A Discovery of Secrets and Fate (Chronicles of the Stone Veil #2) - Sawyer Bennett Page 0,50

senses and decide to join your little prophecy team so that you can get your reward. My friend was murdered last night, and that’s why I’m here. I’m here to avenge her, get justice, and stop whatever evil is out there that thinks they can take someone as beautiful as Adira out of this world and not pay for it.”

He comes at me so fast, it’s a blur. I’m quite positive I’ve just witnessed some sort of super speed the gods must have bestowed upon him in addition to his magical powers. But in a flash, he’s all in my space, large and looming. Carrick’s hand goes to my chest, and he grabs a fistful of my t-shirt. Pulling me up to my tiptoes, he bends his face nearer to mine.

My heart skitters as a strange barrage of conflicting emotions hit me. Fear twists my gut even as longing whispers through me. I don’t know if he’s going to kiss me or beat me, but I know which one I’d prefer, and I’m absolutely disgusted with myself that I’m even thinking about this wretched man kissing me. His expression is fierce—terrifying actually—but his eyes are so light they remind me of my grandma’s coin glass that was passed down to my dad long before Fallon and I were born.

Carrick’s gaze rivets onto mine. With our faces just inches apart, he focuses sharply on my eyes.

I hold my breath, waiting for him to make his intention known—kill me or kiss me—but to my surprise, his lips curl upward in a mischievous smile. “There’s that spirit I knew was inside you. I had to work a little hard to get it out, though.”

“Wha—” I start to ask, confused, but he releases me so suddenly I stumble backward.

Carrick meanders past me out of his office and I scramble to run after him, calling, “What the hell was that? A test?”

We barely make it past the piano where Zaid, Titus, Rainey, and Myles are standing watching us. Zaid with the same grouchy expression, Titus with amusement, and Rainey and Myles with clear worry.

I’m thinking they heard me yelling at Carrick.

“All right,” Carrick announces, immediately garnering everyone’s attention and ignoring my questions. His voice is authoritative and for someone who’s had little to say since Adira died, I’m a bit perturbed Rainey and Myles turn to stare at him so raptly. “We need to come up with a game plan.”

Carrick glances around at the group, giving us all barely a millisecond to voice our own thoughts before saying, “No ideas. Great. Here’s what we’re going to do.”

“Hey,” I exclaim, offended he’s taking charge without any input from us. Or really, me. I am the key to the prophecy, so to speak.

I’m ignored though, as Carrick gives his orders to me. “You’ll go with Titus to your house and pack your belongings. You’re going to move into the condo, and Zaid will set you up in one of the suites.”

Before I can even utter an objection, his gaze moves to Rainey and Myles. “You two are in real danger. At least Finley has some fighting and defensive skills, but you will be fae food if you stick around. So you go with Titus and Finley, pack your stuff, and get out of town.”

Rainey and Myles stare agog, but Carrick is done with them, his attention going to Zaid. “Find Pyke. I need him to get me into Faere. Also, get Maddox over here.”

Zaid nods, pivots on his foot, and heads in the opposite direction. I had learned quite by accident that he actually has an office on the northeast side of the building, but to this day, I still have no clue where Zaid lives or if he ever even goes home since he’s always here.

“Wait a minute.” My indignation apparent, I step forward to garner everyone’s attention. Zaid ignores me and keeps walking, but all other eyes focus on me as I declare my intentions to Carrick. “First, I am not moving in here with you. I mean, I agree Rainey and Myles should go, but—”

“We’re not going,” Rainey scoffs, crossing her arms defiantly and cocking out a hip.

Myles merely jerks his head toward Rainey. “What she said.”

Arguing with Carrick momentarily forgotten, I turn back to Rainey and Myles. “Please, please consider leaving. You know what happened to Adira. There’s a good chance more Dark Fae or daemons could be coming for me. Hell, there’s a good chance my sister will try to kill me.