Page 90

Oh, screw it. Miles was the least of my problems.

“Julie Blair.”

I wanted the words to sound monotone, but I sounded like this girl was a deadly disease that couldn't be gotten rid of.

Suddenly, Miles laughed.

“Julie is all right.”

I stared at him, unable to do anything else.

His gaze, his tone, his words...

“You know her?”

I watched every movement on his expression, looking for conflict or amusement, but he was relaxed, as if Julie were just some girl.

With impatience, I stared at Miles, waiting for an answer.

He raised his glass to his lips.

“That's something personal,” he replied smirking with a wink. “If you know what I mean...”

I couldn't help letting out a dissatisfied growl.

“Bastard,” I muttered.

“With passion,” he chuckled and emptied his glass in one gulp.

Either he was getting back at me for not being as open with him as a damn book, or he really knew her. But how? Ruisangors and Quatura usually avoided each other unless they were working together at the DLSC. A place where surely no one would let Miles in.

What if he really knew her? What if that didn't pose a threat to me, but instead provided an advantage?

“Oh, oh,” said Miles, who had been watching me until now and now set the glass down next to my antique bell krater vase, which depicted The Transformation of Medusa, as well as The Fall of Adam and Eve. “I can see it already.” He pointed his index finger at me. “Or let me put it another way.” His smile turned into a cheeky grin. “I feel it. Something's on your mind.” He approached me as I tried to analyze the meaning of his words. “Spit it out. What do you want me to do for you?”

Realization dawned on me, and with it, an unpleasant premonition.

He was a Legacy Ruisangor. That meant he had a specific psychic gift.

“You can read minds,” I finally came to a plausible conclusion.

“Not minds. That hasn't existed in our family line for two centuries.” He shook his head. “But that aside.” He waved his hand dismissively. “You know our little deal is mutual.” And again, that grin. “We're a team.”

I suppressed a snort and wondered if it would be wise to set some rules. One of them would be honesty about one's powers, but then I would have to blow my cover as well.

“Doc and Marty,” Miles said with a grin.

“No, Miles.”

“Tequila and lemon,” he continued.

“Oh, please...”

I placed my head in my hand and set my half-full glass on the coffee table in front of me.

“Sherlock and Dr. Watson.” He grinned. “Although I would definitely be the former.”

“I doubt you could represent either of them,” I sighed, unable to suppress the amused smile on my lips.