With a wry look, Luc got up and headed toward the bedroom. “True enough.”
Chapter Six
This was going well — better than she had thought it would. Katia smiled across the table of the intimate, dimly-lit Insomnia Café at Sergei. They had taken a leisurely walk here after watching a few indie bands perform. Sergei had held her hand all the way and had kissed her so sweetly at the door just before they had entered. The vibe was very different from their usual outings, but nothing Katia couldn’t handle. Here they were at two o’clock in the morning chatting over a couple of lattes. It was a little café, with tightly-packed tables that sat two. The low lighting created a cozy atmosphere for couples to unwind after a night on the town. There were four or five other couples scattered throughout the place, everyone talking in hushed tones. The quiet strains of jazz could be heard playing over the sound system. A lone cashier sat on a stool behind the counter reading a novel as he waited for the next few stragglers to make their way in for a late night shot of caffeine.
Sergei had reached slowly across the small circular table about ten minutes ago and had slid his hand into hers. Instead of making her feel like an imposter on this date, she felt comfortable. It should have been confirmation that she’d made the right decision about taking this relationship to the next level, but her gaze kept creeping over to the man sitting at the next table over. He had been alternately nursing a mug of coffee and shooting intense looks between her and Sergei for the past half hour. Normally being stared at by a stranger like this would be an unnerving experience, but there was something magnetic about this particular man that had her constantly sliding her eyes in his direction. She must be more tired than she’d thought, she mused; the stranger appeared to have a soft golden aura.
“Earth to Katia.”
Katia shifted in her seat, feeling like a kid caught with their hand in the cookie jar. She hoped Sergei hadn’t noticed her staring at the other man.
“Um, sorry. I’m all up in my head again.” She gave Sergei an embarrassed smile.
“Not to worry, I just asked what pieces you think they’ll put on the program for next season.”
“Oh, I’m really not sure. I hadn’t thought much about next season. To be honest, I just tried to get through the last of our performances without passing out from holding my breath.” She gave Sergei a teasing smile. “Even though I know you’re just dying to catch me.”
Laughing, Sergei squeezed her hand. “Hey, you can’t blame a man for wanting to have you in his arms…even if it’s just to catch you. Was that too cheesy? Sometimes I just can’t help myself.”
“It was very cheesy, but cheesy is good. I like cheesy.” Katia gave his hand a return squeeze.
“Well then, I know I’ll be able to deliver, ‘cause we both know I have no game. I am what I am.”
As Katia smiled back at Sergei, she noticed that the stranger at the neighbouring table was watching her again. She did a half turn and reached down as though she were looking for something in her purse, angling herself toward him. Taking a deep breath, she looked up and found her eyes locked with his. There was something riveting about him, but she couldn’t put her finger on exactly what it was. Perhaps it was the sum total of everything that made her unable to tear her eyes away. He looked like he had been carved from a piece of marble. His skin was pale and perfect, not a single freckle, scar, line, or wrinkle. Movie stars had nothing on this guy, with his defined jaw, and full lips that were just begging for a kiss. His hair was a tumbling mass of waves the colour of the sun, his eyes were the most unusual grey Katia had ever seen, like storm clouds. He also had the longest eyelashes she’d ever seen; women paid good money to get lashes like that. At odds with his angelic look was the black leather motorcycle jacket, black jeans, and black combat boots. There was also something off in his expression, something hard about the way he was looking at her, like she had ruined his day somehow. Dragging her eyes away from him, Katia turned back toward Sergei.
“Do you know that guy?” Sergei asked as he released her hand and began twisting his ring, something Katia noticed he did when he was nervous. He never took that ring off. She’d asked him about it years ago. It was a distinctive piece of jewellery, clearly very old, and bearing an unusual crest. The ring was a heavy gold with a large pentagram and a dragon embossed in the center, its tail curling around the base of the design.
“No, I don’t. He’s been staring at us for a while now.”
“I wouldn’t say he’s been staring at us. I’d say he’s been staring at you.” Frowning, Sergei leaned in toward Katia. “Do you want to get out of here? Is he bothering you?”
“No, no! It’s okay. He’s not bothering me. Why should we leave — we’re having a nice time, right?”
“I just don’t like the way he’s looking at you. There’s something not right about it.”
Leaning in closer to him, Katia smiled and whispered, “Seriously, Sergei, what’s he going to do to me — kidnap me in the middle of a café with witnesses all around? Plus, you’re here to protect me, right?”
Sergei laughed nervously, darting a
