Chapter 13 #2
“Let him,” I said. “I don’t like that box.”
Something undeniably wicked glinted in Portia’s eyes. “Why all this resistance, lad? Are you afraid?”
My breath caught. She’d tossed my words back at me, using my taunt from the first day in the castle after I’d found her near the auld stones.
Humor and desire filled me in equal measure, the latter making my voice rough as I leaned into her. “You play with fire, Princess.”
Challenge gleamed in her eyes as she drew me forward. “Get in the box, Tavish.”
The uniformed human cast us curious looks as we entered. He pushed a button, and the doors clattered shut. I looked at the ceiling. Before I could lower my head, we lurched into motion, and I bit back a snarl. Albie gazed around with naked wonder on his face.
Moments later, we lurched again, and a loud ding made me jump.
“Fifth floor,” the human said.
The doors slid open, and Albie’s guide led us into a corridor much smaller than the one we’d traveled from. A thick carpet spread over the floor, the edges running all the way to the bottom of the walls. More doors greeted us, and I tensed.
“Your suite,” the guide said, unlocking a door. He pushed it open, and relief slid through me when a spacious chamber spread beyond the threshold.
Albie entered, his bright head on a swivel as he took in his surroundings. Portia followed with her skirts pinched between her fingers. My boots sank into more plush carpet, and a chamber fit for a king greeted me.
Windows dominated the far wall, the glass framed by dark blue curtains. More lights glowed on tables with elegantly carved legs. A sitting area held upholstered furniture, and an armoire stretched toward a coffered ceiling. Curtains framed a bed large enough for a dinner party.
Maybe I could tolerate the metal box, after all.
Noise from outside drew me to the window.
The rising sun splashed orange on the buildings.
Horseless carriages puttered past on the street below.
Humans moved in and out of buildings, the men in hats and dark trews and the women in tight dresses that showed their legs.
Almost every female wore her hair short like the vampire’s.
Behind me, Albie spoke to the human guide. “Could you arrange for some dresses to be delivered? Our sister spilled wine on her gown. My brother and I would like some new clothes, too. Something suitable for a day in the city.”
“Yes, of course, Mr. MacLean.”
I turned as the human left the chamber, closing the door behind him.
Portia went to the bed and sat on the edge. The mischief she’d displayed by the elevator vanished, and her worry from the alley returned.
Albie crossed the chamber and sat beside her. “We’ll fix this, lass.”
She looked at him, fresh tears glittering in her eyes. “I don’t see how we can.”
She repeated what she’d told me about Prince Ludovic and Halina, explaining her connection and her rising worry that we’d tampered too much with the past.
Albie listened with a furrowed brow. When she finished, he was quiet for a moment, and I could almost see his mind working as he sorted through the information the same way he turned the pages of his books.
“It’s strange,” he said finally.
“What is?” Portia asked.
“Twice now, we’ve landed in a place where we interacted with people connected to you.
First Mistress Drexel, who’s an ancestor of your friend Chloe.
Now Prince Ludovic’s wife, who’s connected to your uncle’s mate.
” He pushed his spectacles higher. “The world is a big place. What are the chances we’d encounter someone tied to you, however distantly, twice in a row? ”
Portia stared at him, her expression stunned. “That…almost makes sense.”
“What if you’re supposed to interfere?” Albie asked.
I leaned against the window frame and folded my arms. “Or maybe that’s just how time works.”
Albie turned inquisitive eyes to me. “What do you mean?”
“The chronomancer’s spell is supposed to get Portia back to her own time, yes? Maybe it’s pulling her toward people she has a connection with.”
Albie beamed at me. “That’s a good theory.”
“Don’t sound so surprised.”
He stood and came to me. “I’m not surprised,” he murmured, tugging a lock of hair that had fallen over my shoulder.
“Flatterer,” I said.
His eyes warmed behind his spectacles, more than a little heat in the chocolate depths. “Is it working?”
“Maybe.”
Portia stayed on the bed behind him, her gaze on the carpet and her toes tucked under her skirts.
A fist squeezed my heart. I looked at the door. “Can that human fetch us food?”
“Yes,” Albie said. “They’ll bring it to the room.”
Excellent. “I like this inn.”
Albie laughed softly, then went to the door to summon the human. I crossed to the bed and crouched in front of Portia.
“The food won’t be that good,” I told her.
She roused from her thoughts with a frown. “Why not?”
“I’m not making it.”
Her smile was faint, but it was real. I’d take it for now. And once I had food in my stomach, I’d think of our next steps. In the meantime, my mates were safe and by my side.
And no one in this time or any other would take them from me.