Fire Kissed (8 page)
Camilla stood. “Mr. Maya said that he wanted to speak with you when you were finished.”
“Arman can see me at the dinner tomorrow,” Ferro said. “I have other work to do.”
Ferro kept tabs on every mage—but apparently, today was all about women. Darshana Maya, Gail Meallan, and Kaye Brand. But where, if it please Shadow, could he find one of his own?
Jack was not surprised that the senator didn’t like the future she witnessed in Kaye’s Shadowfire. She’d paled, the press of her lips highlighting the deep wrinkles around her lipsticked mouth.
The oil and gas lobbyist Kaye and Jack saw two days later struck at the fire. Tried to strike Kaye, which Jack intercepted.
And the congressional aide this morning broke down in tears, hurling hoarse threats, as if Kaye had anything to do with his future. All three saw doom, yet another proof that the world was darkening once again.
Jack had seen it all before: Kaye’s visions of the future looked very much like the reality of the distant past. Shadow grasping at ankles as the angels laid siege to warded temples that spread a twisted gospel: Please the gods, and they will protect you; anger them, and meet your doom.
Kaye stepped back as the session with the congressional aide unraveled, her eyes jaded, her fingertips trembling. “I want to go home.”
The aide had collapsed, weeping at his desk, and Jack knew his thoughts were bent on leaving D.C. The D.C. of the future was a frightening place, a colder, singular power in place of the squabbling one of the present.
They took the elevators, a modern contrivance Jack didn’t care for, and exited the building onto Constitution Avenue. The air smelled like snow, blown on the breath of the city. Dirty, icy slush was piled along the side of the sleet-blackened road. He’d parked a block down.
Only a few people were out, puffing air before them, their internal dialogues revealing random pieces of their lives.
A secretary who had just bought herself lunch.
A young man who had interviewed for an internship.
A prophet tolling the end of the world: “Darkness comes!”
And then there was another man, who strode right by them, his mind a blank, a vacuum. His gaze lingered on Ms. Brand, and though her beauty often drew attention, this notice felt like something more. Excellent.
They were being watched.
Jack yanked open Kaye’s door and helped her inside the black leather interior, then walked casually around to his side.
“Are you ready?” he asked, slamming his own door shut. She’d better be.
Kaye looked over in a return question. Black, beautiful eyes. Magic so close.
“We passed a mage on the street,” he answered, eager. “This may be it.”
Kaye sighed and leaned back in her seat. Alone. Vulnerable.
To keep it simple, he added, “One step at a time. I’ll be right there every moment. More likely than not, they just want to get a look at you. See if you are willing to be approached.”
A twist in his gut told him that this wasn’t right, that he ought to get her away and quickly. That they’d taken the wrong course.
No. He shook off the idea.
That he was thrusting her, ill-armed, onto the battlefield in between two armies bent on war. Instinct, a thousand years old, told him to take up his sword and
protect
her instead.
protect
her instead.
“Oh, I’m willing,” she told him, low and determined. Like a mage.
And the twist eased. He was left with disquiet, his constant companion since he’d met her. Everything about Kaye was wrong. Beautiful, and scarred. Unfeeling, and frightened. She was made of too many contradictions to be trusted.
Go back. Rethink. Not right
.
.
Too late. They were on the brink of contact.
Jack took Rock Creek Parkway back to Georgetown. A car followed them, but instead of returning to the luxury town house The Order had leased for Kaye’s use, Jack headed for The Quick Fix, an upscale coffee shop off M Street. They’d been there every afternoon for her midday chemical stimulant, and for good reason. He’d wanted to keep Kaye predictable and accessible. Anyone who was watching them could easily guess where they would head. Jack didn’t deviate now.
The place was busy, the clientele dressed conservatively, the women of this age styled too much like men, with the exception of Ms. Brand. A few patrons had their laptops open, screens shining bright on their faces.
“You find a seat. I’ll get you a drink,” Jack said.
“I’ll take a double-shot mocha latte, skim milk.” Kaye was already unbuttoning her coat.
He gave a curt nod, though by now he already knew her order. Just like he knew that she took off her shoes under the table. That she played with her jewelry when she was nervous, usually discussing the client of the day. That her little square napkin would be carefully shredded while she drank. That she’d flash him her best smile when he was the most irritated. A little over a week in D.C., and he already knew too much about her.
Get her out of here. Not too late
.
.
She selected a free table surrounded by upholstered and padded chairs. Always comfort. He spoke to the boy behind the counter, then glanced back at Kaye. She’d removed her black coat, her slim-styled dress a flash of cobalt heat in the midst of black, grays, and navy blue. No matter what color she wore, she was always on fire.
Stay the course. Too important.
Jack retrieved the drink, and when he turned a second time, he found that a man had joined her. The lack of thoughts streaming from the newcomer meant he was a mage. Kaye was playing with the stone at the end of her necklace, though her expression was a creamy bloom of interest. She was a born actress.
Here we go.
Jack approached and set the coffee in front of her, hating that he’d missed the opening exchange and introductions. To the man, he asked, “Can I get something for you?”
The man glanced up with a “no,” and Jack got his first good look at his face. Early thirties, mild coloring—medium brown hair, brownish eyes. Good muscle on a narrow frame. Of all things, friendly. Something ...
likeable.
likeable.
Jack didn’t recognize him, but that was fine for now; The Order didn’t have files on all the mages. Jack retreated a few steps and took up a standing, though relaxed, guard position, close enough to protect, if need be. But most important, close enough to hear.
“And he is ... ?” The young man’s gaze didn’t leave Kaye, but Jack knew the question was about him.
“Security,” she answered.
The man made a worried face. “Does he know what you are?”
“Yes,” she said, shrugging. “But I wasn’t the one to tell him. Before me, he subdued wraiths with some task force, and he learned about magekind there.”
