Rory leaned into him, his body a welcome weight. His teeth were chattering, but his voice was meltingly sincere as he said, “You got me out.” His eyes were full of wonder, like Arthur’d hung the night’s full moon. “I’m so glad I found you, Ace.”
Ace’s throat tightened. “Me too, Teddy,” he said quietly.
Rory couldn’t fight his heavy eyes and fell asleep to the lulling movement of the car, his head on Arthur’s lap. He vaguely woke as Arthur half supported, half carried him into the elevator and then into the apartment. “I feel like I went ten rounds with a gorilla.”
“I think you’re allowed to be tired. You just fought the ocean and won.”
The shower’s hot water was heaven against his icy skin. Rory leaned heavily against the tiled wall and tried to open his eyes enough to see Ace’s blurry figure through the spray. “Last time we were in a shower, I got you to do something more interesting than wash my hair.”
“You’ve got sand on your scalp and you’re nearly falling over.” Arthur’s hands were gentle as he worked lather through Rory’s curls. “So I’m ignoring all your come-ons and putting your paranormal arse to bed.”
There were soft pajamas, too big, and then Rory was diving under the covers with a groan of gratitude. “Luce dei miei occhi,” he mumbled as Arthur slid in behind him. “Shoulda called youlight of my aura.”
“You’re the one in my aura, apparently.” Arthur was big and warm against him as an arm wrapped around his waist. “We’ll talk about it in the morning. Sleep now, Teddy.”
Rory closed his eyes and instantly fell into a dreamless sleep.
When he woke, he was alone.
He sat up slowly, rubbing his temple. Geez, it was just like that first night he’d woken up in Arthur’s bed right down to the headache and humiliation. He’d stolen Arthur’s pajamas, made himself right at home in Arthur’s pad—
But then, he’d apparently made himself at home in Arthur’saura.
Rory winced. He hadn’t evenaskedbefore he’d staked his magic claim. The link was still inside him now, when he reached for it; a lifeline he wanted to clutch with both hands.
But Rory wasn’t gonna chain Arthur with magic, no matter how much his heart liked being anchored to the present. Anchored to Arthur.
But how the hell was he going to break that link when he didn’t even know how he’d done it?
He felt around on the nightstand until his hand closed on his glasses. He made himself push the warm blankets off and get out of the soft bed, hoping the waiter’s uniform had been left on the bathroom floor. It was probably still wet, cold, and full of sand, but he couldn’t keep helping himself to Arthur’s stuff.
He padded on quiet feet down the hall, past the opening to the parlor, on his way to the bathroom—
“Christ, that’s just as distracting the second time.”
Rory jumped. “Ace!”
Arthur was in the parlor, in a navy dressing gown over pajamas, tall frame stretched out along the settee as he eyed Rory over the top of his newspaper. “You in my clothes is too much to take.”
“I’m looking formyclothes,” said Rory. “I’m gonna give your pajamas back.”
“Don’t you dare.”
Rory didn’t actually want to give anything back, not the pajamas, not Arthur’s aura. He wrapped his arms around himself, balling the soft flannel in his fists. “So about last night,” he made himself start.
“Oh yes. I have news.” It seemed to take Arthur some effort to look away. “I’ve heard from Jade and Zhang this morning. The ship with the relic’s intended buyers docked this morning. Baron Zeppler was on the passenger list, but he never boarded.”
Rory furrowed his brow. “Someone tipped him off about Gwen’s trap?”
“Intentional or not,” said Arthur. “It’s very difficult to keep anything secret from a telepath. The other German buyers took a train to Boston this morning, but we’ll watch them. And we’ll have to find a way to recover the amulet, but for now, the tide has swept it out into the bay.”
He put the newspaper on the side table. “As for Gwen and Ellis, Pavel’s final potion appears to have caused teleportation. One of Zhang’s contacts spotted them just outside of the city but lost the trail when they stole a car. We suspect they’ll head for another port city, perhaps Philadelphia. Jade and Zhang are looking into it.”
“Teleportation.” Rory shivered. “Geez, that Pavel kid is something else.”
“He’s a marvel.” Arthur raised an eyebrow. “Then again, it’s apparently my good fortune to be the dullest person I know, because you’re not exactly boring yourself.”
Rory’s fears came rushing right back. “I’m sorry ’bout your aura,” he blurted. “I didn’t mean to and I don’t know how to fix it. But maybe I can yank myself out if I go real far away—”
