Medusa's Dagger (Aya Harris Collection 1)

Instead, I focused on Gideon as he approached. His eyes were busy scanning every part of me, as if I’d break into a million pieces at any instant. From the tension in his jaw and the tight line of his mouth, I could tell he was angry.

But at who, I couldn’t say. Chasing Theo across Arcana’s city streets hadn’t been my brightest idea. In the span of two days, I’d already had three near-death experiences. He had every right to give me another lecture.

“I’ll look in on the victim,” Agent Silva said. She breezed past me and went into Michelle’s room.

I was surprised she didn’t try to chew me out again – blame me for getting her victim nearly burnt to a crisp. It was all for the better, though, because I still had some serious pent up rage ready to throw into her face. Hospital or not, I was ready for a showdown.

Gideon barely nodded at her and stepped in close, pressing against me. He cupped the side of my face with his hand and ran his thumb along my jawline. The intensity in his eyes scared me. They bore into mine, making me feel as if I were naked in the middle of a shopping mall. His fingers trailed down to my neck, tracing the bruises that Theo had left. My skin burned under his touch, while at the same time a shiver ran through my back.

“You’re hurt.” Gideon’s hand lingered on my neck, his touch soft.

“It’s not that bad.” I couldn’t turn away. My feet were glued to the waxed tile floor. “Better than getting barbequed for the second day in a row.”

“From what I hear, you almost got spit roasted.”

“Yeah. Giant fireball. Burning warehouse. Just another day for me.”

A sideways grin softened his face. “You’re a recipe for disaster, Ms. Harris.”

My knees shook, as if they were turning into jelly. I put my hand on the wall behind me to steady myself. “Someone’s got to do the heavy lifting around here.”

A nurse came flying down the hall with a cart of bandages and gauze. Gideon blinked and stepped away from me – the spell was broken. He rubbed the back of his head, the determined frown back in place.

“We didn’t get to the high rise in time,” he said. “Theo was already gone. He must have a spell that allowed him to know if anyone was tracking him. There was no other way he could’ve known we were on to him.”

I’d never heard of such a spell, but I wouldn’t put it above someone like my brother to find one and teach Theo how to use it. All of this was Nicky’s fault. If only he could’ve left the past behind him like I did. Learned to grow up despite the lack of parental guidance.

But

he seemed stuck and determined to live the life that I’d abandoned. Hunting monsters, exacting justice. That was harpy business. But, he wouldn’t have been welcomed into the HQ, and mother didn’t have the time of day for him. It must’ve been harder for him than I knew.

“Theo came to the museum. He was asking about the dagger. He knows we have it.”

Gideon’s frown grew deeper. “Is that why he attacked you?”

I opened my mouth and snapped it closed. In hindsight, running after a serial killer seemed like an even worse idea than it did at the time. I didn’t want to say it aloud.

Gideon saw my hesitation and cocked his head at me. “You chased him, didn’t you?”

I smirked and shrugged my shoulders. Obviously, I couldn’t help my suicidal tendencies. But at least I’d found Michelle before it was too late.

“He tried to choke me at one point, that’s how I got these bruises,” – I pointed to my neck – “and then he ran into an old warehouse. That’s where he had Michelle tied up. He threw a fireball at us, but we got out just before the whole building burnt up like a dried old Christmas tree.”

He let out a low groan between his clenched teeth and shook his head. “I think the lesson here is that I shouldn’t let you out of my sight.”

“I guess not,” I said.

Having Gideon around to babysit me wasn’t the worst idea in the world. Yesterday was kind of fun. If we didn’t have two madmen to worry about, I might really enjoy his company.

Agent Silva poked her head out the door. She deliberately avoided looking at any part of me. “Gideon, she’s awake and ready to talk to us.”

He followed her into the hospital room. I lingered in the doorway, unsure whether I was welcome. But, no one said anything.

Michelle looked like a small child in the bed. White and red cords ran from her body to various machines in the room. An IV with a clear bag of liquid dripped at her side. A set of stark white sheets covered her legs, tucked under her bandaged arms. Her complexion was already a lot better, although I could tell she’d been crying only minutes ago.

“Where’s my son? Did you find him?” Michelle pushed herself up from the bed. “Was he in the warehouse?”

Gideon gave her a sympathetic smile. “The firemen are still looking, but so far, there’s no indication that your son was in that warehouse, ma’am.”