Gaby nodded.
Giles furrowed his brow, but complied and called his butler. “Mr. Leeds, take them to the billiard room.”
“Yes, sir.”
Gaby and Kane followed him down a long hallway. They entered the room and the butler closed the door. She released a long breath. “Sorry, Avery is such an ass.”
“Not only that, but he’s an ass who can’t be compelled and has no distinct human scent.”
“You can’t smell him?”
“Just his clothes.” He paced. “I smell the material.”
She furrowed her brow. “Deer hunters hide their scent from their prey. Could he be wearing some sort of masking cologne?”
He frowned. “Precisely.”
“Why would he do that?”
“To stalk werewolves, I imagine. Fortunately, I heard his heartbeat. He’d be easy to hear if he thought of surprising me.”
“I bet hiding his scent is a way to tease you, knowing it will confuse you.”
He rubbed his neck while pacing. “Yeah, a real slap in my face.”
“I know he isn’t werewolf.” Unless, he disguised his aura. Yet, why would he if he had no idea she was a wolf charmer?
“Yeah, I didn’t get a wolf vibe either.”
“Just like Avery used something to hide his scent, he must have used something to prevent being compelled, too.”
Kane frowned. “True. He didn’t always look me in the eye. He wasn’t entirely out of my influence. Whatever he took has a shelf life.”
Gaby glanced at the door and then whispered, “So the name Steele doesn’t ring a bell?”
“Yes and no. All I know is we need to leave, now.”
“You want to skip meeting him to learn more?”
“Yes. I sense danger.”
“Like the man who might have created you?”
“No, like a man who hunts werewolves.”
“So why not kill you right away?”
He scoffed. “I’m not easy to kill, but maybe he wants information from me before he cuts my head off and turns me into a wall mount.”
Gaby needed to get him out. “I have an idea. I’ll excuse myself and you can escort me back to my place.”
“I doubt they’ll allow it, but why don’t you go?” He half-growled. “Things might get messy.”
Code for he planned on a werewolf killing rampage. “Okay.”
Kane rubbed his brow. “Fuck, my head hurts.”
“Just now?”