“Only kind of?” Xavier lifted one black brow.
Noel snorted. “No one is actually able to guess how old you are, though. I don’t suppose you’d like to share?”
Xavier smiled faintly. “I would not.”
“I do have a rather personal question. For someone with your extraordinary abilities, why a company for bodyguards? Whynot a flat-out investigation firm?” Especially because he had someone like Daniel on his payroll. Daniel had impressed the IT guys at Arcane so much, he’d been a topic of conversation many times.
Xavier studied him for what felt like a long time before he finally spoke. “Every single preternatural who works for me is good. They are able to use their talents to make a difference, and I, in turn, benefit from knowing that together we are putting good out into the world. That is all you need to know.”
“It seems both our organizations have the same goal. We’d like to work with you to get this amulet back and to find it a more secure location—or destroy it altogether. Is that possible?”
“It is. But Warner, the sorcerer who guarded it, would have taken the possibility of a jinn into account. There is something more at play here.”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know yet.” Xavier leaned forward. “But I will find out.”
Noel nearly shivered at the surge of power that poured off Xavier, but he managed to suppress it because he wanted to show no weakness here. He needed the sorcerer’s help. Plus, he actuallydidwant his respect.
Especially when he was about to be “introduced” to Daniel.
“So,” Noel said casually. “I was told I’d be working with your IT specialist, since he’s already so close to finding the thief.” Could Xavier tell how nervous he was? The sorcerer’s face was unreadable.
“Yes, of course. Come,” Xavier said as he stood in a fluid, graceful movement.
Noel stood as well, anticipation flowing from that knot in his gut to warm his limbs.
Finally.
Finally, it was time to see the object of his long obsession again.
Chapter Three
Daniel
Daniel stepped out of his office and came to an abrupt halt, shock reverberating through him as the man he’d been trying to find for five long years came striding toward him with Xavier.
Aaron.
Fuck, he looked good.
Daniel’s gaze ate up the tall, muscular form clad in a fitted black suit, his sandy, light brown hair, and his striking face. That face could never be considered conventionally handsome. It was too brutal, his eyes too narrow, his nose too long—but to Daniel, he was gorgeous. He’d been drawn to Aaron the moment he’d seen him and should have known then that the human meant more to him than a mere hookup. Even now, he couldn’t take his gaze away, and it took all his willpower not to let the snarl of conflicting emotions overwhelm him.
“Daniel,” Xavier said smoothly as he gestured at Aaron. “I’d like you to meet Noel Banner, who works for Arcane Intelligence.”
“Noel?” Daniel sputtered. “Your name is Noel?”
“Hi, Daniel.” He took a step closer, his hawk-like features softening, his eyes widened with what looked a lot like regret. “It’s good to see you again.”
Xavier didn’t seem surprised that they knew each other, just watched them calmly.
All this time, he’d wasted countless hours searching for a fucking lie. It was like being punched in the chest. A knot formed there, one built of a mix of fury and the raw pain that sprang from being lied to. “You son of a bitch,” Daniel growled as the anger and utter heartbreak felt like it dug deeper behind his ribs. Something in there just…cracked.
Blue eyes widened even more in apology. “Daniel, I didn’t have a choice. Let’s talk privately, and I can explain.”
“I have no interest in your explanation. You just fucking disappeared without a word or a goodbye.” He bit off the rest of what wanted to come pouring out of his mouth because it wasn’t only Xavier watching this reunion. Half the office had paused, faces turned their way. He looked at his employer. “I do not want to work with him.”
Xavier kept his voice low, his expression stern but with a hint of concern in his wrinkled brows. “I’m sorry you feel that way, but I believe the two of you together can find who is behind these thefts.”
