My thoughts went back to my night with Kisten and the guy in a tux who had taught me craps. Shit. 'Hey, uh, do you know what Saladan looks like?' I asked. 'Is he a witch?'
The hesitancy in my tone was probably what caught Trent's attention, and while Jonathan parked in the long spot reserved for a car of this length, he eyed me. 'He's a ley line witch. Black hair, dark eyes, my age. Why? Are you worried? You should be. He's better than you.'
'No.' Crap. Or should I say craps? Grabbing my clutch purse, I slumped back into the cushions when Jonathan opened the door and Trent got out with a grace that had to be practiced. A blast of cold air replaced him, making me wonder how Trent could stand there as if it was summer. I had a feeling I'd already met Saladan. Idiot! I berated myself. But showing Lee I wasn't afraid of him after his failed little black charm would be extremely satisfying.
Becoming eager for the encounter, I slid across the bench seat to the open door, jerking back when Jonathan slammed it in my face. 'Hey!' I shouted, adrenaline making my head hurt.
The door opened, and Jonathan gave me a satisfied smirk. 'Sorry, ma'am,' he said.
Past him was Trent, a tired look on his face. Holding my borrowed shawl close, I watched Jonathan as I slid out. 'Why, thank you, Jon,' I said brightly, 'you freaking bastard.'
Trent ducked his head, hiding a smile. I jerked the shawl higher, and making sure I kept my line energy where it was supposed to be, I took Trent's arm so he could help me up the icy ramp. He stiffened to pull away, and I grabbed his arm with my free hand, pinching my purse between us. It was cold, and I wanted to get inside. 'I'm wearing heels for you,' I muttered. 'The least you can do is make sure I don't fall on my can. Or are you afraid of me?'
Trent said nothing, his posture shifting into an uneasy acceptance as we went, step for step, across the parking lot. He turned to look over his shoulder at Jonathan, indicating that he should stay with the car, and I simpered at the tall un happy man, giving him Erica's crooked-bunny-ear kiss good-bye. It was fully dark now, and the wind blew bits of snow against my legs, bare but for my nylons. Why hadn't I insisted on borrowing a coat? I wondered. This shawl was worthless. And it stank like lilac. I hated lilac.
'Aren't you cold?' I questioned, seeing Trent seemingly as warm as if it was July.
'No,' he said, and I remembered Ceri walking in the snow with a similar tolerance.
'Must be an elf thing,' I muttered, and he chuckled.
'Yup,' he said, my eyes jerking to his at the casual word. They were bright with amusement, and I glanced at the beckoning ramp.
'Well, I'm frozen through,' I grumbled. 'Can we move a little faster?'
He quickened his pace, but I was still shivering by the time we got to the entry door. Trent solicitously held it for me, ushering me in ahead of him. Letting go of his arm, I went inside, my hands clasping my upper arms to try to warm myself. I gave the doorman a brief smile, and got a stoic, blank look. Taking my shawl off, I held it between two fingers to the coat attendant, wondering if I could conveniently leave it here—by accident, of course.
'Mr. Kalamack and Ms. Morgan,' Trent said, ignoring the guestbook. 'We're expected.'
'Yes, sir.' The doorman gestured for someone to take his place. 'Right this way.'
Trent offered me his arm. I hesitated, trying to read his quiet face and failing. Taking a breath, I linked my arm in his. As my fingers brushed the top of his hand, I made a conscious effort to maintain my level of line energy when I felt a slight pull from my chi. 'Better,' he said, his eyes searching the busy game room as we followed the doorman. 'You're improving by leaps and bounds, Ms. Morgan.'
'Shove it, Trent,' I said, smiling at the people who looked up when we entered. His hand was warm under my fingers, and I felt like a princess. There was a lull in the noise, and when the conversations rose again, they had an excitement that couldn't be laid entirely at the feet of gambling.
It was warm, and the air pleasantly scented. The disk hanging over the center of the room seemed quiet, but I imagined if I bothered to look at it with my second sight that it would be pulsating with that ugly purple and black. I glanced at my reflection to see if my hair was behaving under the stylist's sprays and wires, glad the yellow of my black eye was still hidden behind the mundane makeup. Then I looked again.
