“If it was me, I’d want to know—” She broke off, spying the gleaming black GMC parked on the street.
“I got that this morning.” He nodded at the SUV. “Figured we’d need one while hunting for the artifact.”
Of course, it was stupid to think he’d use the Porsche with four of them. And these men were no lightweights.
Aerén smirked at Reynner. “So, I get to drive?”
“Not if you want to see tomorrow.” Reynner opened the front passenger door for her, saw her inside then circled to the driver’s side.
Snorting, Aerén joined North in the back.
“I found something odd,” North said, soon after they’d taken off. Reynner glanced at him through the rearview mirror. “What?”
Eve peered at North in the dark, the streetlights occasionally lighting his stern expression and the grim set of his mouth.
“I went back to the Darkrean’s hideout, searching for Lucan. The house is shut down, they’ve left.” He ran a hand through his hair, in a seldom seen gesture. “Why leave now when the Stone’snot yet found?”
“Don’t care. At least they won't be breathing down our necks,” Aerén muttered from behind her.
“I don’t like it,” North added. “And Lucan, there’s no sign of him.”
“He’ll turn up. He’s been known to lurk if he’s after something’s—he can be damn tenacious at times,” Reynner said, stopping for a red light.
Eve bit back a laugh. Amazing. These men took stubbornness to a new level, and they thought Lucan obstinate.
Reynner shot her a questioning look at her amusement.
“Nothing,” she murmured.
A stare.
How did he do that? Just a look, and desire flared like a flame. She squirmed in her seat because she knew exactly what he’d do to get her to talk.
The lights changed. Reynner pulled his attention back to the busy street, apparently satisfied he’d gotten his message across. “Whatever Luc’s up to, he’ll let us know when he returns. Now, let’s go find the Stone.”
***
They’d scoured nearly half the city for the Stone. It wasn't that difficult, not when she just had to play tourist and walk past everything.
First, they stopped at the arch at Grand Plaza. The missing Stoneshould light up like the sun when she got close, Reynner had said. So far, nothing.
It had to be close to midnight. They’d ended in Central Park at the bronze and granite Alice in Wonderland monument. Eve forced her tired feet to circle the massive sculpture. It failed to fill her with the joy it normally did. She sensed nothing here. Not even a stupid hum. Only aware of the muggy heat and sweat rolling down her back.
She glanced around her, hoping for a buzz of magic to touch her like the scroll did. Nothing. Just trees, shrubs, and the dissonance of insects surrounding them. Moonlight brightened the paved pathway edged with trees as they headed toward the street.
Sudden pain snatched her breath, rolling like a wave through her. Inhaling harshly, she glanced over her shoulder at Reynner, who walked with North behind her. His brow rose in question, but she shook her head and turned back to Aerén, the pain fading.
Eve wiped her damp palms down her capri jeans, regretting she hadn't worn shorts instead. Heck, how did all of these men stay cool in their leathers?
“How do you do it?” she asked Aerén. “You’re wearing animal hide, surely you must feel like a sauna in those pants.”
“Animal hide?” He grinned. “Ah, but we have a secret weapon.” He leaned closer and whispered in her ear, “We can lower or raise our body temperature.”
Her mouth dropped open. “You’re kidding? Right?”
He smirked.
She rolled her eyes. “Of course. Why not? You have everything else, immortality, good looks, why not that, too?”
