“It's sexy, Syn,” he whispered, refusing to move away from me as I tried to put distance between us.
“What's sexy?” I asked, even though I was afraid to know the answer.
“That every time you sift, you land at my feet.” He smirked and turned, walking away as he left me with my mouth hanging open.
I looked around the club. It looked so different during the daylight hours when it was closed. It was still elegant, but something was missing without the music, flashing lights, and partying people.
I rubbed the back of my neck and found it drenched in sweat. Maybe I had picked up a flu bug somewhere. It would be just my luck and, considering I was supposed to be immune to everything, getting sick would just be the icing on the cake.
“You look like you could use a drink,” Vlad said from behind me. I turned and looked into his beautiful silver eyes. He led me over to the bar while the rest of Ryder’s group fanned out to the tables to meet with a few of the Fae that were waiting for them. I didn’t recognize any of these Fae.
“Is Adrian okay?” I blurted anxiously, since I felt I'd been the one to get him beaten up by Ryder. I slipped onto one of the bar stools, while Vlad made his way behind the bar.
“He's tough. Some lessons have to be driven home. He knew you were off limits. He made a choice, and that falls on his shoulders—not yours.”
“I kissed him, Vlad, he didn’t kiss me,” I argued.
“So you did, but he didn't pull away from you. He took it further by placing his hands on you when he knew better. That makes it his fault. He’s been warned against doing it many times.”
“Contract or not, Vlad, I'm not a piece of property, and I'm not some fucking animal that Ryder can collar and claim as his own. He had no right to brand me.”
“Be that as it may, Syn, he did, and it can't be undone unless he removes it. Drink? Gin and tonic right?” Vlad said, already turning and diving into the endless bottles behind the bar.
“Please, make it strong,” I mumbled, turning away from Vlad to take in everyone who was in the bar. I was surprised to find Alden sitting further down the bar by himself, watching me carefully with a sad smile. He was surrounded by the few Guild issue guards who stood just far enough away to give him a little breathing room.
Alden nodded and started towards me, settling on the seat next to me as his elite guards took standing positions close enough to protect him, should the need arise, but far enough away to give him some semblance of privacy.
“We gotta stop meeting like this,” I said with a quirky smile.
“This one is bad, not saying the last one wasn't,” he rushed the last words in when I glared and opened my mouth to say just what he had. “This one looks like it was more than likely radicals. Hate crimes are unstable and unpredictable. I'm relieved to know you are with him.” Alden nodded in Ryder's direction and continued. “He won't let anything happen to you. The National Guild in Washington D.C. wants us to assist the Prince on this one. I told them I had my best working side by side with him, Synthia.”
“Did you tell them I was your best?” I looked right at him and saw his hesitation. “Figures. Wouldn’t want them to know I'm on the job, anyway.”
Not that I had known I was.
“Are you okay, Synthia?” Alden asked when I wiped the sweat from my forehead and neck yet again.
“I'm fine,” I growled.
“Don't use that word on me, girl. I taught you to say it, and I know you better than you think I do. You're sweating profusely, Synthia Raine.” He held his hand up to my cheek and swore. “You're burning up.”
“I'm fine, just coming down with something,” I snapped, tired of being told what I was and wasn’t.
“Drink this, Syn. It might help,” Vlad said setting the glass down on a napkin and pushing it closer to me. I accepted it and threw back the glass, drinking it all, and enjoyed the burn as the alcohol slid down my throat.
“Another one,” I said, sliding my tongue over my teeth.
“Your wish is my command,” Vlad said, eyeing me carefully, before looking past me to where Ryder sat with his men, pouring over what I assumed were crime scene pictures. Vlad quickly made another drink and pushed it to the place where the empty glass still sat. “Syn, when you cured those people earlier—what did it feel like?” Vlad asked, leaning against the bar and using his folded forearm for support on the glossy surface.
“I don’t remember. I just remember being pissed that we couldn't help them. I was pissed at feeling useless, and was tired of death. It's stupid. I don’t understand why someone would do that to another being—even if they are Fae. I'm tired of people pretending to be God and deciding to end someone else's life, just because they can!” I was shouting, and the entire bar had gone silent. I slumped down and shook my head—this wasn’t me. Normally I could control myself better.