She peered over at him and plucked a fork from his hand. “Don’t tell me you made this table. It’s been in my family since the 1800s.”
He chuckled, shaking his head. “No, but I bet I knew the bloke who did. Not many furniture makers in Savannah back then. I was working on cabinetry and doors back then. Not much for furniture in those days.”
He took a bite of the waffle and groaned as the sweet buttery squares assaulted his taste buds. Meeting her eyes, he swallowed and grinned. “Thanks for making breakfast. I’m sorry I wasn’t more help.”
Her ice-blue eyes sparkled. “Oh, you were plenty of help…just maybe not with the bacon.”
“I enjoy helping you.” He placed his free hand on her thigh under the table, stunned by the way she coaxed this playful side out of him. So often his thoughts wandered down dark paths, but she shined light into the shadows of his soul, showing him a new future.
She bumped him with her shoulder. “I have clients coming soon, but I could use some more help…tonight.”
Flirting. They were fucking flirting. Amazing he still knew how.
He leaned in, his lips brushing her ear. “Until tonight, then.”
A small shiver ran through her, and instantly blood was pumping far from his brain. She stabbed a piece of waffle and lifted it to his lips. “Tonight.”
He took the bite into his mouth slowly, drinking in the desire in her eyes. He’d believed this part of himself to be long dead, but every second with her drew him back toward the light, toward life. She was a miracle.
Something chimed from the living room, and Heather looked over her shoulder but didn’t move to fetch anything.
He raised a brow. “Do you need to answer that?”
“No, I mean, not right now.” She turned his way again. “It’s not my phone, that’s my chat box on my game. Over on the computer. I can reply later.”
He could barely operate his cell phone and didn’t own a computer. Games were confined to cards and dice. He couldn’t imagine what someone might play on one of those machines.
Her gaze wandered over his face. “Have you ever played a computer game?”
“No.” He forked another piece of waffle as the iron beeped from the kitchen, saving him from embarrassing himself any further.
Heather vanished into the kitchen and returned with a fresh steaming waffle. “Maybe sometime I could show you my game. It’s called Skull & Crossbones.” She paused like he might recognize the name. When he didn’t, she added, “It’s a multiplayer online pirate game. I could introduce you to my crew.”
An unexpected smile curved his lips. “You pretend you’re a pirate?”
She chuckled. “Well, I don’t personally, but I play pirate characters. It’s really fun.” Her hand settled on his leg and squeezed. “Plus, with a real pirate at my side, you might be able to help me kick some troll asses.”
“I’m curious, I’ll give you that.”
“Good.” She grinned. “It’ll be fun.”
Strangely, he was beginning to believe her.
…
David drove the dark back alleys of Savannah like a local. Since the Holy Grail had turned up missing a few months ago, and the Serpent Society had reemerged a few months ago, he’d been spending plenty of time in the historic city.
His passenger was uncharacteristically quiet. He glanced over at Aura and frowned. “Is there something about this assignment that bothers you? Usually you’re eager for undercover work.”
She straightened her peasant blouse and sighed. “I’m eager when I can blend in, sir. I’m not sure I can manage that this time.”
“I know we didn’t get much time for background work on this one, but infiltrating this new coven is our only chance to make a grab for the Flying Dutchman’s figurehead. If it really does give someone the power to control ghosts, we’ve got to contain it, and according to King’s intel, the coven has one spot left before the circle is complete. We need you to be in it.”
Aura smirked, shaking her head. “I understand the importance of the mission. It’s my lack of prep time that’s bothering me.”
“I’ll be close by for extraction. Petra gave you a crash course in witchcraft, right?”
She nodded, but her expression was anything but confident. “I know the words to say, and the pecking order for a new initiate, but I don’t have any magic, sir. I’m a specialist with weapons, not magic. If they test me, my cover will be blown.”
David pulled the car over behind a bookstore and turned off the engine. He twisted her way, his gaze locking on hers. “Kingsley took care of your background and your references. You know the jargon. They need you more than you need them. You’re going to complete their circle. They’re not going to give you a magic test.”
She arched a brow. “You sound pretty sure of that.”
He tipped his head her way. “You’re our best undercover agent. I have faith in you.”
She rolled her eyes. “We both know you’re the best.”
“Not for this operation,” he chuckled.
“I hope being female and knowing the words to a few spells will be enough.”
He straightened behind the wheel. “You’re going to stay inside only long enough to find out where they’re keeping the figurehead. This is a quick mission. You’ll be out after one or two meetings.”
She pressed her lips together and nodded. “You’re right.”
Aura slipped the micro wireless earpiece into her ear and patted her skirt, checking her hidden mini Ruger holstered on her thigh. When she opened the door, her green eyes shone with the determination David had come to associate with Agent Henderson. She tucked a lock of her long dark hair behind her ear and got out of the car.
Keeping her voice low, she leaned inside the car. “Stay close. If things go south, I don’t want to have to shoot my way out.”
“I’ve got your back.”
She slammed the door and walked down the darkened alley. David waited until her form merged with the shadows before he exited the car
