Page 171 of Firestorm
“What exactly does being part of your collection entail?” I asked carefully.
“We all work toward the cause,” the Crusader said simply as he sat back, the picture of arrogance once again.
“And that would be…?” I hedged.
“Didn’t you speak with Lucy Brandt at that rally? She told me she answered your questions,” he said slowly.
I rolled my eyes. “Lucille Brandt is a bitch, and she didn’t give me any information. She was too busy checking out my friend.”
“Ah, yes. Yourboyfriend,” he sneered. “I believe that’s what you called him. What I saw around his mask was certainly pretty enough. I understand why the women stared.”
I blinked at him.
Wyatt was gonna besopissed at me.
“You think I don’t know what you’re up to, prince? I know everyone you spend your time with, boyfriend included. I know you visit him overnight often. I know you spend time in his office when he isn’t there.”
Correction: Wyatt was going to fuckingkillme.
“Do you stalk all the powerful young men you meet, or just me?” I asked, leaning back slightly to mirror him.
The Crusader only chuckled at my insinuation. “I wanted to see how you spent your time. See if you were up for the cause. I can tell you have questions. Why don’t you ask them?”
“What exactly are you trying to accomplish?” I asked. “You’re not intimidating me at all, yet it seems like youthinkyou’re threatening me.” I looked him over before shooting my father a glare. “Alejandro’s afraid of you, clearly, but I’m not.”
The Crusader grinned, but it was more like he bared his teeth at me, which only had my hackles rising. I resisted the very strong, male urge to mirror his expression.
“Have you figured out my affinity yet, Rafe?” he asked.
“Rafael,” I corrected. Better to keep him thinking I was a spoiled brat.
“Have you figured out my affinity yet, Rafael?” he amended without batting an eye.
“Telepathy, obviously.” I replied. “Haven’t noticed any others.”
“Ah, that’s because I don’t have any others,” he replied.
My eyebrows raised slowly. “You’re just a telepath?”
“No,” he said slowly.
“Rafe,” Alejandro said, then cleared his throat awkwardly. “The Crusader is…divine. That’s his affinity.”
“Divine,” I repeated, narrowing my eyes. “You have adivineaffinity?”
The Crusader chuckled. “I amthe divine affinity,” he said. “I holdallthe affinities. I can control anything at the flick of my hand.”
That was…fucking insane. And absolutely unheard of.
“I’ve never heard of such a thing.” I said, ignoring the fear that washed through me. I tried not to react, not understanding where this fear was coming from. The Crusader didn’t scare me, and yet I felt…very scared. Of something. I raised a hand to rub my chest, then thought better of it and ran it through my hair instead.
“I’m the only one of my kind,” the Crusader explained before sitting back in the plush leather, seemingly unaware of my unease. “Or at least I believed so, until recently. I could use your skills, Prince Rafael. I know you spend a lot of time at the Western Academy. I’m searching for someone.”
“Lost lady friend?” I quipped, trying to keep my face neutral.
He chuckled. “A lady, yes, but not a friend. She and I have never met, unfortunately. I’m not even entirely sure of her name, or what she looks like. I just know that she shares my affinity for the divine.”
The same overwhelming sense of fear hit my gut once more, and my mind flashed to Skye. She’d been fine earlier today, when I’d seen her in the library. Wyatt was fine, brooding in his office. Aiden was–
