Deceiver's Bond: Book Two of A Clairvoyant's Complicated Life (50 page)

After standing in the middle of my living room, gnawing on my lip and debating with myself, I ignored my better judgment and retrieved the bag of confiscated weapons from the small storage closet under the stairs. Maybe one of the others knew how to handle a gun. Michael had seemed knowledgeable when I’d watched him unloading them. But, did I want to escalate the situation by bringing handguns along? Then, again, there was the saying: ‘Never bring a knife to a gun fight.’

Kieran, probably sensing my apprehension, came to stand next to me. I allowed him a peek into the bag. “Do you have the skill to use a handgun?”

“No.”

His obvious distaste told me his lack of expertise was deliberate, not simply because he’d never had the need or opportunity to learn.

“I’m trying to decide whether to ask Michael or the others the same thing.”

“Magic doesn’t have a fixed number of shots. And it cannot be taken and used against you by a mind-controlled human.”

“You have a point.” After another moment of deliberation, I snagged the most intimidating of the knives—the one with a spear point, sleek leather sheath, and skull carved into the black handle—and then returned the bag to the closet. When I caught Kieran frowning, I shrugged. “I can deflect a knife way easier than a bullet. And I don’t even need to get close to anyone to use it. My TK can turn it into a projectile. So you can stop worrying.”

He looked doubtful but didn’t say anything. Good. He was learning.

After tossing the knife into my pack and allowing Red to hop inside the front pocket, I took a deep breath, let it out, and then said, “All right. I’m ready.”

As I reached for my front doorknob, a thick, elongated shadow slithered up the door’s wood surface and instantaneously coalesced into Kieran. Ignoring my surprised yip, he took me into his arms and kissed me. He playfully sucked on my bottom lip before pulling away.

“Be at ease,” he ordered while skating the flat of his hands over my arms. “Dealing with a group of telepaths is little more than a trifle.” He tipped his head so that he stared at me from beneath his canted brow. “If, on the other hand, we were facing a dozen well-armed sidhe, mounted and ready for battle, then perhaps you might have cause to worry. Although, even then, I’ve faced worse odds and been victorious.”

I cracked a smile at his cocky expression, although I couldn’t hold it in place for long. “I’m sorry for being such a mope,” I grumbled. “Ever since last night’s dream, I can’t shake the feeling that something bad is about to happen.” I snaked my arms around his waist. “I’ve only just found you …” I whispered against his chest.

“I’m not going anywhere.” He pushed me away to stare into my eyes. “This, I promise.”

When I nodded, he shook his head patiently. “Come. I will prove it to you.”

He opened my door and strode out. Even with my stomach clenching nervously, I appreciated the view of him, shoulders back and sure-footed, looking regal despite being clad in cargo pants and a jersey polo shirt. His ebony hair slipped gracefully past his broad shoulders, prompting the visceral memory of Kieran leaning over me in my bed, those silky strands caressing my skin and shrouding us within their provocative shadow.

I had to take a deep breath. It was embarrassing just how often he left me staring after him, feeling dazed.

He must have noticed because he cast a devilish glance my way before rapping on the neighboring door.

While we waited for someone to answer, he curled his fingers around mine. Eying me appreciatively, he murmured, “Bìdteine, the feeling is mutual. Believe me.”

If Daniel wondered why I was smiling as though the cutest guy in school had just asked me to prom, he tactfully didn’t ask, although, Kieran’s handholding did elicit his raised eyebrow. Michael’s frank expression of disapproval, however, was more difficult to overlook. I sternly told myself I had nothing to feel guilty about.

I released Kieran’s hand and followed Daniel and Michael into the living room, greeting Kim and Jackie as we arrived. When I stood close enough to brush against Kieran, his arm automatically curled around my waist, cuing my inner swoon. It had been a long time since a man had shown his outward affection toward me so readily. I leaned into him, biting the inside of my lip to keep my satisfied smirk under wraps and reminding myself why we were meeting.

Apparently, Jackie noticed my smothered smile. “Get much sleep last night?” she asked, shooting me a knowing grin.

Kim elbowed her in the ribs, although it was a token effort. Kim wasn’t in the mood for banter, I could tell. Purplish half-moons underscored her lower eyelids and she barely cracked a smile.

