A Discovery of Secrets and Fate (Chronicles of the Stone Veil 2)

Carrick glances around at the group, giving us all barely a millisecond to voice our own thoughts before saying, “No ideas. Great. Here’s what we’re going to do.”

“Hey,” I exclaim, offended he’s taking charge without any input from us. Or really, me. I am the key to the prophecy, so to speak.

I’m ignored though, as Carrick gives his orders to me. “You’ll go with Titus to your house and pack your belongings. You’re going to move into the condo, and Zaid will set you up in one of the suites.”

Before I can even utter an objection, his gaze moves to Rainey and Myles. “You two are in real danger. At least Finley has some fighting and defensive skills, but you will be fae food if you stick around. So you go with Titus and Finley, pack your stuff, and get out of town.”

Rainey and Myles stare agog, but Carrick is done with them, his attention going to Zaid. “Find Pyke. I need him to get me into Faere. Also, get Maddox over here.”

Zaid nods, pivots on his foot, and heads in the opposite direction. I had learned quite by accident that he actually has an office on the northeast side of the building, but to this day, I still have no clue where Zaid lives or if he ever even goes home since he’s always here.

“Wait a minute.” My indignation apparent, I step forward to garner everyone’s attention. Zaid ignores me and keeps walking, but all other eyes focus on me as I declare my intentions to Carrick. “First, I am not moving in here with you. I mean, I agree Rainey and Myles should go, but—”

“We’re not going,” Rainey scoffs, crossing her arms defiantly and cocking out a hip.

Myles merely jerks his head toward Rainey. “What she said.”

Arguing with Carrick momentarily forgotten, I turn back to Rainey and Myles. “Please, please consider leaving. You know what happened to Adira. There’s a good chance more Dark Fae or daemons could be coming for me. Hell, there’s a good chance my sister will try to kill me. I don’t want you two at risk.”

“We’re not leaving,” Myles says resolutely.

Rainey nods. “What he said.”

Growling, I leave them alone for a moment and spin toward Carrick, only to find him gone. He actually left before I could continue this discussion and if he thinks I’m going to do his bidding, he’s got another think coming.

I take off toward his office, stomping in anger. Rainey and Myles scramble after me as Titus starts chuckling.

Carrick is behind his desk again but ignoring the book. Instead, he has his phone out and is getting ready to bring it up to his ear. When he sees me enter, he sighs with annoyance and disconnects whatever call he was ready to make.

“I am not moving in here,” I protest.

“You are,” he retorts. “It’s the one thing that will guarantee your safety.”

“I have a life, Carrick. I own a business. I am not going to hide out here in your condo for what could be weeks. Hell, maybe months.”

“We’re not giving our lives up either,” Rainey says from behind me, and I whip around to glare at her in frustration. She’s making the same damn argument I am and admittedly, it’s effective because I believe deeply in keeping my autonomy.

“You can go about your life,” Carrick declares, his attention focused solely on me. “I’ll make sure eyes stay on you when you’re at One Bean. But at night, you are here where you can be adequately protected or if you need to go out, it’s with Titus or me.”

An idea suddenly strikes. “I’ll make you a deal,” I drawl solicitously. “I’ll agree to stay here as long as Rainey and Myles can stay, too.”

“Absolutely not,” Carrick replies firmly.

At the same time, Myles snaps, “Oh, hell no.”

Rainey pipes in with a polite, “Thank you, but we’re going to have to decline.”

I plead with Rainey with my eyes. “I’ll worry about you too much. You won’t leave, you won’t stay here—”

“She’s not invited to stay here,” Carrick grouses, but I ignore him.

“—and you can’t go back to my house. We’re running out of options here.”

“We’ll stay on the Fantasia,” Myles asserts, his arm going around Rainey. “Carrick says it’s still protected, and we’ll be careful when we see you. We won’t make targets of ourselves.”

Rainey nods emphatically. “But we will see you. We’re part of this now, if for nothing more than to just give you support.”

I huff with frustration that I’m not getting any concessions. I spin back to face Carrick, who has left his seat and perched on the front edge of his desk, long legs stretched and crossed at the ankles, and arms loosely folded over his chest. He looks smug and yes, maybe not but five minutes ago, when he had my shirt in his hand and jerking me up close to his face, I thought it wouldn’t be so bad to kiss him, but now I just want to smack him.