Page 12 of A Hint of Delirium

Disgusted, I tossed my bag on the sofa and slumped down next to it, crossing my arms over my chest. I bet he locked me in there on purpose. My gaze traveled around the industrial chic apartment, but I couldn’t find anything that would help me tunnel my way out. The bookshelves were filled with books, vinyls, and knick knacks that were probably worthless. A record player sat on a sleek glass table near the corner, ready for use. I wondered why he didn’t have a TV in the living room like a normal person, then remembered hewasn’ta normal person. Then, I sat there and pouted for the next two hours until Ansel returned.

He opened the door easily and locked it behind him before walking into the kitchen. He dropped his keys on the kitchen island and then his eyes fell on me. He took in my sour expression with a bemused look. “What’s wrong with you?”

“You locked me in the apartment,” I grumbled.

He snorted. “Of course I did. I couldn’t have you leaving, now, could I?” He eyed me and then smiled. “I guess my precautions were not unfounded, because youdidtry to leave. Naughty girl.” Ansel wagged a finger.

“This isn’t funny, Ansel. I need to go home!”

H waved off my outburst. “Relax, Vi. I spoke with your mother. Everything is fine.” He shrugged and sat beside me on the couch.

Surprised, I turned to face him, suddenly anxious to hear about his meeting with my mother. “You did? What did she say?”

“I told her you’d be home tomorrow and that she shouldn’t worry. She was lovely. She didn’t have a single problem with you spending the night.”

“I highly doubt that,” I remarked dryly. “You did your voodoo thing.” I wiggled my fingers in his face. “Or else she never would have agreed.”

He grinned. “Nonetheless, you’re safe for the night. Why don’t you get cleaned up?” he suggested with a nod toward the bathroom.

I sighed. Itwasgetting late. My stomach chose that precise moment to grumble.

Ansel chuckled. “I’ll order something to eat. You like Chinese?”

I nodded and stood, heading for the bedroom to collect the towels I’d tossed in there earlier. Hugging them to my chest, I walked into the bathroom. Checking to make sure the door was locked securely, I stripped down, removed all my jewelry except for the anklet I never took off, and pulled my hair into a messy bun with the elastic tie around my wrist. Girls with long, curly hair never left home without one.

I stayed in the shower longer than I should have, but the hot water felt so nice. Plus, I was surrounded by the intoxicating aroma of Ansel’s eucalyptus-scented shower gel. Once I’d exhausted most of the hot water, I stepped out onto the bathmat and dried off, belatedly realizing I didn’t have anything to change into. I wrapped the towel firmly around my body, securing it under my arms, then grabbed my things and stepped out of the steamy bathroom.

I turned the corner into Ansel’s bedroom and squealed when I saw him in there, nearly dropping my things. Unperturbed by my theatrics, he continued to rummage through his dresser with his back to me. I gingerly placed my clothes and jewelry on the bed and waited for him to leave.

Several minutes passed.

I cleared my throat.

“Just a second,” he muttered. “I know I have a pair of shorts in here somewhere. Ah ha! Found them!” He spun around and took me all in, his emerald eyes roaming up and down my body in a way that told me he was pleased with the view.

I cleared my throat again and gave him a stern look.

He shook his head and dropped his eyes to the floor, then they narrowed. “What is that on your ankle?”

I tightened my hold on the towel and stuck my leg out a little. “Oh, that’s my anklet. My mom gave it to me a long time ago. I never take it off; it’s just such a hassle to put on and off.” I sighed, clearly exasperated by the whole ordeal.

“May I?” He motioned toward my ankle and looked like he was about to kneel to inspect it.

“Uh … sure,” I replied awkwardly. Ansel dropped down to his knees and I quickly covered my girly bits, feeling extremely uncomfortable.

His gentle hands caressed my skin as he twisted the anklet around my ankle, observing it with keen interest.

“What’s the problem?” I asked.

He peered up at me, his brows furrowed and eyes full of questions. “The problem is that this anklet is made of iron, and this piece of jewelry in particular is meant to suppress a fae’s power.”

6

ANSEL

Iwanted to rip the jewelry off her ankle, but whoever gave it to her must have had their reasons. It was probably why I couldn’t glamour her; the iron stopped me. What the hell was she? Was she something other than human?

I held onto her ankle, contemplating what to do next. She was going to have a million questions and I wouldn’t have a single answer. I shouldn’t even be dealing with this. If today’s attack was any clue, I needed to do what I was sent there to do before the Unseelie beat me to it. But what if Vi was bigger than that mission? What if I’d inadvertently stumbled onto something big and didn’t even know it yet?

---