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Apparently, I needn’t have bothered either as he strides toward me without waiting for an invitation.
I’ve known Klyn since I arrived in Tartarus five millennia ago and chose the land next to his as my new home site. He is a wolf shifter whose lupin bloodline is descended from the gods, who turned on him and cast him out of Olympus for no other reason than that his strength and cunning threatened their own. Since then, he’s roamed the realms as a wild, packless beast.
His penchant for silence has made him an easy companion for someone like me. His ability to find out nearly anything in this realm or the next has made him a valuable resource. He’s more than my second-in-command; he’s a friend.
“What did you find?” I ask as he comes to stand before me.
“Good to see you too, friend.”
I roll my eyes. “Good to see you. What did you find?”
He grins at me then crosses to pour himself a drink. I wait impatiently as he does so and watch as he takes the seat across from mine near the crackling fireplace.
“She’s not what I expected.” He sips the bourbon he’s holding.
I curl my hand into a fist, trying—and failing—to remain patient. “What the hell does that mean?”
The look he gives me tells me he’s enjoying this torture. “She’s different.”
“Klyn, it is only out of friendship that I have not lost my temper. What did you find? Specifics.”
“Relax, friend,” he says, grinning. “I did the job you asked.”
I snarl.
His grin never even wavers. “Fine. How’s this for specific? She’s half-dark fae, half-nymph, which is an interesting mix to be sure. Both offer an affinity for nature, which makes sense, given her line of work. Anyway, both parents died about ten years back. Car accident. Her only family is a younger sister, Kendall, whom she’s raised alone ever since.”
I frown. My experience with family has been less than pleasant, but even so, I can’t imagine having to raise a sibling alone.
Then Klyn’s other words snag my attention.
“What’s her line of work?”
“Oh, man. This is the part that cracks me up.” He shakes his head, chuckling. “Ready for this? She’s an assassin-for-hire.”
I frown. “She’s a soldier in her realm?”
He nods. “Freelance. Her specialty is natural poisons. That night you saw her in the bar, she was working.”
So, she wasn’t avenging a wrong that male did to her after all. The disappointment I feel is ridiculous. I don’t intend to pursue or claim her, so why do I care if she’s a killer like me?
I don’t.
As if to prove it, I remain silent.
“You want to know the rest?” Klyn asks.
“No, that’s enough.”
His brow lifts, but I ignore it. “You sure?”
“What else is there?” I all but snarl.
But Klyn is too used to my foul moods. He doesn’t bat an eye as he teases, “Whether or not she’s seeing anyone?”
My blood roars in my ears. I lean forward before I can stop myself, teeth bared. “Is she?”
He chuckles again. “Nope. But I had you.”
