“I see. Then I’ll leave you to your”—a bland smile—
“inspection.”
His hand shot out with blurring speed, grasping her arm as she attempted to move past him.
“Not so quick, cara.”
The heavy pressure of her power filled the cramped space, his long hair stirring in the sudden breeze.
“You should release me,” she warned, oh so softly.
He loosened his grip, but his fingers remained on her arm. She wasn’t disappearing on him. Not again. “You haven’t answered my questions.”
“Nor do I intend to.”
He studied her pale, exquisite features. “Such a perfect ice queen,” he murmured, his gaze lowering to the lush fullness of her lips. Those weren’t the lips of an ice princess. They spoke to him of hot Spanish nights and decadent pleasure. “Did the Oracles send you?”
It was only because he was touching her that he felt her stiffen at his question.
“Only a fool discusses Commission business.”
No shit. Unfortunately, Styx had tossed him straight into the lion’s den. He needed to know why the Oracles were interested in Gaius. And what they were trying to hide from the vampires.
“You’re here looking for Gaius, aren’t you?”
“Why would I?” Frost coated her words. “I was told that Gaius died during the battle against the Dark Lord.”
His short laugh held an edge of bitterness. “Yeah, a lot of us were told that.”
Just for a second he thought he could glimpse something flash through her dark eyes. Sympathy? He shook his head. Not freaking likely.
The female was in pure ice mode.
“And since you’re here to claim your inheritance, it would be a wasted effort to search for him.”
“Half truths and evasion, Nefri?” He leaned forward, drawing deeply of her jasmine scent. “That isn’t your usual style.”
“You know nothing about me.”
A smile curved his lips as he felt her faint tremor. Not fear. Nefri was a woman who was beyond fear of anything. Or anyone.
No, it wasn’t fear. But need.
“I know more than you ever wanted me to,” his voice lowered, his fingers stroking up the back of her arm to her shoulder. “Which is why you bolted behind the safety of your Veil.”
Her extravagantly long lashes lowered to hide her eyes, but it was too late.
They both knew she was vulnerable to his touch, even if she would rather have her tongue cut out than to admit the truth.
“I have to go,” she jerked from his grasp, her steps measured as she headed toward the door.
Santiago let her take several steps, keeping his hands at his side. He had an ace up his sleeve.
“He was here, but he left,” he said softly. “One, maybe two nights ago.”
Nefri froze, her back held ramrod straight, before she slowly forced herself to turn and meet his mocking gaze.
“Gaius?”