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She could swear she sensed his eyes on her, though, and she didn’t breathe easy until the elevator doors closed and the lift started downward. Jeez, what a creep! He must have been visiting somebody at Sanctuary, though she couldn’t imagine his presence would make anyone feel better. If she saw him lurking over her bed, she’d go into cardiac arrest.
Putting him out of her mind, she made her way to the main building. Nick had given her an access code for the direct corridor, and she got in with no problem. Finding the dining room was another matter, and she got lost a few times before finally meeting up with Aric after she’d turned down the fourth or fifth hallway.
“Hey, pretty lady, you lost?”
“As a flea in a sandstorm. Can you direct me to the dining room? I’m starving.”
The redhead laughed. “This is a big place, ain’t it? That’s where I’m going. You can grab a bite with me and Rowan.”
“Sounds good.”
Jacee studied Aric slyly on the way to their destination. The man was snarky and funny as hell, and she liked him a lot. He had a strong personality, too. It was easy to see why Rowan had fallen for him. Each of the guys she’d met had his own special appeal, but Aric was one of her favorites, maybe because of his fun, rebellious attitude.
This side of him really came to the forefront around his Pack brothers. The minute they walked into the dining room, he was calling out to his friends, “Hey, you ugly fuckers! Did your greedy asses save me any food?”
“Fuck you, asshole!”
A round of good-natured insults ensued, and Jacee found herself laughing for the first time in many tension-filled hours. Maybe the show was for her benefit, but she didn’t care. It warmed her to them even more.
Aric led her to a table where Rowan sat with a blue-haired, blue-winged creature so freaking beautiful, he could only be the Fae prince she’d heard about. More than a little nervous, she took a seat and smiled at her companions.
“How’s my baby bro?” Rowan asked, looking worn-out.
“Better. Noah put in the IV with my blood tonight, and he said it was like pure adrenaline. He’s resting pretty well right now, so he made me come grab some food.”
“That’s good.” Rowan looked relieved.
“Yes, it is.” Jacee looked at the Fae, who was watching her curiously. “Hello. I’m Jacee Buchanan, Micah’s mate. Well, soon-to-be.”
The creature smiled, showing off a set of gorgeous white teeth. “I’m Sariel, renegade Fae. Wonderful to meet you.”
Jacee reached over to shake his hand, but he turned hers over and kissed the back of it instead. “A renegade and a gentleman at the same time. How does that work?”
“Quite well, I’m told.” His golden eyes sparkled with humor.
Conversation at the table turned to general chat, and she listened while studying the Fae prince. He appeared young, maybe in his twenties, but his eyes were fathomless. She got the distinct impression he was much older than he looked.
Sariel turned from Rowan to grin at her. “Have you dissected me yet?”
Her face flushed. “Sorry. I’ve just never met a faery before.”
“I felt the same when I was first cast from my realm and landed in Ireland quite unceremoniously. What would you like to know?”
“How old are you?” she blurted.
That made him laugh, and crinkled the corners of those amazing eyes. “Got a guess?”
“A few hundred? Five, maybe?”
That made the others around them chuckle, and Sariel shook his head. “A tad higher.”
“A thousand?”
“A bit more. I’m eleven thousand years old.” He paused thoughtfully. “Give or take a century.”
“Holy shit! And I thought shifters were long-lived!”
For a second, Sariel’s smile was sad. “Eternity isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, as they say. Anyway, let’s eat.”
