Chapter 4
Chapter Four
Emory
Spectral Enterprises was located in one of the big office buildings in downtown Seattle.
Before he even reached the doors, Emory’s skin started prickling—there was a gathering of magic coming from inside.
He wasn’t as sensitive to magic as some preternaturals, but there was enough here to tell him that quite a few like him were inside this building.
He’d had a bad night, so exhaustion rode his shoulders in addition to the sweat gathering on his back from the heat.
It was because of another damn nightmare—or really, the same old one he’d been having for years.
Being pinned down as his wings were clipped.
The image of those angels bending over him and laughing as they took away his freedom was often a part of his waking hours as well.
He’d convinced himself this was all in the past, that he was completely over it, but the fact the experience came back to him so often proved that untrue.
And lately, the nightmares had been worse.
Probably due to all the stress from worrying about what was happening in Seattle.
Shaking all that aside, he walked into the building. It was time to focus on the job.
The receptionist was an elf, and she greeted him warmly before directing him to the seventh floor where Julien Davenport’s office was located.
He hefted his overnight bag higher on his shoulder.
On the way, he encountered a lot more preternaturals than he’d even expected.
Either this CEO was one of the special humans who could see them or his HR person was.
When he reached the right floor and stepped out of the elevator, another kind of magic pricked his skin.
He stopped and looked around, not recognizing what kind it was, but Xavier had told him it was a penumbra.
He’d not encountered one before. This magic was malevolent.
It held a thickness to it that made the air around him feel heavy. It was here and watching him.
Mr. Davenport definitely needed his help.
He introduced himself to the assistant outside the right office and was told to wait a moment. She stared the entire time he waited, so he gave her a cheeky grin when she finally let him through. He was used to human stares, knowing his angelic good looks and magic drew them in.
That grin disappeared when he saw the man coming around his desk to meet him.
Big was his first thought. Taller than Emory’s six foot one, with massively broad shoulders and heavy muscles.
But it was his face that truly captured Emory’s attention.
Square with a tight black beard, an aquiline nose, and hooded eyes that spoke of sex in a way that had Emory’s body perking up.
Blue eyes stared hard at him, staying on his face.
The man’s hair was the color of a midnight sky with soft waves swept back off his face.
Well shit, his new client was fucking stunning.
And straight as a board if the signals he was picking up were on point. And they usually were.
Emory didn’t mess around with straight men.
But if there had been an inkling of queerness, client or not, this was the kind of man who’d tempt Emory to break the rules against fraternization. He strode forward and held out his hand. “Hi. I’m Emory Sterling from Protective Solutions. You’re Mr. Davenport?”
“Call me Julien.” Julien shook his hand, his grip strong and sure. “Thank you for coming.”
“Xavier told me that you were attacked by a penumbra. You didn’t see it?”
“No. Just shadowy glimpses.”
“They’re faster than the eyes can follow, so that’s normal.”
Julien’s gaze went over Emory’s shoulder, and he knew the man was looking at his wings.
“Angel?”
Because Xavier had also told him Julien could see past glamours, Emory wasn’t surprised.
Still, he felt a faint prickling of unease because his attraction to the man along with his ability made him doubly off limits.
The last thing Emory wanted was a soulmate, and these humans who saw past the magic they used to blend into the human population also had the ability to bind with preternaturals for life.
He had to repress a shudder at the thought of that kind of commitment. He much preferred variety and couldn’t imagine a long life spent with one person only. Both his best friends had settled down happily, and good on them. He chose a different life.
So it was better to ignore this attraction altogether.
He realized he hadn’t answered Julien, so he finally nodded. “Yes, an angel. But angels are not what common lore tells you.”
Julien tilted his head. “You mean the beings from Heaven?”
“We’re just another species. I’m from here, same as you.”
Julien nodded, then walked back around his desk to sit down. “I have a lot of work to do, so make yourself comfortable. We’ll be here late.”
