Page 87 of Bound By the Sleeper’s Harp

“But… Luke’s using the harp to put people to sleep, not to murder the mayor.”

“And yet, he was capable of killing Professor Miller and your neighbor. Presumably, so that he could get his hands on the harp in the first place. And then we have the sleepers. Some of whom were seen at the mayor’s gala the other day. They were used to kill a number of people. How do you think the mayor was handled?”

“I…” I pressed my fingers into my eyes, then rubbed at my temples, trying to make sense of this mess.

“Luke might be too weak to kill supernaturals, being human and all, but he can certainly use other supernaturals to kill for him.”

“How… How many has he used the harp on?”

“Hard to say. From the intel I’ve gathered, he’s got at least twenty people under his control now?” I made a choking sound. “This has to end, Eleanor.”

“But…” My hands started to shake as my pulse thundered in my ears. I knew what Luke was capable of. I’d suffered through it firsthand. Now he didn’t just have his fists. He had powerful supernaturals under his control. The thought of Bastian facing that—facing him…

“If you go after him, Bastian, he’ll use it on you. You can’t.”

“I can, Eleanor. I’m decided on the matter. Now, go call Eaden. Please.” He used the last word like an afterthought, to placate me.

I struggled to make my limbs move. I hated the truth, but Bastian was right. If this was Luke, he needed to be stopped. And no matter who went against him, there was risk. Maybe Bastian was the best person for the job—more equipped than most. So…why did I feel a crippling sense of dread at the thought?

30

Bastian led Eleanor into Vortex. He kept a hand against her lower back, his fingers itching to creep beneath the hemline of her top. “I’ll be around, sugar. You do what you need to do. Business as usual, like we discussed.”

“Right.” She’d been tense all evening. Even now, her muscles were bunched beneath her uniform. She wore black slacks, a black button down, and a deep purple blazer tailored to fit her curves just right.

He leaned down, his lips brushing her ear. “He won’t lay a finger on you, baby girl. Even if he’s here. You’ll be safe.”

She bit her lip, obvious nerves pouring off her.

The soft waves of her pink hair tickled his cheek. “Do you trust me?” Part of him was afraid to know the answer.

“Yes.” Her throat bobbed.

“Good.” His shoulders relaxed. “Now, have a good shift.” He let his hand slide down to the curve of her ass, gave it a gentle squeeze, then smiled at the sound of her hitching breath. She threw a sassy glare at him then sauntered off.

The gold ring he'd given her still circled her finger. He could use it to warn her, if necessary. The vantage point he selected up on one of the balconies made it easy to track her pink hair as she wove through the growing crowd, tray in hand, delivering drinks.

He watched, eyes transfixed, as she smiled and spoke to a group of customers. One of them, a tall male, said something. She threw her head back and laughed. His gut tightened and heat burst through him. He forced the jealous feelings aside, pushed them down deep, and did what he needed to do. His fucking job.

He knew the moment he’d decided on this plan, it wasn’t going to be easy. If circumstances were different, he’d have tied Eleanor to his bed for the next week and claimed her thoroughly. Claimed her the way his instinct demanded. Instead, he was stuck watching her give her attention to others during the most volatile time in his life.

It was unlikely that Luke would show. Still, he needed to take the opportunity, just in case. If it wasn’t tonight, eventually word would spread that Eleanor had returned to work. He’d come. Someone stupid enough to go traipsing around a goblin’s property was stupid enough to come looking.

“Do I want to know why you’re lurking in my club, Enforcer?” Eaden appeared beside him, keeping to the shadows. He offered a low, warning growl. His only answer. “Work business, then? Because you haven’t taken your eyes off her.”

“It’s none of your concern, Shifter.”

“My employees are my concern, Goblin.”

“She’s not yours,” he bit out.

“Whether you like it or not, she’s mine to⁠—”

“No,” he hissed, rounding on Eaden. “She is mine. She works for you—and probably not for too much longer, if I have any say. But she belongs to me.” The words were out before he could stop them, and they revealed too much. This was what he’d tried to warn Eleanor about—this side of him.

Eaden wasn’t slow. The shifter saw the words for what they were. He inhaled, nostrils flaring. Sudden realization passed over the shifter’s features. He backed away a step and nodded.

“Keep her safe, then, Bas. And let me know if you need anything.” With that, he was gone.