"Not lonely, because there has never been a lack of partners. Just alone."
Meaning he'd faired better in the after-relationship sex stakes than I had. At least until Lucian and Azriel had come along to liven things up.
"Your place, then." I paused. "Are you parked somewhere very close? And do you still keep your spare key taped under the rear wheel arch?"
"Yeah, but why…?" He stopped, and tucked a hand into his other pocket. What came out was a handful of metal shards. "Well, shit."
I glanced down, amusement touching my lips. "There's also the free willy problem."
"I don't see it as much of a problem, but I agree that others might." He grinned. "So, do we make a mad dash and hope no one notices?"
"Wiring snakes aside, my clothes won't stand up to a mad dash. I'll get us out of here, but you'll have to bring the car around to the building's entrance."
"Sounds like a plan." He turned sideways and waved me forward grandly. "After you, my dear."
We carefully retreated. Amaya's steel was quivering by the time we made the stairs, so it was with some relief that I realized not only had the wiring in the stair shaft remained unaffected by the blast, but also by the magic.
When we reached the foyer, Jak pulled off the remains of his sweater and wrapped it around his waist, effectively hiding the ventilation spots around his balls.
I waited until he'd left, then said, "Reaper, show yourself."
For several seconds there was no response; then heat washed across my skin and the reaper appeared. He wasn't what I'd expected – although I'm not entirely sure what I had been expecting.
I mean, he, like Azriel, was of medium height, with warm brown skin and mismatched blue eyes, but his hair was a rich honey color rather than black, and there was a multitude of scars crisscrossing his chest and well-muscled arms. Another scar stretched from just below his right temple to his chin. He also bore two swords rather than one.
What surprised me, though, was his expression. It was positively hostile.
"What do you wish?" His voice was cold. Unforgiving.