Page 62 of Don't Bait Me (Nora Jacobs 3)

“Nora, you didn’t—”

“I did!” I snap. I don’t want anyone trying to make me feel better right now. It’s my fault those hunters found Skinny’s. It’s my fault they figured out that there are other underworlders besides faeries out there. It’s my fault Darrin and Sam and every other person in that diner were killed tonight.

Anger burns in my gut. “It’s my fault they’re dead, and it’s my responsibility to stop these killers.” Determination sweeps over me, filling every single cell of my body until I’m shaking from it. “If I can’t find them, then I’ll just have to call them out.”

Nick takes one look at my face and knows I’m serious. “What do you have in mind?” he asks, not trying to talk me down from whatever ledge I’m standing on. He knows I’m about to jump into the fire, and instead of trying to stop me like all of my other guys would do, he’s ready to jump right in with me. I love him for that. “I’m going back to that casino,” I tell him. “And I’m going to draw those bastards out.” He looks me in the eyes, and I know he knows what I’m about to say. He’s already guessed my plan, but I say it anyway. “It’s time for me to be bait again.”

When I wake up,it’s past two in the afternoon, but I still feel worn out. The guys insisted I go home after I had my vision last night. They made me something to eat and then forced me into bed, saying that the killers were done for the night and that they couldn’t do much else until tonight. I didn’t want to waste any time, but I couldn’t really argue with them when I was barely conscious and incapacitated with a raging headache.

Parker is passed out on the bed next to me. He’s fully dressed and on top of the covers, but his hand is curled around mine. I don’t remember him coming in here. He looks paler than normal and has dark circles under his eyes. He must have stayed up way past sunrise worrying about me. Slipping carefully from his grasp so as not to wake him, I waste no time showering and getting ready for the day.

Once I’m feeling a little more human—or like myself, anyway—I follow the sound of voices to the kitchen, where the delicious smell of sausage and syrup hits my nose. Terrance chuckles when I enter the kitchen. “I told you the smell of food would get her out of bed,” he teases.

I stick my tongue out at him and take a seat at the kitchen island, letting Oliver, Rook, and Terrance push a plate of food and cups of coffee and orange juice in front of me. I get a few bites in before I realize there’s a fourth man in the kitchen, standing back, leaning against the counter, silently observing the rest of us.

I meet Illren’s violet eyes, and my fork stops halfway to my mouth. “What areyoudoing here?”

He lifts his chin slightly, his expression just shy of being smug. “I live here.”

My fork drops to my plate with a loud clang. “Youwhat?” I throw an accusing look at Terrance. “You invited him to move in?”

A quick sweep of the group shows that Rook and Oliver aren’t happy. Terrance crosses his arms. He looks determined, but I can’t tell if he’s upset or not when he says, “He has sworn fealty to you, and you accepted. He is now your responsibility.”

“My…” I’m so bewildered I can’t form any kind of response.

“The fey do not take fealty lightly, Nora,” Terrance rumbles in a low, serious tone. “It is a magically binding master/servant relationship. He is now yours. He will be loyal and faithful to you always, and he will protect you with his life.”

It’s as bad as I thought. He really is some kind of servant. “But…but…I can’t have a servant. I’m not going to keep aslave.”

Illren doesn’t move. The man is unnaturally still. His face stays smooth and expressionless when he quietly says, “I have faith that you will not treat me as such.”

Silence falls over the kitchen. Everyone seems to be waiting for me to do or say something. But what in the world am I supposed to say?

“If he makes you uncomfortable, you don’t have to let him stay,” Rook says, sending eye daggers to our new companion.

Rook’s anger isn’t at all shocking. It’s Oliver’s animosity that startles me. He glares at Illren, too, and folds his arms over his chest like a shorter, geekier more adorable Terrance. “This is your home, Nora. You have a right to feel comfortable and safe in it. Terrance invited Illren to stay but said it would be at your discretion. It’s your call.”

I don’t know what to do. Rook obviously wants him gone—but he’d want anyone gone who might be considered competition. Oliver only wants to make sure I’m comfortable. He’ll honor my decision, whatever it is. But the thing is, this shouldn’t be just my decision. This is their home as much as mine.

I cut my gaze to the brooding troll in front of me. “So you want him here?” I ask bluntly.

Terrance stares me down and, almost ruefully, says, “He has done you a great honor. I welcome him, and you should, too. He deserves your respect.”

I wonder if Terrance would respect him as much if he knew how sneaky Illren had been about inserting himself into my life—that his intentions are to join my harem as one of my lovers and that he only swore his fealty so I couldn’t reject him. I’m not so sure that’s honor, but I don’t say as much. Instead, I relent. I trust Terrance, and I owe him everything. If he wants Illren here, I’m not going to go against his wishes. Illren may be a manipulative assassin, but he’s obviously earned Terrance’s respect. That’s hard to do. Maybe I should give the man a break.

I lean my elbow on the counter, close my eyes, and pinch the bridge of my nose. “Okay.” I sigh. “Fine. Whatever. He can stay.”

A hand falls to my shoulder. “Are you sure?” Oliver murmurs.

I give his hand a squeeze and smile up at him. “I’m sure, Ollie. It’s okay.”

My smile seems to be all he needs. He nods once, then turns a shy smile on Illren. “I guess, welcome to the clan, then.”

When Rook growls low in his throat, I stand and give him a hug. “It’s okay, Rook. He won’t hurt me.”

“He can’t,” Terrance adds. “He is now physically unable to cause her harm.”

Rook stubbornly holds his frown even though his arms slide low around my back, and he pulls me close. “He can’t harm you, but will he respect you?”

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