He hesitated again. “Based on what we know about essence, and what we’ve guessed about this curse, we knew we had to find someone very powerful. And you…you’re just a girl. Little more than a child. Forgive me for my low expectations.”
I felt like pointing out that he couldn’t bethatmuch older than me—he looked thirty, tops—but that seemed like the wrong thing to focus on at the moment.
“My brothers believe that you would be a sorceress had you been born in our world,” he went on. “But that doesn’t change the fact that you’re as useless as the rest of us in this one.”
“She’s not useless,” Octavian’s rumble sounded from the doorway behind me. “And I believe we’ve just discovered the key to unlocking her power.”
11
The Mysterious Elite
Itwasatestamentto how confused I was at the moment—or perhaps how incredibly vivid and sensual my dream had been—that my first reaction upon hearing Octavian’s voice was to go all hot and breathless. It took a moment for me to shove down the intimate images my subconscious had invented and register what he’d actually said.
“Mypower?”
Octavian smiled at me, hopefully not because he could see the effect he had on me. “I see you’ve recovered well.”
“I’m no longer in unbearable pain, if that’s what you mean.” I rubbed my arms, still not quite believing I came out of that experience completely unmarked. “I’m not sure I’ve mentally recovered yet.”
“You’ll need some time, of course,” he said. “And there’s much you need to know. I’m sure you have more questions—”
“About a million,” I said. “But honestly, before we do anything else I’d kill for a shower. And some fresh clothes. And a cup of coffee.” I wanted to make sure my head was clear before I tried to make sense of all this insanity. I glanced from one brother to the other. “Do you guys mind giving me some privacy for a minute?”
Alastor had already started toward the door, looking delighted—or at least what I assumed passed fordelightedin someone as grumpy as him—to be relieved of his guarding duties. It was Octavian who lingered, his lips dipping into a frown.
Let him stay, a wicked little voice whispered in the back of my mind.Heck, invite him to have a shower with you. You know you’d enjoy it.
But I shut down those thoughts quickly, crossing my arms across my chest and lifting my chin stubbornly.
“Out,” I said. “I’m not letting you perv on me while I’m getting dressed.”
He shifted, looking almost embarrassed. “That wasn’t my intention, I assure you. I simply…” He cleared his throat, which sounded like a small avalanche. “I’m grateful you’re all right. Last night, I feared…” He shook his head. “It was never my intention to cause you any suffering.”
It was uncomfortably close to what dream-Octavian had said to me, and I was grateful once again for the dim light.
“Yeah, well, what can you do?” I said. “It sounds like it would’ve happened either way. But I’m okay now.” I gave him what I hoped was an encouraging smile, then gestured to the door.
He turned to go, then paused at the threshold and looked back.
“You still have a choice, you know,” he told me solemnly. “I hope you’ll listen to everything I have to tell you, and I hope you’ll consider all the implications of what you are and what you can do for us, but in the end, you will always have the choice.”
“That’s reassuringly vague and ominous.”
One side of his mouth tilted up, so apparently he found some humor in my sarcasm. His normal charming twinkle had returned to his eyes when he said, “Take your time freshening up.”
Despite his reassurances and pretty words, it was pretty obvious to me he was dying of impatience over this whole thing, but I was pleased he was at least making an effort.
“I don’t suppose you could make a pot of coffee?” I said. “Everything’s on the kitchen counter.”
“Of course.” He dipped his head at me, looking every bit the charming prince sent here to do my bidding, then disappeared out the door.
I locked it behind him. Not because I feared any danger from these men—though maybe I should have—but because I wanted absolute assurance of privacy while I got my head on straight.
I stepped into the bathroom and twisted the shower on, but rather than jump in and wash last night off of me, I darted back across my room and grabbed my laptop off my dresser.
Please let them be awake, I thought. Neither Esmer nor Isaac were early risers, but hopefully they’d still hear my ping.
While I was waiting for the laptop to boot up, I sank down into the chair by the window. An unfamiliar scent hit me.
