I handed over the signed paperwork I’d brought from the office, and she begrudgingly took it with a frown. “I know you don’t use this method of record keeping, but until we find a better way of doing this, I’m afraid signed paper copies are all we have.”
She slipped the papers into a bag at her feet, then addressed the guards. “Take them through.”
One by one, the witches were led forward until they suddenly disappeared from view. It never failed to make me uneasy. I knew the gateway was there, Ifeltit. But not being able to see where they’d gone was strange in a way I couldn’t seem to get used to.
“They’ll be met on the other side and escorted to the prison at Anyath,” Lady Sarhin said, turning away from where I presumed the gate was to face us. “Now to the other matter I discussed with your Detective Chief Inspector.” Her gaze flitted to the fae standing beside her, his brown skin offset by shoulder-length silver hair and blue eyes. “Allow me to introduce you to Chylath Dyn.”
We all said our hellos as she went around the rest of us.
The way he smiled at Dathal in particular, told me he knew him already. Which made sense with Dathal also being a member of the guard. And Chylath’s hair, although a few shades darker than either Axel’s or Dathal’s, made me wonder if they were related.
“In light of…previous events,” Lady Sarhin continued. “The high court are keen to educate more fae guard in the ways of your paranormal police. We feel it would be beneficial to our working together in the future.”
I was totally onboard with this.
Although, I already had Mase as my partner, with Dathal working with us whenever he thought it would be of interest to him. I wasn’t sure I could handle someone else.
I went to voice my concerns, but Lady Sarhin beat me to it. “I realise you have your hands full with Dathal.” She ignored his huff of protest. “So DCI Thornton suggested that finding a new detective to pair Chylath with would work better. One who is currently without a partner at present.”
Only one person came to mind, and I wasn’t sure how I felt about Chylath beinghisnew partner.
With everything going on outside of work, the last thing Jake needed was a fae with Goddess knew what magical ability shadowing his every move.
It had absolutely nothing to do with how hot Chylath was.
Nothing at all.
I didn’t realise I was clenching and unclenching my fists until Mase nudged me. “That’s sounds like a good idea,” I managed, drawing Lady Sarhin’s gaze.
“Yes,” she said. “I thought so. Since Chylath will be spending long periods of time this side of the gateway, we’d like him to have a temporary residence here too.” She glanced at me, then at Dathal. From the look on Nick’s face, having another hot fae living with him wasn’t something he was opposed to, but it was the last thing Jake and I needed.
“He can stay with me,” Wyn said, surprising everyone. I’d almost forgotten he was there, he’d been so quiet up until now. “I just moved into my new house and I have a big spare room. It’s about halfway between Axel and Dathal, so not too far from either if you need them.” He smiled at Chylath, happiness lighting up his face, andoh.
As the only shifter present, no one else picked up on the trace of arousal suddenly in the air. I was pretty sure it was coming from Wyn, but I bit my lip, forcing myself not to react. It wasn’t my business, and I certainly wasn’t going to embarrass Wyn by mentioning anything.
Lady Sarhin turned to Chylath. “Is this agreeable with you?”
“If not,” Dathal said, “then of course you can stay with either me or Axel.”
I kept quiet.
Chylath smirked. “Axel’s newly joined, isn’t he? No offence, but I’ve no wish to stay in a house where their bond is so new.” He winked at Dathal. “And I don’t think it wise for me to stay with you considering our past and your own newly joined status.”
Dathal laughed. “Probably not.”
Ahh, so not related then. Well, at least I hoped not.
The expression on Nick’s face was almost comical, the appeal of having Chylath staying with them fading fast.
Chylath finally looked at Wyn, smile softening into something genuine. “Thank you for offering your home to me. I’d be honoured to stay with you.”
Wyn beamed in return.
If Lady Sarhin noticed the hearts in his eyes, she chose to ignore them. “Thank you. We’ll complete the necessary arrangements on our side of the gateway and Chylath will return in the next few days. I’ll inform Axel of the exact date.”
I held out my hand as the senior member of the paranormal police. “We look forward to working with you.”
Chylath shook my hand with a firm grip, smile staying in place. “Thank you.”
