Page 99 of Dark Rover's Gift

"Then I seduce you with my vast knowledge of Neolithic pottery until you capitulate out of sheer boredom," he said solemnly.

"Your pillow talk needs work," she informed him.

"I'll add it to my research list," he promised. "Right after'Understanding your Emotionally Unavailable Partner, Volume Two.'"

"There's a volume two?"

"There's always a volume two. That's how they get you."

Despite the stress of the day and the fear and restlessness that still lurked at the edges of everything, Fenella laughed. Real, genuine laughter that came from deep in her chest and loosened all those tight muscles she hadn't noticed had been that way for a very long time.

"There," Din said with a smile. "That's better."

"I really do need to shower," she said. "And change. And mentally prepare to tell fortunes for drunk immortals."

"Then I'll leave you to it." He stood but stopped at the doorway. "Do you want me to come with you tonight?"

She was surprised he was asking. "Sure. If you want to."

He grinned. "There is nowhere I'd rather be."

"Come back in an hour. We'll have dinner together."

Fenella wasn't at all hungry after all the sandwiches she'd consumed, but she would be in an hour, and she didn't like to be away from Din for too long. It was kind of pathetic to become so attached so quickly, but she didn't have the energy to fight it anymore.

"I'll bring steaks."

She laughed. "Is Thomas okay with you raiding his freezer?"

"I'm paying him back with fine whiskey. He's very happy with the exchange." He blew her a kiss before heading for the door.

After Din left, Fenella sat on her bed for another moment, her hand going to the brooch still pinned to her shirt. The metal was warm under her fingers, pulsing with that subtle energy she wasn't sure was real or imagined.

Every night at the bar until the trip to Egypt wasn't going to be easy, but then nothing worth having ever was.

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