Rachel rolled the bottle in her fingers, holding it up to the light. The color was pretty, reminiscent of that bitch’s eyes, a clear azure blue. Silver sparkles danced inside the bottle, flecks that seemed to move of their own volition.
She set it on her nightstand and wiped her hands on her pajama pants. “I doubt I’ll need to use it, but it’s there if I need a boost.”
He stepped up to her, power rolling from his muscular frame. Rachel swallowed hard and resisted the urge to lean away. If she wasn’t so set on Caelan, she might have tested the waters to see if he was interested in something more. Few males as powerful as this one ever came to Europe. Her father didn’t allow powers like him entrance into his country.
Standing before him, Rachel finally realized why. Despite her reservations, Rachel leaned forward and tugged the man’s tie. “If things don’t work out between Caelan and I, perhaps?—”
He knocked her hand away, his eyes narrowing. A spark of power rolled over his irises. “Do not test me on this. I do not sample the merchandise before the deal is done.”
Rachel smirked. That wasn’t a no. “I’ve only been here for a little while. Caelan has always had a strong will. His unique relationship to Evie might prove to be his downfall. She is difficult and angry, and from his scent I can tell Caelan is irritated more often than not.” She clicked her tongue. “I’ll win your Lord away from her. Mark my words.”
“See that you do,” he growled. Without another word, he turned and exited her room.
She waited until the sounds of his footsteps faded before she let out a long breath. Dangerous waters she was treading in. But the payoff for herself and for the other Lords would be worth it.
All she had to do was get under Caelan’s guard. Once she did, the path to his heart was wide open.
She should know. She’d traveled it once before.
Chapter
Twenty
Still no sign of Tess and no word from her, either. Ash had gone over to her apartment last night using the key she’d never taken back and searched for any sign she might have left willingly. Or unwillingly.
He came back empty-handed. No signs of struggle, but no packed suitcase either. She’d left her clothes, her toiletries, and her favorite shoes and blanket behind. We all knew Tess rarely went anywhere without that blanket. She even brought it to the store sometimes and curled up on the couch with tea during slowdowns.
There might not be signs of her being taken against her will, but the things she’d left behind proved suspicious.
“Mom said she’d come with us,” I said to Moira the next morning as we both cringed at the state of the pink roses our temporary supplier had sent. Half the petals were drooping, and they hadn’t de-thorned most of the stems, causing us to do twice the amount of work we normally had to do.
Moira’s dark eyebrows lifted. “You’d trust her to have our backs?”
“I’m not sure who I trust anymore,” I said honestly. “Dad was at the house last night helping me figure out the magic he’dpassed to me, and things seemed normal. Mom fed me soup the other day and didn’t poison me. The world is topsy-turvy right now, Moira. I’m not sure what to make of things. Honestly,” I grumbled, “things feel apocalyptic.”
Moira snorted. “Two trustworthy fae in the same family? The odds are against you.” But her lips twitched and she slung an arm over my shoulders. “They’re your parents, and you’re amazing. Obviously, they love you. Maybe let them show it when they can.”
I eyed her over a particularly droopy rose. “By letting my mother have our backs in a strange, dangerous land?”
“She can haveyourback,” Moira said. “I’ll watch both of ours just to make sure she doesn’t try anything funny.” She rubbed her hands over her arms and shivered. “Cliona is scary as hell. If she has our back, we’re golden, but if she doesn’t…”
If she doesn’t, we’re screwed. I tried for chirpy. “Mom has never let me die before, and that’s when I thought she hated me, so I’m choosing to think positive.”
Moira shook her head but smiled. “Let’s hope. Want to leave right after work?”
“Meet me at my house?”
“Six?”
“Done.” Moira picked up a dried petal and threw it at me. “Now, let’s get through these pink monstrosities so we can make something cooler.”
I was puttingthe final touches on the last table centerpiece when the bell over the door jingled. Hiding my smile at Moira’s almost inaudible groan, I looked up to see Thalia walking in.
Garrett was nowhere to be found, so he was either outside or things had changed in a big way. Caelan’s Enforcer and mysister were attached at the hip these days, and you rarely saw her without him anymore.
She stopped at the entrance, her gaze sweeping the store until it landed on me. We stared at each other for a long moment.
“Thalia!” Moira said, giving me an annoyed look. She was on Team Thalia, only because she was my sister and I had so little reliable family around. The seer had done nothing to violate my trust except keep her paternity secret, but I still felt that sense of betrayal lingering in my stomach every time I saw her or thought about her.
