Page 27 of Shield of Fire

Perhaps one day hell would freeze over.

But I didn’t reply and neither did Mathi. We turned and left.

It had begun to snow outside, the flakes a soft cloud of white stirred into a gentle dance by the wind. I shivered and hastily did up my coat. “Don’t suppose you can call me an Uber?”

“I don’t suppose I can. I will, however, call my driver and drop you safely at home.”

“Actually, if you could drop me near Grosvenor Shopping Center, that would be good. I have to replace my phone and SIM, which remain buried under Cynwrig’s building somewhere.”

He nodded, made the call, and then hooked his arm through mine and led me forward. I didn’t pull away, simply because I appreciated the help given my legs were not as steady as I was pretending.

Still, I didn’t want him to think I was mellowing, either.

“We no longer have to misrepresent our relationship to a watcher, Mathi.” My voice was dry, and he smiled.

“No, but aside from the fact it is pleasant to have you so close, you look ready to collapse. Now, tell me, whose business card was it?”

“Eljin Lavigne, my brother’s new assistant.”

Mathi frowned. “Why would he have been searching for the shield? Lugh has made no mention of seeking it... has he?”

“No, but I’ll ask what’s going on when he gets back.”

After I’d questioned Eljin, of course. And he had better have a damn good answer or I’d be seriously pissed. At him, and at fate for throwing a perfectly eligible pixie my way, then making him a bad guy.

Mathi’s car was already waiting for us by the time we returned to Charles Street. The driver climbed out to open the passenger doors; once we’d been ushered in, he smoothly drove away.

Mathi shifted slightly and studied me for a second. The devilish twinkle in his gaze had mine narrowing. “What?”

“Thought you might be interested to know I’ve been allocated as your liaison.”

I blinked. “Since when?”

“Since yesterday’s meeting.”

“Cynwrig’s my liaison, and that’s a situation I’m quite happy with.”

“Your relationship with him is the reason I’m now your handler.”

I snorted. “And what of your personal interest in me?”

“I am a Ljósálfar elf, and keeping a clear division between personal life and business dealings is second nature to us. That is not always the case when it comes to the Myrkálfar.”

“You did this deliberately, didn’t you?”

“I will admit I find the decision delicious, if only because it is one Cynwrig will not be pleased with.”

That would have to be the understatement of the century. When the position of liaison had first risen, he’d threatened bodily harm to anyone who tried to take it from him. I doubted he’d follow the threat through where Mathi was concerned, but it certainly wouldn’t make the tension between the two any easier to deal with.

“But,” Mathi continued, “I played no part in bringing the matter to the council’s attention, nor did I have a vote, for the very reason you mentioned. I did, of course, put my name forward for the position, but I was in fact the only applicant. Your reputation, I’m afraid, has most of them wary.”

“My reputation?” I spluttered. “What fucking reputation?”

“Let’s just say it has not gone unnoticed that you have a similar disregard for rules, regulations, and personal safety as your brother.”

“My brother gets things done?—”

“Indeed, but we both know his methods have somewhat curtailed the upward momentum of his career.”

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