Red-Headed Stepchild

Page 15

He smiled knowingly. “You don’t trust me yet to see your secrets. I hope in time you’ll let me in.”
Don’t hold your breath, buddy, I thought.
“If I were to agree to join your”—I’d almost said cult but stopped myself just in time—“group. What would it entail exactly?”
He started walking again, through another door and back out into the courtyard. As we walked, he seemed to be pondering my question, as if he hadn’t given it thought before. Riiight.
Even though I didn’t trust him any more than I would a snake, as we walked my body felt drawn to his. I literally had to force myself to keep a respectable distance between us. He stood about a head taller than me and the broadness of his shoulders was emphasized by the cut of his suit. And that face. Damn. A face like that would make a nun reconsider her vows.
So, yes, physically he was gorgeous in a hot villain kind of way. But it was more than that. He had some aura about him that was pure seduction. I’d do best to remember he was my enemy.
We’d reached the fountain again by the time he spoke. “Your initiation would happen fairly quickly. Just a formality, really.”
Again, I noticed he failed to give specifics. “I don’t mean to be rude here, but if I’m going to agree to join you, I’m going to need particulars. What is the project and exactly what does the initiation entail?”
He ran a hand across the surface of the water, almost as if he was stroking it. He lifted the hand and water dripped from his fingertips. With one finger, he reached up and rubbed the liquid on his full bottom lip. My mouth went dry and my crotch got wet.
He shrugged. “I’m afraid I can’t reveal that until you agree to join me. However, I’m sure you’ll have no problem.”
“And the project?”
He rubbed the remaining water between his palms and watched me. “I’m afraid the details will have to wait until the initiation rites have been performed.”
“You sure don’t give a girl a lot to go on, do you?”
He smiled. “Unfortunately, the nature of the assignment is such that only those within my circle of trust can know the details.”
He was a slippery one, I’d give him that.
“Say I decide against joining you,” I said. “What then?”
He shrugged. “Then you go your way and I go mine. However, I’m sure that won’t happen.”
My eyes narrowed. “And why is that?”
“Because soon enough you’re going to realize that the world is about to change for all the dark races. Those not aligned with a power will find themselves trampled.”
“I can take care of myself,” I said.
“I have no doubt on that account,” he said. “However, I seriously doubt you want both the Dominae and me as your enemies.”
Ah. There it was. A subtle threat, but a threat nonetheless.
He straightened from his slouch. “Forgive me. There’s no need for that kind of talk now.” His smile was friendly, but the threat hung in the air between us. “Where are you staying while you’re in town?”
The change in subject caught me off guard. “In a hotel with my de—cat.”
“If it wouldn’t be too forward, I’d like to offer another suggestion.”
I tilted my head, trying to figure out where he was going with this.
“The Temple owns a few apartment complexes around town. It just so happens a female member of the congregation has an extra room.”
I was already shaking my head when he held a hand up to stall my protest.
“Vinca is one of my brightest followers. I think you two would get along splendidly,” he said. “I’m sure she would be happy to answer any of your questions about the good work we do here.”
“That’s nice of you to offer,” I lied. “However, I’d feel uncomfortable moving in with someone I’ve never met.”
We had almost reached the front doors of the church again. Frank was standing sentinel in the hall.
“Oh, but I insist,” Clovis said. “Unless you’d like to move into our dormitories here?”
That idea I liked even less than moving in with this Vinca chick. I quickly weighed my options. Arguing too much might make him suspicious. But I seriously didn’t like the idea that someone would be able to track my movements. However, living with one of Clovis’ people might give me an edge. If I could cozy up to this Vinca and pump her for details, the arrangement might work in my favor. I looked at Clovis, who smiled as if my acquiescence was guaranteed. I guess, in the end, I really didn’t have a choice.
“Okay, I’ll do it. I only ask that you give me a little time to consider your offer.”
“Done,” he said. “I’ll have Frank call Vinca and tell her to expect you tonight.”
12
Two hours later, I looked up at a pink stucco two-story apartment building about a mile from the Temple. Frank had taken me back to get my motorcycle at the Palace of Fine Arts and then waited for me to pack up Giguhl and my things so I could follow him to Vinca’s place. Giguhl, Lilith love him, had remained silent throughout the ride over. I was sure I’d get an earful later, however.
