“I don’t have time for this,” she hissed, fiercely trying to concentrate on the music box.
“Denying the truth won’t change it. Believe me, I’ve tried,” he muttered, grabbing her arm as she waved her hand over the box and whispered a quick spell. “What are you doing?”
“Don’t get your panties in a twist.” She sent him an impatient glare.
“Panties?” A dark brow arched. “You think I wear panties?”
She gave a choked sound, the visualization of Roke commando beneath the tight black jeans burning through her brain.
No, no, no. She wasn’t going there.
“I . . .” She licked her dry lips. “I put a protective ward around the box.”
There was a tense second when Sally was sure Roke was going to throw her on the bed and put them both out of their misery. Then, with an obvious effort, he leashed his hunger and turned toward the nightstand.
“It’s safe to touch?”
She swallowed the lump in her throat. “Yes.”
With obvious wariness, Roke reached to pluck the box from the nightstand to study the carvings. Sally watched him in silence.
“Fey,” he at last pronounced.
Fey? How . . . odd.
“You recognize the artist?”
“This isn’t art.” His slender finger traced a curving line that resembled a crescent moon. “These are runes.”
“You’re sure?”
His gaze remained on the box. “My talent is reading glyphs. That’s why Styx insisted I come to Chicago in the first place.”
She watched his finger move to a swirl that ended with three vertical dots, once again experiencing that tug of almost-recognition.
“What do they say?”
“I’m not sure.”
She frowned. “You just said that your talent is reading them.”
“These are . . . unusual. Perhaps ancient.” He gave a shake of his head. “I need to do some research.”
A bad feeling started to bloom in the pit of her stomach.
“And where do you have to do this research?”
“My lair in Nevada.”
“Are you screwing with me?”
His smile was slow and decadently beautiful, the hint of fang making her shiver.
“Not yet.”
Chapter Three
No one would give the house built on the bluffs that overlooked the Mississippi River a second glance.