Sera grabbed some coats and threw them over Seth’s shoulder. “We’re going to want layers.”
Unease flitted over his young face. Seth had become a cherished little brother over their year together, and his cheery personality wasn’t quite stamped out of him yet. Sera hoped it never got that far, but she had no idea how to get herself out of the ever growing pit of her life, let alone get Seth out. But… if she had to put him on her shoulders so he could reach a ledge, she would do it. Too bad there was never a ledge.
“Ready?” She asked, pausing at the door.
With any luck, they’d be on their way out of here well before Cole showed up.
Kieran did not move while he waited. His blood had needed a moment to cool as he processed why he was entertaining the idea of participating in Sera’s Game. Accepting her challenge would not be wise. He wasn’t one to rise to baiting or be taunted into foolish decisions. He certainly did not let his baser instincts affect his actions. Nor did he dance around harsh or uncomfortable truths.
Seraphina was temptation.
Kieran breathed in. She was beautiful, yes, but also brash and impulsive. The very idea of indulging in her offer should have made him recoil. Protect her from a distance. Not fixate on the ghost sensation of her foot tracing up his leg or the pleasant warmth lingering in his fingers. Kieran released his breath.
He offered herprotectionfrom lecherous monsters like Cole, not to replace him with a different sort of predator. A predator happy to play little games before pouncing. A predator that might let its meal think it had won a great victory while he ate her alive.
Kieran closed his eyes.
This was not what he needed right now. He had to finalize his proposal for Parliament by next month and he still had no easy, cheap solution to sway the more frugal members to his side. No one would argue with him on paper. His stance of ‘make the city more inclusive for every race’ was politically sound. But, then, how to implement changes without squandering city funds that might be better served elsewhere? And the disruption to daily lives was sure to cause an uproar. And, couldn’t he find a way to make this whole idea cheaper and more convenient?
Simple, except his mind was for the ideas, not the mechanics on implementing them. All his attempts to find a solution had been fruitless. He would have to find an outside source, someone with a mind for mechanics or structures.
He massaged his temple with two fingers as his thoughts spiraled around engineering and the mess with Cole and now his alluring house-guest and back again to his proposal. Problems. Problems. Problems.
He instructed his driver, a guardian named Joy, to alert him if anything looked suspicious or if Cole himself appeared. Kieran wasn’t eager to show his face here, where he might be recognized and draw attention. But damn it, the woman was being entirely too cavalier with her own peril.
“Joy,” Kieran said, rising from his seat and directing his voice toward a vent that allowed her to hear him from outside. “She’s taking too long. Be prepared should things go wrong.”
“Sure thing, boss.”
“And with the direction this night—day, I suppose, has taken I won’t hold out hope that things go smoothly.” He went to open the door and embrace the unwelcome dawn, but Joy’s sharp hiss stopped him in his tracks.
“Hawthorne, sir.” She paused, and Kieran tried to see through the curtained windows. He’d drawn them to keep gawkers from peering inside while he waited, hopefully they would keep Cole from noticing him as well. “He’s approaching the building. Oh… shit.”
“What? What’s happening?” he asked, tone clipped. Kieran’s fingers curled into fists against the frame of his carriage. He couldn’t see a thing from this angle.
“Your lady’s just come out of her building, a wiry friend in tow. They’ve spotted each other. Looks like Cole’s all smiles and your lady is on the defensive.”
Kieran flashed an annoyed glance upwards at the ‘your lady’ remark. “Does he notice us?”
“Hasn’t spared a glance this way, no.”
Kieran switched seats to get a better vantage on the scene. Both Sera and her friend were trailed by large, hulking shadows.
Cole Hawthorne closed in on Sera, a lackey on either side of him. Kieran could just make out their conversation from here, but he opted to slip out the far side of the carriage, away from notice.
“Sera!” Cole greeted, with a warm, booming voice.
Kieran peered around the carriage to watch the scene. Sera’s bag slipped from her arms. The feeble clasp gave and the contents spilled onto the street. Her body tensed and shrank. The willowy friend stepped behind her and she curled an arm backward protectively.
Kieran needed a weapon. He did not normally have a need to arm himself so there were no weapons readily available, but, why not add a brawl to the day from hell?
“So good to see you safe and sound, darling. You know, I was beside myself with worry when I heard you got snatched up.” Cole sauntered forward.
The shadow had not reached for Sera yet, there was still time. Kieran felt along the side of the carriage until he hit something solid.
“I told you it’s best to always keep a blade on hand,” Joy whispered.
Kieran ignored her baiting. He was in no mood to be scolded.
