Page 69 of Don't Bait Me (Nora Jacobs 3)

“Right. So I should go change.”

I turn back for the bathroom, and Illren lightly grabs my wrist. “Allowing you to change would be criminal. And we’ve no time, anyway. Come.”

He escorts me over to the front waiting area, where I’m not surprised to find a long, red coat to match the dress. He holds it out and then lifts it over my shoulders when I slip my arms inside. My chest tightens, and I get a funny feeling in my gut. There’s something strangely intimate about a man helping you in or out of your coat. It’s strange to have Illren doing it. Still, I’m glad to be somewhat covered, and I cinch the coat’s sash tight.

Once I’m feeling less exposed, I realize what my two companions are wearing. Terrance is in his normal getup of a black T-shirt stretched tightly over his barrel chest, cargo pants, and black combat boots. Illren is dressed in black pants; a long, black tunic; and black boots that go up to almost his knees. It looks almost like a costume. It must be traditional faerie garb. Still, neither of them are half as dressed up as me. “How come I’m the only one who looks like I’m going to the Oscars?”

Illren smirks. “You’ll draw the most attention.”

I scoff. And watch with fascination as he belts his sword at his side like some kind of pirate…or faerie assassin. “You may give me a run for my money if you take that thing with you. How are you going to explain a sword? It’s not Halloween.”

“I won’t have to explain it. It’s glamoured. Only the hunters will see it, and we want them to notice. Why do you think I am wearing the traditional dress of the Winter Court and have my hair pulled back? My ears make me more noticeably fey. That is also why the succubus chose a dress for you that revealed so much of your beautiful skin.” His eyes rove over me in a caress that I’d have to be dead not to feel the heat of. “There is no mistaking you for human in that dress,” he murmurs.

Squirming under his intense gaze, I frown at Terrance. “What about you? You look the same as always—just like a really large human. In fact…” I frown, eyeing my troll friend and realizing just how much he looks like a human. “How did they recognize you as fey in the first place? If any fey could pass for human, it’s you, T-man.”

Terrance puts on his coat and ushers us outside after enthusiastic good-byes from Ren, who’s not a field agent and is staying behind. My feet freeze the instant we’re outside, and I curse Cecile again for making me wear heels. I don’t get one foot before Illren steps up beside me and takes my arm in his. I don’t fight him. It’s icy outside, and I need him to help keep me from falling. Terrance opens the back door to his big, beautiful Cadillac for me. “Having the sight is kind of like having a sixth sense,” he says as I slide into the back seat. “They can feel the glamour as much as see through it.

Illren slides in beside me instead of claiming the front passenger seat while Terrance runs around to get in the driver’s seat. He continues with his explanation as he buckles up and starts the car. “I mostly look human, but I do use a glamour to cover my size a little and the roughness of my skin. It’s not much, but it’s enough that they can feel it.” He meets my gaze in the rearview mirror and shrugs. “They probably noticed me because I’m hard to miss.”

I chuckle. “That’s the truth, if I’ve ever heard it.”

Terrance pulls out of the Agency parking lot and heads for the casino. I’m glad it’s not a long drive. Cecile’s pretty coat is definitely more form over function. I’m freezing. Terrance has the heater on, but the car isn’t warm yet. I shiver and hug myself, trying to rub some heat into my arms. Illren notices, and he unbuckles my seat belt and pulls me into the middle seat beside him. Before I can argue, he’s reaching across my lap for the middle buckle. Once I’m properly secured, he puts his arm around me and nestles me into his side. I’m not thrilled he did that without asking, but itiswarmer, so I let out a sigh and lean against him.

Illren takes my hand and starts to rub it. “Your fingers are freezing.”

“All of me is freezing. I’m in a damn dress and heels. Not exactly winter attire.”

Worth it, Illren thinks.I’ve never seen anything so beautiful. If the Winter Queen could see you, she would have you killed for daring to be the most beautiful creature in all of Faerie.

I think that’s supposed to be a compliment, but it doesn’t really make me feel better. “Remind me to never leave this realm,” I mutter.

Illren stops rubbing my hand and rears back in surprise. “Did you just read my thoughts?”

“Oh.” I cringe. “Yeah. Sorry. Skin-to-skin contact does it, and I have no control over it. I can’t turn it off, so if you want privacy, the best option is to not touch me.”

I use the opportunity to pull my hand from his. He chuckles at the glare I give him. I think I’m more annoyed that I didn’t automatically pull away from him than that he took my hand in the first place. Having all of my guys becoming so affectionate is really dropping my guard. I know that’s what I wanted, but it’s unsettling at the same time.

“It makes sense,” Illren says suddenly.

“What does?” Terrance asks.

Illren and I both look toward the front seat. “That she can read thoughts,” Illren says. He smiles at me. “The original three sirens were very powerful fey witches before they were cursed with their song. They were blessed with the gift of knowing past, present, and future. You have visions of the past, and yesterday you seemed to know we were in trouble before it happened. I was wondering how the power of knowing the present had manifested in you.”

I startle. I’ve never thought of my gifts that way, but he’s right. In a way, I do have knowledge of the past, present, and future. I’ve always wondered how and why I had my gifts. I figured it was some kind of psychic thing. Nope. I’m just descended from fey witches. That’s all. “That’s…interesting.” Even learning that I’m a fey witch, it’s nice to have another piece to the puzzle.

Illren grabs my hand again and brings it to his lips. He meets my eyes and sends me a direct thought.Everything about you is interesting.

I pull away from him. “You’re supposed to be keeping your hands to yourself.”

He smirks. “You make that request very difficult.”

“Well, try harder,” I snap, finding my glare again.

Illren sighs and lets his hand fall into his lap. “I’ll try, Mistress.”

We stay quiet until we reach the casino. As we pull into the parking lot, there’s a slight crackle of static from the earpiece in my ear. Nick said we’d lose contact until we joined them again. We must be in range again. “Hello?” I ask.

A chorus of greetings fills my ears, making me smile.

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