“Yeah, he kept calling me Stuart.” Spencer frowned. “Or something like that, anyway. I tried to correct him a couple of times, but he didn’t seem to get it. Like he couldn’t hear any difference.”
Before Leonie could ask him any further questions, a shadow swept over them. In a gust of wind, the qiongqi landed heavily on the grass a little way off, wings sagging. Its striped form shimmered, and Shan was there, looking no less exhausted.
“Hold that thought,” Leonie said to the kids. “Finish your breakfast. I’ll be back in a moment.”
Leaving them at the picnic table, she hurried over to Shan. “Did you find anything?”
“Nothing of note.” He rubbed his face with one hand. “Only Spencer’s glasses. I managed to retrace his path through the forest. But I couldn’t find any other scents.”
“Spencer will be pleased his glasses back, at least. I’ll give them to him. You should get some sleep.”
Shan shook his head. “I need to speak to him. And retrieve my sunglasses.”
She was about to protest that she could do that, when she realized what he actually meant. And why he still had his hand across his face.
“Shan.” She touched his arm. “It’s okay. I already came clean to the kids. They know we aren’t really mates. You don’t have to keep wearing the sunglasses all the time.”
He didn’t drop his hand. “Leonie. My eyes.”
“There’s nothing wrong with your eyes.” She tugged at his elbow. “And there’s no reason for you to keep hiding.”
He hesitated, then slowly let her pull his hand down. For the second time, his gaze met hers.
She understood now why he’d been wearing sunglasses at their very first meeting. His eyes were extraordinary, but not even remotely human. Or even animal.
He had no whites. His irises were burning pools of fiery yellow, surrounded by inky blackness. Like all big cats, tigers had round pupils, yet his were vertical slits, like a poisonous snake’s.
Once again, her breath caught. She couldn’t help searching those striking eyes, hoping for a spark of recognition.
Nothing. No sense of connection snapping into place; no overwhelming roar of instinct, telling her that he was her mate.
But you still want him,her lioness said, sounding puzzled.Don’t you?
Shan seemed to be searching her eyes for something, too. Any sign of disgust, possibly. Or maybe he was just wondering why she was staring at him like she was trying to diagnose glaucoma. She jerked her gaze away, face heating.
“I’ll get Spencer’s glasses back to him,” she said. “I’ve already talked a bit to him about his encounter, but I’ll tell you about it later. You go and get some rest.”
Shan looked like he wanted to argue, but he didn’t get a chance. Zephyr came into view, head turning to scan the surroundings. Spotting them, the camp director hurried over, moving with tense, rapid strides.
“Oh, no,” Leonie muttered, recognizing that look. Before the camp director could even open his mouth, she stepped in front of Shan, hands on her hips. “Zephyr, whatever crisis is brewing now, it’ll have to wait. Shan’s been combing theforest all night. He’s going to bed. Even if I have to drag him there myself.”
“I’m afraid there’s no time,” Zephyr replied, jaw tense. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky, yet a hint of distant thunder echoed overhead. “Both of you, come with me. We have a visitor.”
CHAPTER 25
She hadn’t recognized him.
Shan followed behind Zephyr and Leonie, mind reeling with more than just exhaustion. To his naked eyes, the clear morning sunshine seemed painfully bright. Without his sunglasses and gloves, he felt stripped bare; exposed and vulnerable, every hidden secret laid out in plain sight.
And she hadn’t recognized him.
Secrets, hissed his monster, though for once it sounded more distressed than enticed. It slunk through his blood, tail twitching.Truth, but not truth. Lies, but not lies. Wrong. Wrong.
He breathed out, repressing both his animal’s agitation and his own. Trying to figure out how his fated mate could look him straight in the eyes without feeling the slightest hint of connection would have to wait. Right now, there were more pressing matters.
Zephyr led them to the camp office. Conleth was already there, leaning against the porch rail while he scrolled through his phone. Heseemedrelaxed, but something about his posture suggested that air of casual preoccupation could vanish in an eye-blink.
“Is he still here?” Zephyr murmured to his business partner.
