Page 47 of The Mating Frenzy
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Kieran never wanted thisassignment.
He had no choice. And now, he was forced into escorting a scared, angry Skin-who-didn’t-know-she-was-a-shifter to a strange city to look for a crystal of power that could destroy the world. Tough job?Naw.
Flying?
That was anothermatter.
Oh, he loved to fly in the Winter Kingdom—on the back of a fire-breathing dragon—but here? Confined to the steel innards of a large Skin-made machine, the seats smaller than a bug’s ass? No, thanks. But Xavier and Gideon warned that the more magick he expended, the clearer the trail he’dleave.
So, although he could summon a dragon for the ride, he did not. That, coupled with the fact that Ella still seemed too stunned by the events of the past twenty four hours had them flying in the tin can. He couldn’t blame her. He supposed he’d feel the same if he found out every Fae in his world turned out to be a Skin determined to slaughterhim.
Two first class tickets later, and a white-knuckle plane ride east to Florida, he and Ella found themselves on the west coast of the state. Kieran rented a car, and they drove to the beach where Xavier had takenCiara.
It was too dangerous to stay at the hotel Xavier and Ciara had once visited, for it was popular with Others who would ask questions and perhaps even spy. Instead, Kieran rented a house. Three bedrooms, directly on the beach, with a view of the sparkling Gulf of Mexico in the burning sunlight. Money was no object, but security certainly was aconcern.
Ella would be comfortable with her own room. She still remained wary of him, so he proceeded withcaution.
He hadn’t told her everything on the drive to Denver, because she seemed too upset and filled with disbelief. One day at atime.
He did tell her to beware of ravens, and to alert him if she saw any. After the incident in the parking lot of the Steak Haus, he couldn’t trust any kind ofbird.
The only good bird, far as he was concerned, was a deadbird.
At the rental house in Florida, Ella insisted on carrying her own suitcase up the wood stairs to the house. She plopped down on the floral sofa in the living room, staring out at the beach and the water. It was warm and many people were on the beach, sitting beneath colorful umbrellas or wading in thewater.
He set his own suitcase next to hers and opened it, withdrawing a leatherscabbard.
The Scianthe was his favorite weapon, one he’d made Gideon bring him from the Winter Kingdom. In this world, he needed a spell to keep Skins from seeingit.
But Ella could see it, despite the spell. Her wolf nature was asserting itselfmore.
Kieran tested the weight of the blade. The elegant curved knife, with the notches of serrated edges, was a traditional warrior’s weapon. Lightweight, easier to carry and conceal than asword.
Ella pointed to the Scianthe. “What is that? You had it back at my mom’shouse.”
“My weapon. All I have to protect you. Except for my beast, and I dare not release him again.” Kieran twirled the knife and sheathed it, setting it on the coffeetable.
The sooner he coaxed out her wolf and got her to accept her nature, the better. But Ella seemed grounded inreality.
“Ella, do you believe in magick? In what happened back at yourhouse?”
She blinked. “I don’t think so. I don’t know what that… thing was. Or what Ed turned into. I’m struggling with the idea that I’m crazy and all this is a hallucination brought on by too much work and too littlesleep.”
“You must start to believe in magick, Ella. You need to see the world through the eyes of a child. Use your imagination. Let your mind befree.”
Ella stared athim.
Frustrated, he tried again. “Did you not ever play and indulge in fantasy when you wereyoung?”
“No.”
Holy catnip, this was going to prove tougher than he’d thought. Kieran sighed. “Go pick out which bedroom you want. Darcy should arrive by late tonight. I’ve instructed her to rent a car and scout out thearea.”
“I’ve got a better idea. I’ve never been to the beach before. Let’s walk by the water. I packed a swimsuit. I need tounwind.”
A swimsuit, showing even more of her delectable curves and her skin. Hell, covering her in sackcloth sounded better. Maybe that would calm his ragingdesire.
