Page 88 of Enchanted Hero
“Hello?” she called, yet as expected, no one responded. She turned toward the kitchen, stopped.
If she wanted to discover the truth about her mysterious colleague, this was her chance. Once Alexander returned, no doubt he’d evade her queries and minimize her suspicions. With only a moment’s hesitation, she strode down the hall, away from the kitchen, away from her host’s dictates. Her time would expire the second he returned, so she moved swiftly as she opened door after door, then another and another. Office, bedroom, gym, bedroom – one luxurious yet ordinary room after the next.
Until she found theroom.
She had reached the last door in the hallway. Whereas the other doors were oak, this one was black wood with intricate carvings of looping symbols, almost like a language of some sort. She’d seen it before – on the books Alexander claimed from her collection and the antique shop. Her hand tingled as she touched the knob, almost as if it held a mild electrical current. With a deep breath, she entered…
Enchantment.
The cavernous room soared at least three stories high and extended hundreds of feet in each direction. It was an impossible twisting of space, with an office just a few feet away. The room simply couldn’t extend that far.
The impossibilities didn’t end there. Scores of objects filled the room, reminiscent of the treasures she collected. Whereas one needed faith and imagination to believe her company’s relics might have some sort of mystical background, these objects posed no such challenge.
Theyweresupernatural.
Even the most die-hard nonbeliever couldn’t ignore this eclectic wonderland. The items glimmered and shined, floating around the room in clear defiance of gravity. Orbs glowed with inner light, books turned their own pages and colorful glass sculptures drifted in surreal waves. No amount of computer technology could be responsible for such miraculous sights.
She stepped closer, reached out and touched one of the glowing orbs. Then… it giggled! Suddenly the orb flashed blue and melted into a floating liquid, still giggling as it floated away. A mirrored ball stretched into long tube, before turning into a horse and galloping away in an invisible race. The unmistakable truth burned as brightly as the flaming candle that was dancing – literally – in front of her. The items were supernatural… and so was Alexander.
It didn’t seem possible, but in a room of impossibilities it was the only logical conclusion. He had to be the hero, the man who’d risked his life to rescue others. He’d never seemed ordinary, but now it was clear how extraordinary he was.
And he wanted her.
She inhaled a shivering breath, sacrificing a moment to explore her feelings now that she knew the truth. Yesterday she’d admitted the love he inspired, and even this discovery hadn’t the power to diminish that. He was extraordinary with or without powers, with or without fame, the fortune, all of it. He was extraordinary simply because he was him.
She loved him so much.
She turned back to the room, his world, his life. What were all these things? The urge to examine each and every one beckoned, to learn the truth behind whatever hidden culture they represented. To learn everything.
She took a step toward a glowing fountain, yet stopped as unease swept through her. Memories flashed, of her first meeting with Alexander, on the fateful night of the tornado. She’d been so busy congratulating herself for slipping past the powerful Mr. Stone she hadn’t considered why it had been so easy. In reality, he’d been in control the entire time. She looked to the door.
Had Alexander set her up again?
CHAPTER 16
He was in love.
What was once mystifying was now so obvious. Desire, need and possessiveness swirled, urging him to keep Everleigh close, to never let her go. She played in his thoughts incessantly, a light among the darkness, her absence eliciting keen unease. Their lovemaking had been astounding, but by no means responsible for his feelings. Beyond consciousness’ edge, he’d always known the truth.
Right now, on the morning after their first lovemaking, he should be with her, watching her open her beautiful eyes and smile sleepily at the man she would soon marry. Instead, he was across the world in the lush study of his island sanctuary, holding an emergency meeting with his top advisors. Only hours remained before the press conference, and while exposure was uncertain, they had to prepare for all outcomes.
Half a dozen news channels played on the wall, showing scenes from every incident at every angle. His people watched with undisguised concern, some reclining on overstuffed sofas, others standing and still others pacing over the thick Oriental rugs. A crackling fire scented the space, casting a mix of golden light and darkened shadows. The room smelled of wood, leather and deep alarm.
“Protecting our people is my first priority.” Alexander’s voice boomed. “If I’m compromised, I want the world to think I’m one of a kind. Even if it means turning myself in to the government.”
“We’ve already discussed this. That’s out of the question.” Brynnlee’s voice was strong, yet she turned as pale as the clouds drifting in the aqua sky. “We appreciate your willingness to sacrifice yourself, but it would be impossible to protect the rest of us. They’ll come after our family first, then close friends and then everyone we’ve ever met. One blood test will reveal the truth.”
Yes, it would.The Incantare may look like ordinary humans, but differences lurked on the inside. It was the reason they never went to human doctors. “I will not allow my actions to destroy lives. I will fix this.” He took a step toward the newscasts. “I’ll deny it. Make them see it’s impossible.”
Brynnlee shook her head. “A man with superpowers is impossible, and they already believe that. Naming a suspect who has been at every incident is easy.”
It was true. They already believed in enchantment. They just don’t know it was him – yet.
“Even if you deny it, they won’t believe you, at least not enough to forgo their own investigation. And once they start looking…”
They would discover everything.
Carter touched the wall, where a larger-than-life video of the hero played in action movie glory. “What if I pretend to be you?”
