“And now you have jokes. What the hell happened in the last twenty-four hours to thaw your sneer?” She batted her eyes, dramatically angling her shoulders to appear the temptingmaiden. “Or maybe it’s your insatiable lust for me driving you to the unfathomable brink of emotions.”
“Perhaps,” he agreed, but only to humor her. “But that would put you in constant danger of tempting my voracious desires. You should be more careful about capturing my attention.”
The mood—changed. He meant the words as jest, but Sera shivered and he sensed the race of her pulse. It was not his intention to transform playful banter into salacious suggestion. The teasing in her eyes darkened with lust and Kieran was vaguely aware that they were in the middle of a public path outside his neighbor’s home.
The distance between them dwindled as they had talked, now perilously meager. The unfulfilled tension vibrated in the air. He would only have to reach out to feel her cheek with his hand, to lose himself in the electric passion of her skin beneath his. But Divine above, not here.
“Do you wish to wait outside?” He asked, for lack of anything else to say. Because the words in his mind would do nothing to help the situation. The words in his mind ignited the spark they created and didn’t give a shit who watched.
“Wait outside?” she asked, voice dazed and alluring.
“Yes, I have to go in.”
She did not look away, only stepped closer. “Okay, yeah. You go in and I’ll…” Her hand settled on his chest and Kieran closed his eyes.
“Sera, I cannot do this here.”
She pulled her hand away and he was grateful for the space to breathe again. “Right. Right. You have to go inside. I… sorry.” She stepped back, tucking hair behind her ear.
Kieran focused on regulating his pulse and returning to a semblance of normal before he entered his neighbor’s house hard and aroused.
“What are you here to do?” she asked, while he adjusted his clothes. Even though nothing had unsettled his attire, the action worked to bring him back to the moment.
“They have asked for the use of my Death Sense.”
Her eyes grew large. “Why?”
He shrugged. “Some like the assurance. A check-in to make sure all is well. Some, however, have ailing family members and wish for a status update. I am currently the only member of the Court with this power, so it is my duty to use it for others.”
“So you go around letting people know if they’re going to die,” Sera said, pulling her coat tighter around herself.
He paused. When said in that tone it sounded… bleak. “I suppose that’s the gist of it, yes.”
“That sounds horrible. How do you handle it?”
Kieran blinked. No one had ever asked him that before. Not his parents when they had started this tradition. Not any of those that used his power. No one.
He had never thought to process how seeing so much death in others would affect him, personally. He had always tuned it out. Numbed that part of his emotions. Though he still felt concern, pity, empathy, he could hardly ponder such feelings when he would have to start all over again tomorrow.
His posture eased and he addressed her with a visible frown. “It is rather horrible, I suppose. I never really put much thought into it. It was always just something I’ve done.” His shoulders lifted as he sighed. “Do you wish to wait here, then?”
She chewed her lip and he looked away quickly. “I mean, on the one hand I’m intrigued. On the other, gross. Who wants to go around looking for death? It’s too depressing. But on a third, secret hand I think you want me to go with you.”
Kieran hadn’t been aware that he cared one way or the other until she mentioned it, but the thought of her staying behind did hold traces of disappointment.
“Ugh. Fine. I’ll go.” She followed him up the front walk. “How many of these calls do you make?”
He knocked on the door. “I have thirty-seven appointments today.”
“Son of the Infernal,” she whispered, just as the door opened and they were shown inside.
“Master North, they will be down shortly,” the butler bowed and left them in the sitting room.
Tarina Aceria glided down the stairs. She was about Kieran’s age and they had known each other since youth, having grown up next door. She’d maintained her youthful looks, evergreen eyes and black hair, always styled in the latest fashions. When her father had fallen ill, they’d called on Kieran to know how long. Kieran had returned every week for the last five years.
“Kieran, I’m sorry. It’s been a terrible week. We forgot you were coming. Or, maybe it’s just that it’s hard to remember what day it is anymore.” Tarina said, then her eyes slid to Sera. “A friend?”
“This is Sera Blair, an associate,” he said, “Please don’t apologize. I’m happy to be of service.”
