| |
––––––––
Evalle finished her kickboxing movements, a skill she sometimes needed, which came in handy when she wore her boots with hidden blades to patrol Atlanta. Standard gear to walk the streets on the lookout for demons or other threats to humans.
Would she ever need them again?
“No negative waves,” she ordered the empty great room in the villa, but the phrase made her smile. It came from that old Kelly’s Heroes movie, one of Feenix’s favorites.
Was her little gargoyle still having fun in Treoir?
Did he miss her?
She knew he did and that Daegan could zap them back there. Feenix just seemed so far away.
With her workout complete, she showered, cursed the lines continuing to fill up her skin, then tackled the remote for the television. That said everything about her level of boredom.
Tossing it aside, she went on the patio and lounged for as long as she could sit still.
No eagle flew around, much less stopped by to visit when she could use a sympathetic ear.
The first time must have been a dream.
Well, damn. She’d felt special by that bird showing up.
As the night wore on with no word from Storm, she debated on calling Adrianna until she realized the time.
After four in the morning here.
She did the time zone math. Still too early to call Adrianna when she had no news.
Besides, she had to get her head straightened out.
No more giving Storm a hard time when all he wanted to do was protect her from doing something dangerous.
He’d told her the truth in the car, just as she’d asked.
And he’d been right.
Could she fight off a dark majik spell? Doubtful.
The kickboxing had helped. With sunrise still a ways off, she could go for a brisk walk around the resort in the dark.
That would burn off her nervous energy.
Her heart wanted to jump out of her chest after that last look in the mirror. The lines were expanding faster.
She ran to the bedroom and stepped into a black one-piece outfit with long legs she liked to wear for sword practice.
Tying the halter around her neck on her way to the bathroom, she paused to brush her hair into a ponytail.
Two patches of line crept around her forearm as she watched.
“Think I care, Universe?” she snarled. Fuck. What had she done to deserve this?
The room didn’t answer.
She missed Feenix. He might not have many words in his vocabulary, but he’d at least say something.
She put her sneakers on and descended the stairs.
When she reached the door, she cursed. Her glasses were upstairs, and she couldn’t go out with glowing green eyes around humans. As she turned to retrieve her glasses, she caught a look in the mirror in the foyer.
A weave of black lines ran from her scalp onto her cheek below her left eye.
Her not-bright-green eye.
Both eyes were ... dark.
They no longer glowed.
Her stomach hit her feet.
The doorbell chimed.
She couldn’t move. Her Alterant beast and the gryphon she’d evolved into had been responsible for her glowing gaze. This couldn’t be. She wanted to scream at losing all she’d been.
The doorbell chimed again.
She couldn’t move.
That damn doorbell wouldn’t stop.
She started to kick the door, but she’d probably break her damned foot. In no mood to see anyone, she peered through the peephole.
Adsila.
If Evalle didn’t answer, the woman would probably report she wasn’t home, and Storm might rush back thinking she had a problem. He couldn’t see her like this.
He’d launch into the bonding. She’d agreed. This would qualify as dire straits.
Screw it. Maybe her face would send the woman running. Evalle opened the door and did her best to sound civil. “Yes?”
No shock registered in Adsila’s expression. She probably met all kinds of strange people at a casino and thought she addressed a human with a fetish for crazy ink.
Hell, Evalle might be a human at this point.
“We didn’t officially meet last night. I’m Adsila. I’m sorry to disturb you at this hour.”
Digging deep to show some manners, Evalle acted as if her face didn’t sport a gang tattoo. “You’re not disturbing me. What can I do for you?”
Pasting her hospitality smile in place, Adsila said, “I’m here to take you to the seer. She’d like to meet you.”
“What? Really?” Evalle’s heart raced. Would the seer even speak to her once she saw these lines? Her hands shook. She clasped them to stop the trembling and asked, “Did Storm set this up ... or Bidziil?”
Adsila nodded, another polite motion. “Yes. They’re in a big meeting with security. I was told to come right away, that this is important to you.”
As if that wasn’t obvious in the switch from bitch Evalle to happy Evalle?
Best mate ever. She wanted to have Storm say the same about her. Maybe the seer could give her some answers.
Evalle had been ready to give up all hope a moment ago.
This couldn’t have come at a better time. She gave herself tiny kudos for opening the door in spite of her screwed-up looking face.
“I’m in a little bit of a hurry if you’re ready,” Adsila said, though still in a patient tone.
“Now? Sure. I have to be back by daylight.”
“I see no problem in that, but it’s a little bit of a drive so we should get moving.”
“Sorry, yes.” Evalle looked around in a rush then at herself. She didn’t carry a purse and had a code to the door. Done. “I’m ready.” She stepped out, locked up then fell into pace with Adsila’s fast steps leading to a Suburban still running.
Storm had been doing his best not to hover.
Evalle appreciated how he hadn’t asked her to wait so he could go with her.
Good mate. He showed his trust and made her feel strong.
