The Dark Prince (The Dark Light Series)(55)

“Ack! Sorry! I didn’t mean to shock you,” she says stroking her palm.

Dorian looks at me quizzically for a beat then returns his gaze to Carmen where he waves off the strange occurrence. “No worries. Good to meet you Carmen.” He looks to me and says, “I’ll be in the back office. I have some paperwork I’d like you to sign when you have a moment.”

Something has surely ruffled him, though he’s doing well at masking it from Carmen. She seems none the wiser, shuffling off to prepare for the morning’s opening. Dressed in high-waisted harem pants, a white tank and jeweled heeled sandals, Carmen’s keen eye for fashion is definitely a strong selling point. I don’t require anyone to buy or wear the clothing at the boutique. All I ask is that the staff strives to promote similar styles that we carry and be creative with making it their own. So far it has worked with women both young and old. I want the store to exude individuality and personal diversity, rather than what’s just hot for the season.

“Carmen, I’m going to grab the cash drawer. Holler if you need anything, ok?”

I head to the back office where our safe is kept to find Dorian lounging thoughtfully at the desk. I close the door behind me, well aware that there’s something he needs to tell me.

“What was that all about?” I whisper, though I know there’s no way Carmen can hear me all the way back here.

Dorian shakes his head. “You never told me Carmen and Miguel practiced Santeria.”

I give Dorian a skeptical look. “Uh, probably because I didn’t know, not to mention, even know what Santeria is. So what…you felt something with Carmen? Is she something?” Geez, first Morgan, now Carmen too? Do I have any normal friends?

Dorian shakes his head. “No, not Carmen, exactly. Or even Miguel. Someone in their bloodline. A Bruja, a witch. Could be nothing, or could be…bothersome.”

What? This just keeps getting more bizarre. “So you can pretty much sense any other mystical being by touch, right?”

“No, I can sense any power source around me. Carmen sensed me by touch, and I got a glimpse of her bloodline. She doesn’t know what I am though. That never happened when she’s touched you, I presume.”

I shake my head. “So there’s like…forces all around us? Like you?” And me.

Dorian chuckles a bit, folding his hands behind his head. “Of course. We, as well as the Light, have the ability to deflect. But if we’re deflecting, we can’t detect what’s around us.” Dorian turns the swivel chair to follow my movements as I walk over to the safe to retrieve the cash drawer. “We’re everywhere, Gabriella. You’d be surprised.”

I finish concentrating on the combination lock, biting my lip in determination before looking at him skeptically. “So since we’ve been together, we’ve come across others? When?”

Dorian shrugs and flashes me a crooked grin. “A few times. Our first date actually. The waitress at the sports bar was Light. Do you remember?”

How could I forget? Our conversation was so seamless, so fluid. I couldn’t believe someone so inexplicably sexy could be so down to earth. And there was something off about the waitress. She was visibly shaken just at the sight of him, afraid even. After Dorian confirmed that she wasn’t just some scorned ex-lover, I chalked it up to poor service.

“I remember that! She was damn near scared of you. But you left her such a large tip. What was up with that? I thought you guys all hated each other.”

“Relations aren’t as volatile as they used to be. We can’t very well go around killing each other, can we?” Dorian’s eyes flash to the door. “Carmen is coming. You better get out there and make me some money,” he says jokingly.

I go to leave the office and nearly collide with Carmen just as her hand is raised to knock. “Oh crap, I’m so sorry, Gabs! I was just seeing if you needed any help. It’s a few minutes to nine.”

“Here I come.” I look back at my playful lover once Carmen retreats to the front of the store. “I’ll be back to check on you. Try not to break anything, ok,” I say with a wink.

The morning zips by and we are surprisingly busy for a Monday. Word must’ve gotten out about the delicious Greek god observing quietly, causing most of the shoppers to lose their bearings, along with all intelligent thought. I spy Dorian slyly while ringing up an older woman, probably mid to late 50s, who is nearly drooling while fishing out her credit card. I don’t mind her ogling eyes; she spent nearly $3000, scoring Carmen a sizable commission.

By noon, Amy, another one of our sales clerks comes on shift and I am thankful for the help. Her reaction is as staggering as Carmen’s when she lays eyes on Dorian, and a little grin creeps onto my face. After the lunch rush, I send Carmen on her break, even though we are still pretty busy.