Deceiver's Bond: Book Two of A Clairvoyant's Complicated Life (23 page)

“I’m not. I’m being honest. And I don’t take it lightly. I’ve got the very best of help right here—a former necromancer.” I squeezed Red’s paw. “He’s not going to let anything happen to me.”

Michael didn’t look reassured. “I hope you’re right. But without seeing into your mind, even Red might not know you’re in trouble until it’s too late.”

“I’m not going to do anything stupid, Michael.”

“You might not mean to, but this business with Vince … I know you’re upset. If the demon gets one whiff of desperation …” He pressed his lips together, not bothering to finish the thought, his eyes pleading at me to see reason.

“You think I don’t know that? What do you propose? I’m not about to remove Claude’s bracelet so you can check-in regularly. And I’m not touching you again. We both know our reading yesterday was—” I censored myself before I said, ‘a disaster.’

He raised his eyebrows. “A mistake?”

I softened my expression, giving him an affectionate smile, and measured an invisible inch with my thumb and index finger—
just a little.

He nodded and cast his gaze out the window. After a pause, he said, “I have one idea.”

Uh oh.
Judging by his reluctant expression, I had a feeling I wasn’t going to like this ‘idea’ of his.

“And it has the advantage of killing a few birds with one stone.” He finally met my eyes. “Kieran doesn’t have a place to sleep. Jerome and Peter just have the one bed and I’m already sleeping on the couch.”

He’d hardly gotten more than the first sentence out of his mouth before I uttered a strangled sound of objection. I scrabbled to my feet. “What! Have you lost your mind? The guy was about to rape me and now you’re suggesting he sleep with me?”

Michael got up, looking pissed off, and shushed me. “For shit’s sake, I’m not suggesting he sleep in your bed. And he’s not going to rape you. He’s sworn an oath to Daniel and me to protect you.”

My mouth fell open. “And you fell for that?”

His body stiffened. “Lire,” he chastised, his stern voice reverberating through the entryway, “he may be many things but a liar is not one of them. The sidhe live and die for their honor. Honesty is a big fucking deal to them. If he gives his word, he means it. He won’t harm you or allow you to be harmed, which means he’ll protect you against Invisius.” He frowned. “Don’t look at me like that. We could use his help. And more importantly, you
need
him if you want Vince back.”

His words were a harsh dose of reality. I recoiled and then sagged against my door. Not for the first time, I wondered how all of this could be happening. I just wanted to live my life in peace, with my damned boyfriend.

Possible boyfriend,
my little voice corrected.

Red’s soft paw stroked my cheek. “Michael has a point. I have long heard the sidhe do not lie. However, even if you do not believe this sidhe is honorable, the djinn will not allow him to harm you, nor are you defenseless. Remember what we spoke of earlier about building trust. In order to do that, you must spend time with him. Showing some generosity is a good place to start.”

I sucked in a harsh breath and blew it out before replying, “Fine. He can sleep on the couch, but if he steps even a hair out of line, he’ll be back with you guys in a heartbeat.”

Michael took a hesitant step closer. His annoyed expression had been replaced by one of concern. “I wouldn’t suggest this if I thought there was even the smallest risk he’d hurt you. You know that.” He gestured helplessly before stuffing his hands back into his front pockets.

I nodded, but when I considered what this meant, I froze with my hand on my doorknob. I’d just signed up for living the next three months with an angry stranger who probably wished he’d killed me when he had the chance.

This had ‘worst mistake ever’ written all over it. “All right. Send him over … whenever. I’ll … I don’t know. I’ll be inside watching a movie or something. If he’s hungry, I won’t let him starve,” I replied.

I didn’t sound particularly gracious. I sighed, resolving to keep the snark level to a minimum. If it meant getting Vince home safe, I’d do almost anything. Being cordial and offering my couch was a small price to pay, all things considered.

Before Michael turned away, I added, “Hey. I’ll take care of getting him some clothes too. Okay?”

