“Home? Why there?”
Given everything that had happened and the fact someone had given my schedule to the hunters, there was no guarantee that the house’s location hadn’t been compromised. It would be far safer to remain in the Gargoyle with Thomas’s vampires surrounding her.
“It’s what she wanted. I explained the situation but she insisted,” Nathan explained with a shrug. “I think Chadwick’s continued presence had something to do with it.”
“Very well then,” I said with a reluctant nod.
At least she’d have the pixies to watch out for her at home.
“What was that about with Daniel?” I jutted my chin at the table where he’d been sitting.
“He worries too much.”
“Gee, thanks. That really answers my question.”
Nathan slung an arm over my shoulder. “You also worry too much. It’ll be fine. This isn’t the first time one of us have butted heads with our illustrious leaders.”
I pushed him away when he tousled my hair. Maybe if he didn’t want me to feel concerned, he shouldn’t be so obvious about his own.
“Aileen.” Liam’s voice held an air of command.
“Looks like you’re needed. I’ll let you go.” Nathan squeezed my shoulder on his way past.
When he was gone, I crossed the floor toward Thomas and Liam who were conducting a low conversation that I couldn’t quite catch. As I got closer, they cut off abruptly. Their heads lifted as their attention snapped to me.
I stopped and frowned at them. “What’s wrong?”
“I sense Ahrun’s blood in her,” Thomas said, looking me over carefully.
Liam shook his head. “That should be impossible. I would have picked up on it last night. She was with me all day. There was no opportunity for him to get to her.”
“I know what I sense,” Thomas snapped.
“Maybe you could clue me in?” I asked unhappily.
I lifted my arm and smelled myself. I didn’t know what they were talking about. All I detected was Liam’s body wash.
“Don’t bother. You won’t be able to smell it,” Thomas said tiredly before looking at Liam. “Do you think any of the enforcers caught it?”
“Nathan might have. He stood right next to her.”
“How much do you trust him?”
“With my life.”
Thomas nodded at me. “What about hers?”
“Nathan wouldn’t hurt me,” I snapped.
He was one of the few who knew the truth of what I was. A magic breaker. He’d never told anyone about my secret.
“Then maybe there’s a chance we can keep this from the council.”
“Enough of the cloak and dagger shit. What’s going on?” I looked between the two. “Why are you acting so weird? And what scent are you smelling?”
“Ahrun’s,” Thomas informed me.
I stopped. “I guess the dreams I’ve been having for the last week or so weren’t dreams after all.”
