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

I tap my knuckles lightly on the edge of the recessed door, and Carrick’s head jerks up. He regards me with disinterest, neither irritated I’ve interrupted him nor happy to see me here.

“What are you doing?” I ask, nodding toward the book.

“Looking for answers,” he says with a sigh, hefting the book closed. “Do you feel better now that your friends know what you’ve been going through?”

I step into the office, his question all the invitation I need to enter. I don’t bother sitting, though, merely standing just a few feet in the doorway with my hands tucked in my back pockets. “Yeah… I didn’t realize how much it bothered me that I was lying to them. I also know I had no choice but to lie, so there’s some relief in that. I’m just grateful Veda gave me the eye drops.”

“Now you need to get them to leave,” he advises, a potent reminder they are in danger the more they are around me.

“I know.” The regret in my voice is heavy. I laid this bombshell on them, and now I’m going to do everything I can to get them to pack up and leave their life here with me far behind. “What’s going to be our next move?”

Carrick’s eyebrows shoot upward, surprise evident on his face. He rises from his chair, rounds his desk, and comes to stand a few feet from me. The stubble on his face is dark and thick, and I realize I’ve never seen him clean-shaven before. This more than five o’clock shadow on him makes him look even more ominous and intimidating.

And admittedly, sexier, if that were possible.

He crosses his arms over his chest. “What do you mean our next move?”

I frown, because I’m getting the distinct impression I’m getting put on the bench after I’d just joined the game.

Motioning with my hand between the two of us, I reiterate, “I want to know what we—together as a team—are going to do next to figure out this prophecy.”

One side of Carrick’s mouth curls in a semi-sneer. “We aren’t doing anything. Clearly, you’re a target and must be kept safe so—”

“Stop,” I cut him off sharply. “Don’t even think to sideline me. You wanted me to commit to this prophecy, so I have. Now I want to be actively involved, and I’m not going to argue about it.”

Carrick levels me with a patronizing smile. “Look… I’m glad you came to your senses—”

“Came to my senses?” I nearly shriek, fury rising hot and fast because he’s treating me like this. “I didn’t come to my senses and decide to join your little prophecy team so that you can get your reward. My friend was murdered last night, and that’s why I’m here. I’m here to avenge her, get justice, and stop whatever evil is out there that thinks they can take someone as beautiful as Adira out of this world and not pay for it.”

He comes at me so fast, it’s a blur. I’m quite positive I’ve just witnessed some sort of super speed the gods must have bestowed upon him in addition to his magical powers. But in a flash, he’s all in my space, large and looming. Carrick’s hand goes to my chest, and he grabs a fistful of my t-shirt. Pulling me up to my tiptoes, he bends his face nearer to mine.

My heart skitters as a strange barrage of conflicting emotions hit me. Fear twists my gut even as longing whispers through me. I don’t know if he’s going to kiss me or beat me, but I know which one I’d prefer, and I’m absolutely disgusted with myself that I’m even thinking about this wretched man kissing me. His expression is fierce—terrifying actually—but his eyes are so light they remind me of my grandma’s coin glass that was passed down to my dad long before Fallon and I were born.

Carrick’s gaze rivets onto mine. With our faces just inches apart, he focuses sharply on my eyes.

I hold my breath, waiting for him to make his intention known—kill me or kiss me—but to my surprise, his lips curl upward in a mischievous smile. “There’s that spirit I knew was inside you. I had to work a little hard to get it out, though.”

“Wha—” I start to ask, confused, but he releases me so suddenly I stumble backward.

Carrick meanders past me out of his office and I scramble to run after him, calling, “What the hell was that? A test?”

We barely make it past the piano where Zaid, Titus, Rainey, and Myles are standing watching us. Zaid with the same grouchy expression, Titus with amusement, and Rainey and Myles with clear worry.

I’m thinking they heard me yelling at Carrick.

“All right,” Carrick announces, immediately garnering everyone’s attention and ignoring my questions. His voice is authoritative and for someone who’s had little to say since Adira died, I’m a bit perturbed Rainey and Myles turn to stare at him so raptly. “We need to come up with a game plan.”