Emory blinked at the abrupt dismissal, getting the feeling this man was used to people just following his orders. Probably came with the CEO territory. It was fine with him, so he walked to a space next to the door and did his job. He stood guard.
And it was like he wasn’t even in the room.
Julien ignored him as he typed on his computer.
Emory took the time to look around the office, noting that there was not one personal item or even any decorations beyond a boring color blotch print on one wall.
He doubted it was something Julien had chosen—probably came with the original decor.
There wasn’t even a bookcase. Just a desk, two chairs and several file cabinets.
His printer was strategically placed on the corner of his desk.
Not one thing told him anything about the man he was guarding.
Hours passed without Julien speaking. Some of their clients were like that.
Treating a bodyguard as another piece of furniture.
That was fine with Emory and helped quell that first burst of attraction.
He much preferred men and women who were friendly and quick with the smiles.
This man had permanent frown lines around his eyes and mouth.
And he didn’t seem that old. Early thirties by Emory’s guess.
He could also guess that Julien was a workaholic.
He was in charge of a big company at a young age, and from the fierce concentration as he worked, he’d put in the effort and time to get where he was.
Julien picked up his phone and pushed a button on the base. “Stella, I’d like some coffee please. Hold on.” He looked up at Emory. “Would you like some? Or a bottle of water?”
“Water would be great. Thanks.”
Julien asked for that as well, then stood, slightly stretching his back as he turned his attention on Emory. He frowned. “It feels ridiculous to have you standing around when nothing is going on. It’s possible that…creature…lost interest.”
“It hasn’t. It’s been here all afternoon.”
Blue eyes widened. “That’s interesting. I felt its magic last night, but I’m not sensing it now at all. You can tell?”
Emory nodded. “I can feel its magic, though it’s a little difficult because you have a lot of beings of magic working here. Is that on purpose?”
“It was at first. I’ve always been able to see you.
After I hired the first few preternaturals, apparently word got out that this was a friendly company, so more came to apply.
Even my CFO is something more, though he doesn’t know that I’m aware of that.
You’ll no doubt meet him if this arrangement lasts for more than a couple of days. ”
“You expect it won’t?”
Julien lifted an eyebrow. “I expect you to catch it.”
“I will do my best, but it may take more than a couple of days. Penumbras are notoriously difficult to pin down. Why didn’t you ask that CFO to try and trap it?”
“I’m a very private man. I prefer my employees not be brought in on a personal issue.”
His assistant brought in the drinks, giving Julien his coffee first before handing a bottled water to Emory. This time, she didn’t stare, instead keeping a perfectly professional expression as she stopped at the door. “Did you need anything else, Mr. Davenport?”
“You can go for the day, Emily. I’ll need the Baring reports in the morning.”
She nodded and left the room.
Julien sipped his coffee, that piercing gaze back on Emory.
He said nothing, just stared, and Emory had to resist the urge to squirm a bit under that penetrating gaze.
Normally, it wouldn’t bother him in the least—he was used to people staring.
Even the ones who saw nothing more than his streaked blond hair, gray eyes and quick smiles.
He knew he was a good-looking man, and it wasn’t arrogance.
It was just fact. That and the angel part of him seemed to affect everyone.
But Julien’s regard felt…sharper. Heavier. And Emory couldn’t help but wonder what he was thinking because nothing in his expression gave his thoughts away.
“I’ve changed my mind about staying late tonight,” Julien announced as he picked up a briefcase off the floor and began stacking folders inside it.
“I live in Discovery Park, so I’m only a few minutes away.
I have a guest room for you.” He set a laptop inside the briefcase.
“When I leave the office early, I use my home gym before dinner. You’re welcome to join me. ”
“In the gym or for dinner?” Emory couldn’t help but ask.
“I meant dinner, but you are welcome to use the gym as well. I normally use it in the morning as well, but I was distracted today.”
“Having a penumbra after you would do that.”
“It’s an annoying disruption.” He paused and gave Emory a very direct stare. “I do not like disruptions in my carefully constructed world.”
Emory got the feeling those words were some kind of warning.