Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
A laric
“This is my favorite of our safe houses,” Bain said as they walked inside. “So, so many good memories here.”
Alaric glanced around at the familiar home with its high beams, stone fireplace, and huge L-shaped brown couch. “I can only imagine. When I came here, you and Clive were already hooking up.”
Bain sent him a quick glare. “You know it was more than just hooking up. Was from the very beginning. I was so drawn to him, it felt like my body was ramped up at all times.” He set his satchel down next to the door. “But it wasn’t just my body. My mind and heart got involved fast. You’ll see when it happens to you.”
“I don’t want it to happen to me.” Ezra came inside just as those words left his mouth. For some reason, he wanted to take them back instantly, which made no sense. What did he care what Ezra thought of his love life? Or lack of one. He thought of Sammy, lying alone at the end of her life in that bed, and his heart just tightened up. He hadn’t been back to visit her in days, and the thought of her being there all alone killed him.
But it also reminded him that caring for humans ended in nothing but heartbreak. Even if they lived long lives like his friend, those years were still short when compared to a preternatural’s lifespan. He still couldn’t believe Bain was tying himself to a human knowing he’d outlive him.
Ezra was wandering around the living area, picking things up and putting them back down.
“Ezra,” Alaric said, “I’ll show you the room where you’ll be staying. You’ll have to make do tonight since Finn can’t bring your things until tomorrow. Or you can borrow something of mine to sleep in.”
“I don’t sleep in clothes, so I’ll be fine.”
Alaric nearly gasped at the spear of lust that knowledge sent through him. He immediately pictured Ezra naked against a set of white sheets, and when that image coalesced into his body twining with Ezra’s, he shut his eyes briefly.
He did not need to go there.
Why he even felt the need to go there was the bigger question. He didn’t even like the guy. His intense attraction to that long, slender body frankly astounded him. Normally he at least preferred to like someone before sleeping with them.
He shook off his confusing thoughts and moved down the hallway into the master bedroom, which contained a cozy nook as well as a private bathroom. He had to work hard not to look at the bed and imagine them in it. “You’ll be in here. Xavier sent someone ahead to put on fresh bedding and deliver groceries. We’re all set. I know you like movies, so feel free to pick anything you like. We have most of the streaming services here.”
“What is this place? You said it was a safe house? Does your company just keep places like this to hide clients?”
Alaric nodded. “I think we have around five. This one is a particular favorite because it’s private and away from the city. And you don’t have to worry because it’s warded.”
Ezra lifted one eyebrow. “Warded?”
“Protective magic around the whole property. Even with that, Bain and I are both staying here, too. With that kind of price on your head, you need more than one of us for protection.” He walked toward the door, needing to get away from that damn bed. “Do you need anything?”
“No. I’m not tired though, so I will watch a movie.”
He paused in the doorway, frustrated with himself. He needed to remain professional. Look at Ezra as a client, so he roughly cleared his throat and pointed down the hallway. “Help yourself to anything in the kitchen. That’s where I’m headed now. Knowing Xavier, there will be all kinds of fancy sandwich makings. He has a thing for expensive cheeses.”
“I am pretty hungry, so I’ll join you.”
They walked into the kitchen, a big, bright room with a long island. Alaric gave himself more of a pep talk as he started pulling out sandwich makings, finding salami, ham, turkey and several different kinds of cheeses like he’d expected. There were also lettuce, onions and tomatoes, so he set all of those on the counter. Grabbing a knife and cutting board, he took out his annoyance on the onions and tomatoes. Surprisingly, Ezra took the lettuce to the sink to wash it. He’d expected Ezra to just sit and be waited on. But despite his outwardly narcissist personality, Ezra had been showing him other sides.
Like when he’d worried over Alaric’s health after healing him.
The man was becoming an intriguing puzzle. Was his prickly nature some kind of front? Was he actually someone who felt things deeply? And if that was the case, what had made him this way? Alaric had always loved solving puzzles.
He finished the onions and tomatoes and needed a breather from Ezra, who was pulling out the various side salads Xavier had sent. He went to find Bain, who was settled in a deck chair on the front porch, sharp eyes scanning the woods around the house.
“We’re making food,” Alaric told him. “Are you hungry?”
“Always. Did Xavier send some of that broccoli salad? The one with bacon?”
Alaric chuckled. “Probably. Because he knows how much you love that stuff. Do you want to eat inside or have me bring you a plate out here?”
“I’ll come in.” Bain stood and smoothed his hands down his glittery shirt before giving Alaric a pointed look. “I see you ditched the headband and contacts.”
Alaric stepped fully outside and shut the door so Ezra couldn’t hear them. “I wanted to talk to you about that. Ezra can actually see through glamours. Shocked the hell out of me, but Clive can, too. How is that?”
“Ezra can see past glamours?” Bain’s sudden grin unnerved Alaric for some reason. It was kind of wicked. “Oh, boy.”
“What? What haven’t you told me?”
“Clive is like Ezra. According to Xavier, there are special humans out there who can see us. We scared Clive his whole life, and that’s why he’d become a shut-in. How does Ezra handle it?”
Alaric shrugged. “Just accepts it. Says he grew up with one of us in his home, and she told him all about us. He guessed I’m an elf. Surprised me.”
Bain was quiet a few moments, his gaze turning uncomfortably intent. “How do you feel around Ezra?”
Confused. Annoyed. Attracted. “What do you mean? He’s a client, so I feel protective toward him.”
“No, I mean what does he—the man—make you feel?”
“Besides aggravated at that sharp tongue of his? Nothing.” It was a blatant lie, and Alaric got the feeling his friend knew that because of his low chuckle.
“You need to talk to Xavier.”
“I plan to, but what can you tell me?”
“Just trust me. Go to the office and talk with him. And make him talk, not feed you that mysterious bullshit he’s so fond of.”
“You know as well as I do that nobody can make that sorcerer talk if he doesn’t want to.”
“Yeah, he can be an ass. But if he told you to hide what makes you different, he already knows things that you need to know.”
A wry smile pulled up the corner of Alaric’s mouth. “I think you’ve spent too many years with him. That was cryptic as hell, Bain.”
“Just listen to me. My entire life has changed because of Clive. For the better. I never knew I could be this happy, that I’d fall in love like this. Don’t you want the same?”
“To fall in love?” What the hell? “Fuck, no. And I’m really uncomfortable with this, because it sounds like you think that Ezra should have something to do with that. He’s a client, and there are rules, you know. Plus, he’s just so…irritating. Confusing sometimes, but mostly irritating.”
“So you do feel something around him. I knew it.”
“Anger? Yeah, I feel plenty of that.”
“Just talk to Xavier. Again, trust me.”
Alaric stared at him—or more like glared at him, completely flustered from the whole weird conversation. Then he sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “Just come inside and eat, you weirdo.”
Bain’s laughter followed him back into the house.