Page 139 of Shifting Hearts 1
This isn’t the first woman or Basilisk I have been with over the years, but this is the first time the reaction has been so strong. I keep my head down and try to master the effect she has on me but fail to realize the significance of my reaction until she speaks again.
“I don’t know why, but it feels like I was supposed to end up here with you. I was drawn to you the moment I saw you.”
Whipping my head around, I focus on her.
She feels this too.
This, however, isn’t the time to ask the real questions I need answers to, especially not with an audience around.
“How far away do you live? It must be hell to commute at odd hours of the night. I think I can safely assume you don’t work a standard nine-to-five.”
She is looking out the window and gasps a little when we pull up to my building.
“You live here?” Her eyes are filled with awe when she gets out to stare up at the colossal structure before her.
Twenty-five stories of the ultimate home luxury, and it all belongs to me. Some used their money to splurge on the delicacies of our trade, women, drugs, and frivolous parties.
Playing it smart, I have invested in real estate on both sides of the border and have a lucrative portfolio that will be available to me upon my release from my duties.
I put my hand on her back and steer her toward the glass doors. Miguel, the doorman, opens it for us and greets me with a polite nod. We head in the direction of the elevator and step inside before I take out my card to swipe for access to the penthouse.
“Figures. I should have known when I felt the thread count of the jacket. You must be one of those fancy killers. I bet you have a room especially for your rare gun collection. Am I right?”
She wounds me with her careless comment, but I show no reaction. We ride in silence until the door opens.
I unlock the door and hold it open for her to enter.
The living areas are presented in an open space with light streaming in from the wall of windows. I would have liked to decorate the place in bright colors that repel the darkness in myeveryday life, but it is fucking hard getting blood out of any color couch except for black.
She wanders into my space and aims directly for the largest painting in my home.
It is a depiction of a Basilisk towering over a group of humans who look afraid and distraught. The colors are vibrant, and the detail is as realistic as can be. I found the picture in an old mythology book and commissioned the painting for my own pleasure.
“Well, isn’t this quite disturbing. Why would you have something like this in your home? It’s not like you need it.”
This might be the opening I was looking for.
“In what sense do you mean?” I probe, hoping she would betray something.
“The brush strokes are so fine and meticulous, it looks like a photo. Did you do this?” she asks, reaching out to touch the canvas.
I walk closer, careful not to spook her while she is enthralled with my history.
“No, I had someone do it for me.”
“Why would anyone put something like this in their home. Because I can tell, you don’t need extra props to be intimidating and scary. You have got that done. I am sure everyone is scared shitless of you.”’
I come to stand right next to her. “Everyone except you, it seems.”
She stares at me for a few seconds more before she returns her attention to the painting. “So, care to tell me what made you want to have this in your home?”
I take a deep breath. It is now or never. I will try to ease her into it. “Have you ever heard of a Basilisk?”
She turns and throws her hands in the air before exclaiming, “Oh no. Don’t tell me you are a Potterhead. I would never have guessed it.”
Casually, she strolls to the kitchen and opens the fridge to take out a bottle of water. I take a seat at the kitchen counter and watch her as she rummages through the shelves. At last, finding something to eat, a limp carrot, she turns and leans on the counter beside the fridge to watch me.
I take out my phone and order some food to be brought up from the kitchen downstairs. The building is equipped with a fully functional restaurant as well as a spa and other amenities.
