Bloodfire (Blood Destiny 1) - Helen Harper Page 0,37

smile. “I’m just nervous,” I said.

And actually I was. My palms were slightly damp and sweaty and I could feel a slight tremor in my knees. I must still be feeling the effects of the fight. As if in answer, my ribs took that moment to start throbbing with pain. I stood up. Best to get this over and done with.

Johannes gently touched my elbow as I went past. It was good to know that I had the pack on my side. Then I remembered Anton. Most of the pack at least. I pulled on the doorknob and went back into the office.

The majority of the paperwork from the desk had been cleared away. Corrigan was behind the desk, reading from a sheet of paper. I was rather surprised that he’d chosen not to use John’s study. Staines was leaning against the wall and looking at me with a frown. I stood in front of them and waited. I wasn’t sure if this part of their ploy – keep the underlings waiting to make them nervous, but actually it gave me a good chance to study my potential nemesis. His dark hair curled ever so slightly round the corner of his ears and at the nape of his neck, before disappearing into a pink striped shirt. He must be secure with his masculinity to wear pink, I figured. But then again his muscles were straining tautly at the material so I guessed that he had no worries in that direction. In fact he probably had a tailor to design his shirts that way in particular. I was equally amused to see that he was wearing a tie. Most visitors to Cornwall who arrive suited and booted get short shrift. We were not that kind of county. Interestingly, his fingernails were bitten down to the quick, which made me wonder if perhaps I should suggest a manicurist. Ally was particularly adept at French polishes. I smirked at the idea of the big bad tough Brethren Lord getting his pinky nail buffed and filed, which of course just made Staines frown even deeper at me. Yeah, whatever.

Eventually, Corrigan put the piece of paper and down. He looked at Staines, who pushed himself off the wall and left through the door I’d come through. These two were not exactly fond of chit-chat. He motioned to a blue plastic chair that had been commandeered from the canteen and I sat down.

“So, Miss Mackenzie, we finally have some alone time to talk together.” He smiled lazily at me, and I had the distinct impression of a predator sizing up its next meal.

I swallowed. Alone time? Oh hurray.

“I have to admit that I find you rather fascinating. One minute you are being knocked down by a tap from a little girl, and the next you are defeating a werebear in his own shift form.”

I just looked at him. Two could play the silent game.

He stared at me for a moment before acknowledging my lack of response with a slight one shouldered shrug. I cast my eyes down, trying to play the part of submissive shifter. He continued. “And then of course there are your night time sparring matches on the beach.”

My head snapped up. So there had been somewhere there watching after all. I wondered briefly why he’d been there and why I hadn’t spotted him. If it had indeed been him, or just one of his minions tailing me. Corrigan smiled unpleasantly. I tried desperately to remember if either Tom or I had said anything incriminating whilst we were on the beach. I didn’t think so but I couldn’t be entirely sure. Memories are funny things; concentrate hard enough and you’ll start remembering things that never even happened in the first place. My eyes narrowed slightly and I waited for his next move.

“So what is a shifter of your talents doing tucked away in sleepiest Cornwall, and why are you so desperate to stay here?” His green gold eyes bored into me.

That one, I could handle. “Er, well, I like the quiet,” I said, “and then there’s Tom, of course.”

“Ah, yes, the boyfriend.” He stood up and moved round to the other side of the desk. I tried to lean back as if I could get away from him without leaving my chair. He frowned down at me. “Funny, I wouldn’t have pegged the two of you as a couple.”

“Do you think I’m not good enough for him?” I was aware of the note of