As I stood in front of the cheery façade, my stomach rolled. Somehow Clovis had talked me into walking into this situation with absolutely no clue what was awaiting me.
Frank nudged me with Giguhl’s crate, which he’d offered to carry for me because my hands were full with my bag and helmet. “It’s through the courtyard,” Frank said.
I took the hint and walked up the four concrete steps leading to the courtyard of the U-shaped building. It surrounded a central green space with a small pool in the center. The building and grounds were well-maintained and clean, and the neighborhood seemed fairly upscale. It was a definite upgrade from the no-tell motel by the airport. However, I couldn’t shake the sense of unease I felt walking into this situation totally unprepared.
Frank walked in front of me, no doubt impatient to dump me in my new digs so he could return to the Temple. He walked to a door near the pool. A welcome mat sat in front of the door and wind chimes hung from a small hook. A window stood to the right of the door and someone had installed a flower box, which was filled with yellow and purple pansies.
Frank knocked with his free hand. Almost immediately, the door flew open and light flooded the dim walkway. A petite blonde with a halo of soft curls around her pixy face smiled at us.
“Omigod, hi!” She moved around Frank and hugged me before I could jump out of the way. “I’m so excited to meet you, roomie!”
My arms were too loaded down to shrug her off. I was engulfed by the scent of lavender. Freaking great. My new roommate was a faery.
I glanced at Frank, who cracked a smile, obviously delighted by my discomfort.
“Vinca, this is Sabina,” he said. “Sabina, Vinca.”
“Um, hi,” I said, taking a step back to disengage the overly affectionate waif. “Nice to meet you.”
Her 500-watt smile blinded me as she pulled back. “Come in and make yourself at home,” she said. She took my helmet and walked in before I could respond.
Frank stopped me as I was about to walk past him. He shoved the cat crate in my hand. “I’m going to head out and let you two get acquainted. Call my cell if you need anything.”
My mouth dropped open. “You’re leaving?”
“Got things to do,” he said. “Don’t worry, Vinca will take good care of you.”
Vinca’s voice came from inside the kitchen causing me to look away from him. “Can I get you something to eat?”
By the time I looked back, Frank was already halfway across the courtyard. I thought about calling him back, but I knew it was silly. It’s not like I was afraid of Vinca. I just wasn’t used to being around someone so … peppy.
With a resigned sigh, I walked in and shut the door. I set down Giguhl’s crate and took in the room. A floral armchair and a comfortable-looking moss-green couch filled the small space. On the trunk, which served as a coffee table, fresh flowers sat in a glass vase. The smell of lavender was stronger in here, and underneath it the scent of freshly baked brownies tickled my nose.
Vinca stuck her head out of the kitchen. “Roomie?”
I cringed. “Yeah?”
“I asked if you were hungry.”
“Oh, no, I’m fine,” I said. “Where’s my room?”
She giggled. “Oh, silly me. I’ll show you.”
She moved toward me only to stop in her tracks about five feet from where I stood. Her eyes focused on the crate. Her smile vanished and she pointed an accusing finger at the crate.
“That’s not a,” she gulped, “a cat, is it?”
Her sudden change in mood confused me. I looked down, “Yeah, his name is Giguhl.”
“Oh no, Clovis didn’t tell me.” She backed away a few steps.
“Oh. Are you allergic or something?”
She put a hand to her throat, as if at any moment Giguhl was going to bust through the crate and attack. “No.” She dragged her fearful gaze from the crate to look at me. “I’m a nymph.”
I didn’t really see what one had to do with the other. “Yeah, and?”
“Geez, don’t you know anything? Cats are the mortal enemies of all the faery species.”
My lack of knowledge obviously had lowered her opinion of me. I wasn’t sure why that bothered me.
“Sorry, I haven’t known many faeries,” I said. She snorted and muttered something about that being obvious. “But you don’t need to worry. Giguhl isn’t really a cat. He’s a demon.” I didn’t really want to tell Vinca about Giguhl’s demon status. But she seemed so anti-cat, I figured a demon might be the lesser of two evils, so to speak. Plus, since we’d be living in close quarters, it would be nearly impossible to hide his ability to talk.
Her eyes widened into big green disks. “A demon? I’ve never heard of a demon in cat form.”