Page 22 of Power Shift
“Stay, Evie. I’d like to speak to you afterward.”
The look in Caelan’s eyes made me pause. I gave him a short nod and turned to Moira who was watching me carefully.
“Gianna packed a small bag and fled the Keep not long after the Bonding ceremony. I’m sorry, but I haven’t seen her since. I can send out a few scouts to retrace her whereabouts if it will help.”
Nadia inclined her head. “That would be most appreciated, Lord. As you can imagine, my uncle is fraught with worry. We all are.”
Caelan studied her. “It’s been months, Nadia. Why has no one contacted the Keep?”
“Her father received a letter from Gianna a few weeks after her departure from the Keep, or so we thought it was, claiming she needed some time to regroup before she came home. We’ve been unable to trace her cell phone, and all her accounts have no spending activity.”
Caelan’s jaw tightened. “Please leave your contact information with my Omega, Simone. I’ll send scouts out tonight and contact you as soon as I hear anything.”
“You are most gracious, Lord,” Nadia said. She inclined her head once more and turned to go.
“I’m happy to send Riker out,” Soren said quietly. “It’s unusual for someone like Gianna to stay away that long.”
“We’d appreciate having Riker with us. Allow me to brief Simone before you contact him. I know it will take him at least a day to get here.”
“Of course.” Soren rose and carefully folded his napkins. “Ladies,” he said to us, though his eyes lingered on Moira. “I can’t say it’s been a pleasure, but events with you two are always…interesting.”
Moira gave him a little wave. “See you around, Lord.”
His lips twitched. “I hope you do.”
As soon as he was out of earshot, Moira slumped in her chair. “Gods. No one should have the right to be that hot.”
“He knows it. Minus twenty points.”
Moira laughed. “Yeah. Most of those pretty boys do.” She tossed her napkin on top of her plate. “Your Lord is giving me get-the-hell-out-of-here eyes, so I’ll be waiting in the foyer for you. Don’t take too long. I’m tired and want to kick these heels off.”
Caelan’s eyes glittered. “Find someone and ask her to show you to the library. You can kick your heels off there. It’s empty right now.”
Moira’s face lit up. “You are a god among men, Lord Caelan, and my sore little piggies thank you.” She winked at me and rose, hurrying over to find the Omega.
“There’s a fix to this,” Caelan murmured as the rest of the guests filed out. A few beelined straight for him, but when they saw his still glowing eyes, they thought better of it and made an abrupt turn toward the door.
“Me building a fortress and warding it against Lords?” I grumbled.
His teeth flashed. “It wouldn’t keep me out.”
“You’d be surprised.”
“Mmm. Maybe I would. But no, that’s not the answer.”
I sighed. “Fine. I’m tired and against my better judgment, I’ll bite. Tell me the fix, oh wise one.”
His golden gaze flicked to my lips. “I adore your smart mouth.”
“Focus, Caelan.”
He grinned. “You said my name.”
“Don’t make me regret it. Now spit it out.”
“So feisty, Evangeline.”
“And stop calling me that,” I snapped.
