Page 15 (1/2)
Chapter One
This is close enough Thanks," I said to the cabdriver, and he swerved to park a block froht, and the trendy restaurants in the lower levels of the Cincinnati high-rise were busy with the March Madness food fest-the revolving door never stopped as laughing couples and groups went in and out The kids-on-art exhibit had probably brought in a few, but I'd be willing to bet that the stoic pair in the suit and sequined dress getting out of the black car ahead ofrestaurant as I was
I fumbled for a twenty in my ridiculously small clutch purse, then handed it over the front seat "Keep the change," I said, distracted as I tugged oing to need a receipt, please"
The cabbie shot h maybe, but he'd come all the way out to the Hollows to pick ain and slid to the door I could have takenwas a hassle don for festivals, and tawny silk and lace lost a lot of sparkle while getting out of a MINI Cooper Not to ht pull apart my carefully braided hair if I had to walk more than a block
I doubted that tonight'swith Quen would lead to a job, but I needed all the tax deductions I could get right now, even if it was just cab fare Skipping filing for a year while they decided if I was a citizen or not hadn't turned out to be the boon I originally thought it was
"Thanks," I said as I tucked the receipt away Taking a steadying breath, I sat with o home instead I liked Quen, but he was Trent's nuuy I was sure it was a job offer, but probably not one I wanted to take
My curiosity had always been stronger than coh his rearviewno," I ot out, and the Were chuckled The thuers descending upon him
My low heels clicked on the sidewalk and I heldunderwas sal splat gun stocked with sleepy-time charms If Quen didn't take no for an answer, I could leave him facedown in his twelve-dollar-a-bowl soup
Squinting through the wind, I dodged the people loitering for their rides Quen had asked me to dinner, not Trent I didn't like that he felt the need to talk to me at a five-star restaurant instead of a coffee shop, but maybe the man liked his whiskey old
One last gust pushed er tightenedurine rose in the sudden dead air It expanded into the echoing noise of a wide lobby done in marble, and I shivered as I made for the elevators It was more than the March chill
The couple I'd seen at the curb were long gone by the tiot there, and I had to wait for the dedicated restaurant lift Handsleaf without of place insheath dress It had looked so fabulous on h I couldn't run in it Wearing it tonight was half the reason I had said yes to Quen I often dressed up for work, but alith the assu to run from banshees or after vampires Maybe Quen just wanted to catch up? But I doubted it
The elevator dinged, and I forced a sht be in it It faded fast when the doors opened to show only any I stepped inside and hit the R button at the top of the panel Maybe my unease was simply because I was alone I'd been alone a lot this hile Jenks tried to do the work of five pixies in the garden and Ivy was in Flagstaff helping Glenn and Daryl move
The lobby noise vanished as the doors closed, and I looked in theaway a strand that had escaped the loose braid Jenks's youngest kids had put it in tonight If Jenks were here, he'd tell hter when my ears popped There were ley line sy like a pattern, but they were really a mild euphoric charm, and I leaned backward into theht
My shoulders had relaxed by the tiht strains of live chamber music filtered in It was just dinner, for God's sake, and I s host at the reception desk His hair slicked back, he earing his uniforhts glinting like souls in the night The stink and noise of the city were far away, and only the beauty showed Maybe that's why Quen chose here
"I' my attention back to the host The tables I could see were full of people taking advantage of the festival's specials
"Your booth isn't ready yet, but he's waiting for you at the bar," the man said, and my eyes flicked up at the unexpected sound of respect in his voice "May I take your shawl?"
Better and better, I thought as I turned to let him slip the thin silk from my shoulders I felt hihtened to ht, proud of it
"This way, please?" he said as he handed it to a wo it to me in turn
I letthe shift to the revolving circle without pause I'd been up here a couple of times, and the bar was on the far side of the entry We strode through tables of upscale wining-and-dining people The couple who had co poured as they sat close together and enjoyed each other more than the view It had been a while since I'd felt that, and a pang went throughit down, I stepped to the still center portion of the restaurant with the brass and any bar
Quen was the only one there apart fro at unease as he stood, not sat, with a rahtness in his suit coat and tie He had the build to wear it well, but it probably hampered his moveed at his sleeve, clearly not seeing lass behind the hts on the river He looked tired-alert but tired
His eyes were everywhere, and his head cocked as he listened to thethe ht have felt out of place and uncolad to see hiure inheads the first year we'd known each otherto do with it That he could still layhis life once when I had failed to save ured into it
"Quen," I said as he needlessly tugged his dress slacks and suit coat straight "I have to say this is better thanyou on the roof"
The hint of weariness in his eyes shifted to warrip to help ood in a mature, trim, security sort of way He was a little short for an elf, dark where ht, but it worked well for hiray about his teht A new sensation of content with him, even if it was probably also why he was tired Lucy and Ray were thirteen months and ten months, respectively As Trent's security adviser, Quen was powerful in hisin his convictionsand he loved Ceri with all his soul
Quenat Career "Rachel, thank you for agreeing to seerace extending even to his speech He looked up as the bartender approached and topped off his glass of white wine "What would you like while ait?"
The TV was just over his head behind hi under the latest national scandal My back was to the city, and I could see a hint of the Hollows beyond the river through the bar'swith bubbles in it," I said, and Quen's eyes widened "It doesn't have to be cha on't have sulfates"
The bartender nodded knowingly, and I smiled It was nice when I didn't have to explain
Quen leaned in close, and I caught my breath at the scent of cinna to order a soft drink," he said, and I set my purse on the bar beside me