“I’m serious, Vol,” I snapped.“Sense the mood.Neither of us is enjoying your antics today.”
I set Vol down with a sigh—knowing full well he had no intentions of listening to me—then watched him scamper off, abandoning me to the tension-filled kitchen.
I snuck a glance at Rathiel, who averted his gaze.Yeah, that was it.I’d had enough.
“Come on,” I said, pivoting on my heel.I stalked to my piddly little coat closet and pulled out our jackets.I tossed his over without a word, then reached inside for my bag of blades.With a quick unzip, I grabbed Inferno’s Kiss and strapped it on—hidden beneath my jacket but accessible.
Rathiel’s gaze sharpened as he watched me gear up.“Where exactly are we going?”
“We’re going to check out the portal,” I replied, pulling my jacket on.“Make sure all’s well with it.”
“Now?”he asked, sounding skeptical.
“You got a better idea?”I replied, my tone sharp.I couldn’t stand being cooped up in this apartment another minute.I adjusted my collar and stared at Rathiel.“We both need some fresh air, and who knows,” I added with a smirk, “maybe we’ll find a hellspawn or two to kill.Might help you snap out of this funk.”
“I don’t have a funk.”
“Oh, you have a funk,” I corrected him.“Trust me.You stink of funk.”
Rathiel paused mid-zipper, eyeing me like he wasn’t quite sure if I was serious.
“You’ve been moping around here like a kicked puppy, and frankly, it’s driving me insane.I figure cracking a few skulls open might improve your mood.”
Rathiel’s mouth twitched, caught between a smirk and a scowl.“And if we don’t find anything at the portal?”
“Then you get to enjoy a walk in the cold with my charming company.”I shot him a mocking smile and opened the door.“Don’t forget your sword.”
* * *
It wasa long walk to the Alberta Legislature Building, but I didn’t mind it.I wasn’t lying when I said I’d needed some fresh air.By the time we neared our destination, night had settled in, and the streets had quieted.We passed a few couples out for walks, bundled against the chill, and paused to take in the view of the North Saskatchewan River.By the time we reached the grounds, security was out in full force, patrolling close to the building.
I led Rathiel toward the portal, hoping no one would disturb us there.
“So…” I started, glancing over at him as we walked.“Now that we’re out here enjoying this lovely winter air, care to tell me what’s bothering you?”
I mean, I had an idea.But that was the issue.Ionlyhad an idea.Because Rathiel kept everything locked up tighter than Fort Knox and trying to get an answer out of him was like pulling teeth.Even his secrets had secrets.And it was maddening.
Rathiel’s jaw clenched—oh great,thatagain—and he gave me one of his signature scowls.“I’m fine.”
Inwardly, I screamed.A long, ear-splitting mental scream that, if I had my way, would have shattered every window in a five-kilometer radius.Heinfuriatedme.I just wanted to grip him by the shoulders and shake him until his aggravating head popped right off.
Instead, I took a deep, cleansing breath and tried another approach.I stopped walking and placed a hand on his arm, all gentle-like.
Rathiel froze, his gaze dropping to where my fingers rested.If I wasn’t mistaken, his breath hitched and his pupils expanded.I wasn’t stupid.Obviously, there was an attraction between us.Anyone with eyes could see that.But the way he reacted to me suggested there was somethingmorethan attraction between us.And it pissed me off that he wouldn’t talk about it.
Because it left me drowning in questionsherefused to answer.It wasn’t like I had anyone else I could ask, either.He was the only person I could rely on right now.But he guarded his secrets like a dragon hoarding gold.
It made me want to punch him.Hard.In the gonads.Twice.
“Look,” I said, my voice low and deceptively calm.“Something’s clearly bothering you.Let’s talk about it.”
Rathiel blew out a heavy breath, one that fogged in the winter air, before muttering, “I can’t.”
I considered his response, then asked, “Can’t or won’t?Because there’s a huge difference between the two.”
“Both,” he replied.
“Rathiel,” I growled, that murderous rage creeping up in me again.He just had this unique way of pulling it out of me.
