can get you, I think I’ll go down to the kitchen, see if they need any help.”
Penelope nodded, her golden eyes full of understanding. It pained Asmia to know she was dragging down the entire house. Their concern, their pity, they were more than she could bear, but she couldn’t seem to get away from them.
“How about a movie before bed?” Penelope suggested. “We’ll grab Winnie and Acadia.”
Asmia nodded. “Of course.”
“Asmia, you know you can talk to me about anything, right?”
She knew that. She did. But the thought of burdening anyone with her problems, especially Penelope, made her heart ache. Penelope and Obsidian were happy, their lives together just beginning. Penelope was pregnant, for heaven’s sake. The last thing she needed was for Asmia to get all blubbery on her.
“I know. And I appreciate the offer,” she said softly.
Penelope’s disappointed sigh rang loudly in her ears as she slipped out of the library, making her way toward the stairs.
No sooner had she stepped off the last step than Taayin strolled around the corner. They both came up short, no words spoken between them. Not at first. He seemed as surprised to see her as she was him.
When he began walking again, his steps bringing him closer, Asmia’s breath lodged in her throat. He was finally here, standing before her. Surely, she should say something. Anything. Except her voice wasn’t working.
Taayin offered a nod of his head, then strolled right past her to the stairs. Asmia turned to see him ascending them two at a time. He never looked back, and another piece of her heart splintered, the pain so strong she would’ve gone to her knees if Obsidian hadn’t appeared. Insistent she would not look weak before him, Asmia forced steel into her spine, then lifted her head.
“Good evening,” he greeted, his eyes narrowing as they settled over her.
Asmia smiled. “If you’re looking for Penelope, she’s in the library.”
“I’m actually looking for Reidar. Have you seen him?”
Asmia shook her head. “Not since the evening meal.”
Obsidian nodded. “Everything all right?”
She held her smile in place by sheer force of will. “Of course.”
Clearly, he didn’t believe her, but thankfully Obsidian didn’t press.
If he had, Asmia would’ve crumbled like a house of cards.
Hunting down Reidar was quickly turning into a pain-in-the-ass mission. One would imagine the ladeare in charge of manning the schedule for the fiestreigh would be easily located. So not the case.
Obsidian was about to reroute to the library when he heard raised voices coming from the game room. Rather than waltz over, he paused on the far side, staring over the railing to see Reidar and Winnie going nose to nose, their anger and frustration palpable.
He’d heard in recent days that the pair of them were arguing nonstop, enough that others in the mansion were getting concerned. As he watched them, it was hard to believe they’d only been together a few short weeks and Reidar was convinced she was his amsouelot. Not that destined souls wouldn’t have normal, everyday problems like all couples, but he found it difficult to believe they couldn’t find a common ground.
“I need you to make a decision, Reidar. And I need you to do it now.”
Reidar thrust his hand through his hair. “I’m not doing this right now. In case you forgot, I’ve got a job to do.”
“Oh, I haven’t forgotten,” Winnie snarled. “It’s all you ever do. I’m starting to think you love your job more than you love me.”
It wasn’t his place to say anything, nor was it his place to interfere, so Obsidian slipped down the hall to the library. He peeked inside to see his ereswa curled up on the leather sofa with a book in her hands. It hadn’t been all that long ago when she’d first come to this room and he’d introduced her to some of the fiestreigh. Hard to believe only a few months had passed since then, yet so much had changed.
“What’s got your attention, ayreme?” he asked as he closed the door behind him.
The smile she gifted him with was one he longed to see on her face every day. He’d made it his mission to ensure she had every reason to smile, because she’d completed him in ways he’d never imagined.
“I thought you were meeting with your brothers.” Penelope set the book down on the table.
“All taken care of.”
“And Kaj and Bijou? They’re staying?”
“For now.” Obsidian eased onto the sofa beside Penelope, then shifted her into his lap without preamble, a move he was sure she was getting used to.
She giggled as she got situated.
“I was hoping to talk to Reidar. That’s why I’m up here.”
Penelope’s eyes shifted to the door. “I think there’s trouble in paradise.”
“Sounds like it.”
His ereswa pressed her cheek to his shoulder. “I’m starting to wonder if Reidar moved a little too quickly with her.”
Obsidian was wondering the same thing.
“I’ve tried talking to Winnie, but…” Penelope exhaled heavily. “I can tell she’s not happy here. I’ve tried my best to include her, but I think she’s homesick.”
Obsidian rested his hand over the gentle swell of Penelope’s belly. He still couldn’t believe they were having a baby. That in only a few short months, their little male or little female would be in the world. There was no denying Obsidian was also terrified by the prospect of bringing a child into existence. As far as he was aware, a babe hadn’t been born to angels on Earth before. And though pregnancies were extremely rare, the survival rate was good. He wasn’t worried in that regard. Mostly.