Damn! I thought, slowing. Trent and I looked fantastic. No wonder people were staring. He was trim and debonair, and I was elegant in my borrowed dress with my hair up off my neck and bound with that heavy gold wire. Both of us were confident, both of us were smiling. But even as I thought we made the perfect couple, I realized that though we were together, each of us was alone. Our strengths were not dependent upon each other, and while that wasn't bad, it didn't lend itself to being a couple. We were simply standing next to each other looking good.
'What is it?' Trent asked, gesturing that I should go up the stairs ahead of him.
'Nothing.' Gathering my slit skirt as best I could, I went up the narrow carpeted stairway after the doorman. The sound of gaming people went faint, turning into a background hum to stir my subconscious. A cheer rose, and I wished I could be down there, feeling my heart pound in the breathless wait to see what the dice would show.
'I thought they'd search us,' Trent said softly so the man escorting us couldn't hear.
I shrugged. 'For what? Did you see that big disk on the ceiling?' He glanced behind us, and I added, 'It's a huge spell damper. Kind of like the charms I used to have on my cuffs before you burned them all to hell, but it affects the whole boat.'
'Didn't you bring a weapon?' he whispered as we reached the second floor.
'Yes,' I said through my teeth, smiling. 'And I could shoot someone with it, but the potions won't take effect until whoever it is leaves the boat.'
'What good is it then?'
'I don't kill people, Trent. Get over it.' Though I might make an exception for Lee.
I saw his jaw tighten and relax. Our escort opened a narrow door, gesturing for me to enter. I stepped in, finding Lee looking pleasantly surprised as he brought his attention from the paperwork on his desk. I tried to keep my expression neutral, the memory of that man writhing on the street under a black charm aimed at me making me angry and ill all at the same time.
A tall woman stood behind him, leaning to breathe upon his neck. She was leggy and lean, dressed in a black jump-suit with bell-bottom hems. The neckline went almost to her navel. Vamp, I decided, when her eyes dropped to my necklace and she smiled to show me small, pointy canines. My scar twinged, and my anger slowed. Quen wouldn't have stood a chance.
Eyes alight, Lee rose and tugged the coat of his tux straight. Physically pushing the vampire out of his way, he came out from around the desk. Trent entered, and his gaze became even more animated. 'Trent!' he exclaimed, striding forward with his hands extended. 'How are you, old man!'
I stepped back as Trent and Lee warmly clasped hands. You've got to be kidding me.
'Stanley,' he said, smiling, and it finished falling into place. Stanley, long for Lee.
'Damn!' Lee said, pounding Trent on the back. 'How long has it been? Ten years?'
Trent's smile flickered, his annoyance at that back slap nearly undetectable but for the slight tightening in his eyes. 'Almost that. You look good. Still hitting the waves?'
Lee ducked his head, a roguish grin turning him into a scalawag despite him being in a tux. 'Now and again. Not as much as I like. My damn knee has been giving me trouble. But you look good. Got some muscle on you now. Not that skinny boy trying to keep up with me.'
Trent's eyes flicked to mine, and I gave him a mute look. 'Thanks.'
'Word is you're getting married.'
Married? I was wearing his fiancée's dress? Oh, this was getting better and better.
Lee brushed his hair out of his eyes and sat against the desk. The vamp behind him started to rub his shoulders in a sultry, whore-bitch sort of a way. She hadn't taken her eyes off me, and I didn't like it. 'Anyone I know?' Lee prompted, and Trent's jaw clenched.
'A beautiful young woman named Ellasbeth Withon,' he said. 'From Seattle.'
'Ah.' Brown eyes wide, Lee smiled as if he was laughing at Trent. 'Congratulations?'
'You've met her,' Trent said sourly, and Lee chuckled.
'I've heard of her.' He made a pained face. 'Am I invited to the wedding?'
I puffed impatiently. I had thought we came here to knock heads, not have a reunion. Ten years would put them in their late teens. College? And I didn't like being ignored, but I supposed that was standard for hired help. At
