Venom And Vice

10

Grinning somewhat sheepishly, I released him from my hold. “I can’t tell you what a relief this is. I was beginning to worry that I wouldn’t have powers.” “I suppose it was a possibility. Every bit of this process is experimental. I will be intrigued to hear what powers you develop and if they are identical to my own or if your unique chemistry alters the magic.” He studied me almost longingly. “I only wish I could be here to observe.” “You have to leave again?” “I do. Morgan and her mother both need me. There is still plenty to be done.” A somberness shadowed his gaze. “I understand, but I hope you won’t be gone for too long without a visit.” I was a bit surprised to realize the sentiment was genuine and not simply a platitude. I’d only just met the man, but he had an endearing quirkiness about him. Not to mention the fact that he’d now come to my rescue on multiple occasions. I was noticeably reluctant to part ways. “You have nothing to fear in that department. I’m never too far away, and I plan to keep an eye on your progress.” A mischievous twitch of his lips didn’t escape my notice. From what I'd heard, the man was endlessly cunning, so there was no telling what he had up his sleeve. “I have done what I can to see to your safety. However, you are … one of a kind, and such rarity brings out the covetous nature of both humans and Fae. You’ll need to be very careful.” I didn’t have to know this enigmatic man long to read the severity of his warning. I nodded with all seriousness. “I will.” “Caution is of the utmost importance, but that’s not all. You’ll need to trust the Huntsmen to keep you safe. You’re still new to this world, and your inexperience will make you vulnerable, regardless of your powers.” “Absolutely,” I assured him quickly. “Lochlan and his men have practically become family.” He smiled, but it lacked conviction. I wondered just how much he knew about me. Yes, I wasn’t the most trusting individual, but I understood that the circumstances of my life in Belfast necessitated change. I felt like I’d done a rather admirable job of working with the Huntsmen. Of course, I’d had little choice. Without my magic, I’d been a sitting duck. But now … now, I had power of my own. I could protect myself. I might rely on others to help me, but not out of helplessness. If I leaned on my friends, it was because I chose to do so on my terms. Because someone wanted to help me, and I had no objection. A vast ocean of difference existed between that and the pathetic helplessness I’d experienced for the past five months. The feeling was reminiscent of being a child seeking purchase on the unsteady ground of a broken family. I’d had no control over my life during those dark days, and I never wanted to feel that powerless again. OceanofPDF.com Chapter Four OceanofPDF.com CASEK One minute, Ashley was there, and the next, she was gone. The men at my back cursed as we all stared at the now empty room. “That shouldn’t be possible,” one of them said. “How the hell did he trace with her?” “It’s Merlin,” I shot back. “That asshole can do anything. Why the f**k do you think I let him go?” I took one long stride toward the door to Ashley’s apartment and punched my fist deep into the wall beside the doorframe. When Lochlan first told me of Rebecca’s plans that morning, I’d insisted on going with them, but Lochlan had given me the same response as Merlin. They thought less was more when it came to persuading the queen. I disagreed, but that didn’t seem to matter. Being sidelined pissed me off anytime it happened, but this instance felt even worse. It wasn’t just my pride on the line. Knowing Merlin was taking Ashley into a potential hornet’s nest made my skin crawl with helplessness. I’d been charged with her protection while Lochlan was gone. How the f**k could I keep her safe when she’d been taken from me? The whole situation was bullshit, yet I couldn’t do a thing about it. Too pissed to speak, I shouldered past the men and retreated to my apartment before I took out my anger on someone’s face rather than the wall. I changed into sweats and spent an hour hitting the heavy bag in the basement gym before I finally got word that Ashley had returned. For once, the time difference between worlds had played in my favor and minimized the agonizing wait. The tension in my muscles relaxed in a way even the gym hadn’t accomplished—a fact I didn’t want to examine further, considering Lochlan and Rebecca were delayed and had yet to return. Ashley was an assignment, whereas Lochlan was my commanding officer and best friend. My concern for him should have far outweighed anything I felt for Ashley. Judging by the sudden lightness of my breathing, I had some wires to untangle in my head. A cloying agitation clung to me the rest of the day and into the next, prompting me to keep to myself. Lochlan stayed with the girls through an impromptu shopping day, but when they planned a girls’ night at the club, I had to end my self-imposed isolation. Technically, I wasn’t on duty, but I couldn’t force myself to stay away when I knew the girls would be drinking around all the f*****g perverts who wandered in and out of the club each night. Not when Lochlan would be so caught up in watching Rebecca that he’d likely leave Ashley unprotected. Chances were slim that anything would happen, but it was a risk I wasn’t willing to take. Much like the celebration a few nights earlier, I sat alone, keeping an eye on the situation from a distance. The girls had invited their red-headed friend, Cat. The three sipped from frosted martini glasses, laughing and talking animatedly, which was a relief. Conversation meant no dancing. No dancing meant less of a chance I’d have to make a scene.