Page 58 of Don't Bait Me (Nora Jacobs 3)

I shrug. “Don’t really know any other way.”

Illren stares at me with an intensity that has me squirming in my seat. “I could teach you to be more fey.”

I grab my ice water and sip it before answering. “No offense,” I say as I set my glass back down in front of me, “but the fey seem like a bunch of elitist snobs. I’d rather just be me, thanks.”

Illren continues to stare at me, but there’s amusement lurking in his eyes. “Very well. Then allow me to train you, at least. Once people figure out what you are, you will have many enemies. You need to be able to defend yourself better. Fey are lithe, graceful creatures with strong instincts. We’re natural warriors.”

Now he’s speaking my language. I don’t necessarily care about becoming more fey-like, but anything I can do to protect myself I’m all for. “Rook has been teaching me self-defense. He says I’m picking it up really fast.”

Illren nods. “That’s a good start, but Rook, no doubt, fights like a werewolf. He can’t be teaching you to your strengths. I can teach you to fight the way you were meant to fight, using your natural gifts and instincts. I also have extensive weapons training. I noticed the other night at the club you were armed with both an ash wood stake and a silver dagger. Do you know how to use either of those things?”

Of course he noticed what weapons I was carrying. I’m sure he notices everything. I’ll bet he’s meticulous about everything and very detail-oriented. His home is probably streamline and spotless. “Not properly,” I finally admit.

Illren nods as if this is the answer he expected. “Would you like me to give you weapons training?”

I don’t think that’s really a question. Not that I need to be convinced. Rook’s training is great and all, and I feel more confident around humans, but I would love to be able to defend myself against vampires and shifters. “Sure. That’d be great. Thanks.”

The corner of Illren’s mouth quirks up, and then he suddenly slides around the booth until, like the other night at the club, he’s sitting right beside me. He rests his arm on the back of the booth behind me and runs his fingers lightly over my shoulder and down the side of my arm. “And your physical needs?” he asks, his voice dropping to that low, seductive deadly purr. “Are they being met?”

I gulp. He’s got this allure about him, this magnetism. It’s like he’s set a trap and is luring me into it. Part of me is responding to his silent call, as if I recognize one of my own kind on a subconscious level and am naturally drawn to him. I wonder if it’s a fey thing. I’ll have to ask Terrance about it. “Um…” I scoot back, putting a few precious inches of space between us. “That’s complicated.”

He leans back as if realizing he’s making me uncomfortable. He ditches the intensity, and his reply comes out sounding a lot more casual. “I could uncomplicate it for you.”

If only. “Look, we really need to work out this whole fealty thing. What does that even mean? I don’t know what you’re expecting, but—”

Oliver’s voice breaks through the restaurant, making me forget all about Illren and this conversation we really need to have. “Nora!”

He, Terrance, Parker, and Rook are headed my direction. I leap up and, ignoring the curious stares of the restaurant patrons, throw myself into Oliver’s waiting arms. “Ollie! I’m so sorry! Are you okay?”

He squeezes the shit out of me in the best hug of my life. “Me? Areyouokay? I was so scared, Nora. I can’t believe it was Henry. He didn’t hurt you…or do anything inappropriate?”

“I’ll kill him if he did,” Terrance grumbles.

I’m already squeezing Oliver as tight as I can, but I try to squeeze harder anyway. “He scrambled my brain a little bit and stole a few personal memories, but I’m okay. It’s you I’m worried about. Are you sure you’re okay? I can’t believe they left you out there.”

Oliver presses his lips to my temple. “I’m fine. Got a little chilled, but no permanent damage. I’ve already called Director West. Henry’s going to be in serious trouble.”

“Good. He deserves whatever the FUA will hand him.”

Terrance scoffs. “It won’t be enough.”

I finally let go of Oliver, and Terrance is right there, ready and waiting to take his place. He wraps his massive arms around me and kisses the top of my head. “Don’t ever scare me like that again.”

I chuckle even though he’s not joking. “I’ll try my best, but I don’t seem to have much luck in the not-getting-attacked department.”

I hug it out with Rook and Parker next, with them sharing similar sentiments ofI’m glad you’re okayandI’m going to kill Henry.

“Come sit down. I need to eat, and we really need to discuss this Illren situation.”

Terrance freezes. “Whatsituation?”

I glance at Rook. “You didn’t tell them?”

He grimaces. “I didn’t know what you wanted to do about it, so I was waiting for you to tell them.”

“WHAT SITUATION?” Terrance barks.

I sigh. “He’s sworn fealty to me. I’m still not sure what exactly that means, but he seems to think I own him or something.”

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