Jackie dove away, feigning innocence. “What? I was just asking.” At Kim’s warning glare, Jackie chuckled and then sidled back to give her hand a tender tug.

“Any word?” I asked Kim, studiously ignoring Michael’s uptight gaze.

“Not yet. It’s nighttime there. I won’t know anything for a few more hours.” She looked me up and down. “What about you? Did you break Kieran’s glamour?”

I glanced at Kieran, unsure how much to say.

“Yes. She did,” he replied.

Kim’s brows went up. Her gaze ping-ponged between us. “Interesting.”

If Kim had any opinion about whether this news would be enough to satisfy Brassal, she didn’t voice it.

“Okay.” I glanced up at Kieran and then at Kim. “So … what’s the plan?”

Kim’s outfit was adorable—cropped black leggings under a sassy Lycra skirt. She looked ready for a trip to the mall, not a potentially volatile confrontation with radical telepaths.

“We go explain things to Invisius,” she replied, voice hard. I half expected her to punch her fist into the flat of her opposite palm. Any vestige of the preschool teacher vibe had vanished. Now, even without Brassal’s help, she was all truant officer. I wondered what type of magic she wielded.

Staring at her grim expression, my autopilot came to an abrupt emergency stop.

I’d been so consumed by my blooming attraction to Kieran and dealing with Maeve’s political maneuverings, I hadn’t given this impending face-off much consideration beyond fearing for Kieran’s safety and whether to offer up the guns in my closet.

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Because,
duh
! Did I honestly believe the telepaths would listen to reason? That Kieran could magically turn them into obedient minions without a fight?

Foolishly, yeah, that’s what I’d hoped. But if Kieran’s presence didn’t sway them to our side, what were our options? When it came to stopping a telepath who wanted to subvert or kill us, there wasn’t much choice. They’d have to be silenced.

Permanently.

Even though this is exactly what they’d been trying to do to me, the thought made me queasy. All at once, the coffee in my stomach turned sour and acidic, rising in my throat. I swallowed, hard.

I didn’t think I could kill someone in cold blood. In self-defense, or to protect someone else, yes. I wouldn’t be happy about it, but I could do it if I had to. I was certain of it. But to kill someone without provocation, even with knowing they’d been sending mind-controlled assassins to kill me? That sounded a lot like murder. And I didn’t do murder.

On the other hand, it wasn’t like I could rely on the criminal justice system to stop them.

I cast my gaze to Daniel. “And how likely is it they’ll be receptive to this
lecture
?”

“Slim to none.”

I took in Daniel’s troubled expression. “You think we’ll have to kill them. Don’t you?”

Michael interrupted, “If we can corner Caleb and Richard and neutralize them, we may be able to rehabilitate the others.”

“Caleb and Richard … they’re the elders?” I realized, in spite of our earlier reading, Michael had managed to not only withhold the location of Invisius’ headquarters but also the identities of many of their former compatriots.

“Yes.”

“I wish you hadn’t shielded that from me,” I chided. “It would’ve been nice to know what they look like.”

“I can help with that.” Daniel stepped in my direction but hesitated before adding, “If you trust me … that is.”

Something inside me twisted when I took in his uncertain expression. He was my friend, and I’d given him every reason to doubt my regard. More often than not, I’d acted as though this whole mess was somehow his fault—the prophecy, Invisius’ threats, Vince’s abduction—even though, all along, he’d tried his best to protect me.

I hadn’t been fair to him. At all.

Although Kieran’s hand tightened against my side, issuing caution, I moved to stand in front of Daniel. I peered into the warmth of his hazel eyes. “I’ve always trusted you, Danny. Ever since we were kids. I’m sorry I’ve made you doubt that.”

I removed my glove and extended my hand.

After a split-second to consider me, the strain in his expression eased and he took it.

In seconds, I knew Caleb and Richard. Both were tall, but that’s where the similarities ended. Caleb was blonde, blue-eyed, thin, and hook-nosed. Richard wouldn’t have looked out of place in a biker gang—buff, tattooed, and menacing. Both of them were younger than I’d expected, not much over fifty.

