Page 55 of Wicked Deeds

“And you would work with me if I did?” he asked.

Fuck. I wanted to say no. But I wasn’t sure the choice would be mine. “If the Cestis and the Lady were satisfied it was safe, I might consider it. If it was within the terms of the contract. Which this conversation, my lord, is not. My understanding is that access through your door is still restricted.”

One side of his mouth curved upward. “So cautious.”

“Only idiots aren’t cautious when it comes to…certain things.”

Usuriel looked past me, to the stage. I risked following his gaze, twisting to see. Damon was currently running down a steep rocky hill, guns drawn, shooting at something. “And is your Damon Riley cautious?”

“He defends what is his. And you don’t get to be as successful as he is without knowing how to manage your risks. He knows his way around a contract. And so do I. Now, do you want me to call the Cestis and see what they think of your being here?”

Usuriel returned his gaze to me, toasting me with his glass, seemingly not worried at all about me telling on him.

Which worried me. I pulled out my datapad. “Shall I make the call?”

He grinned suddenly but shook his head. “Well, this has been enlightening but I think it is time for me to go.”

Enlightening? Only if your definition of enlightened was full of confusion. But if he wanted to leave, I wasn’t going to stop him.

“I wish you a swift return to the realm, my lord.”

He smirked. “I’m sure you do.”

I tracked Usuriel’s progress through the crowd, trying to keep sight of him through the heaving bodies. His head turned toward the stage at one point before he moved on.

God. I hoped he hadn’t spotted Gwen. If he was upset with me for taking her, I doubt he was happy with her for leaving.

The farther away he got the hazier he appeared. Magic swirled around him. Another fucking illusion obscuring my vision. So I couldn’t tell if he’d actually left. Bloody Fae. But the magic seemed to be receding, and he was almost at the exit, then, at least as far as I could tell, he was gone.

I watched a few seconds more, relief weakening my knees. When I was sure I could walk steadily, I made my way back to the stage. If Usuriel hadn’t left I wanted Maia and the rest of Damon’s team guarding my back. And Gwen’s.

Gwen’s attention was firmly focused on the screen above the stage. Damon and Lia were breaking into a rustic-looking building. I recognized the scene. An airfield where they had to try and steal something to fly to the nearest spaceport. Gwen’s face was tense with excitement as she followed the action. She didn’t notice me at all.

Maia, however, did, moving to her usual position beside me. She seemed relaxed. “Good, you’re back.”

I pulled her off to the side, out of Gwen’s earshot. “Were you watching me?”

“Not the whole time. Who was that guy you were talking to?”

She’d seen Usuriel. I wasn’t sure if his illusion allowed that much. But then again, it would have been strange if it made it look like I was talking to myself. And would draw attention if I vanished altogether. “What did he look like to you?”

“I don’t know, kind of an average guy. I didn’t think he was bothering you.”

Damn Usuriel was good. Maia was a witch, a strong one. If she hadn’t noticed any hint of magic, then Usuriel was very slick. Or very sneaky. But maybe she hadn’t been watching for it. As far as she knew, I was just making small talk. No reason for her to suspect magic.

Some of that must have showed on my face.

“Wait. Who was it? Was someone using an illusion?” Maia demanded, suddenly fully focused.

I didn’t want to say his name in case he was still in the club. “Let’s just say someone from another place who really shouldn’t behere. Someone I met on my trip to that other place and who doesn’t have much reason to be fond of me.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You mean Lor?—?”

I made a cut-it gesture with my hand across my throat. She clenched her teeth shut before his name left her mouth, and pulled me two steps farther away from the stage.

“What do you meanhewas here? He’s not supposed to be out of the other place, is he?” Her voice was almost a hiss.

“I don’t know,” I whispered back though semi-clenched teeth, trying not to let any emotion show on my face. No doubt there were people in the crowd watching me. Hopefully not Usuriel. “I don’t know how closely you have to stick to the rules when you’re as powerful as he is.”

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