Luckily for him, there were many things that hadn’t been figured out by the angels and the Fae. The parts he’d played over the centuries had been great as he’d moved the pieces around on the board, lining them up where he needed them. One of them being Asmia, who shouldn’t even exist because her species wasn’t capable of reproducing. Yet no one seemed to question how she’d come about. He suspected there was some curiosity, but the questions had never arisen, and he hadn’t felt the need to disclose his hand in the matter. Until the time it was necessary, he intended to keep that secret, as well as the many others he harbored.
As he appeased the dogs, Michael let his senses spread through the mansion. He detected some unrest with the human male known as Oliver Calazans. That was normal, he figured. Considering Khari had found his mate, it was only a matter of time before something prompted the vampire soul to seek what he was desperate to claim. Unfortunately, he couldn’t do that within the human’s body. As for how he would go about making his presence known, Michael wasn’t sure. Since it hadn’t happened in the past nine thousand years since Michael had tucked him away, he didn’t even know what to expect.
Perhaps he needed to find a hobby. Something to keep him busy while the angels and vampires were choosing to ignore him. Or better yet, maybe it was time to push a few buttons, get things moving in the direction he needed them to go.
Despite his desire to let things play out as they were meant to, Michael knew they were running out of time.
Acadia managed to make it another night.
She had successfully avoided thefiestreigh, though it had been touch-and-go when she’d learned Gryffyth had been seeking her out. Luckily, he’d found Ziana to tend to his blood needs and she’d been off the hook.
Now, as she sat in her bedchamber, avoiding the morning meal to ensure no one else managed to corner her, she knew she needed to confront Obsidian. It was becoming too difficult to avoid everyone, and she was at the point the idea of feeding any of the other males didn’t sit right with her.
A knock sounded on her door and she looked up, fearing one of them had found her.
Allowing her senses to scan the other side of the wood, she breathed a sigh of relief when she realized it was Kaj. The door opened a second later and the male stepped into the room.
He looked good. Healthy and strong.
He also looked determined.
When he closed the door behind him, she got to her feet, wanting to greet him appropriately. Since he’d left her bed that evening, she’d been looking forward to reuniting with him.
“What’s wrong,balisra?”
Acadia shook her head, forced a smile. “Nothing. Why would you think that?”
Kaj canted his head to the side. “You can’t hide from me.”
Technically, she could. If she truly wanted to, Acadia could’ve shielded herself from him. It was one of the many powers the Fae had. It was the very reason they’d managed to go undetected in the world for so long.
“I was hoping to find you downstairs,” he said softly, taking her hand and leading her to the small seating area in front of the fireplace.
When he took a seat, pulling her into his lap, she went willingly. “I wasn’t hungry.”
A soft growl was his response. “I also know when you’re not being truthful.”
Of course he did. But not because he had heightened senses. Acadia had never been able to lie to him. Even when she had wanted him to believe she no longer cared about him, she hadn’t been able to hide her true feelings.
Leaning her head on his shoulder, she relaxed against him. “What kept you away so long?”
His lips brushed her forehead. “I assume you’re not referring to today.”
She smiled. “No. Not today. When you left. After you healed.”
Kaj exhaled heavily, settling into the cushion. “After I found Kardobahn’s camp destroyed and thought I lost my males, I went into hiding for a bit. I thought about coming right back but worried the shadow beasts would catch my scent and follow me here. Just when I thought it was safe to make my way here, Bijou showed up. How she found me, I still don’t know, but I figure a higher power had a hand in that.”
Probably. Acadia knew Michael manipulated things to suit his needs, and based on what she’d learned by reading Kaj’s mind regarding the original vampire, it was highly likely he’d set that in motion.
“My focus was to protect her,” Kaj explained. “At the same time, get to know her. I always planned to bring her back here because I knew she’d be safe, but I had to bide my time. Even though I knew without a doubt she was who she said she was, I didn’t trust her right off.”
“You don’t trust easily,” Acadia whispered.
“No. I don’t.” Kaj exhaled. “But I made every attempt to get in touch with you. None of my calls were returned.”
This time Acadia lifted her head, peered into his eyes. “I never received any calls while you were gone.”
He held her gaze. “I swear to you,balisra, I tried. I hated that I couldn’t return to you, but I never meant for you to think I’d abandoned you.”