His eyebrows went up and he nodded. “I hadn’t thought of that. Thanks. Oh, before I forget … could you ask the djinn to release Kieran from their invisible shackles? He’s sworn to remain in our company until you’re satisfied of Vince’s well-being. There’s no need to keep him imprisoned in the building.”

I frowned, wondering at the likelihood of deception.

“Lire, trust me. He’ll not break his oath.”

I stared at Michael for a long moment before finally giving him a stiff nod.

I went inside, realizing after I’d closed the door that I still didn’t know why Daniel had been so hot to contact the sidhe in the first place. Sure, some of it was because of Vince, but I had the impression there was more to it. Maeve’s comment about Daniel’s ‘difficulties’ seemed to indicate something else was afoot.

If I hadn’t been so intent on resisting any involvement, I might have had a clue, maybe even foreseen what was coming. Things might have turned out differently. Instead, I’d put my fingers in my ears and marched around singing the ABCs, refusing to talk with Daniel about any of it.

Stupid.

I took a deep breath and told my brain to shut up. What was done was done. All I could do now was pick up the pieces and fix what I could. Starting with Kieran. Time to stop letting my emotions get the better of me.

I strapped on my invisible hostess shoes and strode into the kitchen.

After preparing vegetarian lasagna, vacuuming the entirety of my apartment, doing a load of laundry, cleaning both bathrooms, and speaking with the djinn, three precisely spaced knocks interrupted my house-cleaning frenzy. If Kieran was indeed going to spend time here, I was damned if he’d find it dirty. Either way, I had to do something to keep my mind off Vince, and housework distracted me better than sitting in front of the television.

I crammed my duster into the nearest drawer and answered the door. Kieran regarded me, chin held high, looking proud and distrustful at the same time. I glanced around him for signs of Michael or Daniel.

The corridor was empty.

“The telepaths have left for a meeting. They suggested I come here if I … grew bored.” His rigid posture told me he was far from comfortable.

I wondered why the hell he wanted to have anything to do with me, bored or not, but opened the door wide. “Please. Come in.”

I combed my fingers through my hair, smoothing it. His eyes followed my movement. I had to remind myself to relax. “I’d like you to feel at home.” I closed the door behind him and tried not to frown. “It’s … well, it’s the least I can do.”

He examined me. “Is it?”

I forced myself to hold his piercing gaze. “Yes.”

I turned my back on his raised eyebrow and led the way through the lower level, pointing at the location of the bathroom along the way.

As we neared the family room, Red rose from his chair to greet us.

I stopped next to my coffee table and gestured toward Red. “Kieran, this is my dearest friend, John Redborn. In his human life, over three hundred years ago, he was a skilled necromancer. Red, this is Kieran.” I refused to call him ‘Lord Kieran,’ no matter how conciliatory I was trying to be. If he didn’t like it, tough cookies. But, for the sake of politeness, I added, “I’m sorry. I don’t know your last name, or whether you even have one.”

At this point, the people who didn’t appreciate the social impact of my clairvoyance looked at me as if I might be the magic world’s equivalent of the Crazy Cat Lady. Half the time, even when they did understand, unless they knew Red had been a father’s loving gift to a preschooler, they wondered whether I had regression issues. I don’t know what vessel they expected would be more appropriate for Red’s soul. Something not cute and cuddly, I supposed.

If he was surprised that my constant companion was a nine-inch, black teddy bear, Kieran didn’t show it. He waved away any offense at the lack of formality. “Kieran will do.” He gazed down at Red. “Mr. Redborn, there is more to you than meets the eye.”

I wondered whether he could sense Red’s various enchantments, the ones designed to keep people from touching him so he remained psychically clean.

“One might say the same about you, sir,” Red replied. “I am pleased to make your acquaintance. You may address me as Red, if you wish.”

“Thank you.” Kieran glanced around and then met my eyes. “Your home appears quite different from the other.”

