Page 68 of A Touch of Brimstone

“I’m the mean one,” I teased in a whisper once we were down a hall and the door closed us off from the bar.

“I have a feeling you can be quite brutal when necessary.”

I was so brutal that a punch from me only evoked laughter from him. “Don’t you forget it,” I told him.

“Don’t think I could.”

After three abrupt knocks on the first door in the hallway, a gravely baritone invited us in. The office was sparse. A half-filled bookshelf in the corner, and a rug presumably intended to add a decorative flourish but that seemed to deliberately collect dirt. At one time it was probably a nice rug, cream, rust, and hunter green complementing the pine-green walls. One wall was covered with pictures of restored motorcycles. With the man seated at the desk proudly posed in front of them. Or maybe he was just some weirdo taking pictures in front of other people’s bikes.

“Emmanuel.”

“Dominic,” the man responded just as brusquely. He was of an indeterminate age, shorn dull mousy-colored hair highlighted with gray or silver. His square jaw gave his face a blockish look.

The man kept his arms crossed over his chest, exposing large arms. Not defined but they could probably deliver a lot of power. Stern, watchful eyes paid close attention to me and Dominic.

“I see you made it without incident,” he said, a hint of humor in his voice.

Dominic shrugged. The tension in the room was pulled so taut, it was only a matter of time before it broke. Had I been in any room or met anyone who liked Dominic?

“So this is Luna,” Emmanuel mused, taking his legs off the desk and standing. Just a few inches shorter than Dominic and with a broader build, but Dominic’s presence still overpowered the room.

Emmanuel moved closer, regarding me carefully, his eyes traveling over every inch of me. My ring covered the markings, but his knowing look felt as though he could see beyond it.

He reached out to touch me. Dominic grabbed his hand and pushed it away. “I never told you her name.”

“Ah.” A flush fell over his parchment skin. “She’s sort of a celebrity,” he admitted.

Dominic narrowed his eyes. “What do you know about her?”

Emmanuel returned to his chair, plopping down in it and returning his feet to the desk. He linked his fingers behind his head. “You seem so hostile these days. Perhaps you need a partner.” I wasn’t sure if he was offering his services or subtly telling him he wanted to deal with someone else.

“You know damn well that I have a partner.”

Emmanuel’s brow hitched. “Do you? You’re not referring to Helena, are you? She’s not a partner so much as a rabid creature that should be put down.”

Helena was no longer involved, but I guessed that wasn’t widely known. Probably the prospect of having to deal with her worked to Dominic’s advantage.

“That’s your one and only time. Helena has nothing to do with this. As I said on the phone, I need to call in my favor. I need to borrow magic.”

“For her?”

Dominic’s head barely moved into the nod.

Emmanuel looked at me thoughtfully, trying to suss out something. “I heard she’s responsible for releasing the prisoners from the Perils.” Although his question was directed to Dominic, he kept his eyes on me. I remained expressionless, trying not to give anything away.

“I loan her the magic and that will satisfy my debt,” Emanuel confirmed.

Dominic gave a slight nod.

“Well, I think I need to clear out the place. Don’t want anyone interrupting us.” Emmanuel eased past me. I didn’t need to follow his movement to feel his gaze on me.

Looking around the office, Dominic’s face remained indecipherable. Emanuel’s voice was faint on the other side of the doors.

“Will this hurt?” I asked.

“It shouldn’t.”

“That wasn’t a definitive answer.”

---