Xai chuckled. “Is that how it works? Because I suspect Evangeline would have a few choice responses to that.”
“Pity she’s not here to voice them,” I replied with a grin.
“She’s busy with the Nephilim.”
“I assume you’re here to report on her progress?”
Xai considered that for a moment, his expression turning serious. “Not exactly. She’s still working through the Dark Provenance roster and hasn’t found anything useful yet.” He motioned to my open office door. “Might I have a word in private?”
“Of course.” I stepped aside and indicated for him to precede me into the room, then glanced at Remy.
His green eyes widened as Xai moved away from him. The blond Portal Dweller then took two steps back before supplicating on the floor. I nearly sighed at the display. He really shouldn’t cower so much. A mere bow would do.
“At ease,” I murmured, then followed Xai into my office and closed the door behind us. Instead of circling around to sit behind my desk once more, I retrieved my mug and headed for the bar area in the corner. Might as well make my own tea as I suspected my visitor wouldn’t care for one of my assistants interrupting us.
“Why are you here, Xai?” I prompted.
He’d opted to remain standing in front of my desk. “This audit,” he began, “would it have anything to do with cataloging abilities? Specifically, those who have… grown or changed over the recent years?”
Xai had always been incredibly aware and astute in the matter of demon and angel politics, so it didn’t surprise me that this was what had brought him here.
I set my mug in the sink, deciding I preferred something a little harder to drink. “Asking me that makes me wonder if your powers are increasing,” I told him, fully aware of his mounting abilities.
“Or perhaps I’m asking because you’ve acquired the ability to portal at will.”
I grinned. I’d always enjoyed Xai’s cryptic nature. He gave so much away while saying so little. “It is a very useful skill to acquire,” I said, opening my liquor cabinet to find a more appropriate drink.
“Yes.”
Glancing over my shoulder, I held up a bottle of auburn liquid. “Bourbon?” Xai waved a hand in refusal. “Your loss.”
I poured myself a decent portion, then carried my glass to my desk and leaned against the edge of it in front of him.
“Teleporting is a skill you’ve perfected over the decades as well,” I added, referring to his own ability to shift between the realms. He still chose to work with a Portal Dweller on Earth, but I knew he could descend to Hell at will. I’d observed him in action more than once, and I let him know that with a look, daring him to deny it.
He didn’t.
“Indeed, I have,” Xai replied evenly.
Teleporting between realms was typically reserved for Archdemons and Archangels, and while Xai had Archangel heritage, he wasn’t technically considered one. Yet.
I toasted his honesty with my glass, took a small burning sip, then returned to business. “There are clearly some changes occurring, but my audit hasn’t revealed much yet. Just a few shifts here and there. Nothing significant. Anything of importance with the Nephilim?”
“Not yet.” He paused for a moment to fix his tie, a contemplative tell. His midnight gaze met mine in the next beat. “None of this is about Guinevere. She’s just a pawn in someone’s game.”
I dipped my chin in agreement. “Yes, it seems that way.”
“She’s Evangeline’s best friend. If something were to happen to her because of you…” he trailed off, leaving the threat lingering between us.
“I won’t allow anything to happen to her.”
He studied me for a minute. I knew he was trying to determine the relationship between myself and Guinevere, but I gave nothing away. I was a master at chess. Just because Xai was a worthy opponent didn’t mean I felt obligated to reveal my intentions.
His expression told me he knew it, too. “Evangeline is insisting on taking over her case. She wants to move in with Guinevere again.”
“Tell her that won’t be necessary,” I replied smoothly, “because Guinevere will be moving to Chicago to stay here with me until we resolve this.”
The grin that crossed his face told me that wasexactlywhat he’d been hoping to hear. “I’ll be sure to let her know.”
