“We have trouble?” he inquired in a low brusque tone.
Of course, it’sweuntil it’s discovered a demon could be involved and then it becomes an imperialwe.
“I’m sure William has caught you up,” I said.
“He has. Your visitor?”
“He’s gone.” This time I wasn’t providing a lie of omission. I hoped he stayed away. I didn’t need the reminder of the oath and my bond to him.
“Shame. I’d like to meet him.”
“He broke a ward created by kinborn witches and nearly took William’s head off with a mango. Are you sure about that?”
“Those are the reasons that piqued my interest in meeting him.” The thirst for revenge was heavy in his voice. Between him and Corrine, perhaps he was the more unhinged, because getting into an unnecessary power-measuring contest with a shadow god displayed poor survival instincts.
“Saving Amelia comes first. Then I’ll make it my business to introduce you to our visitor.”
“Good,” he growled. “I will have information for you in an hour or so.”
“I appreciate this, so much.”
“No appreciation needed. I am interested in meeting the person who made the attempt on your life.”
At home and in my makeshift library, hunger and fatigue were making themselves known. My stomach rumbled and my eyes felt like sand was in them. I needed food and sleep. There wasn’t time for sleep, but I could refuel. Heading down to the kitchen, the sounds coming from it had me rushing into the living room, dropping the grimoire on the coffee table, and grabbing the Taser from the drawer.
Padding lightly in the direction of the sound, I found a carry-out bag on the table and Cirrian rummaging through my cabinets. He turned around as I entered. He’d changed into dark-gray pants and a pinstripe button-down that wasn’t as crisp as the shirt he’d worn earlier. Was this his disheveled look? His rolled-up sleeves revealed forearm muscles that bulged and tensed with the most minute movement. He looked at the purple weapon and the room filled with a low roiling chuckle.
“You think its color determines its effectiveness?” I challenged, keeping it aimed at him.
He smirked. “The question is, will it work against me?”
“I’m willing to test it if you are.”
“I think I’d enjoy that,” he said in a suggestive velvety smooth tone. The inviting glint had its intended effect of trivializing my threat. That was more annoying than him beingin my house.In my kitchen.I wanted him gone.
“Why are you in my house?”
He leaned against the counter and crossed his legs. “Because I’m your coerced guest and I’ve accepted the hospitality imposed on me.” He returned to opening my cabinets.
“Get out.”
“Guest, remember?”
“You had no problem leaving earlier. Why don’t you stay gone?” My suppressed anger roiled while he made himself at home, nonchalantly rifling through my cabinets, while Amelia’s life slipped away with every ticking minute. The weight of herdwindling time pressed against my ribs, sharp and suffocating. Thoughts of civility were crowded out by my rage and frustration.
It was difficult seeing his indifference when my emotions were unraveling.
The clatter of dishes and the carefree shuffle of his hands over my kitchenware served as fuel to the tinderbox of emotions. Frustration, hopelessness, and impatience had me clenching my free hand into a fist. My nails biting into my palm was the only thing anchoring me. I hated how unmoored Cirrian made me.
He stopped. His shoulders lifted and lowered slowly. A sigh. There was no mistaking he’d sighed. “I had collections. My job doesn’t stop because I’m captured, darling.”
“Don’t call me darling!”
“Is minx more to your liking?”
“Don’t call me a cat, either,” I shot back.
He turned around, amber eyes darkened and narrowed on me. His lips quivered at the concerted effort it took to resist smiling. “A minx is more than a simple cat. It carries many descriptors. But for me it aptly describes a scheming woman with torrid cedar eyes, menacing scowls, and chaotic ways.” His eyes drew together, his scrutiny intensifying. “I believe it’s more apropos than I imagined. At this moment, like a wily feline, you seem to be scheming. Are you exploring ways to default on your oath?”
