Page 21 of Gilded Wicked Mirrors
“So, it’s just a messy situation then.”
“Precisely.”
“And life and death,” Emrys said. Quinn shook her head. Whatever they were wrapped up in was too dangerous, and they all needed to get out of it, but especially Jane.
At the slight noise, Emrys’s entire body tensed, and she swallowed a silent curse. It was one thing to get caught eavesdropping once, and it was another to have it happen twice. Unrecoverable.
Shit.
She pinched her lips together. Acting without a plan was utter foolishness. Dammit. She slowly took a step backward and ran her hand through her hair, unsure of what to do. But she needed to trap him and kiss him.
That was easier said than done.
For fuck’s sake. She inhaled sharply, trying to think, and the only thing she could come up with was hiding in the alcove next door and ambushing him when he came out, hoping he was the last to leave.
It was the only semblance of a plan she had, so she went with it.
The neighboring alcove was pitch black, so Quinn whispered to the room, “Can I please get some light?” But like all sentient buildings, it had a mind of its own and refused to aid her.
Letting out a huff, she ran her fingers along the gilded walls, trying to feel for a light switch. But instead of finding a wall sconce or switch, her finger hit human flesh, and she jolted. The other person stiffened as if in pain.
“Oh, shit,” Quinn said, “I am so sorry. I didn’t mean—"
Before she could finish her sentence, she was thrown off balance and pinned to the wall. Her breath came out in a rush as the massively tall frame trapped her within its hold. His—for the pure size of the figure made her believe it was either an impossibly tall woman or a tall man—hand curled around her throat but didn’t squeeze.
“Truly, I am deeply apologetic,” she breathed. “I didn’t know anyone was in here, and I never would have come in if I did.”
The figure ignored her. “If you wanted to touch me, all youhad to do was ask.” It was the voice of the devil. All at once, Quinn was relieved and horrified because not only was it Emrys Avalon, which was both good news and bad news, but once again, he was touching her in ways she enjoyed. And thatwashorrifying.
Although the excited pounding of her heart or the honeybees buzzing against the velvet lining of her stomach was answer enough.
“I believe you are the one touching me.”
He loosed a low chuckle. “Technically, yes.”
“Well, it’s always prudent to be technical.”
“Is it really?” he asked. “How enlightening. Although, I do think some things are enjoyed far more in the absence of perfection.”
Quinn scoffed. She couldn’t think of a single thing that benefited from a lack of precision.
“Ginger, I know you are obsessed with me—”
“I am not obsessed with you.” Her cheeks heated, and she was suddenly very happy he couldn’t see her in the darkness.
“But why are you eavesdropping on me twice in one night?”
“I wasn’t.”
“Then what do you call skulking around outside of a private alcove when people are in the middle of very important conversations?”
Quinn bit her lip and blinked, wishing she could see him better. Her vision was slowly adjusting to the dark, but he was still only a blur of strong masculine muscles. “Alright, I will concede that I was outside your meeting, but it wasn’t with the intent to listen in.”
“Yet you did.” His grip shifted on her neck, and he tilted her chin up as if he were looking into her eyes, which would have been impossible unless he was Mirror-Blessed with the magic ability to do so. Given that he tried to spell her earlier, it was a high possibility, which was a horrifying thought to consider.
“I simply wantedto ask you for help.”
“Oh?” She couldn’t see him, but she imagined his midnight-manicured brows rose at this. “Ask away.”
