“They’re predators. It’s what they do.” Cal had been leaning against his great-grandfather’s statue, but now he walked forward. “I heard you went on a tour of the mines.”
He was wearing an olive shirt and black jeans, and a pair of expensive-looking sunglasses, which he flicked off when he stopped in front of her, like the centerfold for some European fashion magazine. Peering up at him made her realize how sweaty she was, which irritated her enough that she almost forgot about Noelle’s note.
And then she realized that her current position put her face just about level with his hips.
Oh god.“How?” she asked, getting to her feet so hastily that the bird was startled and gave an anxious little flutter with its good wing. Nadine glanced at it, chagrined, before doing a sweep of the street, hoping no one had seen her on her knees in front of him. “Did you have me followed?”
“Looks like your little friend was attacked pretty badly.” Cal looked down at the bird, an unreadable look on his face as he tucked the glasses into the open throat of his shirt. “I’ll let Rael know. His father can get the bird contained for wildlife rehabilitation.”
Nadine poured a little bit of her bottled water into the cap and set it beside the wounded raven while Cal texted on his phone, and was gratified when the bird shuffled a little closer and began to drink. “You didn’t answer my question.”
“There’s nothing to tell. You were adamant about finding out the truth, you told me. So I figured you’d gone snooping.” He slid his phone into his jeans; he was watching the bird, too. “You were gone longer than I thought you would be, though. What happened? Did Dottie come at you with rich tales of her family’s sordid history?”
“No,” said Nadine. “That’s what you do.”
“Hm.” He grinned, and in its shadow she saw the carnal savagery that she had seen on his ancestor in her dream. “That’s true. But unlike our dear mayor, my family’s history can’t be packaged so prettily for the public. It’s not all silver and secrets.”
“Lots of scandals, then?” she said coolly.
“Oh, tons.”
“Is that why your family left England? Or were they kicked out? For the scandals.”
“Well,” he said. “You’ve certainly been busy. But digging through the history books isn’t going to help you find your sister, Nadine. No matter what you think you’ve found.”
“Screw you.” She swept past him and nearly crashed into Rael, who glanced at her curiously. He was carrying what looked like a very small dog crate under his arm.
“I’m here for the bird.”
“H-how did you get here so fast?” Nadine blurted.
“Cal texted me. My father’s office is only just down there.” Rael glanced at his friend. “So where is it? The bird.”
“Nadine will show you,” Cal said, folding his arms and leaning back. “It’s her raven.”
Nadine pointed out the raven and Rael, now wearing gloves, gently scooped the now very unhappy bird into the carrier. She could hear it squawking as Rael walked away.
“You didn’t have to do that,” she muttered.
“I’m well aware. And you should be aware that if you wanted a tour, you should have asked me. As you see, I have my connections and there’s very little here that can be denied me. I know this town like the back of my hand, little sparrow.”
(They’re killing all the sparrows)
Ice blossomed at her nape. “I’m not your sparrow,” she snapped, dumping the rest of the water over the marigolds before crumpling the bottle up into her purse. Theownershipin his voice reminded her of his letters, and why she had thrown them away in the first place.
“You could be.” His eyes glittered darkly. “Where are you going now?”
“Nowhere you’d be interested in.”
“I doubt that. I find you very interesting.”
“Why?” She had meant to sound angry, but it sounded a little desperate instead. “You don’t know me.”
“But you’re such a sweet little prude, Nadine.”
Nadine felt heat color her face. “Well—at least I don’t have sex orgies in the woods!”
“Is that where you’re headed?” he asked, an edge to his voice. “There’s nothing in there for you. As I said, if you wanted a tour so badly, you should have come to me. I’m parked across the street. Let me take you out to lunch and I’ll tell you whatever you want to know.”
