Page 62 of Magick and Lead
“Just another couple of days,” she said, filling the shot glasses again. Essa and I exchanged a glance.
“I’d like to meet the guy,” I said. “Any idea where he’s going to be tomorrow?”
Suzie waved my words away. “No more work talk. I’ll give Esther’s resumé to my boss. We’ll be work besties,” she squeezed Essa’s hand.
“I was just wondering—” I tried again, but Suzie gave me a warning glare.
“My house, my rules. One more shot.”
She raised her glass and we joined her in a toast, then downed the burning liquor. I could hold my booze okay, but the world was starting to feel warm and blurry around the edges. Suzie stood unsteadily, then kicked off her shoes, took a few steps, paused in the open doorway, and wheeled on us. She pulled her dress up over her head, removing it and revealing bare breasts and a pair of sheer mint-green panties.
“Now into my bedroom,” she said. “Both of you. My house, my rules.”
I looked at Essa, reaching out again with the simnal.
We don’t have to…I started.
The look she gave me was not that of a drunk girl in an awkward situation. It was classic Essa, an expression that told me instantly that she was sharp, aware, and fully in control.
This is how we get Kortoi,she said in my mind.I would follow this girl into a warg’s lair for the information I need. I’ll certainly follow her into her bedroom.
She arched an eyebrow.
If you’re afraid, you can stay behind.
And with that, she was up and moving, disappearing through the bedroom doorway.
Suzie’s bedroom was small and cozy. It smelled of perfume, makeup and something harder to define—the pleasant scent of a lived-in space. The bed was already unmade, and Suzie lay down on it, welcoming Essa with open arms. I watched their lips meet, their tongues tracing over one another, watched Suzie take Essa’s hand and guide it to her breast.
My heart beat fast, the crotch of my pants growing tighter. And yet, many calculations were running through my mind at once. Was this going to make getting information out of Suzie easier, or harder? What if Kitty’s goon friends burst in the door? I also felt something else, something fiery. Desire and jealousy, rising up in equal measure inside me. It was hot seeing Essa like this. But I also wanted her all to myself.
“Now you,” Suzie said, eyeing me hungrily over Essa’s shoulder. She saw my hesitation and gave me a knowing smile. “You want information, right? About this Maethalian Prelate? Well, you’re going to have to earn it, Flyboy. Come here. And take your clothes off, both of you.”
Essa looked at me. I could feel the tug of war going on inside her. She’d come here to stab me, not to climb into bed with me. And yet, she’d already made it clear nothing would stand in the way of her mission. Her hesitation lasted only an instant, then she was pulling off her dress, and I was unbuttoning my shirt.
“Come here,” Suzie said again, her voice breathy with hunger, and we both fell on her, surrendering. Essa kissed her mouth while my lips traced down her neck, down her chest, down the taut skin of her breast, where I took her swollen nipple into my mouth. A low moan rose from her as Essa drifted down, too, running a tongue over her other nipple. Suzie’s moan grew louder. Her hips were grinding with desire, and I traced my fingers down her soft belly, down between her legs. I found Essa’s hand already there, working inside Suzie’s underwear.
I looked over to Essa, then, her curves painted in shadow, her mouth slightly open as she fought for breath. Even now, I could think of only her…
I rose onto my knees, then, and came up behind Essa, my kisses finding her neck, my fingers feathering over her stiffening nipple. My other fingers traced through her hair. She turned her head to glance back at me, hunger in her eyes.
“Stop, stop, stop,” Suzie said in a breathy whisper, pushing Essa’s hand away from her. “I want to watch the two of you.”
Essa and I looked at one another, both of us disheveled and breathless. I trembled. My whole body seemed to throb with desire. I could see Essa felt the same way. Her breathing was ragged, her teeth biting her lower lip. We’d had a night together—one perfect night on the Isle of Dorhane. I’d thought of it a thousand times since. But that was over. She hated me now. As much as I’d dreamed of her, as much as I wanted her, it was impossible that I could have her again.
Unless…
“My house, my rules,” Suzie said. “Take her. Now. While I watch.”
29
ESSA
Islipped off my panties.
“You’re drunk,” Charlie growled. “I don’t know if we should…” but his body betrayed his words. Desire radiated off him in waves. I reached down and grasped him through his pants, finding him full and ready, his length hard as a sword grip against my palm. He gave a ragged gasp as I brought my lips close to his ear.
“I am Irska of the Maethalian Skrathan, and this is part of my mission. If you try to stop me, gods help you...”
