Page 41 of Unforeseen Mate
Nora nodded. “He is. He saw the rise of the Shadow League long before anyone else and began creating his network of spies long before the rest of us knew what was happening.” She shook her head. “So stupid. I worked for the bastard behind the League.”
“What do you think he wants?”
“Who? Abraham?” It was Fallon’s turn to nod. “He believes he can bring about a second age of dragons over which he can rule supreme. Trust me when I tell you that wouldn’t be good for anyone, least of all women. You look tired.”
“Yeah well, being held drugged, kidnapped and… oh shit, I need to call the Savoy. Between them and the museum they must know I’m missing…”
“They did, but Colby reached out and smoothed things over. He made them believe you’d become very ill and he’d flown you back to the States for your recovery. He had your things picked up and squared everything with the hotel and the museum. The museum said the project they wanted you for would wait until you were available.”
“As I said, it’s been a rough couple of weeks and then I find out you weren’t who I thought you were, or rather what I thought you were. You are the friend I always believed you to be—just a slightly different DNA makeup.” Nora smiled gratefully. “Andthen the whole being claimed by the hellhound. Kind of sounds like a bad paranormal romance novel, doesn’t it?”
“Did he explain all the repercussions about that? Because I don’t know them, but I suspect I can find out.”
“Don’t worry, he did. And I’m actually kind of okay with it. Not exactly a ringing endorsement, is it?”
“You’re entitled to have reservations about all of this. You did nothing that should have caused you to get plunged into these dark waters headfirst.”
“Did he tell you…”
The door opened and Hayden strode in. “I told her everything she needs to know…”
“Even the whole Hades and Persephone thing?” challenged Nora. “You know, half the year in the Underworld…”
“Nora, stand down,” said Fallon in a firm tone of voice. “He told me. I’ve made my choice just as you made your choice not to tell me the truth about what you were and what you did for a living.”
Hayden tensed as if expecting Nora to do something violent, but Fallon knew she wouldn’t. The bond between them would survive this deception. Besides, she could understand why Nora had kept that part of herself secret. Fallon suspected her friend had wanted some normalcy in her life.
“She shoots! She scores!” teased Nora, and Hayden relaxed.
Yes, things between her and Nora would be fine.
“Colby is catching people up in the war room. He’s got some reports coming in from his people, but I want to spend a bit of time alone with Fallon.”
Nora stood, eyed the two of them, and then nodded as she headed for the door. “Are you hungry? I can ask Colby’s people to make you some sandwiches or something. I know what Fallon likes. How about you, North? Can I have them make something for you?”
“I can eat whatever Fallon is eating.”
“Really? You like cucumber and cream cheese, or maybe peanut butter and marshmallow fluff sandwiches? Who’d have thought it?”
Hayden spun around. The look of shock on his face was priceless.
“I don’t like either of those. In fact, I think they’re disgusting, but the Ghost there just loves them. She’s trying to provoke you and remind you she knows me better than you do. Aren’t you, Nora?”
Nora tilted her head back and laughed. “True enough, but did you see the look on his face? Gotcha, North. That’s for turning my best friend, and I don’t care if she was dying or gave her consent. But I’ll go down and see if they can’t send you up something.”
Nora walked out the door, closing it behind her.
“She likes peanut butter and marshmallow fluff sandwiches?”
“She does. I suspect it comes from her upbringing. She was never allowed to have stuff like that. It was always perfectly nutritious, absolutely tasteless food. You want to get on her good side, feed her well.”
“No wonder she is mated to a pastry chef.”
Fallon laughed. “That would be right up her alley. So, they don’t need us downstairs?”
“They do, but tempers were running a little hot…”
“The whole you turned me without telling anyone?”
