“Reese was on her way out a few minutes back when someone called. She, Phoedra, and Gibbons, the dog, turned around and returned to the elevator.”
Silently thanking Lanna again, Quinn nodded at his Belador. “They’ll be gone for a few days. I’ll let you know when they return.”
“Yes, Maistir.”
Quinn started to inform him that Evalle would take over for a while, but Trey would make that announcement telepathically as soon as Quinn left. He made short time of reaching the apartment and rapped on the door.
Reese yelled, “Check the peephole, Phoedra.”
“Ohhh-kay.” After a fumbling noise, the door opened and his beautiful daughter stood there. Chin-length black hair with aqua-blue highlights framed a face that held Quinn’s narrow nose, but more of her mother’s exceptional features. This young girl would be striking as a woman one day. The idea of that time passing quickly hurt to think about.
Surprise hit Phoedra’s face then she smiled. “Hi.”
His vivacious, soon-to-be fourteen-year-old was a vision. Phoedra may have been an accident, but he would never regret her birth. Only the time they hadn’t spent together.
Would she ever call him dad or father? He didn’t know, but held out hope. “Hello, Phoedra. You look dressed for a run.”
“We were headed to the park, but Lanna called and said you had something important to tell us.”
She meant Piedmont Park. His blood pressure shot up at the thought of those two being exposed to Imortiks, but he’d made a deal with himself to show patience. Not sound like an overly-protective father.
“I’m glad Lanna caught you. May I come in?” Quinn asked.
“Oh, sorry about that.” Phoedra backed up, opening the door as she did.
Reese was nowhere in sight.
Quinn stepped into the comfortable room, admiring the wonderful job these two had done decorating.
Left to himself, he’d have brought in professionals and the result would not have been as warm.
The air held a light floral scent.
Between Reese and Phoedra, they’d turned this into a place of soft colors, comfy furniture, glass vases with fresh cut snapdragons and ... a definite woman’s touch. He’d given Phoedra a credit card with instructions to buy what they’d like for furnishings, because Reese had ignored his offer.
What a hedgehog she could be.
Thinking back, he smiled at her stubborn attitude.
She’d put him in a position of handing the card to Phoedra along with the responsibility to purchase furnishings. Reese had facilitated masterfully. He really had to start looking at her actions differently.
Making a show of taking in the room, he said, “You two have accomplished a great deal more since my last visit. It’s quite attractive. I think you both have a talent for decorating. You’ve created a very inviting atmosphere.”
Phoedra beamed a smile. “Thanks.”
One win today. “I’d like to speak to Reese, too.”
His daughter’s smile faltered and that sick feeling hit him hard again. “Is anything wrong?”
That was so much nicer than shouting that he wanted to know what the hell was going on. These were not his men to order around, but damn it was hard to be patient when he wanted answers.
Before Phoedra could say anything, Reese walked into the room. “I’m here. What’s the big emergency?”
Brunette curls bounced around her sweet face. Whiskey-gold eyes always so full of life and adept at hiding secrets flashed a look his way. For an average-size female, she jumped into battles with any size threat, especially demons drawn to the energy inside her. The long-sleeved pale brown T-shirt and jeans hugged her body in a way he envied.
Her lips parted and he lost his ability to think.
Her mutt jumped up and ran over to her as if he hadn’t seen her in months. “Down, Gibbons.”
The beast continued to beg for attention.
Quinn suggested, “There are excellent dog trainers in the city.”
Her pretty eyes turned dangerously angry. She snapped her fingers. “Go lay down, Gibbons.”
Damn if that mutt didn’t trot over to the sofa, leap on it, and slump down. Reese turned that same tone on Quinn. “What’s going on?”
As always, off on the wrong foot with her. He got right to the point. “We’ve had a deadly force enter the city.”
“Demons?” Reese asked in a tense voice.
“Possibly, but the beings attacking our people are worse. They’re called Imortiks.”
Phoedra cut her gaze to Reese who shrugged that she didn’t know. His daughter asked, “What are those?”
“I don’t have all the answers yet. We’ve had a long night of trying to figure this out and we’re not done. That’s why I called to warn you earlier, but you must not have heard the phone.” He slashed a look at Reese whose cheeks pinked with embarrassment.
Yes, she’d intentionally avoided answering his call.
Phoedra kept her gaze on Reese, who did not look happy. His daughter turned a glare on him. She evidently assumed Reese unhappy was automatically his fault.
Quinn held his temper. “I am not upset that Reese didn’t answer my call, Phoedra. I understand you two are busy.”
Now Reese’s jaw dropped, but she quickly pulled it back up.
Huh. He’d surprised her by giving her an out? Note to self, do a better job of sounding understanding.
Returning to why he was there, he said, “I’ve come to ask both of you for a favor.”
After fidgeting with her hands, Phoedra stuck her thumbs inside the top of her jeans waistband. “Whatcha need?”
Reese ran a hand through her wild brown locks, then shoved loose curls off her face. “Uhm, yeah, what do you want, Quinn?”
“Daegan is hunting for something to stop the Imortiks and ran into a problem during his search. He asked if you would be willing to use your gift for remote viewing to help him find someone.” He’d wait to explain about Tristan once Phoedra was not around.
Reese’s face flipped from suspicious to open. “Oh, well, sure. I can do that.”
Quinn debated on asking if she felt physically up for the trip, but she bristled every time he asked if she had recovered from the battles. Maybe whatever bothered her had passed by now. Her demon-killing
