of us, holding the door open.
Aisling murmured something about erasing the ward on the front door, scooting past us to do so. I looked behind me. Maata and Tipene wore matching expressions... neither gave me much hope they'd listen to reason. "Weren't you... weren't you just back there?" I asked Gabriel.
"Dragons can move quickly when they so desire. Drake, Aisling, my thanks for a very enjoyable evening. I will be in contact with you regarding the phylactery. And now, my dear...," Gabriel said, gesturing toward the open door.
I tried to exchange a glance with Cyrene, but she was looking at the floor, apparently avoiding my eye. "You don't know where we're staying," I said. "We could be greatly out of your way."
"You are my mate," Gabriel said, a sudden flare of emotion in his eyes making a hot flush start at my belly and move upward. "Nothing you can demand of me will be too great."
"Excellent. I demand you leave us alone. I'll call you in a few days, when we're back in London," I said, pushing Cyrene out the door as I slipped past him.
"Alas, I wish it was that easy, but I am bound by sept tradition to see to your welfare," he said, following us out to the driveway. Tipene went off to where a black BMW sat. I eyed Cyrene for a moment, unsure if I should trust Gabriel with her. I hadn't seen anything in him that led me to believe he would harm her, but dragons were strange beings-they looked human, but clearly didn't operate in the same manner. Still, he didn't strike me as the type of man who'd take out his wrath on an innocent person.
I tried to catch Cyrene 's eye, but she continued to avoid looking at me. That hurt, but now was not the time to smooth her obviously ruffled feathers. I allowed Gabriel and Maata to escort us toward the car, but the second we were far enough away from the lights of the house, I shadowed, spinning around in the opposite direction, merging myself with the blissfully dark shadows.
Gabriel shouted my name, but I paid him no heed as I dashed alongside a high hedge, keeping myself immersed in the densest parts of the shadows. He might be able to see me at a close distance, but I was willing to bet he couldn't when more than a few yards separated us.
I ran down the street, through yards, around gardens, moving in a direction opposite the mage's house until I could no longer hear signs of pursuit. I doubled back, slowly picking my way, cautious of every looming shape, but no one leaped out to grab me.
Gabriel, it seemed, didn't bother to try to find me. I was oddly disgruntled by that fact, but decided it was foolish and immature, and there were much more important matters to concern myself with than the puzzle my heart wanted to solve.
Steeling myself, my chin high, my shoulders set, I made my way back around to the mage's house.
Chapter Eight
The voices drifted out on the night air, just loud enough to be audible as I crouched on the window ledge outside of the archimage Kostich's living room.
"... could guarantee that you were compensated for the loss, would that make a difference?"
It was a man's voice... a familiar man's voice, one that slid along my body like satin. I froze, frowning at the beige stone wall to which I clung. What on earth was Gabriel doing talking to Dr. Kostich? Why wasn't he seeing Cyrene home, as I had expected?
"The item that was stolen from me is irreplaceable," the mage answered. "No amount of money could compensate me for it."
"Is it safe to assume that you know the whereabouts of the thief Mei Ling?" a third voice asked, one that was unknown to me.
I risked peeking around the edge of the window. Gabriel sat with his back to me, calmly watching as Dr. Kostich paced back and forth across the room. I didn't see a third person at first, but suddenly, a silhouette moved in front of the window. I ducked to the side, flattening myself against the stone of the building. Although technically no one should be able to see me when I shadow walked at night, some beings were more perceptive than others, and until I knew whom I was dealing with, I felt it wiser not to take chances.
"No, I don't know where she is," Gabriel answered. "I