I’d created a tiny pocket in my mind where Daniel and I could talk, barred from the rest of my memories. With Daniel pitching in to shield most of his thoughts, we could converse for a short time without any ill effects. It was something we’d often done when we were kids.

You okay?
Even if I’d somehow missed the concern in that thought, his troubled expression would have spoken loud enough.

Yes,
I replied and then reconsidered.
Well, other than worrying about this confrontation. And Lorcán. And Maeve. And the demon murdering all the emissaries.
You know, other than that, I’m fine.

Instead of being amused by my wry reply he looked pained.
I’m sorry, Lire. You have to know, I never meant for this to happen.
He frowned, taking a deep breath.
Kieran and Kim are right. I should have dealt with the elders and their minions weeks ago. You wouldn’t be in this situation if I had.

I took in the tightness around his eyes and mouth and squeezed his hand.
Danny, no. Please don’t beat yourself up. This whole thing was a train wreck waiting to happen. There wasn’t much you could have done to stop it. And you couldn’t have known what would happen when you summoned the gateway. Besides, if you hadn’t, I wouldn’t have met Kieran.

You care for him.
His gaze slipped over my shoulder to the sidhe in question before settling back on me.

I bit my lip and nodded.
I know it’s crazy. It’s only been a few days. But, yeah, I do.

I’m glad. He’ll be good for you. Better than Vince, in my mind.

I didn’t need his approval, but for some reason, I felt better knowing I had it.

Determined to get back on task, I studied him.
Is there anything else you think I should know about Invisius, before we part?

He showed me where the safe was located and recalled the combination. I also knew the building’s layout and how to get there.

Again, I considered what we were about to do.
I don’t want to kill anyone.

He pressed his lips together.
I know. I’ll do my best to help. All of us will. But … they may not give us any choice.

I frowned at that. Daniel released my hand as we both grew conscious of the group’s stares. Replacing my glove, I returned to my place in our little circle, next to Kieran. I leaned into him and, once again, his arm curved around me.

We spent the next thirty minutes nailing down our plan. Afterward, Daniel drove the six of us to Invisius’ headquarters, all of us crammed into his black Honda Pilot. Kim and I had volunteered to take the third row seats since we had the shortest legs. My folded knees and cramped calves were thankful the trip was a relatively short one.

For the past month, I’d envisioned the Invisius Secret Clubhouse as a foreboding Gothic mansion on the outskirts of the city, but Daniel’s memories handily quashed that delusion. Instead of sporting gargoyles and rounded towers, the two-story brick structure looked like an insurance sales office. It sat in the South Lake Union neighborhood, not far from the old Jones Soda building.

Daniel stayed on Thomas Street, instead of turning right on 8th, deliberately overshooting our desired intersection by two blocks, and then nosed into the nearest curbside parking spot. While Michael spoke into his cell phone, verifying the other telepaths’ positions, we piled out of our confinement onto the cool pavement. Thanks to an overhanging tree, the damp sidewalk had barely been touched by the early spring sunshine. At least it wasn’t raining. If everything went according to plan, Daniel and Michael’s comrades would wait outside, hidden nearby, before closing in on foot to provide backup support in case things got ugly.

While we waited for Michael to finish his call, I removed my right glove, stuffed it into my front pocket, and grasped Kieran’s left hand. Again, my insides cavorted at his answering squeeze and warm gaze. Intending to check our surroundings, I drew on my telekinesis. Once again, I was struck by how much more focus and power I had when we were touching skin-to-skin.

Every molecule seemed to pulse around me, caught in my magical web, which had easily expanded to encompass the surrounding four blocks. I knew every object intimately, all the way down to the lifted sidewalk around the nearest corner, the dried-up nest in the tree above us, and the alley cat prowling the ivy two streets away. But, keenest of all, Kieran’s presence vibrated delectably against both my magic and my skin.

The closest jarring movement came from around the corner, where a car turned down the next street, driving at a leisurely pace. It plowed through my web, the blunt front-end of the sedan sending a telltale vibration toward me as the tires crunched along the road. Closer in, the leaves of the sugar maple above us ruffled with the gentle breeze. Across the street, a murder of crows fluttered to a landing on the apartment building’s low sloping roof. Every flicker of movement, every atom of matter vibrated against me, painting a picture as detailed as any I might see with my own eyes.