Page 10

“Oh.” I supposed I should have known that as a member of the supe community, but it was so low on my priority list I felt guilty. “And the liaison?”

“Binx,” Julian said simply. “I will be there with you, so you have nothing to be concerned about. Just…be sure to energetically shield yourself before you meet, or it could become awkward.”

I opened my mouth to ask more questions not knowing what to say. My head already spun with everything that had happened, and instead of words coming out, I stifled a yawn instead.

“I’ll take you home,” Julian said. “You need rest.”

“It’s only three in the afternoon,” I argued through a second yawn.

“And you’ve used a lot of energy, not to mention your powers, twice today at least and quite a bit yesterday. It takes a toll to use them.” He focused on me now, ignoring the road he’d turned onto. At least it was paved.

I wanted to ask how he knew what it took to use psychic powers since he said there hadn’t been one at SHADE for decades. But Julian was almost as cryptic as the fae queen when it came to straight answers, and I was too tired to try and interpret any more.

“I need a car,” I said, sinking back in the supple leather seat. “Not that I don’t like riding with you, but it’s got to be a bear chauffeuring me everywhere.”

“I don’t mind,” Julian said, but his voice felt far away as I closed my eyes, ready to drift off.

It was probably minutes later that the car eased to a stop, and I knew I was home despite not opening my eyes. The sound of the car door opening made me curl further into the seat when Julian’s cell buzzed.

“Carver here.” His voice was so deep and beautiful it felt like a caress. “Are you sure? I’m on it.”

The next thing I knew, Julian was shaking me awake.

“Charlotte, I need to get you inside. I have an emergency to tend to.”

I blinked up at him, suddenly wide awake. “What happened? I’ll come, too.”

“No.” He shook his head and smiled. “This is my job alone. But I have to run. I’ll pick up my car later.”

Before I could puzzle out that he meant literal running, he’d shot off in a gust of wind, leaving me half out of his car at the curb of my house.

Well, that was dramatic. What sort of job did he have that didn’t include me? The thought chafed as I made my way to the house. Neither Mama nor Zoe appeared to be home, leaving everything still and quiet. It felt strange to disturb the silence, so I tiptoed to my room, boots in hand in case they’d collected mud from the forest or fae realm. Then I faceplanted onto my bed and fell asleep.

I woke to the scent of Mama’s fried chicken and the sound of laughter coming from the other room. A glance at my cell showed it was eight o’clock in the evening, and a peek through the blinds revealed a waxing moon in a midnight sky. I loved the clarity of the night out here where the stars didn’t hide behind smog or clouds. The iridescent shield that protected the island didn’t block them. On the contrary, it added an extra layer of brilliance to the scene.

After splashing some water on my face and brushing out my hair, I padded into the main room of the house to find Mama deep in conversation at the table with a man I didn’t recognize.

Judging by his muscular physique, perfectly proportioned features, and gorgeous smile, I assumed I was dealing with something other than a human. This island seemed to breed uber attractive men. I squinted as I strode forward to meet them, clearing my throat loudly.

“Oh! Hi Char, this is Binx. Funny name, don’t you think? Anyhow, I told him with a face like that, his name could be Judy and he’d still be sexy.”

“Mama!” My head snapped toward her, shocked that she would behave like that.

“Oh now, hush. I’m a mature woman, and I can have some fun. Isn’t that right, Binx?”

The leader of the Other sect grinned, and something stirred between my legs. This close, I could smell…cloves and bergamot. Just like Julian. There must be a soap they sell on the island. I cleared my throat and took a seat between them.

“You seem exhausted,” Binx said. His voice sent tingles up and down all my nerve endings. I wanted him to say more, and I leaned forward.

“You do look tired, hon. Let me go get you some dinner. I left it warming in the oven.” Mama slipped away to the kitchen, humming.

“What are you doing in my house?” I hissed. “You were supposed to meet with both Julian and I.” I didn’t want a potential mole near Mama.

“I understand it’s a pressing matter. I didn’t think you’d want to postpone since the lieutenant is still off base. Perhaps we should speak in private though?” He leaned toward me, and I nearly moaned from the pulse that shot through my nether region. “We could go to your bedroom and get to know each other better. I hadn’t wanted to make assumptions and thought this would be more appropriate for a first meeting. But if you’re up for it, so am I.”

Dear Lord. I crossed my legs and leaned away from him, tugging at my suddenly too-tight collar. “What are you doing?”

I knew it was a rude question, but so was inviting yourself into a woman’s bed the minute you met. Not to mention he’d been hanging out with Mama, and I didn’t like it. His aura was similar to Daphne’s yet held more red and less pink, which told me he was all about sexual energy. I didn’t need to see an aura to know that much though. My panties were dripping wet just from sitting near him.