Blood and Blade (Goddess with a Blade #6) - Lauren Dane Page 0,83
Genevieve hoped Darius would probably know and share since he was coming over to talk with her about it.
Why it was him also filled her with worry. What did it have to do with the Dust Devils, anyway?
She made herself some tea and by the time the sun rose, she’d gotten sleepy enough to conk out on the couch until Lorraine woke her up some hours later.
“It’s nearly eleven. If he’s coming you should be ready,” Lorraine said. “At the very least run a brush through your hair and wash your face. I’m going to make a brunch.”
She left Genevieve in the living room, trying to shake off sleep so she could stumble into the shower and make herself presentable for her visitor.
Normally, Genevieve didn’t get exhausted. She might get tired enough to sleep, but using her magic didn’t stress her system. In fact it quite often left her energized. But she was a little sore as she stood under the shower jets and wondered why.
Maybe she was getting old enough that she’d get aches and pains just from living. But she doubted it.
Even as she changed into clothes—admittedly cute ones because Darius was gorgeous and he made her feel things she hadn’t in a long time—she thought about what she’d found through her research.
From a very early age, she’d understood that knowledge was currency. If you had a skill others didn’t you could use it to make a living. Or to teach others how to use it. Collecting knowledge had become a lifetime mission. It built up her power and it strengthened her position the more she was able to use it in her own magic. To protect and defend. To edify and like the night before, when it was necessary, to destroy what would otherwise destroy others.
It gave her a thrill to know she was going to learn more. That she herself was more than she thought.
When the doorbell rang, Genevieve waved Lorraine off and answered it herself. Darius stood there with a bouquet of flowers in one hand and a thick, very old book tucked under the other arm.
The ropes of his locs had been tied back, away from his face. Exposing the beauty there to the fullest. His eyes weren’t quite as dark as they’d been the night before. Deep brown, fringed by thick lashes. High cheekbones and a mouth that was usually set in a stern line but was full and lush. He was tall. Well over six feet. Broad shoulders, biceps and forearms that told her he worked with his hands. Really nice, big, strong hands.
He’d been in his biker gear the other times she’d seen him. Ruggedly casual right down to the leather vest and beat up jeans. But that day he wore jeans, boots and a T-shirt that stretched lovingly over his chest.
Genevieve realized she’d been staring and stepped back, indicating he come inside.
He nodded slightly and then thrust the flowers at her. “It’s always good to bring something when you visit,” he said.
In the bouquet were some of the herbs and flowers she’d use in spellcraft. “This is very thoughtful.”
He held up the book. “This is for the next part. When we talk about why I stopped you in the middle of the desert last night.”
Lorraine stood at the entrance to the eat-in kitchen. “I’ll serve you on the terrace. It’s still shaded and pleasant.” She took a look at the bouquet in Genevieve’s arms and then her gaze tracked back to Darius. “I’ll take those and put them in water.”
“Darius, this is Lorraine. She’s my cook, assistant, caretaker and tries to keep me out of trouble.”
He bowed to Lorraine far more deeply than he had to Genevieve. Lorraine arched a brow and Genevieve shrugged. She found him charming too.
“Come, let’s go outside.” Genevieve opened the French doors and headed out, Darius in her wake.
“This is very nice,” he said as they settled at the table outside. “I don’t get much time or experience inside these hotels.”
“The Conclave owns it, which is very useful in my case because I like to travel so I nearly always have a place to stay depending on the city.”
Lorraine brought out several platters of food. Darius kept standing to help until Lorraine told Genevieve to calm her visitor down before he got in her way.
The grin Darius tried to hide told Genevieve he spoke French and understood. The next time she came out, he stayed seated and thanked her instead.