Page 4 of Research with Rivals
Ninety-three, ninety-two, ninety-one. The heat retreated as quickly as it had come. Thus was the animalistic response. My mouth opened. What did I tell him? That I was fine again?
Any explanation was interrupted as a high-pitched caw echoed through the Great Room. The rustle of flapping wings drew my focus to the large black raven entering. The bird had yet to reach us when it shifted into a male, landing on two feet without breaking forward momentum.
Clumsily, I stood, dipping my chin with such force that a strand of my dark brown hair fell from my braid into my face. “Lord Arctos.”
He was tall, like Ambrose, but wiry instead of broad. His blond hair was shoulder length, and while he had the beauty of the fae, there was an undefined sharpness to him, probably due to him being one of the four gods who’d created the continent. I hadn’t given much thought to my belief in the gods until Lord Arctos showed up at the library a few days ago. Then he had surprised me further by staying at my friend Luna’s inn. The Vesten God didn’t put on airs, but I still had no idea what to make of him.
He glanced between me and Ambrose. “Good, I’m glad you’re both here.”
When Lord Arctos had arrived in Sandrin, he asked me directly for research help with a project. This had been yet another sore point between Ambrose and me. Ambrose assumed I was already hard at work on whatever the Vesten God needed. In reality, since he’d asked for my help, he’d told me nothing else about it.
Lord Arctos shook briefly, like he was adjusting to the feeling of the light brown tunic and dark trousers that had appeared with him. “Miss Knowles, I’ve already asked for your expertise on my project. Gabriel has pointed out that you work quite well with Mr. Yarrow.”
He glanced between us again as if looking for confirmation. Neither of us made a move of acknowledgement.
“Well, he asked that I include you both in the briefing, and he does run this library, so I will cede to his wishes.”
Lord Arctos didn’t sound like he was ceding to anything. His eyes sparkled as if he had decided this entire project would provide infinite amusement. Maybe it would. Forhim.
“What will we be working on?” Ambrose asked with a dismissive glance at me. I’m sure he assumed I already knew.
The god’s brow pinched as he focused on Ambrose. “You’ll find that out at the briefing.”
Ambrose dipped his head in acknowledgment, though I couldn’t be sure he was chastened.
“Should we meet in Gabriel’s office?” I asked and peered at the clock. Seraphina understood when things came up, but I hated to be late.
“Yes.” Lord Arctos gestured between us. He didn’t seem to miss anything. “Is five minutes enough time to wrap whatever this is up?”
The assessment was disconcerting, but I nodded, mumbling to myself. “The faster you leave, the faster we’ll finish.”
The Vesten God tilted his head slightly, like he might have heard. I gulped as I realized the words were not quiet enough. Today was really not my best.
Instead of responding, he smiled and clapped his hands together. “Wonderful. I can’t wait.”
Shifting again, he flew out an open window on the other side of the room.
Ambrose studied me in a way that I would never grow accustomed to. “Do you think he knows Gabriel’s office is the other way?”
“I’m not sure he cares.”
There was another almost twitch of his lip at that, then something changed, and the lines of his mouth flattened, hisarms folding over his chest. “So we’ll be working together on his project. Did you know?”
“The Vesten God doesn’t share his plans with me.” I closed my notebook and slid it neatly into the corner of the table, then placed the pot for my flower experiment on the windowsill.
“Do you know what the project is?” he pressed.
Outwardly, I sighed in exasperation, but Ambrose’s tenacity was, begrudgingly, my favorite thing about him. Unfortunately, he was an excellent researcher. He wouldn’t let this go until he understood the problem and had a solution in mind.
His hazel eyes met mine at the sound. “What?”
I shook my head and echoed the Vesten God’s words. “We’ll have to attend the briefing to find out.”
2
Evelyn
Gabriel ran the Vesten Library, not so much with an iron fist as with a warm heart and inquisitive mind. He’d hired me, the first Vesten to take a chance on me after the new court leaders accepted the existence of half-fae.
