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“What do you think you’re doing?” Orestes asked. So it was decided then. I knew he was waffling, but I hadn’t counted him off my team.
“Getting it done.” Though I hadn’t. And I wasn’t altogether sure if Leonora was alive because she saved herself, or because I’d changed my mind.
Over Pollux’s shoulder, I met her gaze. Her face was white, making the freckles dotting her skin appear dark gold. Her hair was messy, an orange frizz around her head, and when I swept her body, I noted she was only wearing one shoe.
She was wearing an outfit that was in no way sexy, or flattering, but it suited her perfectly.
How had I thought she was average? This woman, who came up to Orestes’ elbow, was not someone to mess with. Funny. I thought I’d sized her up, but I hadn’t really taken the time to look at her. I’d overlooked that she was a warrior.
Orestes shifted, placing himself in front of her. “Throw him out the door.”
My gaze flicked to Pollux. He was considering it.
But he wouldn’t. “What the hell are we supposed to do now?” he asked.
Good question. I’d backed us into a corner. I couldn’t very well introduce myself to her now.“Sorry about the attempted murder. I’m starting to see I made an error in my judgment.”
I wasn’t sure I had. I didn’t know what to do either.
“How about you just tell me what’s going on?” I hadn’t heard her voice before and didn’t expect the clear, confident tone. Not one wobble. Not one break.
Like I thought—a warrior.
None of us answered, and she sighed. “Since I’ve watched Indiana Jones, I’m going to guess this has to do with the shard of pottery. Are you part of some kind of cult? Maybe you’re a Knights Templar? Or some other ancient band of soldiers who promised to protect it.”
She said the last bit like it was a joke, but she was damn close to the truth.
Leo
The three men eyed each other while I tried not to collapse. Or throw up. My heart still pounded and a cold sweat, which I was certain was caused from my fight or flight response, had me shivering. Even my teeth chattered, though I tried to lock my jaw so at least these guys wouldn’t hear it.
The other man—the one who had tried to kill me—stared at me. He studied me, gaze raking me from the top of my head to my feet.
That reminded me… where the hell was my boot? I found it by the door. I must have made some kind of motion to go there, because Orestes stopped me. “I’ll get it.”
Keeping a hand on my hip, he bent to pick it up. He placed it at my feet, waiting for me to slide it on, but still touched me. To whisk me out of the way? To keep me upright?
I didn’t know the purpose of his touch, but I welcomed it. I needed the heat from his palm and just—his presence.
Those seconds where I fought to survive, I’d been totally, utterly, alone.
Without really giving it conscious thought, I linked my fingers with Orestes’. He gripped me back, just as tight.
Okay.I took in a deep breath and let it out.Okay.
“You need to sit down.” Orestes put his free arm around my waist, guiding me toward the train car, keeping his body between me and the man who tried to kill me. Pollux stood between us as well. His hands were at his sides, clenching and then releasing. Over and over.
He’d flown across the space between the door and where I wrestled with the man. I was surprised the guy had kept his teeth, the crack of Pollux’s knuckles across his face had been so loud.
Warm air surrounded us as Orestes led me to the other car. It wasn’t full at all, and I was grateful for that. I didn’t want anyone looking at me too closely.
A weird sense of shame welled up inside me. I hadn’t done anything wrong. It wasn’t like I brought on the attack in any way. But I couldn’t help it, and I didn’t want to examine the sentiment too deeply. Not right now.
Orestes found a bench, three seats across. “You first.” It would keep both him and Pollux next to me. And the other guy far away.
I let out another held breath. He wouldn’t get to me through the two of them.
The other man sat across the aisle, lowering himself gingerly into the upholstered seat and I was glad he hurt. He deserved it. I wished I could have hurt him worse.