However, they’d yet to figure out the logistics of the birth. Considering there were no healers within the fiestreigh, Obsidian had some concerns. It seemed logical that they should have someone available who could assist if there were issues. He’d yet to discuss those worries with Penelope, though. The last thing he wanted was to cause any unnecessary anxiety.
“What’s on your mind?” Penelope’s hand rested over his.
He pressed his lips to her forehead. “Just reminding myself how lucky I am.”
“You are that,” she teased. “On a serious note
, is there anything I should know about vampires now that Bijou is here and possibly staying for a while?”
“Such as?”
“For starters, how do they feed?”
“The same as you and I.”
“From the Fae?”
“Technically, they feed from their own kind, but yes, they can utilize the Fae.”
“What about humans? Should I be worried about Oliver?”
Obsidian chuckled. “I’m not sure anyone should be worried about him. As far as feeding, Bijou would need stronger blood than Oliver’s to survive, so no, I don’t think you have to worry about that.”
“I guess I should make sure there’s a male Fae in residence at all times.”
“Probably a good idea.”
“Speaking of feeding…” Penelope’s fingers trailed over his neck.
His cock swelled from the gesture alone. “Are you hungry, ayreme?”
“I’m eating for two, remember?” Penelope repositioned so that she was straddling his hips.
He growled softly as he nuzzled her neck. “Then by all means, you should take what you need from me.”
While she proceeded to do just that, Obsidian contributed, too, providing the orgasms they both needed.
The rest they could worry about in the coming weeks. Right here, right now, satisfying this female was the only thing that mattered.
Chapter Six
As was always the case, life seemed to get in the way of Orianna’s best-laid plans. Hence the reason it had taken three days before she could wrangle the time necessary to scout the abandoned warehouse Jed had told her about.
Feeling like an idiot, Orianna leaned to her left and peered through the grimy window, attempting to catch sight of someone inside. What she glimpsed was nothing more than rows of empty metal shelving units, half a dozen wooden pallets, a step ladder, and what appeared to be the corpse of a forklift, its metal guts strewn across the chipped and scarred concrete in front of it.
Fourth building and, unless she counted finding three homeless men asleep in one of the buildings, fourth disappointment.
She was quickly coming to the conclusion that Jed was a dick. There hadn’t been a soul at the warehouse he’d sent her to, nor at any of the others she’d walked by on her way back to the main drag, except for the one providing shelter to the vagabonds. And she hadn’t simply peeping-Tom’d it as she’d passed by. Oh, no. Orianna could add breaking and entering to her list of mad skills. After all, she didn’t expect some underground gambling ring to set up shop in plain sight. Nor did they seem to have a preference for cold and dreary, either.
But the Telluride PD would be happy to know there were no illicit games taking place under their noses. At least not out here.
Which meant Orianna was back to square one, a place she seemed to have frequented far too often in the past six years. A place she was quickly growing tired of being.
With a sigh, she continued to make her way back to Colorado Avenue, peeking in more windows, filling with more disappointment. By the time her destination was in sight, she was cold and tired. Not to mention completely disillusioned.
“Well, now, don’t you look tasty.”
Spinning toward the voice coming from behind her, Orianna dropped her hand to her thigh and the knife she had sheathed beneath her skirt. The instant her eyes landed on the man, fear rippled in her throat. There was something eerie about him, and not merely in the creeper sort of way, either. There was a menace that seemed to surround him like algae, thick and nasty.
It wasn’t so much his appearance. Aside from the fact he was wearing all black and his face seemed oddly pale, he looked relatively normal as far as facial features went. Maybe even a bit more attractive than was usual for men. However, that underlying ominousness did nothing for his appeal.
“Sorry, buddy, not interested,” she told him, grateful her voice was stronger than her wobbly knees.
Feigning a casualness she didn’t feel, Orianna turned around and continued walking. Heavy footsteps sounded behind her and she knew the man was following. It took everything in her not to take off at a run.
“Where you headin’ off to in such a hurry?” he taunted, his voice closer than before.
“To see my boyfriend,” she lied. “He’s up here waiting for me.”
The man chuckled, the sound dripping with contempt. “Sweetness, didn’t anyone ever tell you it’s not nice to lie?”
Without looking back, she called out over her shoulder, “Didn’t anyone ever tell you not to be an asshole?”
“Ah, honey, I’m just trying to be friendly. Don’t you want to be friends?”
Hoping he’d leave if she ignored him, Orianna quickened her pace, grateful she’d opted for her leather high-tops tonight.
