AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Hell, she wondered how much her neighbors were going to hatehim. She also needed to tell the landlord her husband was coming so she wouldn't get accused of running a whorehouse - something the apartment manager had made a point of prohibiting. Dahlia paused. She hadn't gotten the chance to tell Thane about her living plans. That would be the first thing she said when she picked him up. If he wanted to get on the next plane back to Dallas, she wouldn't stop him.
Snagging the keys off the counter, she hurried down to the first floor before the office closed for the day. She made it with ten minutes to spare. Shauntelle, the building manager, looked relieved at the news that Dahlia's husband would be making an appearance. She had a hard enough time keeping the place halfway respectable as it was. With the low rent and the location, it was shocking that the complex wasn't overrun with meth addicts.
That was another thing the eidolon agreed on: Shauntelle was off limits. As far as the woman knew, the new influx of renters was because of UEFABL opening a branch in the capitol area. To get off the ground, they were bringing in contract work on a month-to-month basis, which was why the employees went with the low-end apartments. It was the only place that didn't require a year-long lease.
Cain had put in enough effort for their business to pass a cursory glance, but if anyone looked too deep, the whole charade would fall apart. Thankfully, Shauntelle could never remember the acronym of the supposed business. Human forgetfulness was one more layer of protection for their kind.
After that, Dahlia had to warn the others. Halfway back, she saw Cain getting out of his car. Just the man she needed. Lifting her fingers in a wave, she hurried over. A jerk of his head showed he saw, then he reached back inside for something else. With his arms full, Cain closed the car door with his foot, pressed the button that made the alarm activate with a high-pitched beep, and turned to her.
"Hey, beautiful. Whatcha need?"
She grabbed one of the bags dangling from his fingers. "Got that friend coming in. Wondered if you'd be willing to spread the word."
"Mmk? So you finally decided to drag that boy up here, huh?"
"And I know you want to meet him, so this is your advance warning," she said.
They'd just reached his door. Juggling his load precariously, he managed to get the key into the lock, but twisting it would send the whole thing toppling. Dahlia reached over before he made a mess. As the door swung open, he cocked his head for her to follow him in.
All the stories about the supernatural needing an invite were lies. That didn't mean they'd lostallcivility. While most of them found a nomadic lifestyle was safer than planting roots, that didn't mean they liked it. The idea of a home was a universal dream. Little things like inviting a friend inside meant more when they'd been denied it for so long.
"Close that and spill it," he said, heading into the kitchen. "How dangerous is this man going to be?"
She obeyed, but didn't plan to stay long. "He's warded, but can't use Words. The Church declared that his mother was possessed and staked her, so he's wanting a little revenge. He's still mortal and is under my protection."
Cain groaned. "I got that, but you know half these girls will try to seduce him."
"His call. I just don't want him killed. I'd prefer he's able to walk on his own." She paused. "And no permanent damage, like shattering his ears. Sirens, banshees, I don't give a shit. If he's a willing participant, then all's fair. He knows what we are."
The rustling of plastic as the man put away paper towels and other niceties filled the lull while Cain thought. "And he actually knows about us? The real stories, not that we're demons?"
"He knows enough," she promised. "Cain, just make sure the others know I'm not going to be happy if they fuck with him."
He chuckled softly. "I'll tell the ones I see. Can't promise more than that. At least one of these kids will try to show off to impress you."
She could live with that. "And Shauntelle knows he's coming. Told her my husband would be flying in tomorrow night."
Cain just shook his head. "You are one crazy-ass valkyrie. You know that, right?"
"That's what I've been told." She waved, then let herself out. She still had an apartment to prepare before her company arrived.
ChapterSix
THANE
When Thane saw the spam message, his heart stopped. The beep of his phone made a few guys look over. He typed out a quick reply, then shoved his phone into his pocket and headed for the door. Someone chuckled at how fast he jumped for a text. It took a second to realize that was Brice.
"You that whipped already?" he teased.
"You know it," Thane joked.
"Go," Brice told him. "I'll text you if we have anything. Otherwise, just talk to her."
"Thanks, man."
Then Thane hurried outside. It was late, but not quite dark. According to his phone, it was almost six p.m., which made him wonder what Dahlia had been doing all day. Then again, he really didn't want to know. He kinda did, though. Still, when she replied to his email, he was ready. Sitting at one of the picnic tables behind the Church of the Holy Inquisition, he laid out the steps for her to make his plan work.
Then she was there, messaging him, and she still wanted him to come. While he waited for her reply, he scanned the options for plane tickets, and found one that left the next night. That would give him a chance to get off work, pack what he needed, and get approval for his vacation. The Cardinal had offered, so he'd just take the man up on it in the morning.
