Page 58 of Curses & Keys
I raise my eyebrows at his tone. “Mercer works for Harlequin.”
He pulls me closer and dips his head. “Sorry. I’m a jealous wanker.”
I teasingly roll my eyes, but I secretly love it.
Raising his head, he looks at Rupert. “Is there a shorter way out of here? We need to get moving.”
“We have a portal,” Rupert reveals with reluctance. “But you need to promise me you’ll never use it to enter our society. Letzlaced it with deadly spells that require certain phrases in order to enter without harm.”
Jamison agrees and returns to Mathias and Gatlin to let them know we’re leaving.
I smile at Rupert. Letz might have appeared as a harmless older man, but he certainly knew how to wield magic to safeguard those under his protection. “Thank you. For everything. I’d like to return if I can?”
He takes my hand in his and pats it several times. “We’d love to have you visit us. The pieces we showed you today are only a tiny portion of the artifacts we have in our possession. We could use your help. Here’s my card. Call me when you’re ready.”
His mention of artifacts makes me think of something, and I pull Rupert into the corner. “By the way, I took the box from the altar.”
There’s a glint of satisfaction and knowledge in his gaze that makes me realize they know more about me than I might wish. “I thought you might like that one.”
30
HAWTHORNE
“No heroics. Get in and get out,” Jamison orders. His eyes locked on Phaedra as she packs her supplies.
I place a hand on his shoulder. “I’ll protect her with my life. Although I doubt she’ll need it.” When he turns to me with a question in his eyes, I remind him. “She’s been around for thousands of years. By herself. Goddess, I can’t imagine the things she’s had to face on her own. I’m just happy she’s starting to trust us. Let us be there for her.”
“I don’t like having to separate,” he admits in a gruff tone. “The council. Gods. Humans. We’re all caught up in something that feels beyond our control.”
“We all feel that way,” I assure him. “Gatlin’s been pacing like a wild animal for the last half hour.” We both look at where he’s standing behind Phaedra with a scowl on his face. “Mathias keeps giving her updates on weather conditions, helping her check off the items on her list and pack. All while he updates the temple schematics.”
“He’s been hard to read,” Jamison lets slip. “Change is his worst enemy. The last time, it upended his life and brought him here. For a while, I wasn’t sure if he’d accept her into our group, but he’s slowly coming around to the idea.”
I snort. “Have you not seen him watching everything around her? He’s suspicious but intrigued.”
Jamison’s eyebrows rise in surprise. “I didn’t notice.”
“That’s because you’ve been busy trying to figure out how to keep us all safe from the council and humans,” I gently remind him. “Take a step back. Do what you do best. Find these bastards and the traitor. We’ll have your back.” I turn around. “And don’t worry. I’ll take out anyone who comes close to her.”
The thought of someone hurting her sparks a white-hot rage in me. I might shun the royal titles I carry, but the power I hold can’t be ignored. I tamp it down, knowing she needs me in a different capacity, but the thought makes me double-check the weapons I’m taking with us. Magic has its place, but I’d be a fool if I relied solely on it.
Gatlin comes over, wearing his usual scowl, and leans in close. “You know I hate this. Whatever you do, don’t take your eyes off her for a second. The gods are capricious assholes. I don’t know what they want with her, but I’m sure it isn’t good.”
My lips twitch with the need to smile at this uncharacteristic show of concern, but I don’t want to discourage him from opening up in the future. “I won’t.”
Mathias comes over and hands me a laptop and a bag. “I uploaded the society’s holographic image of the temple onto the laptop and marked every symbol they captured. It should help. You can cross them off after you’ve checked each one. Although they might have missed some, so don’t rely solely on the data.” His dark eyes slide over to her.
I hold up the bag. “And this?”
“Snacks,” he tells me.
I clap them on the back. “I’ve got her. You two be careful and watch your backs. Jamison’s too.” I look over at Phaedra, who’s striding this way.
Long legs encased in sleek dark pants paired with a fitted black long-sleeve shirt and tactical vest, dark hair in a tight braid, and weapons strapped to her legs and chest is a sight to behold. I take a deep breath. I’ve never seen anything so damn sexy in my life. And I’ve been around a very long time.
“Ready to go?” I ask, my voice husky despite my best efforts.
“Everything’s loaded, and Charlie’s filing a false flight plan,” she replies in a slightly breathless voice that tells me she isn’t immune to me either. “Excuse me for a second. I have to do one thing.”
