Variance. Also, we need to start the search for Echidna and find her, if at all possible.”
“Since she disappeared about the time Typhon was forced into stasis, there’s a good chance she knew how he was defeated,” I said.
Herne nodded. “Yes, I’ve thought of that. And I’m sure Ashera’s thought of that as well. All right, we should get busy.”
As we broke the meeting, Herne gently embraced me, taking care not to hurt my side. “I’m afraid we don’t have time for an afternoon tryst, my love. And with your side…” He looked pained. Herne was lusty and passionate, and I knew that days without sex wore on him, probably more than they did on me.
I kissed him back, lingering in his embrace. “I know. It may be several days. But when we do, it will be all the sweeter. At least, it helps to think that way,” I added.
He laughed, patting my ass. “I love you, wench.”
“I love you, rogue.”
And with that, he went back to his office and I returned to my desk.
Sharne was supposed to come over for dinner at eight, but I didn’t think that with meeting Dormant Reins at ten, I would have time. I put in a call to my uncle, asking if he could reschedule and come over the next night instead. He agreed, and I went back to my paperwork, my thoughts replaying the conversation with Ashera over and over. The gloom was thick, and I wanted nothing more than to go take a dip in the ocean to wash away the tainted film that Typhon’s looming presence had spread across the entire world.
Chapter Sixteen
I stared at my closet, wondering what to wear.
No silver. Keep my throat covered. Something a little sexy, but not too inviting.
Also, I had to douse myself with perfume to cover the smell of the wound. Feeling like this was just a little too complicated, I steeled myself and flipped through my clothes. One dress would have been good, but it was too short for my comfort level, at least among a bunch of vampires. Another was a little too tight and would be hard to run in. Then I remembered Yutani’s advice and brought out a leather corset top that I could zip up the front, and a pair of nice jeans. I paired them with knee-high boots and my leather jacket.
Angel had me sit at the vanity while she brushed my hair into a high, tight ponytail, fastening it with a gold band. I had cloisonné combs that I fixed on the sides, and then I put on my makeup, going heavy on the smoky-eye look and cat wing eyeliner. As I picked up my bottle of Autumn—a spicy-scented perfume—I motioned for her to stand back.
“You might want to stand downwind,” I said, laughing, as I began to spray it on thick. After a moment, I smelled like I’d walked through a fog bank at a fragrance counter. I coughed, wrinkling my nose. “How do I smell?”
“Like you spilled a bottle of perfume all over you.” Angel waved her hand in front of her face. “But I doubt if they should be able to smell the blood beneath that.”
“Good.” I draped my purse over my shoulder, after sorting through it to make sure that I didn’t have any pocket knives or anything else in it that would be objectionable. “Okay, downstairs. Herne and Yutani will be picking me up soon.”
Angel made sure I made it down the stairs without problem. I wasn’t as woozy or as in as much pain as I had been during the morning, but I was still leery. The stitches pulled, but I could tell the most immediate pain of the wound was starting to die down and Yutani was right, the corset helped shore me up.
“I think I’m on the mend. Thank gods I heal quickly.” I sat down at the kitchen table to wait. “Got any cookies?”
“We’re out, but I made scones. You want one?” She moved toward the fridge.
I shook my head. “No, I wanted something lighter. A few chips, maybe?”
She brought over a bag of Fritos and set them on the table, sitting down beside me. “I wish I healed up like you do. I’m black and blue from the gym. My trainer is teaching me how to street fight—you know, down and dirty. It goes against my nature, but I think, as I take on more responsibility with the Wild Hunt, I need to get over it.”