Page 64 of Don't Bait Me (Nora Jacobs 3)

Elle continues on without taking a breath, not even noticing our exchange. “When he told me you were together, I almost cried I was so happy for him.”

We reach the counter, and without scanning the menu, Elle says, “Do you like peppermint? Their peppermint mocha is to die for. You have to try it.”

“I love peppermint.”

“Excellent. You’re going to love this.”

I have to try very hard not to laugh. Oliver’s sister has more energy than a Chihuahua.

“Two peppermint mochas,” she tells the barista, then glances back as if just remembering Oliver is with us. He rolls his eyes at her and nods his head. She grins at him. “Make that three.”

After we have our coffee, we head toward the front of the shop where we can sit on a couple of small couches next to the window. Oliver pulls me away from his sister and drags me down onto one of the sofas with him. He puts his arm behind me, and I snuggle against him. Elle sits across from us and does that pinched-bursting-with-joy face again. “Aw. You guys are so adorable together.”

“Elle,” Oliver warns, but with so much amusement and affection in his voice the warning can’t really be taken seriously.

Still, Elle takes a breath and tries to curb her enthusiasm. She gives me a big smile. “I’d ask you how you two finally met, but I already got the scoop from Oliver.” She cocks her head to the side in contemplation, then says, “Actually, I feel like I already know everything about you.”

I laugh. “Oliver talks a lot about you, too. It’s good to finally meet you. I wish it were under better circumstances.”

Elle sobers up and nods gravely. “Oh, I know. I heard about Skinny’s. Tragic. All those people. I didn’t know any of them personally—I’ve only been to Skinny’s a couple of times—but it’s still sad. I’m so glad you guys are okay.”

I shudder at the memory of the explosion—the noise, the debris flying all around us, the fire engulfing us. That clear circle that surrounded us where Oliver’s shield kept us safe. My chest tightens. “All thanks to your brother.”

I pat Oliver’s leg, and he snags my hand, tangling our fingers together. “It was nothing,” he murmurs.

“It wasnotnothing.” I refuse to let him shrug it off. “You saved our lives.” I look at Elle and repeat myself. “He saved our entire clan last night. Shielded us from the blast. We’d have all been killed if not for him.”

Elle gives her brother a watery smile and quietly says, “You used your magic again?”

Oliver shrugs and turns his face to the window. Since he’s holding my hand, I have a front row seat to what’s going on inside his head. His thoughts are a bit of a jumbled mess. He’s embarrassed by the attention. He’s never handled praise well. He knows he’s a very powerful sorcerer and has mixed feelings about it. Growing up, the sorcerer community revered him, but his magic was all anyone ever really cared about—which they proved when they turned their back on him because he wouldn’t use it. He’s resentful of his magic for that reason, but he’s also glad he was able to keep us safe last night and proud of what he accomplished.

His emotional struggle with his magic makes my heart hurt for him, but I know better than to show that. He wouldn’t like knowing I was upset for him. He needs a minute to get a hold of himself, so I let him be, simply squeezing his hand so that he knows I’m there and that I care, and I keep the conversation with Elle going. She knows he’s struggling, too, and follows my lead.

“Oliver told me you’d be able to see the men from my memory if I think about them?” I ask.

Elle nods. “You have to be really focused on them for me to get a clear picture, but it should work.”

“And it’s not—” My voice shakes as I think about Henry and his invasion of my privacy. “You won’t be inside my head?”

Elle quickly shakes her head. “No, not at all. Oliver told me what Henry Stadther did.” She scowls. “This is nothing like that. I promise. It’s more like you’re throwing me the image, and I’m plucking it out of the air. I won’t be in your head at all, and I won’t invade your privacy.” She smirks. “Trust me. Even if I could poke around in your head, I wouldn’t want to. You’re dating my brother. I don’t need to see that.”

“Elle!”Oliver snaps.

Elle and I both laugh at the horror in his voice. And the look on his face is priceless. He glares at his sister, and we laugh again. “Okay, okay,” I say, calming myself. “Let’s do this, then. If it works, I need to get these drawings to the FUA as quickly as possible.”

“Right.” Elle claps her hands together and sits up straight, getting down to business. “I have to admit, even though it’s such a sad thing, this is kind of exciting. I can’t believe I’m working on a case withNora Jacobs.” She grins at me. “You’re kind of famous, you know.”

I snort. “I think you meannotorious.”

Elle laughs. “Nah. People love you. My best friend, Shayne, is going to be so jealous that I got to work with you.”

She’s bubblier than anyone I’ve ever met, but somehow I still like her. She’s as adorable as Oliver. “Well, if this works out, who knows? You may get another chance. Director West mentioned the FUA might like to use you again in the future if this works.”

Elle gasps. “Madison Westwas talking about me?Wow.”

I didn’t realize Director West was such a big deal, but Elle is clearly starstruck. She seems to realize she’s fangirling a little and pulls herself together. “Okay. Right. Well, if Madison West is going to see these, let’s get it right.” She picks up her sketchpad and pulls a charcoal pencil from a small case in her purse. “Think of the picture you want me to see. It needs to be a single image—like a snapshot, if you can manage it—rather than a whole memory.”

“Okay.” I close my eyes and picture the two men standing under the light behind Skinny’s diner. I concentrate on their faces, trying to freeze-frame the memory. I focus on the details—their eyes, the shapes of their mouths and noses. The tattoo that runs up the side of both of their necks.

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