Page 55 of Keep Her from Them

I exhaled, feeling lighter than I had all day. A silence drew out between me and Raphael. We’d kissed. Not just a quick peck, but a full-body experience built up of overwhelming need.

I could still feel the press of my bodyguard’s lips.

I really wanted to talk about it.

“You kissed me.”

His voice returned low. “Seem to remember your hands in my hair, princess.”

I was right back there in the scene with his dark, silky hair between my fingers and his hard body crushed against mine.

“Are ye in bed?”

“I wish I was.”

“Where are ye?”

I stared down the banquet hall’s double doors. “Facing off with demons in the belly of the palace.”

A click came from the other end of the wide-open space, and I jerked up with a rushed intake of breath.

“What’s wrong?” Raphael asked.

I scanned the darkness and whispered, “I think someone’s here.”

“Where exactly?”

“One of the state rooms.” Cautiously, I stood, peering into the shadows. Nothing moved, yet something had definitely made a sound. It had been a door opening, I was certain.

Raphael’s voice returned with greater surety. “This is going to sound crazy, but do me a favour, and go back to your apartment.”

He’d told me he was worried about someone selling information on me. I hadn’t paid that any mind. Maybe I should have.

“Okay,” I breathed.

“Move quickly and stay on the line.”

As silently as I could, I left my position and crept along the wall, keeping to the thick shadows I’d hidden myself in. The tall windows on the opposite wall let in enough light to see by, but also for me to be seen.

A creak came from behind me.

I bolted to a side door that opened onto the broad corridor outside, but as I wrenched on the handle, it wouldn’t give. Locked.

I cursed under my breath and kept going, glancing over my shoulder. Still, I could see no one, but I could sense somebody behind me.

Passing the fireplace, I dove at the next door. It was also locked.

I let out a whimper, my senses going wild. Whirling around, I stared into the dark. “Who’s there?”

No reply came. No one lurched from the depths of the room. Even so, the hair on my neck stood on end.

Again, I picked up my feet, my breathing speeding up. At the head of the room, I rattled the handle to the banquet room. This one gave, and I fell through with barely contained relief.

“What’s happening? Only answer if ye can do so safely,” Raphael said.

“I’m in the next room along. All the other doors were locked.”

“I don’t know if that’s typical or not. Get back to a main thoroughfare. If ye can’t, trigger an alarm. Bring security down.”

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