I couldn’t tell from his tone or expression whether this was good or bad, or if he was just making conversation. “I like things more casual than Jerome and Peter, I guess.”

Although his fair skin appeared flawless, I spied two diminutive furrows between his eyebrows when he frowned. “Jerome and Peter?”

“Yes. Daniel and Michael don’t normally live across the hall. They’re house-sitting for my neighbors who are on vacation. You know, to make it easier to protect me.” I shrugged. “It’s a long story.”

“I see.” He studied me briefly before once again scanning our surroundings. “Even so, I find this more to my liking.”

“Well … good,” I stammered. “I, uh, can show you the rest if you want. Or would you rather sit down? Maybe you’re hungry?”

“Please, continue. I would see the rest.”

I took him through the kitchen and then showed him the laundry room, pointing out the location of the blankets and extra pillows. “Did Michael talk to you about sleeping arrangements? I’m sorry, I don’t have a guest room for you. Most people can’t come inside my apartment without a skin-suit, so it’s never been a priority. But my couch is comfortable. I’ll make it up for you later tonight … uh, I mean, if you decide to sleep here instead of on the floor with the guys. And I probably have an extra toothbrush I got from the dentist that you can use.”

Did they even use toothbrushes or toothpaste in the Otherworld? What about showers or toilets? I might have asked, but realized I was on the verge of babbling. I tucked my hair behind my ears before brushing past him on the way out.

Should I take him upstairs? Does he even want or need to see my bedroom?
I decided I was being unreasonably squeamish. He’d need to use the shower in the morning, so that was reason enough to show him the way.

“My office is through there.” I pointed to the far left doorway when we arrived at the top of the stairs. “My bedroom is this way. The master bathroom has the only shower and tub, so you’ll need to come through here in the morning to get cleaned up.” I added hastily, “After I’m awake and dressed, of course.”

He peeked into the bathroom. “I understand. I’ll not come in unannounced.”

I nodded, unsure how to respond.

You are now entering the twilight zone.

I nearly giggled.

His eyebrows twitched. “Something amuses you?”

“No. Not really. Just ironic,” I said, blurting the truth before I could censor myself. “Aside from Vince, you’re the only guy who’s ever set foot in here.”

As soon as the words left my mouth, I wanted to snatch them back and hide in the closet.

Oh, for the love of Pete. While you’re at it, why not confide in him about all your lonely Saturday nights too?

I twirled about-face and pursued the doorway. “This isn’t easy for me, that’s all.”

“It is no easier for me, I assure you.”

At the safety of the threshold, I faced him. A combination of defiance and uncertainty played on his face. His long straight hair cascaded over his right shoulder, its dark glossiness contrasting with the tan coloring of his form-fitting tunic. Which reminded me, he needed clothes. He’d never blend in wearing that outfit, although, with the way the supple leather fit him almost as snugly as a skin-suit, it was certainly eye catching. It showed off his hard body and trim waist perfectly. And the matching suede leggings didn’t leave much to the imagination.

When my gaze eventually skated back to his face, he continued to regard me, now looking nonplussed.

No wonder! I’d been ogling him. It wouldn’t have surprised me in the least to learn that most of his ‘victims’ had been as willing as Daniel had said. In fact, if his targets hadn’t been married, most of them probably took one covetous look and invited him back to their place for more than just cocktails. Or would that be
cock
-tails?

I almost snickered.

Okay, Lire, you seriously need to take a pill.

“Sorry. I was just …” I took a breath and gestured at him, explaining, “Just wondering what size you are.” Alarmed by how that sounded, I clarified, “Clothing size. You’re going to need some clothes. I think I have a tape measure downstairs.” Cheeks burning, I spun on my heel and fled the room before I embarrassed myself any further.

Standing in the family room, I regained some of my poise. To my disgust, Kieran practically glided down the stairs. If this situation was the least bit distressing for him, as he had professed, I’d yet to notice.