Page 15 of Don't Bait Me (Nora Jacobs 3)

Nick smirks. “Nope.”

“Ugh. Just tell me.”

His smirk grows, and he shakes his head. “Look closely, Nora. You’re a strong underworlder. You should be able to tell.”

“By looking?” I ask incredulously. “You look human.”

He shakes his head again. “It’s more of a feeling. Sort of like a sixth sense. You know how you feel magic sometimes? It’s like that. Concentrate on me, but don’t do it with your eyes. Feel me.”

Feel him?It’s so tempting to say something dirty, but I’m too intrigued by the idea of being able to recognize underworlders to ruin the moment. I’m not sure exactly what he means, but I try to do it anyway. I saw through the glamour around Skinny’s diner, and that was before I broke my glamour that was suppressing my power.

First, I look at Nick in that same out-of-focus way I’d looked at the diner, but that doesn’t do much, so I attempt to feel for magic.

“Try closing your eyes.”

I do as instructed and then try to concentrate on the spot where I know Nick is standing. At first, nothing happens, but after a moment I feel it. There’s a sort of warm, tingly feeling at the core of him. My eyes fly open, and I gasp. “You’re a magical creature!”

Nick’s raises a brow. “Creature?”

He’s giving me a hard time, but I nod. “I think so. There’s something…primal about you. Something animalistic.”

Nick grins his trademark cocky smirk. “That’s what all the ladies tell me.”

He waggles his eyebrows, and I roll my eyes. “I’m serious. Are you…a shifter?”

His smile turns proud. “Very good.”

“But you’re not a werewolf, like Rook and Wulf.” Somehow, I know this is true. I don’t know how I know that, I just do. I can feel it.

He shakes his head. “Not a werewolf.”

“Then what?”

He shakes his head again with another smirk. “Feeling out general species is easier than getting specific, but you’re strong enough to do it. Keep trying. Practice on the others. You’ll get it eventually.”

I get what he’s saying, but I’m dying of curiosity. “Or you could just tell me.”

“Where would be the fun in that?” He winks and says, “Happy Thanksgiving, little spitfire. Dinner was great.” His smile turns crooked, and he adds, “And the after-dinner entertainment was even better.”

“Oh, shut up.”

His grin doubles. “Good luck juggling all of your men.”

“They’re not my—oh, my gosh, just go. And trip on some ice on your way out.”

Nick bursts into a bellowing laugh and surprises me with a kiss on the cheek. “Thanks again.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Ren and Cecile are right behind him. “You don’t all have to go.”

Ren shakes his head. “Only an hour and a half until Black Friday. We have to get ready.”

I chuckle. “Well, have fun. Get into a fight with an old lady over a scarf, or something.”

Ren laughs and gives me a big hug. “Come visit me at work one night next week. We need to talk about this little predicament you’re in.”

I agree immediately. I definitely need to talk it out. Ren’s as good a person for that as any, since I can’t exactly talk to Oliver about it. “I’ll bring you Chinese,” I promise.

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