God, she didn’t want to hope, not when she’d been down that path with him several times already, and yet if there was a whisper of a chance…
Hope, that wretched hag, had her bolting for the door, her heart in her throat.
“Lore!” She threw it open and stumbled into a spacious, softly lit, silent corridor, her gaze darting both ways.
There was no sign of him.
Dammit, she’d just have to wait for his return. She rubbed her cold palms down her jeans, her chaotic mind finally registering the elegance of the marble-floored passageway.
Wow. The place reflected hints of a time gone by with its intricately carved moldings, high, arched ceiling, and sporadically placed statues and suits of armor. Pastoral paintings inlaid the paneled walls. And waist-high pedestals with copper urns overflowed with greenery, adding nature’s verdant vibrancy to the man-made decor.
While the castle was undoubtedly luxurious, it retained a warmth that Nan’s pristine mansion sorely lacked.
Nia eyed both ways down the hushed corridor, her anxiety growing. If Michael arrived, she wouldn’t be able to talk to Lore, and he would leave?—
Footsteps sounded.
“Lore.” She pivoted. “I…” Her words died.
A tall, muscular man strode toward her, and Nia’s pulse pounded. Wheat-colored hair framed a stunningly handsome face. But the all-black he wore and his entire being exuded an air of unadulterated peril that she took a cautious step back.
He raked back the messy mane only for it to flop forward again.
“Hey.” He smiled, revealing deep masculine dimples, and the dangerous aura surrounding him faded. He looked at her as if he knew her, but she’d never met him before. She’d definitely remember meeting someone like him.
“You look a little lost,” he said, removing a pack of M&Ms from his jacket pocket. “Where’s your man?”
Man? Did he mean Lore? Then, he might not know that Lore was an angel.
Shit, she wished she knew. “Yes. He said he’ll be back, but…”
“He’s probably in the rec room. Don’t worry, I’ll send him straight to ya. So, the bastard didn’t like your piercings, huh? Or did he not kiss you goodbye?” He snorted, his gaze on her ear. “I like ‘em.”
Nia twitched her nose with its tiny stud and rubbed the several she wore in her left ear, conscious of them now. More, she found she wanted to smile at his teasing and the mischievous twinkle in his pale brown eyes, but she reeled it in.
“Contacts again?” he asked. “Determined to piss him off, eh? Nice. But bi is great, too. Either way, they’re good. As long as you’re happy.”
“What?” she frowned, so confused. The man spoke in riddles.
“Don’t worry, beautiful, I’ll find him. Maybe now he won’t be such a dick, trying to annihilate us during training. We need him sane on patrol.”
Patrol? Training?The man was pretty but a little on the loopy side. Her gaze skimmed his stunning face. He wasn’t human or a demon; she couldn’t sense any of the latter’s abrasive energy. So what was he?
“Okay, thanks. I’ll wait in the study.”
He glanced at her hand gripping the door handle, then back at her. “Michael’s little hidey-hole?” A brow rose. “Oo-kaythen. Just make up, give the Arc’s room something to remember.” He grinned, causing those slashing dimples to reappear.
What? Warmth flooded her face as his meaning sank in.
“All right, then.” He laughed. “One fugitive angel comingrrrightup.” He sauntered off.
Man, he was strange, but at least he knew Lore was an angel.
Nia entered the study, shutting the door behind her. Blowing out an anxious breath, she stopped near the hearth and heldout her chilly hands, trying to warm them, hoping she was right about Lore’s subtle hints.
While she’d tried to tell herself whatever was between them could only be temporary, she never expected to fall for him. Maybe he finally realized what he felt for her went beyond lust, and he wanted a chance to see where this could go?
God, she rubbed her face, her nerves knotting tighter and tighter. Unable to remain still, she hurried back to the corridor and glanced both ways again. Empty.