The main street was only two blocks up. Not that there were many people out yet, considering it was still relatively early for a Friday, but if she was lucky, a car or two would drive by and send this guy elsewhere.
She cleared one entire block, her destination so close she could taste it when she caught sight of another person stepping out of the shadows. From this distance, she couldn’t make them out, but based on their smaller, thinner build, Orianna got the feeling it was a woman who was now heading straight for her.
Shit.
Had she been anyone else, anywhere else, Orianna might’ve considered this a good thing. However, luck had never been on her side. Not once in all the time she’d been alive, so why in the world would it be now?
“You did well, Harlan,” the woman crooned, her face cast in the shadow from the streetlamp behind her. “She’s certainly lovely. I can see why they’re looking for her.”
They? What the hell was she talking about?
Orianna stopped on the sidewalk, considered her options. Directly in front of her was the woman, behind her the man. To her right an abandoned warehouse, its identical twin across the street on her left. She had nowhere to go unless she went around or through one of the two people who were getting closer by the second. Her odds of laying them both out at once were slim to none, but taking one out wasn’t out of the realm of possibility.
“Look how pretty she is,” the woman said as she approached.
Doing her best to keep her distance but hoping to get a glimpse of the woman, Orianna sidestepped, moving into the street. The woman turned with her, stopping as though gauging her next move. The man, on the other hand, was still advancing, only a few yards separating them.
“I don’t have any money,” she told them, attempting to move toward the main street and keep a safe distance between her and these assholes.
“We don’t want your money, honey,” the man said, his voice ringing with amusement.
Of course he would get off on intimidating a woman, wouldn’t he?
“We just want to talk,” the woman said.
“About what? The weather?” she snapped, feeling a rush of adrenaline now that she was gaining ground to the main road.
“Funny,” the woman retorted.
“I wasn’t going for funny,” Orianna bit out.
She turned to run, but before she could get her feet to meld with the pavement, the man was in front of her.
Like directly in front of her. Without passing by her.
Frowning, she peered over her shoulder. What the fuck?
Her feet faltered, causing her to stumble as she tried to put space between her and Harry Houdini here. And if that hadn’t been weird enough, Orianna blinked and the woman was standing beside her. As though she’d abra-cadabra’d to her side.
“We won’t hurt you, pretty girl,” the woman said, her voice oddly seductive.
“Then what do you want?” Orianna insisted. “And don’t tell me it’s to talk.”
The woman lifted her head, her black eyes glittering with evil. Orianna knew she needed to run, but her legs wouldn’t get with the program, as though she’d been submerged in quicksand.
“You’re looking for your sister, aren’t yo
u?” The woman’s pale face tilted to the side, sinister eyes studying her.
Suddenly, Orianna stopped trying to fight. “How do you know that?”
“Amber, is it?” the man taunted.
Orianna tried to keep her eyes on both of them, but it wasn’t working. They were moving around her, circling and assessing.
“Tell you what,” the woman prompted, “meet me at this party, and I’ll tell you exactly where you can find your dear sister, Amber.”
“What party?”
The woman conjured a small card, passed it over.
Orianna snatched it, making sure there was no skin-to-skin contact. She glanced at the address jotted in small block letters.
“Do you know her?” Orianna demanded. “My sister.”
“I’ll tell you everything you need to know when I see you. Party starts in half an hour. Don’t be late.”
Before she could launch another question, they both vanished into thin air. Orianna spun around, peering into the shadows, trying to see which way they’d gone.
Because there was no way in hell she would believe they’d simply gone up in smoke.
Nope.
No way.
After chowing down at the evening meal, then checking in with the fiestreigh in the war room, Eclipse met up with Magnar to get an update on Orianna.
Looking not at all happy about being pulled in from the field, the male had relayed what Eclipse had come to expect: Orianna was working at night, sleeping during the day, and for the past few days, she’d done nothing else, her little Subaru POS still parked in the same spot it had been in for the past three weeks because she preferred to walk to her destinations.
Not that he’d been hoping for something different. Truth was, Eclipse already knew all of that without ever leaving the mansion.
Granted, that didn’t mean he should be sitting on his thumbs. He knew he needed to be out there, spending some time following Orianna, instigating their formal introduction, but as had been the case for the past few weeks, he couldn’t bring himself to do it.
Not because he didn’t want to engage with her. Eclipse wanted that more than his next breath, and he’d proven as much with their early-morning telepathic interactions. It had been a risk to slip into her mind, but he’d taken it time and time again. The other morning, he’d even gone so far as to tell her he couldn’t keep going on like this. A moment of weakness on his part, but that didn’t make it any less true.
Salvation in Darkness (Misplaced Halos Book 2) Page 6