When we’d arrived this morning, there was a car waiting for Donovan to whisk us away…except he wanted to head straight to Valerie’s house or some of her hangouts and look for the woman causing all the ruckus. He assumed Magnum had warned Valerie, which in and of itself was a violation—telling a human about our powers and how we planned to use them. I too assumed Magnum had shared this private information, and if I guessed correctly, he did the deed long ago.
Our ultimate advantage was our human likeness. Outing our capabilities and the existence of Rubia was frowned upon. Actually, it was forbidden by the Minister and all previous generations. We blended among “regular people,” and we allowed those around us to assume we were the same, unless we were on our own island.
The thought of it caused my heart to pound. It wasn’t often that we used our magic on humans. Mostly, the magic was reserved for Rubians. I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was scared to death over this assignment. Everything about it—spending time with Donovan, hurting a human woman I’d never met, and failing Mama. Especially the latter. As much as my mother annoyed me, pleasing her was the only way to have peace in our home, and while many Rubians moved out and on from their “Houses,” in ours it was only by excommunication. It happened by literally burning someone’s belongings to the ground, and I didn’t want to be the black sheep in that way.
My phone buzzed and I knew better than to ignore it. After all, it could be Mama.
Checking the screen, I noted it was Caro and blew out a sigh of relief. While we’d had our differences, I knew she loved me. She’d come to say good-bye to me late last night as I packed. I might have always been jealous of her ability to please Mama, but we were close.
I picked up. “Car—”
“Turn your phone off,” she warned. “Let it go right to voicemail as soon as we hang up.”
I didn’t have to ask why. Ezza was not only the Minister’s sister, but she was next in line should anything happen to him or if he decided to retire (which was unlikely).
My mother had spent her life trying to live up to her father’s legacy of being the biggest, baddest, boldest Rubian there ever was. Under him, Rubia prospered, procreated, and glowed inits glory era. I believed my mother both feared and revered the Minister position. She would be the first woman to hold it if she ever did, and therefore, she’d spent her life living and breathing Rubian policy. She was going to follow every rule, and make sure everyone else did too.
Gathering myself, I asked Caro, “He reported back, didn’t he?Gawd, Donovan. Am I not allowed a few moments of peace and solitude in the warm weather?”
I took in the ocean not too far off in the distance, lapping at the shoreline, and inhaled the sea breeze. All I’d asked for was one afternoon of this…and Donovan had acquiesced without my having to beg or bat my eyelashes at him, so I didn’t think he’d rat me out. But of course he did.
“He mentioned to his mom that you didn’t go looking for her—the evil seductressas they call her—right away. Mama is on a war path, and there is only so much I can do. She was on a call with the Minister, and you’re probably next. I tried to spread some gentleness on her edges, I promise.”
Caro’s magic allowed her to bestow tranquility on someone. At times, she’d calmed someone so much they’d fallen asleep, but her capabilities didn’t go far with Mama. Our mother was able to shield certain people out, and Caro was one of them. Maybe that was why Caro was the favorite child; she could only be a pawn in my mother’s game.
“She’s going to chew you out.” My sister stated what I already knew. But Caro didn’t always do Mama’s bidding; occasionally, she stood up for me.
“All I wanted was some time to enjoy this moment. The weather, blue sky, a few seconds of freedom. We don’t know how it will end. I’ve never done this before.”
“I know,” she whispered. Then, “Believe in yourself, and turn off your phone” was all she said before disconnecting the call.
Doing as she demanded, I’d followed up with a whopping swig of vino when a knock sounded behind me.
“Dinner?” Donovan stood in the doorjamb in jeans and a polo shirt, the single word coming out as a question.
I lifted my wine to my lips and took a sip.
“Or are you having a liquid diet?”
It was clear he didn’t like my silence, but I was having a quick second to take in the man in front of me. I might be furious with him, but he continued to be equal parts forbidden and enticing.
“Tulya? Hello? Do you want to eat?” His voice was all grumbly and irritated.
It should have pricked at my nerves, but it only ratcheted my pulse in a good way. I liked being able to affect the great Donovan. With my free hand, I ran my hand under my now wavy hair. It felt glorious to let it down, allowing the saltiness in the air to mingle with the fine strands.
“It’s not even sunset” was my answer.
He took a step closer and seemed to inhale me before barking, “We have an early morning.”
It was clear I was working on borrowed time. “Apparently they already know our every step, or misstep, back home.”
“I’m not here on vacation,” he grumbled.
“Neither am I.”
“Are you hungry?”
We were in a standstill, staring one another down, and I didn’t want to be the first to break…but I couldn’t help myself. If there was anyone who could get me to do their bidding, it was this hot asshole.
