Odd request at a time like this. “Why?”
“Close them, Penelope.”
With a huff, she squeezed them shut. “What are you doing?”
“Taking care of the mess.”
Well, in that case…
Even through her closed lids, she could see a brilliant light. There was a warmth that went along with it, but it disappeared as quickly as it had come.
“Okay. You can open them.”
When she did, Penelope stumbled back against the wall, scared she’d just fallen down the rabbit hole and into an alternate universe.
Her apartment looked exactly as she’d left it before she’d left for work Wednesday night, nothing out of place. Even the bowl she’d left in the dish drainer was there, the spoon beside it. Her iPad was still on the arm of the sofa, no longer shattered, the book in one piece. Her television…
“How did you do that?”
“I need to get you somewhere safe,” he said, his voice calm and cool.
“Like where? Your hotel?” She shook her head, letting it swivel on her neck like her eyes were tracking a paddleball. “Not happening, Obsidian. I…” Hell, she didn’t even know what she wanted to say. She was all mixed up, confused. Between the destruction, Obsidian’s inexplicable—not to mention, physically impossible—appearance, the way he’d magically repaired everything…
Slapping her hands on her hips, Penelope pinned him with a stare. “I need you to be straight with me.”
“I will. I’ll answer all your questions, but not right now. I need to get you away from here.”
“Why? Because someone broke in?” She huffed, fought the urge to look at her poor decapitated fairy statue.
Wait.
Nope. No longer decapitated. That was good news, at least.
“I’m sure this is normal,” she said, spinning back to face him. “It’s not really the best neighborhood. Probably some hoodlums looking to…” She shut down that train of thought beforemake off with my electronicscame out because it was evident they hadn’t been here to steal her crap.
Hands once again firmly on her hips, Penelope squared her shoulders. “What’s going on?”
Obsidian’s lips pursed and she could tell he wasn’t eager to fill her in.
“I’m not going anywhere until you tell me.”
“Someone’s after you, Penelope.”
“Who?”
“Notwho. What.”
She frowned, waiting for him to elaborate.
“I need you to trust me,” he said softly.
His big hand cupped her face and she could see the plea in his eyes. This man was worried about her.
“I do trust you,” she assured him.
“Then pack your stuff. I’ll explain everything on the way.”
Though she wasn’t keen on the idea, Penelope couldn’t detect any deceit from Obsidian. And while she couldn’t feel his emotions like she did others’, there was a connection between them. One that told her she’d be wise to do as he requested, if for no other reason than to save her own life.
