Page 14 of Between Imminent Fates

“What does that mean?”

If it was possible, she grimaced further. “I’m not explaining this well.”

“Explaining what?”

She shifted, fiddling with the axe she held for her next throw. On instinct, he flinched. Without warning, the weapon dropped to the ground and Keys’ hands plastered over her ears. A pain-filled gasp dragged out of her lungs.

Jax instantly knew what he’d done. He’d accidentally activated the device in his pocket. Cursing, he pressed the button once more, ready to reach for the axe and hack it to pieces should it be required.

Almost immediately, Key’s body lost its tension. Her hands were still plastered against her ears, but the relief on her face couldn’t be missed.

Two things became crystal clear. One, that the device worked. And two: that Key was a supernatural being.

He couldn’t stop the words as they spilled from his mouth. “What are you?”

Fear banished the frown she wore. “What?”

“You’re one ofthem.”

It took only seconds for Key to put two and two together. Straightening, she pinned him with a lethal look. “Did you turn that sound on?”

“Yes, but I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“You just wanted to expose me?” The hurt in her voice raked him over the coals. “Where did you get that device?”

There were more than a few people around them. No one appeared to be listening in, but Jax knew they had to be careful. “I don’t think this is the best place to have this conversation, Key.”

“Is there a better place for you to tell me why you tried to knock me out?”

He flinched. “I didn’t know that it did that.”

Incredulity narrowed her eyes. “You have a weapon—that you used—and you don’t know what it does?”

“It’s a long story.”

It was both long and confidential, and it would take time to unravel. With the confirmation that Key was a supernatural, he gained more confidence in his previous theory that not all immortals were the villains Barlowe claimed. If Key was associated with that world, perhaps she could help him blow the whistle on the despicable practices of his new assignment.

Decision made, he added, “Allow me to explain myself. Please. I need help.”

Her eyebrows rose. “Fine, but we need to go somewhere private. We can’t talk about this in a public place.”

“My apartment isn’t far. And I know what you’re thinking—why on earth would you go back to the apartment of a man who just hurt you. But Key, please trust me, that was never my intent. I give you my word that was an accident and my intentions are honorable.”

The woman studied him for a moment before saying, “Give me the device. I have to know that you won’t use it on me again.”

He hesitated. If Key was one of the immortals—and he believed she was—she would have the upper hand if he gave away the sound gadget. But something told him that she wasn’t his enemy, and when he extracted it from his pocket and handed it over, she visibly relaxed.

“Okay. Your apartment then.”

They took his car and drove the twelve miles to his apartment without either of them breaking the silence.

The click of Zeus’ nails on the hardwood flooring immediately preceded the excited yips on the other side of the door. The excitement Key had shown earlier when he’d mentioned his dog seemed to return in full force when he opened the door.

“Zeus, back.”

As he opened the door to his apartment, the Husky obediently followed his command. Zeus backed several steps, then bounced in place, eager to greet both him and Key.

Key showed no reservations. Spreading her arms wide, she grinned as Zeus bounded over to trail his tongue up her face, accepting the scratches and coos from her as if they were a gift from heaven above.

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