Shadowfever
Page 120

Lor folded his arms, leaned back against the staircase, and laughed. Shes got a great ass. If were lucky, shes wearing a thong.
The white-haired man rumbled with laughter.
Youve never made anyone strip before, I said.
New rules. Ryodan smiled.
Im not
Seeing your parents if you dont, he cut me off.
I dont want to see them if I have to be naked. My mother would never recover.
He held up a short robe.
You planned this. The prick.
Told you. New rules. Cant be too careful with the queen here.
He didnt think Id do it. He was wrong.
Bristling, I kicked off my shoes, tugged my shirt over my head, skinned off my jeans, popped my bra, and stripped off my thong. Then I put my shoulder holster back on, tucked my spear into it, and walked up the stairs naked. I put a little jiggle in my walk and held his gaze the whole time.
At the top, Ryodan practically accosted me with the short robe. I looked back at Lor and the other guard. They were both staring at me. Neither of them was laughing anymore.
The second floor of Chesters smelled good. I cocked my head, sniffing. Perfume and cooking? Was there a kitchen up here?
Three women popped out of a wall, talking and laughing, carrying covered dishes, then vanished behind another hissing panel. I was piqued. They knew how to open and close the doors and I didnt.
Ryodan thrust my clothes at me. The Keltar women are out of control. They cook. They chatter. They laugh. Idiots.
I looked at him. He was already stalking away. It was all I could do not to laugh. I stepped to the side of the hall and dressed as I watched him disappear into one of the glass-paneled rooms.
When I began walking again, Lor moved into step beside me. I didnt like the way he was looking at mewith the hot, fixed gaze of an intensely sexual man whod seen me naked and jiggling and wasnt about to forget it soon.
Jack and Rainey are down here. He turned left in the honeycomb of glass and chrome, down a hallway I hadnt even realized was there. The reflective glass walls created a hall-of-mirrors illusion. Chesters was even larger on the second floor than Id thought.
You moved them.
Needed a place we could ward better, with the queen here.
Ahead, Drustan and Dageus were standing in the hallway, talking to aI stared. Fae? I wasnt getting a Fae read off him. What was he? Long black hair, gold-dust skin, loads of charisma. Fae but not Fae.
As we approached, I heard Dageus say impatiently, All were asking is that you confirm shes truly Aoibheal. You were her favorite for five thousand years, Adam. You know herbetter than any of us. Shes wasted and weak and, though were fair certain its her, wed be resting easier if we heard it from one who was once her right hand.
Im mortal, Gabs pregnant, and Im not dying in a bloody Fae war. This isnt my battle. This isnt my life anymore.
Were only asking you confirm its her. Well have Vlane sift you out of here
You tell that fuck Im here, you wont get a thing from me. No one is to know Im in Ireland. Not a single Fae. Got it?
You believe theyd still hunt you?
They have long memories, the queen is weak, and I was never their favorite. Some of them dont drink from the cauldron as often as Id like. One look. Ill confirm it for you, but then Im out of here. Dont come looking for me again.
Dageus said coolly, You had the chance to kill Darroc. You made him mortal instead.
Adams dark eyes glittered. I knew one of you bastards would try to blame me for what happened. I let him live. Humans let Hitler live. Im not responsible for the destruction of a third of the worlds population.
Be damned glad none of the casualties were Keltar, or wed be hunting you ourselves.
Dont threaten me, Highlander. I wasnt called the sin siriche du for nothing, and I didnt go native without taking precautions. I still have a few tricks up my sleeve. Ive got my own clan to protect.
I stared at him as we passed. Suddenly his head whipped around and he stared straight back at me, eyes narrowed. His gaze followed me until Id passed.
Whos she? I heard him ask.
One of the queens chosen, it seems. She can track the Book.
I bet she can, Adam murmured.
I looked sharply over my shoulder and began to turn around. I wanted to know why hed said that.
Lors hand clamped around my arm. Keep walking. Visiting hours at Chesters well, for you, there arent any.
He stopped at the far end of the hall in front of a smooth wall of glass that was heavily painted with smoky runes and pressed his palm to the panel. As the door slid aside, I looked down and saw that the floor was covered with more runes.
If you tire of Barrons. His cold eyes fixed on my face. Assuming you survive.
I shot him a look of mock astonishment. Will wonders never cease? Lors idea of a proposition. Somebody catch me while I swoon.
Charm takes energy better spent fucking. I prefer a club over the head. He turned and began to walk away.