Page 13 of Vicious Little Vows
Gabriel touched my shoulder. I hadn’t heard him get up. “We should go,” he muttered. “I’ll text Gladiola to bring news of these rumors to Mistral.”
Still frowning toward the kitchen, I nodded, not really sure just how worried we needed to be about the rumors. I was more worried about the double date I had somehow been wrangled into against my will.
SIX
Sebastian started the coffee pot as soon as we got back to the apartment. I was beginning to suspect he had an even bigger problem than I did, because at the moment I had no desire for coffee. I was ready for bed.
Unfortunately, I doubted that would be happening soon. I sat next to Gabriel on the plush white sofa, the only sounds the coffee pot and the hiss of water through the pipes running to the guest bathroom where Crispin was currently showering. The magical water in the pool had no odor, but the long dusty walk back had taken its toll on us all.
I caught Gabriel glaring at Sebastian, but his expression blanked as soon as I noticed.
Once his coffee mug was filled, Sebastian turned toward us. “I managed to send word to my sister. We should have a reply by morning.”
I gave Ringo a pat as he climbed onto the sofa arm next to me. His blue fur was damp from his sink dip in the master bath. “Who did you get to brave the hells for you?” I asked. The hells were a near realm. Some runners powerful enough could make it there, but they didn’t come cheap.
“I heard there was an imp lurking around the Circus. I found it, and bargained with it.” Sebastian shrugged one shoulder as if it had cost him nothing.
“What was animpdoing at the Circus?” I balked. Imps were creatures of the hells and the hells alone. They were sustained by the energy there, and couldn’t last long in this realm unless someone powerful was controlling them.
He shrugged again. “Someone must have summoned it.”
“And you’re not interested in finding out who?”
My question went unanswered as Sebastian’s eyes drifted toward Gabriel, an unsettling gleam of flame visible in their dark depths. Gabriel glared right back, his hands balled into fists.
Oh no, this was exactly why I had let Crispin and Ringo bathe first. I had hoped my presence would keep any altercations from brewing.
I stood, ready to distract. “If we’re going to hear from Penelope tomorrow, we should come up with an offer for her. I definitely want to see the contract before I sign it this time.”
“I have already drawn it up. It awaits your perusal in your room.” He gestured toward the bedroom door.
Gabriel’s eyes narrowed at Sebastian calling itmyroom, instead of simply the bedroom, since it was actuallySebastian’sbedroom. And why were he and Gabriel making such steady eye contact? I didn’t like this one bit.
I startled at the sound of the bathroom door opening down the hall, then Crispin walked into the living room in just a towel. I only had a heartbeat to observe the water droplets still glimmering on his bare chest, then Gabriel stood facing Sebastian, who had walked around the kitchen counter.
Crispin leaned in over the sofa back near my shoulder, whispering, “Your magic kicks up when you’re nervous. I thought you might need me to intervene.”
I appreciated the sentiment, but it was coming a little too late as Gabriel and Sebastian took that final step toward each other. Gabriel was by far the larger of the two, but Sebastian didn’t shrink in his presence. Gabriel might be a practiced warrior, but Sebastian could wield shadows like a weapon, and he could disappear in a cloud of darkness before anyone could land a single blow on him.
I stood, but wasn’t sure what else I should do. Mistral thought he had underestimated Gabriel, and he could handle being around Sebastian, but maybe he’d been wrong. Or maybe he had simply given Sebastian too much credit, and expected him to be courteous, rather than having his eyes shining with amusement at Gabriel’s anger.
“Um, guys?” I took a cautious step toward them. “We’re all allies, remember?” Taking another step, I felt the heat of Gabriel’s anger marching up my skin. It took some effort to place my hand on his arm. “Gabriel.”
His glare remained on Sebastian, but at least he didn’t attack him. “He’s gloating about being with you, Eva.” His voice was so low it rumbled like thunder.
I kept my hand on his arm. “He hasn’t said a word about it.”
“He does not need to.”
Keeping my hand on Gabriel’s arm, lest he use it for punching, I looked at Sebastian. “Is he right?”
One corner of Sebastian’s mouth curled. “I haven’t said a word.”
I glared at him, realizing exactly what Gabriel had meant. “You don’t have to speak to gloat.”
Sebastian leaned closer to my face, completely ignoring the threat of Gabriel so close. “I would never gloat, dear Eva.” His whisper was so seductive it sent a little zing through my insides, and just like that, I could sense that golden cord between us. Itmade me want to step closer, even with the current discomfort of the situation.
Reading the look in my eyes, Sebastian smiled.