Our cover story. Good.
“Wraiths, huh?” The man put a hand to Kaye’s chin, turning her head so he could view her scars. That she allowed the intimacy made Jack tense. She hated people touching her. Who was this man that she didn’t slap back? Should he intervene? He wanted to intervene.
When the man pulled away, Kaye continued. “He’s safe enough.”
The man looked sympathetic. “I understand why you’d want wraith protection. The attack must have been brutal. It’s a wonder you survived. The wraith’s strength alone should have killed you.”
“But wraiths don’t want to kill their prey. Wraiths want a human soul. I just didn’t have what he was looking for, and by the time he figured it out, he was on fire.” A lick of Shadow flame appeared in her hand to demonstrate. The light danced for a moment, and then she made a fist.
The man covered her hand with his. “Not here, Kaye. All the world is watching. In fact, that’s one thing I wanted to discuss with you. Using Shadow among humans requires special dispensation from the Council.”
“I’m very selective,” she answered with a curl of her full mouth. A pause. “But of course I appreciate your advice.”
Smart girl
, Jack thought.
Play it right down the line. Give nothing or they will crush you
.
, Jack thought.
Play it right down the line. Give nothing or they will crush you
.
“Somehow I don’t think you’ll be asking permission to continue practicing.” The man sat back in his chair with an affable smile, admiration in his eyes.
Hold your ground.
“No. I don’t think I will.” She sipped her coffee. The motion highlighted her gorgeous cheekbones. And her scars. “You can, however, count on my discretion.”
God, she’s good
.
.
“Not using your power in public is a rule, and one that it is my job to enforce.” The man looked at her over a charged moment, twisting an ugly gray ring on his finger, as if considering something. Jack would’ve loved to read his mind. A crawl of tension went up Jack’s spine.
Then the mage lifted both hands in a good-natured shrug. “Kaye, I have to say, a few minutes in your company, and I’m smitten. I mean, of course I was curious when I heard you were in town, but”—that grin again—“I can’t be more delighted how
well
you are. You seem so
strong,
so vibrant, ... so lovely.”
well
you are. You seem so
strong,
so vibrant, ... so lovely.”
Jack hadn’t expected a flirtation. Kaye did her job expertly. Whatever business had brought the man had been abandoned in favor of something else.
Kaye gave a throaty laugh, smiling with pleasure. “You flatter me, Mr. Grey. Please continue.”
Jack was surprised again. Grey? The old man had a son? Jack had thought Penelope Grey had died without bearing any children. Why didn’t The Order know?
“Call me Ferro, and I’m being sincere.” The man looked at her with appreciative male awe. “I mean ... wow. I wish I hadn’t torn up that marriage contract.”
Jack’s belly hardened into stone. No, it was Ferrol Grey, the man himself. Kaye would have thought twice about slapping
him
when he’d touched her.
him
when he’d touched her.
Damn it. Jack had known this was a mistake. They were in too deep, too fast, but there was no going back now.
Her eyes narrowed prettily. “I still can’t quite believe it’s you.”
“Shadow.” Grey sat forward again, glowing with youth. “There I was aging toward the end of my life, not fun, by the way. And then it started to slowly reverse. Took me about five years to be absolutely sure it was happening”—he barked a laugh—“that my hair was growing back. Must be something in the Grey bloodline. We’ve always been long-lived, but I admit this is a little extreme.” Another happy, natural grin. “I’ll take it, though.”
Jack bet the reversal had begun about thirty years ago, when Death sent Shadow trickling back into the world. The trickle had become a flood, and among other things, it quickened the darkness in the mages’ blood. No wonder they didn’t have a recent photo of Grey. He wouldn’t have looked like himself.
Jack had to make some calls.
“I have to ask,” Grey said, “are you here to honor the contract? To put it before the Council? I don’t know that I’m opposed.” Said with heat, with happy lust.
In too fast, too deep.
Kaye flicked absently at the stone on her necklace. She was nervous. “Ah, no ... I’m not. I find I prefer my independence, especially after what happened—the fire, losing my father. You tore up the marriage contract?” She sounded like she wanted confirmation. A chink in her armor.
Ferro Grey brushed her worry out of the air. “The marriage contract was a mistake. I had reservations from the beginning.” Again, he placed a hand over hers on the table. His thumb stroked what Jack knew was smooth, silky skin. “I’m so sorry for the distress it caused. And I am so sorry for your loss. Your father was a great man. I can’t imagine how frightened you must have been. Why didn’t you come to me for help?”
Kaye gave a wry expression. “My father had been very strict. When I recovered from the attack, I grieved, but I was also wild with my freedom. I didn’t want the confines of another House, and I understood you were older than my father.”
“Well, I am.”
“You don’t look it.” Now she smiled appreciatively, looking pleased with Grey’s attention. She leaned slightly forward and to the side, as if she knew her best angles. As if she knew the warm light of the coffeehouse would honey her skin. Of course she knew.
This was a problem.
“He can’t take his eyes off you.” Grey glanced at Jack.
Kaye laughed again and looked over her shoulder, bringing her Shadow-black gaze to Jack’s. “He’s not supposed to.”
Jack fought a hard pull in his chest but couldn’t name the feeling. Something ... possessive. Her Shadow working on him.
“So you’re here to stay?” Grey asked. “I hope to hell you are.”
She returned her attention to the mage. “Yes. I think the area suits me.”
“Have dinner with me tonight,” he said, almost pleading. “At my home. There are so many things I’d like to discuss that
aren’t
in the public mainstream.” He made a lazy gesture in Jack’s direction. “Your guard can come too.”
aren’t
in the public mainstream.” He made a lazy gesture in Jack’s direction. “Your guard can come too.”
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