Though it wasn't much of a break. The crew asked questions about him all day. And every time she had a few moments alone, no matter how she tried to keep busy, her mind automatically gravitated to him like a damn homing pigeon.
Her hope to escape the house undetected dwindled when hushed voices rose from the foyer. As she came down the stairwell, the third step creaked under her weight, and she winced. The voices stopped. She hadn't fixed that step as it was a perfect alarm system. Now, with so many people in the house, it was a nuisance.
The old farmhouse, chipped paint and all, was packed to the gills. No one could fart without someone else knowing.
Her steps slowed to allow herself a few seconds to compose herself before facing everyone. In a nervous gesture that was unlike her, she adjusted her weapon. Then she hit upon the reason for her unease. Her room had been searched. Everything remained in place but her things had felt off, not put away in the same, precise way she took care of her few belongings.
Then understanding hit. Henry, the skunk. Her mood lightened a bit with sadistic amusement.
She wasn't stupid. He wouldn't find the medallion there.
She took a deep breath to center herself then stepped onto the landing. Hand on the newel post, she searched the faces of her friends and comrades. Some were resolute, some determined, while others seemed resigned.
"Where's everyone going? Are we having a party?" She blinked innocently at Jarred, but he only crossed his arms over his chest in the way men had a way of doing when they thought women were being unreasonable.
She dropped the pretenses. "This is only a simple in and out recon. No danger. No engaging the enemy." No one said a word. Defensive, but determined to go alone, Caly placed her hands on her hips and widened her stance. "It's a one person job. More people will only attract more attention."
"If it's a simple mission with no danger, you won't mind company." Ruman stepped from the shadows, the smirk on his face enough to make her want to kiss him.
No!
She meant smack him.
Uncertain of his agenda, she kept silent and trailed cautiously down the rest of the stairs.
As if he sensed her betraying train of thought, Jarred snickered. It quickly turned into a cough when she elbowed him hard in the stomach. The skin of her face tightened. If not for the demon's interference, she would've managed to talk her way out of company. Because of this buffoon, the chances were nil.
She couldn't sneak off and find her djinn with everyone in attendance.
Her jaw ached from gritting her teeth against the desire to swear. "The more people who volunteer, the greater our chance of discovery. The group can't withstand more publicity. The last thing we need is to be followed and suffer another attack." She dared anyone to argue with her edict.
Of course, Henry had to challenge her judgment.
"Are you saying you're the only one competent enough to complete this mission?" Cocky as ever, he appealed to the others and spread his arms. "We've all earned our dues. One person going alone is suicide. As much as we don't get along, this is something none of us can condone."
Kelly had the audacity to smile. "As much as I hate to admit it, doofus here," she gestured to Henry, "has a point."
Nodding in agreement, David wrapped his arms around Kelly from behind and rested his chin on the top of her head. "Select one or two people to scout the area and keep look-out. It'll allow you to search without fear of discovery. We'll be able to watch if anyone shows a little too much interest."
Silence filled the room. Caly expected Henry to explode when no one automatically jumped to obey his command. Instead, he remained tightlipped and acquiesced without a word.
Caly scrambled for an idea, but she had nothing. She conceded defeat with little grace. With a turn of her heel, she stormed outside to her Dyna Superglide. The Harley chugged when she cranked the engine over, and she revved the throttle. The smell of gas, the rumble of the motor, soothed her. From the saddlebags, she removed her heavy leather and suited up for a ride, leaving her hands free of gloves in case of attack. She had to be quick, her fingers dexterous enough to grab for her weapons.
Zipped and buttoned, Caly lifted her leg and rested the heel of her boot against the bottom of the porch railing. By rote, she strapped two large handled knives to the outside of her right pant leg, one to her calf, and one on her thigh. Legally, the state allowed only a three-and-a-half-inch blade. Because she moved to the country, she could claim they were for hunting and get away with her five inch Browning. Other weapons remained hidden on her bike. They were illegal, but illegal was better than dead.
Caly swung her leg over the seat, double-checking that her blades were easily accessible. A twist of the wrist sent the engine revving until it settled into a loud purr. Bike upright, she kicked the stand back and placed yellow tinted glasses on the bridge of her nose.
Before she could take off, someone settled on the back of her bike. Though they didn't touch, her body went on full alert. She knew without looking who thought to grab a ride.
No one rode with her.
Ever.
"Get off." If attacked, she needed to be able to move without hindrance. And she sure as hell didn't need him anywhere near her when she was trying to keep her head straight and focus on what needed to be done to keep her friends safe.
Ruman placed a large hand on her hip and leaned forward, his chest pressed flat against her back. The jacket didn't prevent his essence from enveloping her senses, nor his warmth from surrounding her, wrapping around her until it was all she could do to keep her mind on the mission.
Chin on her shoulder, his lips a breath away from her ear, he whispered, "Make me."
The words were husky.
A dare.
The challenge simmered between them. She clenched her hands on the handlebars, a tremor wrapped up her arms as she resisted putting her hands on him. If she touched him, she couldn't guarantee it would be in violence. The shiver that worked its way down her body made her want to turn around and steal the kiss he owed her.
The glimpse she caught of him from the side mirror revealed a playful smile, and the enjoyment he got out of taunting her. Beneath the dark lenses he wore, she found brown eyes devouring her.
Daring her.
"It's not worth my time." With a shrug, she forced her eyes away from him. A small voice whispered demon, but her mind and body drowned out the sound. Each hour they were together, it grew fainter.
That was so not good. Lips pursed, she took off with a roar and a spray of gravel. Nighttime was a wasting.
His hands tightened almost painfully on her hips. Caly concentrated on driving the twisted country roads. The longer they waited to search the compound, the more dangerous it'd become both in terms of the attackers finding them and the trail going cold.
She weighed the consequences of a detour and with a quick, impulsive decision she pressed the turn signal. The turnoff would add an additional twenty minutes to the ride, but the little jaunt might possibly be worth the cost. It was time to get some answers.
Her features settled into firm lines. "There are precious few references in the old records about guardians. There was no mention of any curse or your kind gaining their freedom." She spoke the statement matter-of-factly but it sounded more like a question.
Instead of hollering to be heard over the wind, Ruman edged his body closer in a way that threatened her resolve to find out more about him. "I'm a unique case."
The deep rumble of his voice echoed along her back and it took her dazed mind seconds to digest his words. She swallowed hard and decided silence was the better part of valor until she could find a way to control her response to him.
A sharp turn ahead had her downshifting, leaning the bike into the curve. Accelerating, Caly allowed herself to enjoy being outdoors. For a moment, she gained the freedom she was often denied.
Wind scooped around them, over them, clearing away the problems of the day. No clouds dimmed the stars' brilliance, no traffic obstructed their path. They crested a hill and Caly slowed to a stop at the peak.
The moon's rays illuminated the valley below them. Cast in shades of gray, the panoramic view of the countryside stole her breath. To her, the night had a beauty that rivaled what the day could offer. Even the city in the distance, a harsh reminder of the outside world, didn't detract any from her pleasure.
Ruman's hold loosened, and Caly turned to see that the smile he'd wore had disappeared. Not a muscle moved as he took in their surroundings.
"What is it?" Concern made her reach out and touch his arm.
He looked where her hand rested, and Caly quickly removed her fingers from his sleeve.
"Sorry." Heat spread from her cheeks to her ears. Facing forward, she placed her hands back on the handlebars in a death grip. She'd been stupid to bring him here.
Strong arms wrapped around her from behind with a quickness that caught her heart. He rested his face next to hers, only inches separating them. "It's beautiful."