Malik stilled, then turned back to me with infuriating slowness. His tongue flicked over his upper lip. “Oh? And what should I do instead?”
I let out an exasperated breath. “God! This is a joke to you, isn’t it?”
His expression turned to stone. “I assure you, it’s no joke.”
My hands curled into fists. “Why am I only learning about this now? Why didn’t I know when I was catapulted into ancient Rome? Or the Wild West? Why didn’t my time-traveling mother mention any of this?”
Malik’s fingers brushed against my temple, a light tap. “You know the answer as well as I do. In Rome, you spoke to no one except Roman and his housekeeper, Amara. Who would have told you there? In what you call the Wild West, the Native Americans were focused on their survival. Your father protected you after your mother was killed.”
“Were there Timehunters in Seattle?”
Malik’s gaze didn’t waver. “Yes. They are everywhere.”
A chill settled in my bones. “Was I in danger? Was my mother?”
His response was matter-of-fact, emotionless. “Probably. And yes.”
He turned down the hallway, his long stride unhurried, as if this conversation hadn’t just altered my entire perception of reality.
I chased after him, my pulse thrumming. “Then why didn’t they ever come for me?”
Malik stopped at his office door, blocking the entrance as he turned to face me. “They were waiting and always watching. The nexus that started in Italy has only grown stronger. Their network has expanded, and their influence has spread. And tonight, we walk straight into their den.”
A lump formed in my throat.
“You must retrieve the Sun Dagger,” Malik continued, his voice dropping into something almost conspiratorial. “They stole it from Zampa for a reason. They have a plan for it. We need to be extremely cautious. If Raul Costa realizes who you are, or worse—if he discovers I’m there—it will be catastrophic for both of us.”
I braced myself against the wall, trying to suppress the tremor in my hands. Could I do this?
I hadn’t been the same since the loss of my child. I had barely pieced myself back together, barely held on to what remained of my strength and confidence. But now… now I had to summon courage, no matter how broken I felt.
Malik stepped closer, his fingers tilting my chin up. His touch was unexpected—gentle, almost reverent, as if I were made of something fragile, fine-spun glass.
“Follow my lead tonight.” His voice was low, a murmur meant only for me. “I will do my best to protect you… but I can’t always be there.”
His emerald eyes softened, glinting with something unreadable—something tender.
I exhaled shakily, falling into his pull, my body instinctively leaning closer?—
Then, as if sensing it, Malik withdrew.
“It’s getting late.” His voice was abrupt, colder than before. “We should start preparing for the masquerade.”
Without another word, he ducked into his office and closed the door behind him.
I stood frozen in the dim corridor, my heartbeat loud in my ears.
Shaken. Fearful.
And dreading everything that was about to come.
Chapter 19
Olivia
Istood before the full-length mirror in my dressing room, turning side to side to study my reflection.
The gown was exquisite—too exquisite.
