I reached for my phone, but before I could finish dialing, two fire ifrits popped into existence. They looked to be made of flames and were almost demon-like in their upper bodies, but with big barrel chests and massive muscles. Their lower bodies faded out into a swirl of smoke, and they floated just above the ground. Flame and Blaze were relatively new to Desmon’s employ, having only been recently freed when Mateo had gone to rescue Eva from an evil wizard.
“Oh, it’s just you, Graham. I thought we had someone to toast,” said one of the brothers.
I didn’t know them well enough to tell them apart. To me they looked identical, probably because they were, physically anyway.
“I have a guest with me,” I explained.
Meera poked her head out from behind me, and the golem reacted immediately, taking a step toward her. One of the fire djinns immediately gave orders for the golem to step down.
“You can step out now, female,” he said. “The golem needs to record your face and aura so it knows not to attack you.”
Meera stepped out tentatively. “Record?”
“Yes,” he said. “The golem’s eyes are cameras, and everything it sees is sent back to the security room.”
“Why hello there, beautiful.” The other ifrit’s eyes lit up like embers, and he shot out a hand. “I’m Flame, and this is my brother Blaze. What’s your name?”
“Meera.” She eyed the offered hand, which looked like it was flickering with flames.
“We don’t actually burn, unless we want to.” He sent her a dazzling grin. “I’d never burn a beauty like you.”
Something sharp and unfamiliar tickled in my chest.
Meera tentatively took the offered hand, and when it didn’t burn her, shook it.
“Pleasure to meet you, Meera.” But Flame didn’t release her. Instead, he pulled her forward and gathered her into his arms, his eyes ablaze with interest. “When you are done with your visit, perhaps I can show you around the grounds.”
The tickle exploded into full-blown jealousy. It was irrational. Meera wasn’t mine, but my hand shot out before I could stop it, gripping her arm and yanking her back against me. A low growl rumbled from my throat.
Flame’s grin widened. “My, my. Possessive, aren’t we?” His gaze flicked to me, amused. “Aren’t you the Redrock who claims you have no interest in women?”
“I’m tasked with delivering her to Desmon. She’s under my protection until then.”
We stared each other down, the air between us crackling with tension.
“Hate to break up the pissing contest,” Blaze drawled, stepping between us, “but according to the golem, he’s detecting two auras coming from her.”
Two auras? How was that possible?
“The egg!” Meera exclaimed. “It’s detecting the egg.”
“You’re the egg lady!” Blaze exclaimed.
I decided I could tell the two apart after all. Blaze was the one I didn’t want to punch in the face.
“Yeah, that’s why I brought her here.”
“Well, why didn’t you say so earlier? Let’s get you inside.”
We made our way toward the large three-story mansion, and I kept my body between Meera and Flame.
The little female’s eyes were wide as she took in the estate, her reaction barely contained. I followed her gaze, seeing the place through fresh eyes. Desmon’s estate was lush and impossibly green. The formal French gardens we walked through were meticulously maintained, every hedge and flowerbed perfectly trimmed, but I knew there was also a wooded area in the back and a stream.
Instead of heading to the front entrance, Flame and Blaze led us through a side door into a drawing room that screamed opulence. Marble floors gleamed underfoot, and a crystal chandelier cast a warm glow over the space. A baby grand piano sat in one corner, surrounded by plush leather armchairs, while a richly upholstered sofa dominated the opposite side of the room. This was one of the rooms Desmon used to take guests.
But the two ifrits continued leading us through the hallways and up the grand staircase to the library, where Desmon preferred to have more private meetings. The scent of aged paper and polished wood filled the air as we stepped inside. Elaborately carved wooden shelves stretched from floor to ceiling, filled with leather-bound books, their spines worn with time. A chandeliercast a golden light over the room, pooling around a massive fireplace where two plush armchairs sat waiting.
“Desmon didn’t know you were arriving, so it might be a few minutes. But you know the drill: make yourself at home.” Flame’s grin turned downright predatory as he locked eyes with Meera. “And if this grumpy gargoyle starts boring you to tears, you just come find me. Wave at any of the cameras, and I’ll come running.”
