Page 45 of Curses & Keys
I immediately hide my reaction.Well, shit.This took a turn I probably shouldn’t have allowed. Very few believe in the gods and even fewer believe they’re still around. Of course, I would get stuck in a hotel with an ancient shifter. His sharp gaze remains focused entirely on me, waiting for the answer he already knows.
Tired of the secrets and years of isolation, I cave a little. “I wasn’t born with magic.” It’s the only way I can answer without openly admitting my powers were given to me by the gods. I snort. They weren’t exactly a gift. Just a lesser punishment.
His eyes sweep the room around us as if looking for them. “I’m guessing you can’t talk about it?”
I finish my sandwich and meet his gaze, a clear message in my eyes. “I should have ordered dessert.”
He dips his chin. “Right.” He takes a bite of potatoes, his eyes narrowed in thought.
“I called Mathias while you were in the shower. He’s already presented the video to the council, but he’s waiting for Jamison to finish. Apparently, they aren’t happy with us.” He scoffs. “I’m not too fucking happy with them either.”
“How long have you worked for the council?” I ask tentatively, well aware I’ve evaded most of his questions.
“The Magi took the side of the supernaturals when the portals opened,” he replies with a faraway look in his eyes. “My service transitioned from them to the council, and I’ve been with them ever since.” He sighs heavily. “Maybe I’m overdue for a change.”
“I know how you feel,” I tell him, laying my hand on his. “Unfortunately, change isn’t always an option.” Even if the gods would allow me to “resign,” I wouldn’t. The cost is too high. I’d never find my sister.
The pity in his eyes is a bit too much for me.
“It sounds like Jamison and Mathias will be a while?”
Once he confirms, I stand and put the dishes on the cart for Sheraton to pick up. “I’m going to take a nap.”
He adds his plate to the pile. “Do you mind if I grab a shower?”
“Go ahead. It won’t bother me,” I assure him, adjusting the robe. “Let me put on some clothes first.”
As he takes the cart to the elevator, I slip into the bedroom and grab the matching lounge set off the hanging rack. Another reason I like to stay here. They always remember guest preferences. Comfy now, I return to the table.
“All done.”
He’s hesitates for a second, then moves toward the bedroom. “Don’t open the fucking elevator door to anyone. Not even the wolf. Got it?”
My lips twitch, but when he turns to see if I’m listening, I hold up three fingers. “Scout’s honor.” When he continues tostare at me, I say the words he needs to hear. “I promise I won’t let anyone in.”
His chin dips in a curt nod, and he turns toward the bedroom, pulling off that hideous shirt along the way.
Golden skin and an ocean of muscles are the last things I see.Damn, that man’s body is perfection.
He stops at the door, glances back, and cheekily winks.
I’m so surprised I snort at the sight. Embarrassed, I whip around and grab the bottle of wine and a glass, then plop down on the couch to pour myself a drink. I’m not a damn teenager with her first crush. A hazy image of a young man in a chiton, muscles on display, pops into my head. Relieved to know I still remember him, I sigh. Time is a warped path in my mind. Sometimes the years slip by at lightning speed; other times they drag on.
Seriously, though. When was the last time I found one male interesting, much less… two? Maybe three? A long while. At least a century. Most of the time, a night or two is enough before I’m ready to move on. Maybe it’s because I haven’t slept with any of them. Possible. Or perhaps it’s because I’m enjoying being with them.Temporarily, of course, I remind myself. It’s not as if this can go on forever. Even if I wish it would.
25
JAMISON
Years of my father’s narcissistic tantrums have prepared me well for this job. Smooth expression on my face, I wait for the council to stop shouting at each other and come to a consensus. This is a common occurrence for them. The only thing they used to agree on is the need to take whatever steps are necessary to prevent our exposure to the humans and the return of the gods. Now, I’m not so sure.
Mathias sits beside me, his ramrod posture the only indication of his thoughts.
“They’ll wrap up in a minute,” I assure him.
He absolutely hates politics. When Nolan was on the council, Mathias avoided these meetings like the plague. His feelings haven’t changed, although they have yet to appoint the new vampire councilmember.
Mathias showed them a video of Phaedra poisoning her victim with a ring. Proof of her lack of magic. The council was arguing over how to spin this to the supernatural society.Daegan, the dragon shifter, and Virilin, the Fae representative, feel we should be transparent and honest about her lack of magic and subsequent threat status, but my father and Osian, the Elven representative, want to continue using Phaedra as the scapegoat. Kratos, the demon representative, is playing devil’s advocate right now and has yet to choose.
