A glance at the clock revealed it was nearly noon. I had skipped breakfast, too restless and eager to organize my study. I headed out of the room and eyed the massive box of books. My lips pursed. I needed it down in the garage, though how I was going to do that without making a dozen trips to carry a few at a time, I wasn’t sure.
Maybe I could slide it down the stairs with a little guidance. Get it done in one trip. I shoved the box toward the top of the steps, until it was at the very edge. Then, I shifted around it. I grabbed the box and tilted it down. I walked backwards down the steps with my hands braced on the sides, stepping carefully and going slow. Halfway down, my calves started to burn.
“Livvie?”
I jumped at the sudden voice and lost my grip on the box. The momentum of the books didn’t stop and the heavy box knocked into my legs. I started to fall down the stairs when there was a loud thumping and suddenly a hand on my back. An arm reached around me and smacked into the box, stopping it from further assaulting me.
I twisted, and my heart beat faster. “Kael?”
He didn’t answer me, at first. He merely guided me down the stairs and finished sliding the box down to the floor with ease.
“What have you got in there, bricks?”
That’s the first thing he says to me after going mute for three weeks?
“They’re books. What are you doing here?”
Kael looked down at me. I hadn’t realized he was still standing so close. I couldn’t help but draw in his strange scent. He quirked a smile. “Saving you from being crushed to death by boxes, apparently.”
Only because he had startled me. “Assault by book avalanche aside, what are you doing here?” It came out snippier than I’d meant, but the man hadn’t even had the grace to give me a call. Who does that, then just shows up at someone’s house out of the blue? I crossed my arms. “You can’t just walk into my house.”
I’d caught on to that fact a moment too late. I needed to get into the habit of making sure all of my doors were locked.
“I have something important to tell you.”
“So, that warrants trespassing?”
Kael’s eyebrows drew together. “What’s with the hostility?”
My mouth popped open. “What’s with the hostility ? You disappear for three weeks and don’t bother to give me a call or anything. How am I supposed to know what’s happening or what I should be doing?”
He blinked. “You wanted me to call you?”
I threw my hands in the air and stepped around him to go to the kitchen. I wanted my damn scones.
“Livvie, wait.”
I grabbed both remaining scones—no way was I letting him have one—and started eating.
“Are you angry?” he asked. He leaned against the counter beside me, and though he eyed my scones, he didn’t ask for one. “Sorry I didn’t knock.”
Men. This wasn’t about him not knocking.
“You’re always welcome here, Kael,” I admitted. “I just—”
My phone blared, and I pulled it out of my pocket. Renathe again. I tossed my cell to the counter. Kael was silent, waiting.
“I guess a phone call would have been nice. I was worried.” Ugh. This was so not like me. “A bit, I mean.”
“I’m sorry.” Kael’s voice was quiet. “I should have called. Something came up.”
His tone made me uneasy, as did his suddenly worried frown. “Something…bad?”
“Can we sit down?”
Was it that bad?
I nodded. We sat at my kitchen table, and I shoved the spare scone over to him. He took it, but didn’t lift it to his mouth.
Unease unfurled in my stomach. “Is this about me?”
Had he discovered something about my magic? Was I going to die, or turn into some kind of evil being?
“Well…”
My phone rang again. I huffed impatiently and scooted my chair far enough back to reach my phone. I scowled at the name on the screen. That fae man was getting a little desperate. I silenced my phone and settled an expectant stare on Kael. He looked tired. His face was a bit pale, and shadows underscored his eyes.
“Did you get in trouble?” I asked, willing to wait on his explanation for being here.
Kael shook his head. “Not really. I’m not under investigation, but I’m certainly under a watchful eye.” He held my gaze and leaned forward, his hands pressing to the table. “Listen, the mage is on the move.”
My pulse quickened. So, Vehrin was alive. I hadn’t been certain, since he so suddenly disappeared after our altercation.
“According to our resources, he seems to be searching for something.”
“Searching for something? Not coming after me, then?”
“It doesn’t seem so.”
What could the dark mage be searching for?
I leaned back against my chair. “Okay, so what does this mean?”
Our heads jerked to my front door as it suddenly opened. Renathe strode through my living room.
“What is the deal?” I exclaimed. “Do supernatural beings lack any sort of manners?”
Ren walked straight to the table, ignoring Kael’s scowl, and stared down at me. “Why haven’t you been answering my calls?” His tone was clipped, irritated.
I jerked my head toward Kael. “I’m a bit busy at the moment. Apparently, the mage is looking for something.”
Leaning against the counter, he picked at his fingernail. “Yeah, well, he isn’t the only one. I’ve gotten word that there is a fledgling mage around, one with a great and ancient power ripe for the picking.” His lips quirked up in a smile. “And you, darling, are the shiny apple.”
I blinked. “What?”
“You are the new, little mage some are whispering about.”
“There are people who know about me? ”
Ren nodded. “So it seems. Those relics of yours wouldn’t have stayed hidden long, or your magic. It can be sensed. And you, Olivia, can be caught.”
“What are you saying?”
He stepped over to me, and I couldn’t help but notice Kael leaning closer. The man was going to have to work on his prejudices.
Renathe crouched so his peculiar, teal eyes were level with mine. “I’m saying that you need to leave. It’s no longer safe for you here.”
“I can’t leave. I just got back.”
“It’s too dangerous,” Kael said. “We can’t risk someone capturing you, using your power.”
I blew out a sharp breath. “Well, where am I supposed to go?”
Kael stood. “I’ll take you back to headquarters. It’s the safest place for you until we figure out what the mage is up to.”
I glanced at Ren, and he nodded. I pursed my lips. I shouldn’t want to have to leave my home again so soon, but I found myself eager. Perhaps it was my thirst for adventure, foolish as it was, or maybe I just wasn’t ready to settle back into normalcy yet. Maybe I couldn’t have normal again until I figured out who I was now.
“All right. Let me pack my things.”
“Do not think this means you can skip out on our date,” Ren said, shooting me a grin. “You still owe me.”
Kael growled lowly, but said nothing to Ren, which was a surprise.