Page 13 of The Scribe (Irin Chronicles 1)

He just shifted in his seat, clearly uncomfortable with the conversation.

“I know you’re going to be following me, so please don’t feel like you have to hide. If you could just keep your distance and stay as unobtrusive as possible, that’d be great. I’ve had guards before, but I’m pretty independent. I’m honestly not sure why Carl felt like he had to do this, but since there never seems to be any reasoning with him, let’s just go with it, okay?”

The big man was still blinking at her silently. Ava tried not to sigh. His eyes had seemed intelligent enough, but maybe they hadn’t hired the guy for his intellect.

“What I’m trying to say is… The incident you saw in the alley doesn’t need to be reported to my stepfather. I took care of it, and we really don’t need more people at this little party, do we?”

Complete and utter silence. It was almost inhuman. She caught him taking a breath when the collar of his shirt moved, revealing more of the tattoo work around his collar. They were letters, she thought, but nothing like she’d ever seen before. Other than that one breath, he could have been one of the statues on display.

“Do you have a name?” she asked.

He frowned. “You want my name?”

“Well, it would feel rude to refer to you as ‘the big, silent guy’ in my internal monologue, so yeah, a name would be nice.” He was still silent. Ava frowned. “Is that not part of your job or—?”

“Malachi.”

She smiled. “Malachi?”

“My name is Malachi.”

“Nice name.”

“I like yours.”

She shrugged off the internal pleasure. “It’s… easy to spell. Anyway, I have an appointment this afternoon, so I’ll be heading back to my hotel now. I’ll be trying to take a nap for approximately forty-five minutes, but will realize it’s too hot, so I’ll then take a shower and read a book. Maybe dump my pictures on the computer. All of this will be happeninginmy hotel, which has very good security, but please feel free to lurk around the entrance so you can shadow me to my appointment later.”

Malachi stared at her, still silent. Finally, he put down the book and crossed his arms over his chest, leaning back in his chair and looking at her as if he was trying to solve a puzzle.

“Nothing to add? Any questions? I’m not sure how much Mom and Carl told you. I’m just here in the city for a while. Taking pictures… for my job. With a magazine.”

More silence.

Ava shook her head and stood. “Fine. Whatever. I’ll see you around, Malachi.”

She turned to go, but he said her name in that low voice and she turned back.

“Ava.”

“Yes?”

He stood and walked toward her. He didn’t hold out his hand, didn’t touch her in any way, but she still felt surrounded. Her breath caught as his inner voice took on an urgent tone.

“I will protect you.”

She could feel her face heat. There was something intimate about the words, despite knowing he was only doing his job.

“I know. And I want you to know that I appreciate—”

“If there is any threat to you, I will protect you.” He took another step closer, and Ava tried not to shrink back. “I promise.”

She felt short of breath. Not from panic, but… “Wow, you take your job pretty seriously, huh?”

The first hint of humor crossed his face, and she saw the corner of his mouth inch up. “I do.”

“Okay.” She stepped back, no longer able to sustain his presence. There was something magnetic about the man, and she didn’t want to know more. “I’m going back now. Don’t forget, appointment later.”

“After not-napping.”

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