Reaching out, I slowly took the phone from his hand, offering a smile of thanks as I glanced down and realized he’d already opened it to theCallscreen. Typing Finn’s number in, I pressedCalland prayed to all five gods that the stars-damned male answer his phone, if only to spare me the embarrassment of having to hand the device back with no call actually made.
“Hello?” Finn’s voice spoke, and I breathed a sigh of relief as I spoke.
“Finn, it’s me.”
“Hell of a greeting, darling, but where have you been?” he demanded, and I cringed, picking at my nail as I replied.
“It’s a lot to explain,” I answered. “I’m at, well, some back entrance of the court. I’m not entirely sure,” I said as I glancedaround, trying to spot a street sign to no avail. “But I can head to the front of the court, unless you and Emberly already left?”
“We haven’t left yet, Rae,” he replied. “We’ve been looking all over for you as discreetly as we could. I think Lucanus noticed you were missing, though.”
“Stars-damn,” I bit out, frustration rising. “Well, nothing can be done about that now.”
“We’ll be on our way shortly, but we’ll meet you by the side door we typically take.”
“See you soon,” I said, and hung up the phone, turning back toward Blackwood and extending the device toward him. “Thank you.”
He nodded as his hand collided with mine, a rush of warmth fanning from the connection as his fingers brushed against mine. It was like a jolt of electricity, without the painful shock, every time our fingers collided. And just like the time before, it left me wanting more.
Then he grabbed the phone from me.
I lingered another moment, amber eyes still focused on me. I forced my breathing to return as I smothered any flickers of attraction I might have felt under his watchful gaze, knowing no good would ever come from getting involved with him. And when he didn’t make any further move, I spun on my heel and began to walk in my friend’s direction. It dawned on me a moment later that the noise I was hearing in the distance was footsteps, and when I threw a brief glance over my shoulder, I stopped abruptly.
“If I haven’t done anything wrong . . . why are you following me?” My voice was a huff of annoyance as I cursed my luck for the millionth time tonight. My hand inched closer to where my throwing knife was, only to realize that I didn’t have a weapon on me in this dress.
Because why would the gods be on my side tonight?
Blackwood didn’t answer right away, and when he finallydid, his words had me spinning on my heel in frustration. “Just making sure you don’t attempt anything else that will get you caught by the enforcers tonight.”
Emberly saw me first,rushing to me as she threw her arms around my shoulder, squeezing me tight. “Don’teverdisappear on us like that again, Rae.”
I shot her a grin as I attempted to tug myself out of her grip. “Sorry, Em,” I replied. “It’s not like I intended to get caught.”
“You’ve got to be more careful, darling,” Finn’s voice rumbled as he tugged me into a side hug, and I looked up at him. “You can’t afford any mistakes right now. You know that.”
My heart sank at the words, worry flitting over me as my mind flashed back to Orela and then to Luc’s threats toward her.
“You’re right.” I sighed the words reluctantly as I pulled back, wrapping my arms around myself. “It was stupid and reckless of me. I shouldn’t have?—”
A throat cleared behind us, and my best friends whirled as they came face to face with Blackwood and Pierce, the two guards having followed me to ensure I was safe.
Amber eyes regarded me closely before turning to assess both of my friends. I could tell the moment he determined that my two companions posed no threat to him, as his gaze returned to me, waiting.
“Finn, Emberly.” I nodded my head toward my two friends, standing on either side of me. I opened my mouth to introduce the other two males when Axel stepped forward, extending his hand toward Finn. “Pierce. Axel Pierce.”
“Blackwood.” His voice followed Axel’s, even as his gaze remained fixed on me.
“Still going with the last name only, I see,” I bit out, matching his gaze, my fingers tapping against my upper arm as they remained crossed in front of me.
“For now,” he replied. “A name holds a great deal of value, after all.”
“And yet, you know mine.” He opened his mouth to interrupt, but I continued. “And not by my choice, need I remind you. It’s only fair you level the field . . . don’t you think?”
His jaw ticked. Once. Twice.
“If a name is what you want, starlight . . .”
“It is,” I confirmed. “Unless you’ve decided you’ll tell me why you chose that infernal nickname for me instead.”
