Andthisis why.
Sighing deeply, I ask, “Did you find Adramelech?” I have to change the subject before the unraveling of all I’ve ever known destroys my sanity.
Kaiden’s hands tighten on the wheel, making the thick ropes of muscles in his forearms flex in a way that sends my pulse spiking through the roof. And with the tattoos and those damn silver rings adorning his fingers? Straight arm porn. I don’t catch the first words he says.Fuck, Iris. Concentrate!
“—bastard is as slippery as an eel. Being Lucifer’s right-hand demon for hundreds of years has allowed him to build strong connections. Someone’s hiding him for sure. With the hatred toward the Conclave blooming in Hell, let’s just say that I’m far from welcome. So even though I tried my best, no one would give away his hideout. You would think it would be easier to bribe demons.”
Tapping my foot against the floorboard, I shift to yet another topic. Might as well get as much information as I can out of him since I don’t plan to be this close to Kaiden ever again. I ignore the annoying voice that screamsliarinside my head. “Any luck with the prophecy?”
“Since the rogue vampires took over the trafficking rings, we saved a few of the enslaved fae, but they know nothing about an oracle. They’re scared. The rescued women mentioned fae meeting places, but because their magic is not from this world, we can’t track them down.”
“I tried to do some research into the fae folk, too,” I say. “My grandmother had all of these books on dark creatures, but the majority were in a strange language, and the only two books in English were some sort of medical journals. Honestly, I didn’t even understand half of the notes, so I gave up.” But maybe I shouldn’t have because they might contain information about what they did to my mother. I don’t tell Kaiden about my mother’s journal. If I want him out of my life, I can’t keep pulling him back in. I need to figure things out myself.
We don’t talk for the rest of the ride. I sense multiple times that Kaiden wants to initiate a conversation, but I pretend he doesn’t exist as I try not to freak out at the thought that my life keeps going downhill at breakneck speed. The sigh of relief leaving my lungs when I spot Sam’s house fills the cabin.
Gaze fixated on the front door, I say, “Thanks for the ride. I’ll give you an update after I talk to Noah. But don’t get any ideas; I’m blocking your number immediately after that.” Not waiting for a response, I get out with my dirty gear in hand, and trudge toward the front door.
28
Iris
“We have a reservation under Noah Pierce.”
The maître d’ doesn’t register the words. She’s too busy ogling him. I’m two seconds away from asking her if she needs a tissue to wipe the metaphorical drool at the corner of her parted lips. It’s not out of jealousy but because I’m tiptoeing that line of becoming hangry.
Okay, I might already be there. It’s mostly because I can’t remember the last time I ate something. Even if I get hungry nowadays, I can’t take more than a few bites because everything still tastes like ash. But if I’m being completely honest with myself, I’ve actually been on edge since Kaiden dropped meoff at Sam’s yesterday. According to Noah, Grayson hasn’t announced Cain’s disappearance yet, but I’m sure it will come out any day now. I’m using these two free days as an excuse to not show my face at the compound and calm the fuck down before I hand in my resignation. I’ll also talk to my aunt about my mother’s journal then.
To give it to the maître d’, Noah does look as if he stepped off a runway in a casual gray suit and a crisp white shirt, his sun-streaked bedroom hair styled to perfection. In comparison to our first date, though, there was no excitement or trepidation when he arrived to pick me up in a flashy Mercedes. More than that, I would have preferred a quiet night in, rotting on the couch.
However, that would have ruined Sam’s hard work. She was right, the dress she ordered for me clings to my every curve. Its open back is not something I would have ever chosen for myself, but it’s not at all indecent because of the high, turtleneck-style neckline and knee length. She also put my hair in a high ponytail and did soft smokey makeup to enhance the blue and violet of my irises.
When Noah repeats his name after a few seconds, the maître’s cheeks turn cherry red before throwing a cursory glance at the clipboard atop the luxurious glass station. She clears her throat. “If you could please follow me, Mr. and Mrs. Pierce.”
“We’re not married,” I blurt out.
“Sorry, my bad,” she replies. Judging by the hopeful glint in her eyes before she turns around to sashay down the corridor in front of us, her remark was intentional.
“Not yet,” Noah chimes in, tone full of mirth, but the heated look he throws me tells me he’s not entirely joking.
Dafuq?
Now I feel the urge to tell her we’re only friends and this is not even a real date. Maybe she would shoot her shot if I did. Eventhough I made things clear when he tried to kiss me, he still doesn’t seem to grasp the notion because he guides me after the hostess by placing a hand at the small of my naked back—as low as the dress allows him. My spine is so stiff it’s going to snap in two any second now. When his palm moves to the side and his fingers slip inside the dress to brush against my belly, I have to bite the inside of my cheek until I taste copper to stop myself from forcefully removing it. I don’t want to cause a scene.
Maybe I’m still reeling after Erik’s assault. But why does it feel like he’s staking a claim?
That aside, Sam wasn’t kidding when she said this restaurant was something else.Holy shit.It reminds me of Kaiden’s penthouse because it’s also on the last floor of a skyscraper, giving the perfect view — through floor-to-ceiling windows — of Ashville bathed in the dusk’s lavender light. And the artwork on the walls alone must have cost millions. There’s even a large white piano at my left, where a pianist is deftly playing a harmonious tune. The interior is a perfect synergy of modern and old with the charm of a speakeasy brought into the twenty-first century, if the speakeasy was also in a magical yet sophisticated jungle, with lush greenery and intricate flower decorations. My bestie is so freakin’ talented. I have to send her a text and let her know she kicked ass as soon as we get seated.
We finally arrive at our table, right next to the window, and Noah drops his hand to pull out my chair. My shoulders sag in relief as I emulate Sam’s feline grace to sit down. Immediately, the waiter makes an appearance, but I can’t concentrate as he prattles on about the special tasting menu they have for tonight because I get that weird feeling again, right below my breastbone, that is somehow tied to Kaiden. I dismiss it as wishful thinking. I would give anything for him to be here right now instead of Noah. For him to take me to his penthouse after dinner and strip me to my skin.
“What do you think, Iris?”
“What was that?”
Noah’s jaw ticks in annoyance. “I asked what you think about the bottle of wine I chose.”
“Sorry, I was admiring the décor. This place is incredible.” He seems to soften at that. I glance at the menu, pretending I know what he’s talking about. “The wine you chose is perfect,” I reply, even though I have no idea what he picked. I only hope it’s white. I hate red wine.
As soon as I finish saying that, a shiver works its way down my spine. I lift my eyes from the menu.
