Page 88 of Wicked Deeds

Had he been interacting with humans in the game?

I tightened my grip on my mental shields. Just because he looked more human, didn’t mean it was safe to treat him as though he was.

“Lord Usuriel,” I said, politely.

He nodded. “Maggie Lachlan.”

Nerves prickled down my spine. This could be anyone. Another Fae. Someone sent by Usuriel. A tanai related to the Nichtkin. “All right,” I said, “if it’s really you, prove it. Tell me something that only you would know.”

“I know what it’s like to kiss you,” he said.

I glared at him. “You’re not the only man who knows that, my lord, and if you are hoping for a civil conversation, I suggest you think of something else.”

“You parted my shields in the realm,” he said in a low rumble of a voice. It was part annoyed, part…alluring.

Ick. I slammed my shields down harder. If he thought he could sway me with his Fae charm or whatever the hell you called his particular brand of pushing past unearthly toward creepy but still somehow enticing beauty.

But he knew about what I’d done to his shields. The only people who knew the details of what I’d done in the realm were people I’d trust with my life not to share them. And I doubted that Usuriel had shared the story. He wouldn’t want any Fae to know that a mere human had beaten his power, however briefly. That would be a blow to his status.

“Okay,” I said, “let’s assume it’s you. What did you want to talk to me about?”

“You did not tell me you had a guest,” he said, taking a step closer.

I stiffened and thrust out a hand. “Stay right where you are. Also, you did not ask, my lord.”

His eyes narrowed. “The little tanai you stole from me.”

“I didn’t steal her from anyone. We had a deal and I fulfilled it. Everything fair and in accordance with the contract. Despite you trying your best to wriggle your way out of it.” I was two seconds away from booting him out. But I wanted to know how much he knew about Gwen. “So I’m not sure why she’s of any interest to you. Or why you are having us followed for that matter.”

“I told you I would be watching.”

Great, so he was stalking me, not Gwen. If he was telling the truth.

“I am merely curious as to why she is no longer in London. I would have thought your Cestis there would have been taking care of her.”

“She’s a grown woman. She can go wherever she wants.”

“So she came here?”

“She’s interested in a career in game design,” I said, hoping I wasn’t revealing too much. “San Francisco is the best place in the world for that.”

“And your Damon Riley is helping her?”

“She’s staying with us while she makes some decisions.” That was noncommittal.

“Kind of you to open your home to a stranger.”

“Is kindness such an odd concept to you, my lord? Humans do not always think of obligations and favors as the Fae do. Sometimes we merely do what is right.”

“Foolish,” he muttered.

“Perhaps. But Gwen is not your concern. She is none of the Fae’s concern. Period.”

“She seems to be nobody’s concern, other than yours,” Usuriel said. “Did her father disown her, too?”

I went still. Was he asking or did he know something about Jack? “That’s Gwen’s business, not yours,” I said firmly. “But now, you know she’s here and that should be the end of it. You have no claim on her that I am aware of, my lord. So unless you want me to involve Lady Cerridwen in this matter, I suggest you leave us alone.”

“I am entitled to protect my people.”

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