Page 89 of Heal Me

I help Charlotte up from her knees and fix my pants. “My love, was I too rough?” I ask her, pulling her into my lap and smoothing her disheveled hair.

“No,” she assures me with a smile, wrapping her arms around my neck.

“I’ve told you before but it bears repeating—fluent in the Adamic language,” I rumble contentedly and she smiles. Gently pressing my lips to hers and tasting myself, I wouldn’t mind tasting her on my lips. Before I can make that happen, the doorbell rings.

Using my power, we’re both dressed. A shame, as I’d love to stay and explore how sexy she looks in the new lingerie. I’ll put that on the to-do list for later this evening.

We walk downstairs and step outside on the back porch. “Rumel, may I introduce you to—”

“Charlotte Jasmine Patel,” Rumel says with a bow.

And then it all happens so fast. One second we’re doing introductions, and the next Rumel pulls a black bag over both our heads. Let me clarify, I didn’t see the bag go over Charlotte’s head, but it’s a safe assumption based on her blood-curdling scream.

The bags vanish, and we’re now overlooking a small, crystal-clear alpine lake. I survey our location and spot the Watchers’ training facility on a hill in the distance. “I’m so sorry,” I say as I give Charlotte’s hand a squeeze. “Rumel, you didn’t tell me you were taking us to the compound! I would have prepared Charlotte for your method of transportation.”

“What’s the problem? We’re here now,” he says as he takes off at a brisk pace.

“What just happened?” Charlotte quietly asks me with wide eyes.

“The Watchers’ compound is a secret—even I don’t know where it’s located—hence the bag over the head routine,” I explain as I pull her along to catch up with Rumel.

We reach the training facility, and its reinforced door opens with a beep. Out struts Dane. And it begins. “Cupid, long time no see. And Charlotte, so nice to finally meet you. I’ve read so much about you,” Dane says.

“Not now, Dane,” I snap.

“Charlotte, I know your mom owns a bakery. My all-time favorite cookie is oatmeal raisin; just puttin’ that information out there.”

“You pick the world’s worst cookie as your favorite?” I call to him as we keep walking.

“Hey, what’s wrong with an oatmeal raisin cookie?”

“So everyone I meet here will know every detail of my life?” Charlotte gives me a hard look.

“Not every detail,” I try to reassure her.

Vael appears next to me and keeps step. “Hey, Cupid. And hello, Charlotte. What did you decide about Harvard? I know you were having second thoughts but really didn’t want to let your dad down.”

“Go away, Vael,” I say with a sigh.

“What’s his problem? Charlotte, you’re a good cook. Feed the man so he isn’t so cranky,” he calls after us.

I hold Charlotte’s hand tighter and urge her along. We pass Zkeel, who’s dressed in tactical gear. He quickly changes directions and now keeps step with us. “I heard the love birds were here; I had to say hello before I ship out.”

“Goodbye, Zkeel.”

“Cupid, aren’t you going to introduce me to your beautiful woman? I can see why you wanted to keep her to yourself,” he says, eyeing Charlotte in a way that makes me want to inflict bodily harm.

“Goodbye, Zkeel,” I say cooly.

“Hey, what’s the update in Brad’s legal case? Charlotte, do you want me to castrate him for you?” he calls as we keep walking.

“Your definition of ‘every’ and my definition of ‘every’ are two very different things.” Charlotte points at me.

“Goodbye, Zkeel,” I say with more force.

He stops walking but calls after us, “Girl, I don’t know what you were worried about. Them curves be looking alright to me.” He follows his words with a whistle.

“Keep it up and I’ll castrate you,” I call back to him with a growl. Taking a deep breath, I turn to Charlotte, “My love, I’m so—”

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