Which was not only a ridiculous delusion, but a dangerous one. Her wolf was buried too deep. Hoping it would return was only asking for heartache.
Shaking off her dark thoughts, she met his chiding gaze with a lift of her brows. She wasn’t a dog. She didn’t stay put just because someone told her to stay.
“Were they alone?” she asked.
He nodded. “The motel is empty except for them.”
That seemed odd, but she didn’t bother to question the lack of customers. Instead, she studied his lean, perfect face, trying to determine what he’d discovered.
“And?” she prompted.
“And we need to get a room.”
She blinked, her heart slamming against her ribs. He wanted to get a room? Together?
“Excuse me?”
His lips twitched. “Sun and vampire don’t mix. I need to find shelter.”
“Oh.” She clenched her teeth. She wasn’t going to blush. “What about Maryam and Roban?”
He grimaced. “I could overhear most of their conversation. They’re waiting for Roban’s brother, who is arriving later tonight.”
“So this is an escape attempt?”
“No. As you suspected, they have something else planned.”
Brigette glanced toward the motel. “Did you hear any details?”
“No, but Maryam knows that the Chicago rebellion has gone to hell. She’ll be desperate to strike some blow against Styx.”
She sent him a puzzled glance. If Maryam and Roban were alone, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to bring an end to their treachery.
“Shouldn’t we capture them before that can happen?”
A hint of fang was visible, as Xi no doubt considered the pleasure of dragging the two back to Chicago in silver shackles. Or maybe he intended dispose of them in the motel room.
Brigette was voting for the second choice. She had a personal score to settle with Roban. One that was going to end with one of them dead.
Xi shook his head. “We can’t do anything until Roban’s brother arrives. He might finish the job, even if Roban is dead. Whatever the job might be.” He turned to scan the motel, at last pointing to the far side of the U-shape. “The room on the end should offer us a clear view of the parking lot and Maryam’s door.” He reached to grab her hand. “Stay close, and my powers should help cloak your scent.”
He didn’t wait for her agreement as he tugged her against his body and cautiously headed toward the motel. Not that Brigette was going to argue. As much as she wanted this ended, they couldn’t ignore the risk of not having a backup plan already in motion.
With a speed that left her breathless, they were crossing the field and then entering the motel room. The door slammed behind them, and Brigette tugged her hand from Xi’s grasp. It wasn’t that she resented his touch. Just the opposite. The cool pressure was addictive. It would be all too easy to cling to his slender fingers and pretend that she would never have to let go.
Unnerved by the thought, Brigette turned in a slow circle, taking in her surroundings. The room was plain, but it was surprisingly clean. There was a bed shoved against the far wall and three chairs beneath the boarded window. Each were a different size, from teeny tiny to one that was large enough to easily withstand the weight of a full-grown troll. Like Goldilocks, she inanely thought. One was too small, one was too large, and one was just right.
Obviously, this place was designed to offer shelter to whatever demon happened to be passing by.
With a shrug, she turned her attention to the opening, which revealed an attached bathroom. Thank the goddess. Nothing would feel better than a hot shower right now.
Well, maybe one thing…
A white-hot hunger blasted through her as she noticed Xi studying her with a brooding expression. As if he was lost in his own thoughts of what it would mean to spend the day trapped in this small room.
Her mouth dried to the texture of the Sahara Desert, even as her palms were coated in a damp sweat. Weird. But then, this male managed to cause all sort of strange and wonderful sensations.
But even as he took a jerky step toward her, he abruptly stiffened, his head tilting back as if he was sniffing the air.
“It’s almost dawn,” he murmured. “We need food and clean clothes.”
Disappointment punched her with enough force to make her grunt, but, grimly, she held his gaze. He was right. This was the perfect time to get supplies.
“I’ll go with you,” she said.
He shook his head. “I need you to stay and keep an eye on Maryam.”
“You just pointed out that it’s almost dawn. She’s not going anywhere.”
He arched a brow. “Do you really want to take a chance of having them sneak away?”
Her lips parted to insist there was no way they were going to leave at this hour, only to snap them shut. Maryam had proven to be a survivor. If she suspected, for a second, that they’d been trailed to this motel, she would be plotting a way to escape.
She folded her arms over her chest. “Fine.”
His lips twitched as he leaned down to brush his lips down the stubborn length of her jaw.
“I won’t be long.”
That was true enough, Brigette acknowledged, as he silently slipped from the room. She could catch the scent of dawn swiftly approaching. He would have less than half an hour to get supplies and make it back to the room.
Refusing to worry, Brigette took the opportunity to enjoy a hot shower, savoring the clean water as it washed away the filth from the tunnels. She might be evil, but that didn’t mean she had to smell bad.
Then, using one of the fluffy towels to dry off, she pulled back on her old clothes. Xi might have many talents, but he was a male. The likelihood of him being able to find clothes that not only were suitable, but also the right size, was zero percent. Maybe less.
She’d just finished using the disposable toothbrush when the door was pushed open and Xi appeared carrying two bags. He opened one of them to place what smelled like a turkey sandwich and a bag of chips in a cellophane container on the big chair. Her mouth watered, and she told herself that it was a response to the turkey, and not to the tall, dark, gloriously sexy male.
The second bag he tossed in her direction. “I had to guess at your size,” he said.
She snatched the bag out of the air and pulled out the pair of jeans and sweater that were folded inside.
Her brows arched as she realized that they were not only what she would have chosen, but they were a perfect fit.
“You guess remarkably well,” she murmured.