“I'm hardly ancient,” He angled us away from the front door and led me toward the office.
Braxis waited in the doorway. He looked me over, nodded in satisfaction, then retreated into the office. I lifted a brow at Cyprian.
“Your Bleiten suitor has been anxiously awaiting your return,” Cyprian murmured. “He didn't like you driving home alone.”
“I texted you when I was parked,” I said in surprise.
“I didn't say thatwewere worried,” he shot back.
I sighed.
“He will mellow,” Cyprian assured me. “Just give him some time.”
We went into the office to find Malik seated behind the desk, with Kyrian and Braxis in the chairs before it. I kissed Kyrian and then Malik on their cheeks before slipping onto the sofa with Cyprian.
“We have Alex on the phone,” Malik said as he nudged his cellphone on the desk before him.
“Hey, Alex,” I called out. “I have a name for you to look into.”
“A suspect from the gala?” Alex asked in surprise. “Did you see something in his aura?”
“Nothing concrete, but enough to make me suspicious,” I said. “He has connections to China, and he was testing my background story.”
“The name?”
“Magnus Bishop.”
“Got it.” A pause. “I heard there was a... medical emergency.”
I looked at Cyprian in surprise. He shook his head at me. It wasn't any of them who tattled.
“Yes, a woman got very ill. Probably food poisoning,” I said. “Why? Do you think that's noteworthy?”
Another pause. “Not with regard to the mission.”
I said nothing, but I grinned at Cyprian.
“I spoke to the last of my contacts tonight,” Cyprian filled the silence. “Leshing isn't the only one who's been approached.”
“Who else?” Alex demanded.
“I'll text you the list,” Cyprian said as he pulled his cellphone out of an inner jacket pocket. “It's a short one but significant.”
“Let me guess—all single, rich, human men?” Alex asked.
“And one woman.” Cyprian grinned. “Eileen Harris.”
“The cupcake heiress?” Alex asked in surprise.
“I believe her father's company makes more than cupcakes, but yes,” Cyprian drawled as he tapped on his cellphone, already texting Alex.
“Do you know if any of them accepted the offer?”
“No, you'll have to watch them, I imagine.”
Alex cursed.
“Was that curse in response to what I said or my text?” Cyprian smirked.
