Heads always turned when three people dressed in black cloaks with hoods drawn up entered a space.
Ignoring the curious gazes from those around her, Auraelia led Piper and Xander to the bar at the back where Vee stood, serving one of her patrons.
Waiting until the man left, Auraelia stepped up to the bar. “Is he here yet?” she asked in a hushed tone while Vee poured her a glass of honey whiskey.
“No, Your Maj–” she stopped, cleared her throat, and then shook her head, “No, I haven’t seen him yet.”
Auraelia nodded and grabbed her glass. Taking a swig before gesturing to her companions behind her. “Can you show us to the room?”
Vee dried her hands on the towel that hung from where it was tucked into the top of her apron at her waist, then called for one of her girls to watch the bar while she was gone.
She led them down a dark hall, then up a small flight of stairs to her private office on the main floor of the house. It was far enough away from the events happening below but close enough for an inconspicuous exit.
Inside was a small desk, a bookshelf, and an intimate seating area in front of a fireplace with a few armchairs and a couch. The sconces on the wall were dim but bright enough to see by, giving the space a gentle glow.
Vee closed the door behind her when she left, promising to bring a decanter of whiskey and wine back with her when the final member of their company arrived.
Auraelia took a seat in the chair closest to the fireplace while Xander and Piper took the settee—sitting on opposite ends of each other.
Idiots.
As time ticked on and there was still no word, Auraelia grew antsy. Twirling the queen’s emerald around her finger as they waited.
“This is ridiculous. Of course, he’s fucking late.” Piper fumed from her seat.
She was slouched down on the cushions, her arms crossed over her chest as her foot tapped incessantly on the floor.
Reaching over, Auraelia grabbed her knee. “Would you please stop that? You’re going to let everyone downstairs know we’re up here, and I’m sure there’s a good reason that he’s late.”
At least there better be.
As soon as the words left her lips, there were five quick knocks, and they all turned toward the sound as Aiden walked through the door.
“Sorry I’m late. Something came up.”
There was a worried edge to his voice, and it put Auraelia on high alert. “What kind of something?” Her eyes narrowed, and the air in the room began to stir.
“Woah, easy. Everything is fine. It just took longer to get here than I had anticipated. That bitch has eyes everywhere.”
The air around them settled as Aiden crossed the room and leaned against the mantle over the fireplace.
Odd.
This was the second clandestine meeting that they’d had with Aiden since everything fell apart. He was the one contact in the Sapphire Isles that Auraelia knew she could trust, and that was only because he wanted Daemon away from Davina as much as she did.
“Did you find out any more about what exactly her abilities are?” Auraelia asked. It was the one thing that none of their informants could catch wind of. Evidently, there weren’t many people who had experienced Davina’s magic and survived. And those who had either didn’t want to—or were unable to—talk about it.
“Not exactly, but—”
“I may be able to shed some light on that.” A voice as smooth as velvet and as dark as the magic that accompanied it swept through the room, slowing time to a crawl.
She’d know that voice anywhere, and her magic danced beneath her skin at the sound.
Auraelia looked to Aiden, who had an apologetic look on his face, before she slowly turned toward the door. Standing in the doorway's shadows was a man she would recognize until the day she died. Even with a hood covering his features, the broad set of his shoulders and the cocky lean against the doorframe gave him away.
No, it can’t be. He can’t be here.
The figure stood upright and pushed the hood back from his face, a Cheshire smile gracing his luscious lips.
