Page 65 of The Scribe (Irin Chronicles 1)

Malachi stopped the drumming of his fingers. “What do you mean?”

“I only wanted you to slow down. I know how rash you can be. I advised you to give the woman space, not ignore her completely. She’d just had a huge shock, and you were hovering over her like a worried mate. But if you gave her space and she still showed interest in you, then what are you waiting for, you idiot?”

“I thought you said—”

“Do you care for the woman?” Damien asked. “That’s the real question. Not just the thrill of a woman who can stand your touch, buther?”

Did he? Was it too soon to be feeling as strongly as he was? What did he know about Ava, really?

He knew she was intelligent and funny. She was independent. He knew that beneath the tough exterior lay a vulnerable soul, and he suspected a deeply sensuous nature. She was cautious, but unafraid of him, or any of the other scribes she had met. He remembered her, standing boldly among the Grigori, flush with wine and unafraid of the creatures she challenged. Eyes flashing with indignation. Eyes that swung to him, as Malachi saw…

Recognition.

There you are,reshon.

He’d known in that moment, but it had seemed like an impossible dream.

“Yes.” He cleared his throat. “I care for her. Deeply.”

“Then, Malachi, see her for the gift she is and cherish her.” Damien’s voice grew rough. “We know how unexpected life can be.”

“You’re right.” He nodded, feeling a profound peace for the first time in weeks. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet. You’ve probably angered her thoroughly and will have to convince her to let you court her.”

“I haven’t courted an Irina in over two hundred years.” Malachi had begun pacing the garden without realizing it. Thinking of the volatile relationship between Damien and his mate, he asked, “Any advice?”

“You’re asking me? My wife hasn’t allowed me to see her face outside of our dreams for over ten years. Though Sari is unusually stubborn. Even for an Irina.”

“Good point. Why did I listen to you in the first place?”

“I’m your superior. It’s required. Now, I have to go.”

“Sadik,” Malachi said, remembering the reason he’d called. “I want to continue watching him. I’ll ask Ava if she’s called him. I think there’s still something we’re not seeing.”

“I would agree with you. You said that his visits seemed to calm her? Release some of the tension she’d been having?”

“Yes. She always seemed calmer after a visit with him. She said he used acupressure. Nothing unusual. Mainly around the head and neck.” He paused and thought. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say that she’d been in contact with—”

“An Irin.”

“Yes.”

“Someone siphoned off her energy enough for her to function more easily.”

“It’s possible.”

“But he is not Irin; Leo was watching him. Following the doctor. He said he wasn’t Grigori, either. Didn’t appear to be anything other than a normal man.”

A disturbing thought tickled the back of Malachi’s mind. “Appearances can be deceiving, brother. Especially for certain beings.”

“Only for…” Damien fell silent.

“Is it possible?”

“Anything is possible, as your human Irina proves. But is it probable? No.”

“And yet, it seems there are all sorts ofimprobablethings going on lately.”

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