“Either way,” I said, “you can’t stay here. Gather some clothes and whatever bits of computer wizardry you need, because you won’t be back here until it’s over.”
“But—”
“It’s sensible,” Tao cut in, then glanced at his watch. “And you have two minutes. Any later and Ilianna is going to start throwing curses our way. I’ll go down and start the car.”
As the two men disappeared, I pushed to my feet. The room spun a little and I grabbed blindly for the chair—and got Azriel’s arm instead. He’d obviously moved without me even hearing him. But as my fingers touched his flesh, the heat of him leapt up my arm and fanned through my body—a warmth and strength that chased away much of the weakness from my limbs.
“Fuck,” I said, jagging my hand away. “What was that?”
He shrugged, like it was nothing of consequence. Yet there was a fierceness about him that belied his otherwise impassive expression. “As I’ve mentioned, I’m attuned to your Chi. A consequence of that is the ability to inhibit or enhance your life energy.”
“Meaning the link is a whole lot more than what you’re admitting.”
“No.” The denial sounded genuine, but I wasn’t believing it. He added, “You will call me when you get more information?”
“If it means breaking this link and getting you out of my life,” I muttered, “most definitely.”
“As I have said, I want this no more than you do.” He winked out of existence, but wasn’t gone, because the heat of him still swirled around me. Then he added softly, “And you do not look like something a cat has regurgitated. I’d put it more on the level of a dog’s effort.”
Then the heat of him did fade and I was left smiling—despite the confirmation that he could read my thoughts.
The reaper had a sense of humor. Fancy that.
It was a close-run thing, but we made it home in time to stop both the roast being ruined and Ilianna from throwing curses our way. Although—given the scent in the air—she’d been in the process of preparing some nasty little potions as we walked in the door.
It seemed she had been pissed off enough to risk the threefold rule.
After the food was eaten, the wine consumed, and Tao’s birthday appropriately celebrated, I went to bed and slept the sleep of the dead.
It was well after ten by the time I crawled out from underneath the blankets and staggered into the bathroom, but the shower did little to wash the fuzziness from my mind. I dragged on clothes with little thought, then headed out into the main living area.
“Well,” Stane said, am
usement evident as he studied me from the dining room table, “I take it you’re planning to cause a riot in the near future.”
I frowned in confusion, then glanced down. The shirt I’d grabbed was a striped black-and-white tee. The only trouble was, the white bits were actually sheer, revealing my flesh in teasing flashes. And I hadn’t bothered putting on a bra.
I struck a pose. “I’m thinking diversionary tactics here.”
“Well, it’s diverting me. But I think it’ll only work on the witch bitch if she’s into women.”
“Don’t let Ilianna hear you call the bitch a witch,” Tao said, coming out of the kitchen. “You won’t be getting the old boy up for a year if she does.”
Stane laughed, but Tao was actually serious. Ilianna could do something like that if she wished. I walked across to the table and studied the light screen. “Anything?”
He shook his head. “The company buying the land is the first in a long series of business fronts. As I’ve already said, backtracking through all the paperwork is taking time. But I think we’re close.”
I glanced at Tao. “Has Ilianna had a chance to create stronger wards?”
“She did it this morning, and they’re active as we speak.” He hesitated, then added, “I talked to her about the whole ley line thing, too. She said she’d mention it to her mother.”
And hopefully, her mother would mention it to the powers-that-be at the Brindle and they’d start investigating. They might even be able to track down and stop the Charna from raising any more soul stealers—although I doubted Azriel would be happy with such an outcome. He seemed to think the Charna’s fate was his responsibility.
I moved on into the kitchen and toasted some crumpets. Once I’d added Vegemite and cheese, I grabbed a Coke, then headed back out.
“I’m lunching with Mom and Riley, so I’ll ask if Rhoan’s found anything.” I very much suspected Riley would be under orders not to tell if he had, but it wouldn’t hurt to ask. You never knew just what my aunt might or might not decide to do.
Tao nodded. “It might also be worth getting the Kingstons’ contact details. Asking them if they’d received any prior threats might save time.”