Page 7 of Tall, Dark & Horny

The clarification wasn’t needed since I was aware that I had installed my fated mate in a suite next door to my private domain. Crossing my arms over my chest, I didn’t bother to reply and just waited for her to fill the silence.

“In all the years since you gave me that key, you’ve never let a guest use it.”

Cocking my head to the side, I murmured, “You know better than most that I don’t have family that I’d invite to The Abyss.”

My lineage was a topic I avoided like the plague, so her wince at my reply wasn’t surprising. Her tone was careful as she explained, “It’s just that…she’s human. They don’t usually make it past the threshold of The Abyss, let alone get a room, and you had me put her in a guest suite that you never let anyone stay in. I get that I might be overstepping here, but I’m hoping you’ll understand that I’m only asking because I care.”

I quirked a brow, irritated that she dared to question the order I’d given her, even if it was coming from a place of concern. But I wasn’t ready to explain to anyone who Calliope was to me except for the woman herself. “Don’t worry about who or what she is except for a VIP guest.”

She gave me a sharp nod. “Got it. I’ll make sure she receives our highest level of service.”

“Start by sending up a dinner cart. Include a bottle of the new honey-infused whiskey from the bar. She seemed to enjoy the sample Thomas gave her. And a few different meal choices since I don’t know her preferences.”

“I’ll make sure the kitchen makes it their top priority.” She tapped on her tablet before adding, “Looks as though they should be able to have a cart up to her suite within the half hour.”

The part of me that had been forged in fire and fed on war snarled inside my head like a caged beast. “Have them send it in the elevator. I’ll bring it to Calliope myself.”

Questions swirled in her eyes, but Lyra kept them to herself. “I’ll let them know.”

“Thank you.”

I walked away, forcing myself not to head straight to the elevator. Instead, I prowled outside and walked the perimeter of the stone building, laying down several new wards. The magical security surrounding The Abyss was extensive, but I wouldn’t take any risks where my fated mate’s safety was concerned.

Once I was satisfied that nobody would encroach while I was with Calliope, I stalked inside the back entrance and took my express elevator to the tenth floor. It had been my private space since the day I’d built this place. A sanctuary within a sanctuary.

Then I strode down the hallway that traversed the width of the entire building, arriving just in time to retrieve the rolling cart sent by the kitchen.

Lifting the lids covering each dish, my demon half pressed forward to scent the food for anything that might harm Calliope. He was a paranoid bastard, even more so now that we’d found her. Nobody on my staff had any reason to tamper with food sent to my floor, but I still checked the entire cart for anything amiss.

Once I confirmed all was in order, I rolled it toward the guest suite. I pressed my palm against the door. The wood was warm. Breathing, almost. The power in the walls hummed like a sleeping creature, soothed by her presence.

I closed my eyes and whispered an extra ward over her room. Silent. Invisible. Nothing would touch her here. Not unless they went through me first.

As I lifted my fist to knock on the hard surface, I reminded myself to be patient. Calliope had no idea what was coming next. But I did.

Because nothing in this realm—or the next—was ever going to take her from me.

4

CALLIOPE

Aloud knock startled me so badly I nearly fell off the couch. I’d only meant to rest there for a minute before grabbing my toiletries and getting ready for bed. Apparently, I’d nodded off.

Twisting around, I wondered if I had imagined the sound. The hallway outside my room had been quiet since I stepped off the elevator, and I hadn’t ordered anything. Honestly, I wasn’t even sure room service was a thing at The Abyss.

Then another knock came, deep and deliberate. I padded to the door and cracked it open, immediately forgetting how to breathe.

Adan stood in the hallway. The man from the bar with the piercing blue eyes and dark, intense stare who’d starred in my dream just moments ago.

He stood behind a sleek black rolling cart covered in silver-domed dishes.

I blinked a few times, but he didn’t disappear. “Um…am I still asleep?”

His mouth curved slightly. “Not unless you dream about late-night meal deliveries.”

“You brought me food?” I squeaked, my cheeks heating as soon as the words left my mouth because he obviously had.

“Since you got waylaid by the storm, I thought you might be hungry.”

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