A Message
737 Words
(Raiden POV)
I arrived in the alley near the Shadow Guild tower in its shadowed recesses. The buildings rose tall on either side as I looked toward the narrow exit.
I reached into a pocket and withdrew one of Morgana’s vials. I’d wanted to save them until I really needed them—I just hadn’t expected to need one so soon. But there was no question that seeing Jordan would be risky.
I uncorked the vial and tossed it back, grimacing at the sour taste.
A moment later, a sense of calm shivered through me.
Suddenly, I felt more like myself. The dark shadow that the curse had cast over me felt distant.
Grateful, I heaved a sigh and started toward the end of the alley. The protections on the courtyard fizzed against my skin but didn’t repel me. They’d clearly included me in the exemptions to the spell, thank fates.
The Shadow Guild tower soared overhead, the silvery gray brick gleaming in the early morning light. Roses climbed the walls, the vines curling around the windows protectively.
As I neared, the main door opened. Alexandria stood in the doorway, her right eyebrow arched as she looked at me.
“Well, look what the cat dragged in.”
Jordan's abimal spirit appeared at the woman’s side, it's little masked face staring speculatively at me. The crows’s black eyes glittered with suspicion, and I vowed to bring it a chocolate bar next time to try to win the creature to my side.
Win it to my side? Next time? What the hell was I thinking? Those were ridiculous fantasies that would never come true.
“I’ve come to speak to Jordan,” I said.
Alexandria crossed her arms.
“She’s not accepting visitors.”
“I’m not a visitor.”
“Considering that you’re standing out there and I’m standing in here, you definitely are a visitor.”
I sighed. “I appreciate that you’re being protective, but I have a message from the moon goddess. It will be important to her.”
Her eyebrows shot up. “Well, perhaps that changes things.” She spun around. “Wait here. I’ll check with Jordan.”
The door slammed in my face, but not before Randolph flew out. He sat on the stoop, staring up at me.
“Hello, Randolph.” Randolph frowned.
I’m not sure about you.
“Neither am I.”
You’re dangerous.
“I am.”
I like dangerous. But not when it comes to Jordan. Her life has been too hard.
Fates, this bird.
“I’ll bring you a chocolate bar next time.”
I couldn’t help but try to win him to my side.
I am not so easily bought.
I gave him a skeptical look.
I just make people think I’m easily bought. So make it a big one, and I’ll pretend you’re not the worst. I nodded.
The door finally opened, revealing Alexandria. She looked down at Randolph.
“Bargaining?” He nodded.
“Take him for all he’s worth.” She looked up at me. “She will see you.”
“Thank you.”
As soon as I stepped over the threshold, I felt Jordan. My heart clenched, and the beast inside seemed to sigh with satisfaction. My mate was near.
Absently, I rubbed my chest. How the hell was I supposed to resist this? Just being near her felt good. I could feel her presence like a part of me, and I craved it.
“She’s in her workshop,” Alexandria said.
“Thank you.”
I strode across the sitting room and took the stairs two at a time, barely restraining myself from running.
When I reached Jordan's workshop, I spotted her immediately. She stood over a small silver cauldron, stirring with a long wooden spoon. Her red and silver hair gleamed in the light, and she looked tired. Her looks had changed so much since the battle.
Hell, our whole lives had.
The shadows under her eyes only served to highlight her delicate beauty, and I couldn’t look away. My palms itched to pick her up and pull her toward me. Desire surged inside me, commanding me to crush my lips to hers and taste her.
No.
It was the worst thing I could do.
Especially when she looked so tired. When she might be ill. The thought made it easy to shove the beast back down.
- Writer
