Page 5 of Incubus

“Could you, er, toss me that fur stole?” I tried to ignore the deep crimson blush that warmed my cheeks. Knowing he knew I was blushing? Mortifying.

“Must I?” He took in the full length of my body in the moonlight. I shivered despite myself.

His accent was French with a hint of some older European tongue. I couldn’t place it, though it was familiar. The dark hair that tickled his ears was a deep chocolate that played handsomely against his tan skin and dark suit. He must have been frozen into his immortality right after he got back from Cannes. Lucky bastard.

The male reluctantly turned and grabbed what was left of the stole. He reached his long arm out to offer it to me as he stood a few steps away, the smirk on his face giving him a roguish appeal.

Cad.“You realize if I reach for that, I can’t cover myself?” I tried to keep the exasperation from my tone but didn’t quite manage it. I was no exhibitionist, especially not to a stranger who could mean me harm.

“Of course I do.” He gave me a wicked grin and dangled the stole tantalizingly just out of my reach. “Now, do you want it or should I just take it with me and go?” He went to take a step away from me.

“Son of a bitch.” I grabbed it as quickly as I could. He glanced back to my breasts, and he drew in a sharp breath, no doubt noticing the stiff peaks of my nipples.

“There’s no need for that kind of language, carissima.”

I could feel him watching me closely as I fastened the stole around me as best I could. At least the girls were covered, which was an improvement.

He sighed like he had just caught the closing credits of his favorite movie. Then he offered me a hand. I took it, feeling a tingle of cold snaking up my arm as he set me easily on my feet. It was not an unpleasant feeling.

After arranging what was left of my clothing, I returned to the task at hand—sizing up my “rescuer.” I cringed just thinking of the word. Lilah de Artemis needed a rescuer? How the mighty hath fallen.

“Where are my panties?” I asked before thinking what that would sound like aloud. The blush deepened even more.

“What panties?” His tone was innocent as he kept his gaze fastened on me.

I searched the cobblestones for my thong. No luck. “Gone. Great.” I spared a look toward the wolf. He was still holding his wound. Too bad it wouldn’t kill him. The only way to permanently slay an immortal was to take his head, give or take some gruesome injuries. So he lived, though I didn’t miss the opportunity to land what had to be an extremely painful kick to his goods. The wolf wailed and clutched himself with the one hand that wasn’t busy at his neck. He gave me a look of pure acid that promised retribution. But I wasn’t worried. I’d be long gone by the time he healed.

He didn’t know how lucky he was; I would have done a lot more than just kick him if we weren’t out in the open. What was worse, now I was in the debt of some stranger who had all the manners of a naughty frat boy. Party hats all around!

“We should leave this area before someone finds my handiwork.” The stranger’s tone wasn’t the least bit worried. He seemed as if he’d just spray-painted a little graffiti or taken a piss on the sidewalk instead of nearly beheading a wolf.

“Shall we go to your place?” Another playful smile graced his mouth as he sidled up to me.

“I think not.”

His angular face took on a look of mock disappointment as he tsked at me.

I smirked and bent down to retrieve my dagger from the wolf’s side.

The stranger let out an appreciative whistle. “Kitty has claws.”

I followed the curve of his mouth as he did so, and I couldn’t help licking my lips. A look of pure heat stole across his face as he watched me clean the blade on the wolf’s shirt.

“And I like to sharpen them on doggies.” I gave the wolf one last parting gift, a backhand to the face to match the one he’d dealt earlier. Rising, I steadied myself and did my best to put on a mask of indifference.

Inwardly, I was shaken. It had been a close call, and I could only pray that Artemis hadn’t seen my weakness through one of the many viewing pools in the Forgotten Forest of Olympus. The shame of having to be rescued was already too much to bear. If Artemis or my sisters had seen the entire affair, it would have been the icing on the cake of self-loathing.

Ignoring the likelihood of Artemis laughing at me until it hurt, I eyed the Underworlder apprehensively. I wasn’t about to let anything else get the drop on me, no matter how handsome he was. Problem was, I wasn’t ready to let him go quite yet. I needed information, and this creature might just be old enough to know the one I was searching for. This might even be a stroke of luck for once.

I couldn’t allow him to bolt on me. Brandishing my dagger, I moved to his back. He remained still, watching me with interest over his shoulder, neither threatened nor threatening.

“I have a few questions that you are going to answer.”

“It doesn’t have to be this way, carissima.”

The word lilted off his tongue. I didn’t know what it meant, but sensed it was somehow a compliment. It didn’t matter. I wasn’t about to fall for any sweet words. “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice—you get the picture. Now, walk.” I cut through the smooth fabric of his coat and shirt, then nicked his skin to make sure he knew I meant business.

“Of course.” He shrugged and gave me one last, long look before he turned and started down the hill toward the glittering Seine. I followed close behind and kept the threat of my blade at his broad back. He was large and strong, easily able to overpower me. But I had the blade, and Artemis had trained me well. I was in control and was going to stay that way. The memory of the wolf clawing and pressing into my soft flesh would make sure of that.

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