Page 82 of Rafe

“We must go inside. She’s coming.” Without warning Ilsbeth turned and broke the circle and ascended the stairs out of the pool. Henri held open a robe, and she slid her arms into it, leaving without another word.

“Come,” Rafe told Skylar.

“I’ll go with Greyson,” she replied, still refusing to look him in the eye.

Jealousy stabbed at him as Greyson extended a hand to her and she placed her palm in his. Rafe had earned her anger, and there was no coming back from it.

Rafe stood in front of the fire, ruminating on every word Ilsbeth had spoken. After they’d reached the safety of her mansion, the witch had seen to their every need, ensuring each guest had their own room. Though earlier, she described Zyaire’s motives, something nagged at him, warning him she’d concealed the truth. He also sensed a connection between Ilsbeth and Greyson and suspected they’d kept a secret together.

Footsteps broke his contemplation. Ilsbeth’s butler approached with a silver tray, a singular highball glass balanced on its well.

“Sir? Care for a cocktail?” Henri presented the amber effervescent concoction.

Rafe glanced to the tray, cautious. “What’s in it?”

“A Pimm’s Cup, sir.”

“That’s it?”

“Gin and a bit of lemon soda. Very refreshing after a day in the sun. We shall be having a Bordeaux with dinner.”

Rafe reached for the glass and brought it to his nose. He sniffed, unable to detect anything nefarious. He locked eyes with the butler. “Your name’s Henri?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Henri, you’re not lying to me, are you? No special ingredients? You know, like cat’s nails or some otherwise mystical specialty from Ilsbeth’s curio cabinet.”

“No sir. The high priestess is quite specific when she’s entertaining.”

Rafe eyed Henri as his lips touched the rim of the glass. He sipped the cool drink, the sweet citrus bubbles teased over his tongue. “Hmm. Yeah. Okay now. That is actually pretty good. Did you make this?”

“Indeed.” He gave a sheepish smile.

“Nice work, Henri. Very nice. Say, listen, did my mother happen to tell you when everyone is expected? I realize I’m a few minutes early to this,” Rafe looked around the empty parlor, “get together.”

“It’s nearly seven. Guests should be arriving any minute now. Is there anything else I can get for you, sir?”

“Do you happen to know which direction witchy momma put the woman I arrived with?” Skylar’s scent lingered in the air, but Ilsbeth’s magick wards within the mansion walls made it nearly impossible to identify her location.

Rafe considered going to her, to tell her he didn’t mean to hurt her. He wanted Skylar to know he didn’t have sex with the donor, that he’d choked down her blood. He wanted to tell Skylar…that she was his.

“I’ve seen to Miss Hemlock earlier, and she’s quite comfortable. I expect she’ll join us shortly. Is there anything else?”

“No. Thank you, Henri.” Rafe wasn’t surprised the butler remained tight lipped. The great high priestess kept only those she trusted implicitly, which was not a living soul or the undead.

“Darling, you realize whenever you think of me, I feel a tingling in my spine.”

Rafe whipped his head around to find Ilsbeth sitting in a large purple velvet tufted chair next to the fireplace. Dressed in a floor length hot pink satin dress, she held a Pimm’s Cup inches from her lips.

“How did you do that? You’re a slippery one. Just like the vampire.” He pointed at her with his drink still in his hand.

“Oh darling, Greyson’s not the only one with tricks. My little trip to Hell and back? I paid dearly for it, but little did I know my power would continue to grow in this realm. And grown it has.” She winked and sipped her drink. “My, my, that is refreshing after such a hot Louisiana day. I do love summer.”

“Where’s Skylar?”

“She’s perfectly safe, though her energy is drained. Quite sad to see. The humans are so ruled by their emotions.” She gestured to the sofa. “Please have a seat so we can chat before dinner commences.”

Rafe glanced at the black leather sofa and back to Ilsbeth as he slid onto its cushions. “You’re not going to tell me, are you?”