“The Faraday isn’t safe for humans, no.” I got hives thinking about her staying here without my knowing. Bishop must have put protective measures in place, but I was stunned all the same. “Stay with Ford. Gwyllgi protective instincts being what they are, he’ll feel more comfortable with you in his own territory.”
“All right,” she said softly.
“How are we going to get around the geas?” He kept his hand on her, and she didn’t budge. “Never let it be said I mind coming home to find a beautiful woman waiting for me, but I would prefer not to take her head off if she surprises me on a bad day.”
The dangerous edge Ford had been skating made him a less than ideal host. Then again, recalling Lisbeth had lit a fire under him. He was smiling, laughing, flirting. He wasn’t a fickle man, which led me to believe this wasn’t a sign of him getting over me, for lack of better phrasing, so much as it was him sinking into the mindset he had with Lisbeth before he forgot her.
That was all kinds of interesting, but none of my business.
“I can grant Ford temporary immunity.” Bishop frowned at Lisbeth’s mooning. “If you’re both sure that’s what you want.” He waited for her full attention. “He might not be susceptible to the geas after this. You’ve had too much contact as it is, and this will imprint you on his personal space. He’ll scent you and wonder even after you’re gone.”
“I know how to keep a secret,” Ford said, a growl in his voice. “I won’t endanger her.”
Yup.
For good or ill, those gwyllgi protective instincts were already kicking in.
Lisbeth gave Bishop an opening to work his mojo on Ford. “Can I have a minute alone with Hadley?”
“I hope you know what you’re doing,” I murmured to Bishop on his way past.
Lisbeth made no bones about her flaming crush on Ford, and now we were tossing them together like fried wings and hot sauce.
“Me too, kid.” He frowned at her. “Me too.”
The guys filed out, and I was left alone with Lisbeth. If that was her real name.
“Nice to finally meet you.” She patted the mattress on her hospital-style bed. “I’ve seen you around, but how cool is it that you see me too?” She tapped a finger to her lips. “Well, you could always see me. You just didn’t know who I was, and you forgot the second you figured it out. On the times you did, anyway.”
“It’s nice to meet you too.” I sat and took the hand she offered me. “I’m not sure why I remember you, but I can’t help but wonder if it has to do with last night.”
The segue wasn’t my smoothest, but she was a witness, a victim, and I had to ask her a few questions.
“You’re probably wondering what I was doing at Greenleaf.” She twisted the sheet around her fingertip. “Humans aren’t allowed in the clubs, and we require escorts in that part of the city after dark. So…”
Waiting for the punchline, I rolled my hand. “So…?”
“Bishop got me a charm to disguise my scent.” She poked one leg out from under the covers and wiggled her toes, each of them adorned with a silver ring similar to mine. “I read as a witch. Super low level. Almost human.”
“Just enough magic to get into trouble.”
Faete didn’t affect humans, that we knew of, or witches, who likely made the charm. Either Lisbeth had gotten sick from a much higher dose based on the assumption she was a witch, or the combination of a magic charm on her body plus magic drug in her body had fried her more fragile immune system.
“This is why the team is kept anonymous.” The toes stopped wiggling, and the smile faded. “We prefer to be judged for our accomplishments and not our limitations.”
“You’re right.” I gripped the railing. “You’re right.”
“You’re under a lot of stress, so I’m willing to cut you some slack.” She poked me in the thigh. “Just because I don’t want to be judged by my limitations doesn’t mean I’m not aware of them.” She flopped back against her pillow. “My dad was a warg. Stepdad, technically. I’ve known about this world since I was two.”
That explained how she knew to look beyond the mundane, but it was still quite a burden she had undertaken.
“A human killed him.” She must have read my expression. “He was hunting in wolf form on our land.” A grim smile tipped her lips. “He was always so careful. We lived close to town, but we owned thirty acres. He had plenty of room to roam safely when the mood struck him.”
Heart breaking, I waited for her to unburden herself with the rest.
“A couple was out walking through the woods after dark, got turned around I guess, and they crossed onto our property. The boyfriend had a gun on him and…” Her hands clenched and then released. “That’s when I realized paras need more protection from us than we do from them.”
The sentiment was one I could appreciate, but I couldn’t agree with her. Not when humans were food.
“You’ve been an invaluable member of this team for longer than I’ve been here. I’m sorry for what brought you to us, but I’m glad you’re here.” I thought back on Bishop’s warning about Ford. “What happens if I can’t forget you again?”
“I trust you.” Her eyes sparkled. “And this way, you can help me with Ford.”
Laughter shot out of me, equal parts relief we were okay and incredulousness. “You’re horrible.”
“I am.” She hung her head, but then she peered at me from under her bangs. “He’s just so…”
“Yeah.” I had to agree with her. “But I can’t help you. Ford and I aren’t on the greatest terms right now.”
“Midas,” she murmured. “How did you ever choose between them?”
“Easy.” I stood when Ford and Bishop reentered the room. “I didn’t.”
Lisbeth had
