Chapter 38 : Revolving Door

*Sasha*

“Come on, now. You must know I don't usually come and recruit young interns personally," Stone Hamline said, leaning in the doorframe of Lucas's house.

I was glad Lucas was gone, for Stone's sake. “I really would like to work for you," I replied honestly. It would be a wonderful opportunity, after all. “But I have to go visit my mother in the Winter Forest."

“The Light Realm?" Stone's eyebrows nearly hit his hairline. “That's quite a journey. Is she sick?"

“Well...." I pushed my hair behind my ear. “No...."

Stone clucked his tongue. “Such a shame. I hope you're not leaving us because that Lucas Black has you all twisted up. Honestly, not every Royal Engineer is like him."

I frowned at Stone. “No, I would never leave because of Lucas."

“Again with the Lucas." Stone grinned at me.

I shifted from foot to foot, flustered by his attention. “Sorry. Mr. Black."

“Don't worry about it. I'm just teasing. Childhood friends should be able to call each other by their first names," Stone said.

“Well, I suppose… anyway, it's not because of Luca–Mr. Black that I'm visiting his mother–" I stuttered.

“Ooo, visiting HIS mother now, too. Is there a happy announcement in your future?" Stone teased.

I must have gone redder than an apple because Stone's smile faded. “Oh dear, Miss Wentley, I would caution you against someone like that. He will absolutely ruin your career."

“It's… not...." I pushed my hair behind my ear again.

“This is about that temple at the northern library, the one the Lycaons wanted you to bury–and lo and behold you did," Stone cut in.

I took a step back into the house. “I just remembered I have an appointment. I have to say goodbye, Mr. Hamline. And thank you for your generous offer. I hope we'll both be in a position for me to take you up on it when I return."

“What was it?" he asked eagerly, putting his foot in the door when I tried to close it. “What did you find? It was an ancient temple of the White Queens–say those who were there–with hundreds of bodies. But there was something else, something that's made all of you cagey and erratic. Something… valuable?"

“Mr. Hamline, I'm afraid I can't discuss–" I said sharply.

Someone came up behind me and kicked Stone's foot out of the door. “Miss Wentley told you to get lost. Now get lost before I track down Lucas Black and tell him you were harassing his guest at his house."

Stone had the sense of self-preservation to pale at that. He turned to me and bowed. “I am sorry for disturbing you, Miss Wentley. It is my hope that you will be able to work with me when you return as well."

He turned and walked back to his expensive car, the kind men got when they were lacking in… other areas.

Lucas was never going to need that kind of car.

“You just seem to have a gift for attracting the bottom-feeders." Brady sighed as I turned around.

“He's not a bottom feeder. He's a well-respected Royal Engineer," I said. “Though, thanks for the help. I didn't know what to say to him."

“Anytime." Brady stepped back so I could get back into the house. “Hate for Lucas to go to prison over a creep like that, anyway, especially when things in his life are just getting interesting."

“Interesting?" I echoed.

The orb. You," Brady said

marveling that we lived in a world where vampires could now survive on snack cakes. “What about

snack cake bag with his fangs. “It's obvious. He wants you, two-and-a-half wolf pups, and a white picket fence around this place for all

not–" I

I could even finish my sentence. “He's had a thing for you since

“Alright, that one you're never going to make me believe. He was a bully and a complete asshole

It had become even more precious to me than the bracelet he'd

“No," I mumbled.

because he wanted to toughen you up. Lucas knew you were different, and he was always worried something was going to happen to you," Brady went

Brady askance.

the world could be, all sheltered by

me growing up was him," I grunted, taking the plastic bag from Brady

Lucky you,"

and frowned at Brady. “Are you going to tell me Lucas had some kind of terrible thing happen to him while he was growing up that I didn't know about, and

licked frosting off his lips. “He got his act together later. Though he

“That's… good? Flattering?"

not going to try to tell me nothing bad happened to you growing up. I can smell tragedy on you a mile away," Brady informed me. “It's

the emerald between my fingers. “He's… feeling a bit

the bracelet,"

even bother having an independent thought?

grinned. “You're very expressive when you're

stabbed a finger in his direction. “I swear if that leads into some smartass remark about make-up s*x, I am going

the

grumbled,

to protect

was Lycennian… and, well, if I had any power to speak of, my mother was afraid they'd come for me. She's very superstitious, and had this idea that the bracelet would protect me from that

sharpened.

ran my tongue over my

think it is." But Brady shrugged. “I think it's important you tell Lucas about

knows the highlights," I

trying to look out

not that way anymore, I know

on the shoulder. “I'm glad to hear you say that. I'd hate it if

“Everything else?" I asked.

mayhem around

whether or not we're mates," a new voice

Lucas standing behind me and jumped. “When did you

can come and go as I

with each other, I found myself leaning back into his embrace. “You want

Lucas asked, giving me a puppy-dog

here or there...."

out laughing. “Oh, you two are fun. By the way, Stone Hamline was here,

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