Richard nodded. “Same as with humans. Some are really creeped out by it, though. They are used to being immune to mental tricks, and when I tell them that they are not immune to me, they don’t like it. I have a feeling that Stella ditched me because of that. She was friendly and flirty until I mentioned my ability.”
It had taken him a while to figure that one out. She hadn’t left right after he’d bragged about his ability, so it hadn’t been clear. But when he thought back to that night, Richard had realized that she’d first avoided touching him, and then a few minutes later, she had walked away to talk to someone and had never returned.
The truth was that his ability was mediocre at best, and with immortals it was almost nonexistent. With Stella, he’d been just bragging to make himself look more desirable, but with Kian, he was negotiating for the rest of his life. Convincing the boss that he should allow him to stay justified a little exaggeration.
Or a lot.
Kian frowned. “Do you read thoughts? Or is it just emotions? And can you read immortal males as well?”
He was already on a roll, so he might as well keep going. “I can’t hear actual thoughts, but I get more than just basic feelings. If I concentrate, I can sense subtle nuances in mood and responses, and those tell me a lot. I’m better with reading females, but I can also read males.” He chuckled. “There is much less going on under the surface of guys’ skin. Maybe it’s because it’s thicker.”
Kian didn’t laugh at the joke. “Can you detect lies?”
Only when the lies were so obvious that anyone with half a brain could detect them. “If I’m touching the person and paying attention, sometimes I can. But if the person is overly emotional, then I can’t. Strong feelings mask the more subtle clues.”
That was actually true. Emotional turmoil could override everything, throwing off his empathic ability in its entirety.
“Being able to tell truth from lie is a useful talent. My brother-in-law can do that, but I need to ask him if he has also noticed that strong feelings interfere with his readings.” Kian took a puff on his cigarillo. “I will induce you. But as for your request to stay on as a human, I can’t grant it, and it’s not because I have anything against humans. In the long run, your life will be better among your own people. You can get married, have children, and live a full life.”
“I can do that here as well. And I will make it worth your while. I’m a hard worker, and whatever task you assign to me, I will fulfill it with utmost dedication.”
That wasn’t an exaggeration.
Richard was ready to do whatever it took to prove himself as a valuable member of the clan.
Kian chuckled. “Are you talking about your stud services? I heard that you’ve gotten tired of that.”
Damn, now probably the entire village was talking about the human who couldn’t keep up.
“I took a short reprieve, but that doesn’t mean that I want to stop.” He would if his welcome wasn’t dependent on his gigolo services. “I admit that the stamina of immortal females is challenging, but I’m doing my best.”
“I’m sure you are. My comment was meant as a joke, not as a jab at you. Forgive me if that was insensitive of me.”
Richard eyed Kian suspiciously. Had he just mocked him again? Or had he really apologized?
Who was this man, and what had he done with Kian the grouch?
The guy must have enjoyed a very pleasant evening to sound so reasonable. The other possible explanation was that those cigarillos of his contained something other than tobacco.
“I don’t get easily offended.” Richard leaned forward. “Let’s be honest, Kian. It’s not just about fun and games. You and your people have a fertility problem, and I’m willing to help out as much as I can. Since sex between clan members is prohibited anyway, it doesn’t matter if many of the children will be mine. It’s a win-win situation. I get to stay as a human and spread my fertile seed around. With Merlin’s potions helping the ladies conceive, you can expect a good crop of babies. The clan benefits. I benefit. So, what’s the harm?”
“You won’t be able to settle down with any of the females. They can’t get attached to a human whose lifespan is a blink of an eye compared to theirs. Do you want to spend your life as a sperm donor?”
Richard shrugged. “Edna said that I’m shallow. Perhaps that’s what the Fates had in mind for me?”
Stubbing out his cigarillo, Kian pushed to his feet. “I hope that’s not the case.” He offered Richard his hand. “I’ll induce you tomorrow and give you a 1-week extension.”
“What about staying on as a human?”
“I’ll think about it.”
27
Eleanor
Standing in front of the bathroom mirror, Eleanor carefully peeled off the dressing covering the incision on her arm. It still hurt, but it wasn’t as bad as it had been the day of the operation. The plastic surgeon who had removed the tracker had given her strong painkillers, but she’d chosen not to take them.
After she’d been drugged to forget four entire days from her life, she was wary of anything stronger than Motrin.
The guy had charged her a small fortune for something that had taken him ten minutes to do, but at least she hadn’t had to cut the damn thing out herself. Besides, having a plastic surgeon do it meant that her scarring would be minimal.
After popping two more Motrins, Eleanor got dressed and headed out, but not before checking that there were no suspicious cars parked on either side of the street. The converted garage that she’d rented for cash was at the front of the house, so she had a clear view from the window, which was one of the main reasons she’d chosen it. The other one was that the landlady had bought her story about an abusive ex-husband who was a cop, and had agreed to forgo background checks.
The car Eleanor had gotten had also been bought with cash, and naturally, she hadn’t registered it and had no intention of doing so. When she was done with it, she would just abandon the old thing somewhere. It was better to forget about the twelve hundred bucks she’d paid for it than risk exposure by trying to sell it.
Hopefully these precautions, combined with the specialized glasses she wore whenever she left the house, were enough. Avoiding facial recognition was important, but since Harrisonburg wasn’t a major metropolis, she might be recognizable in other ways. That was why she’d also discarded her professional attire, replacing it with jeans, sneakers, and hoodies. Her well-groomed blonde bob was now a messy brown thing that made her look much younger than she was. From afar, she could pass for a college girl, which was not bad for a forty-year-old woman.
The many hours she’d spent over the years on the slopes had been good not only for recreation, but they had also kept her in top shape. Hell, she was in better shape than most high school girls.
If she wasn’t hell-bent on revenge, she could’ve moved somewhere that had snow this time of year. But the slopes would have to wait.
As the saying went, business came before pleasure.
Catching her reflection in the car’s side mirror, Eleanor grimaced. Up close, she looked her age, and what’s worse, she looked unkempt.