But how? And with whom?
One thing she did know: Laila’s time was running out, and somehow Caia had to get her out of the Center.
She cleared her throat and stood up straight and determined. “I’m sorry. The feelings … she reminded me of Ethan.”
Softness slid back into Marita’s features. “Of course.”
“You were right. A Midnight’s a Midnight. Let’s go.”
Marita nodded militantly and led her out of the cell.
Caia had to force herself to not look back at the young woman she was now determined to save.
Lucien glanced fretfully down at Rose, curled up on the leather sofa in his suite. They had just finished training with Anders and Phoebe, who butted heads so often it was a wonder they were getting anything done. Lucien was worried about Caia. Mordecai mentioned an incident yesterday, but she wouldn’t speak to anyone except Marita, who hadn’t been able to schedule Caia in until today. What is going on with her? He paced back and forth, running an anxious hand through his hair. She’d avoided him all day yesterday.
“Lucien, sit down, you’re making me antsy.” Rose laughed and pulled him down beside her. A wash of guilt ran through him that she was in his room again. Caia wouldn’t even look at him when Rose had insisted on coming into his suite the other night. Nothing had happened between them, but Rose had revealed how terrible she felt for the way she’d treated him, now that she knew his not mating with her was because he couldn’t, not that he wouldn’t. Talking with her had been as easy and as natural as it used to be. She’d listened patiently while he told her the story.
“So you and Caia aren’t together?” she asked quietly once he’d finished.
“No. We’re not.”
Her smile had been so wide, guilt crashed around him in waves. But he had nothing to feel guilty for! Caia was not his, and he was not hers.
And Rose …
He’d been crazy about Rose. Being with her the last couple of days only reminded him of the good times they’d had. And she was making it obvious she wouldn’t mind taking a physical trip back down memory lane.
Thing was … Lucien wasn’t sure if he was ready to give up on the hope that Caia would come to her senses and realize they should be together.
“Seriously, Lucien, what is up?”
“Just a little worried about Caia.”
He watched as her full lips fell into a pout. “From what I’ve heard, your worry is redundant. She’s a big shot around here. An all-powerful genie. Why don’t you stop worrying about Caia and loosen up a little? I could give you a massage.” She grinned suggestively.
That did sound tempting …
A knock at the door.
“Lucien?”
“Caia?” He shot out of his seat and rushed to the door, throwing it open.
His relief at having her in his sight was washed away by her appearance. Her gorgeous eyes were round with worry and sadness, and her long, pale hair looked as if she’d been tugging on it in exasperation.
“Thank goddess,” she muttered when she saw him and walked past him with a familiar caress on his chest that sent heat rushing to his good-for-nothing places. “I need to talk to you. Lucien, some—”
She stopped, and he turned to shut the door realizing the cause of her disruption.
Rose.
“Oh.” She threw her shoulders back. “I didn’t realize you had company.”
Rose stood from the sofa and smiled weakly. He quirked an eyebrow as he walked toward her. That wasn’t like her. Was she frightened of Caia? Lucien almost laughed out loud at the thought but then realized it wasn’t so funny. He guessed if he hadn’t known her personally, the idea of Caia—a Midnight/Daylight lykan/witch—was intimidating, if not a little frightening.
“You remember Rose?” he came to a stop by his ex-girlfriend while trying to catch the eye of his mate so he could determine her feelings. Caia stiffened, and her eyes narrowed on Rose, an Amazon compared to her. If he wasn’t so worried this was going to cause the rift Marita intended, he’d actually find it funny how unintimidated Caia appeared by Rose’s height and build.
“How could I forget?”
Was that a sneer? Aw, crap, she was pissed.
He felt Rose stiffen next to him and was afraid to look at the expression on her face.
“I’m Lucien’s ex-lover.”
Ex-lover? That word, it was just so … graphic.
“I see.” Caia nodded, flashing him a hateful look. “Not so ex by the look of things.”
No, no, no, no! He took a placating step toward her. “Now, Ca—”
“Actually,” Rose interrupted, placing a hand on his arm and drawing him back toward her. “We were just discussing that. After all, you two aren’t going to commit to your mating, and Lucien and I would have been mates if he hadn’t been obligated to fulfill his father’s betrothal to you.”