artist before he was taken, never a warrior, I think he could be a tremendous Tracker.”
“Tristan has always been a warrior,” Rodán said. “A warrior with an artist’s skills. It is time to use all of his abilities. As a Tracker he could add much to the team with some training.
“We’ll let him out in the field with you for a couple of days to give him an idea of what a Tracker’s night is like,” Rodán said. “Then we’ll send him to the training program in Chicago. Once he’s fully trained, we’ll team him up with an experienced Tracker in New York City.”
“Rodán!” The pair of voices exclaiming his name came from a pair of blond Nymphs who stopped at our table. They looked like excited, giggly airheads as they bounced up and down on their toes. I recognized them—they were backup singers for Festival, a new paranorm rock band that I’d seen for the first time last weekend.
“Trixie.” Rodán nodded to Nymph One. “Bubbles,” he said to Nymph Two.
Trixie and Bubbles. I had to bite my tongue to keep from laughing. It may not have been the first time I’d heard their stage names but it still got me. By the looks of the pair of airheads, I wondered if those were stage names, or their real ones.
I settled back in my chair to watch. This should be good.
“We haven’t seen you for a while.” A small pout was on Trixie’s lips. “Bubbles and I were just saying how much—” The Nymph glanced at me then back at Rodán. “—we have missed you.”
I didn’t think that was exactly the sentiment she’d wanted to express.
Then Bubbles said, “After we perform at the Pit next, are you going to invite us back to your chambers?”
Uh-huh. That statement confirmed what I’d been thinking.
I toyed with the stem of my crystal wineglass as Rodán gave them a smile that was entirely sensual. Rodán couldn’t help it. He could simply have been trying to be polite, but no matter. His expression would still have the power to set a female on fire.
“I will talk with you beautiful ladies at another time.” Rodán said it in a way that was appealing rather than off-putting. “At this moment I am enjoying Nyx’s company.”
“Can’t wait,” Trixie said with a giant exclamation point in her voice. “We’ll see you soon.”
Bubbles nodded with enthusiasm, her blond curls bouncing. “We’ll be ready.”
I bet they would.
Rodán gave a slight inclination of his head. “Have a good evening, ladies.”
The bubbling airheads slipped into the crowd in the bar but I could still hear their giggles. I wanted to roll my eyes but I smiled at Rodán instead. “Your adoring public.”
Rodán leaned back, holding his wineglass. He looked at me for a long time without saying anything.
I tilted my head. “Are you all right?”
“You know that for you I would give up everything,” he said quietly.
My cheeks burned a little at the intimacy in his expression and in his words. “We both know you couldn’t, Rodán.” I continued even though he looked like he wanted to say something. “It’s how you’re wired. You’re a sexual, sensual being and I get that,” I said. “You would never be happy with one person.”
“With you …” He looked thoughtful as he paused. “With you everything was different. You make me want to be with you alone.”
I was surprised. I had never heard Rodán say this before in quite this way.
“Then why weren’t you?” I said, more out of curiosity than anything else. “You continued to see others while you and I slept together. If I made you feel different then why didn’t you stop inviting others to your bed?”
During the time I was with him, I’d never considered Rodán enjoying sexual pleasures with others as abnormal. He’d invited me to join in on the experiences, but I’d always refused. It wasn’t my thing.
“One female would never satisfy you. Oh, maybe for a time, but I refer to a lifetime,” I went on before he could respond. “I could never share the man I decide to be with. It just wouldn’t happen.”
His green eyes were dark with something I couldn’t identify. “For you I would give it all up.”
Warmth filled me as I studied the beautiful male sitting across the table. Rodán was truly like no other. Not a soul on this Earth Otherworld—or any Otherworld for that matter—could fully compare to my Proctor, former lover, and friend who was dear to me in more ways