Chapter Ten
As I fought to steady my breathing, the shop’s front door opened and a voice I knew all too well called out to Sylvia.
“It’s gone, Grandma! And I couldn’t find—” The beads clacked as they were pushed aside. “Kira! What are you doing here?”
I whipped around and there he stood. Todd. Looking like he had just stepped off the cover of Vogue. Tall, athletic build. Dark, wavy hair that begged a woman to run her hands through it and gave him a dashing, roguish charm.
The rat bastard.
“Todd,” I gritted out. I was pleased to note that my usual feelings of panic and humiliation were refreshingly absent this time. A simmering rage burned within me instead.
Todd grabbed my hand. When I tried to pull back, his grip tightened.
“Kira, we need to talk.”
“I believe the lady said to never touch her again, Todd.” Owen’s voice was low and almost casual, but my breath hitched at the fury on his face.
Todd froze, but he didn’t release me.
“Let go of her. Now.” Owen’s command cracked like a whip in the small space. Todd dropped my arm immediately.
Owen stepped closer, his shoulder brushing my own, his body hard and tense.
“You her bodyguard or something?” Todd muttered, staring at the strategic placement of Owen’s hip in front of mine.
I smirked, loving every second of Owen’s protectiveness and Todd’s awkwardness.
But then Owen shocked me by sliding his hand into my own.
“I wouldn’t hesitate to protect her with my life.”
I fought hard to keep the shock off my face. Owen was holding my hand. Was he implying to Todd that there was more to our relationship?
Owen’s expression was stony and fixed on Todd, but he squeezed my hand, his body solid and reassuring beside mine.
Todd scoffed, derision on his face as he looked first at Owen’s scars and then at our entwined hands.
I was seized by a cold, hard rage. I knew exactly how to fix things.
“It’s true,” I said, resting my head against Owen’s shoulder and wrapping my free hand around his bicep. I snuggled my cheek into the fabric of his shirt and felt his muscles flex.
Todd’s smirk faltered.
“Actually, I’ve been meaning to thank you.”
“For what?”
“For showing me what a snake you were before we said our vows. After all, if you hadn’t cheated, I never would have met Owen, and the two of you couldn’t be more different.”
Owen’s grip on my hand tightened, but I rubbed his arm in reassurance.
“You made me feel small, Todd. Made me question whether I was enough. Made me feel like I was always one mistake away from being replaced. In the end, you replaced me anyway. But Owen… Owen listens when I talk, and he hears me. Sees me. He makes me feel safe. He’s brave and kind and loyal.
The best man I have ever met. Honestly, Todd, you’re what I settled for, but Owen is who I deserve. ”
Todd’s eyes flashed to my own, and I could see his uncertainty. But I wasn’t done. Not yet. Because I wasn’t speaking to Todd. I was talking to Owen, and I never wanted him to doubt his worth or attractiveness again.
“Not to mention that Owen is strong, sexy, and hard in all the right places. Oh, and did I mention that he is big? Because he is. Everywhere. Owen satisfies me in bed in a way you never could.”
Todd’s eyes bugged out, Sylvia rolled hers, and Jace’s eyebrows climbed into his hairline. Owen pressed his lips together in silent laughter. When he looked at me, his eyes were filled with gratitude.
“I’m going now, sweetie,” I said to Owen. “The air in here has gotten rather stale.”
I stretched to give him a quick kiss on the cheek, but Owen turned to me at that exact moment, and our lips met.
Energy sizzled between us, and I gasped in shock at the decadent feel of his lips against mine. A shiver ran through me, and I drew back quickly.
“I’ll walk with you, sweetie,” he said, sliding his other arm around my waist and pulling me closer. But it was his sharp gaze that held me captive, and I couldn’t look away.
“Neither of you are going anywhere,” announced Sylvia, sounding like she was at the end of her rope. Right, there were others in the room. “You still need two more stones if you’re going to save Charles.”
Charles. Portals. A broken seal. Veil Walkers. Shit, when did my life get so complicated? What I wouldn’t give to forget about all of it, even if just for a moment, so I could be alone with Owen.
“Fine. Where are the other two stones?” I asked, though I was still focused on Owen. Should I step back? Remove my hand? We had made our point to Todd. Owen probably wanted his space. When I tugged at my hand, he held fast and pulled me back to his side.
Todd’s face twisted into an ugly sneer. For his part, Owen paid Todd as much attention as he would an irritating fly.
Sylvia read from the book. “When Craos broke the seal, the Waterstone was carried away by a river and swept out to sea. Eventually, it found its way into a cave deep beneath a coastal cliff. The powers of the Druid who guards it are memory and intuition.”
“Well, that narrows it down,” Jace muttered.
“And the third stone?” I asked, completely distracted. Owen’s thumb had started making lazy circles on my hand, causing a tingling sensation in my lower belly. I tried to remember the caresses were all for show.
Sylvia adjusted her glasses. “That’s the Emberstone, but we’ll focus on your training and finding the Waterstone first.”
“Great. How are we going to find the two stones?” Jace asked. He was still giving the cauldron a suspicious look.
“Now that Kira has activated the first stone, the other stones will be drawn to her. They’ll find you, child, so you need to be ready when that happens.”
“Uh huh,” I murmured.
“So, to recap, Kira learns to veil-walk. We find the Waterstone and Emberstone. Together, the three pieces—including the Rootstone, which we already have—will reform the seal. Kira will open the portal and save Charles.” Jace scrubbed a hand over his face.
“Sounds simple enough. What could go wrong?”
The mention of reopening the portal made my stomach drop, and I tightened my grip on Owen’s hand.
“You don’t need to do any of this, Kira,” Owen whispered low enough for only me to hear, his breath warm against my ear. “We can find another way to rescue my grandfather.”
I didn’t doubt that he meant what he said. He would never put me in harm’s way.
I imagined running out of the shop and away from Sylvia.
Away from Todd and his sickening smirk. I pictured opening the door and feeling the cool, fresh breeze on my face.
But then I would stare into an empty street, its grey road stretching into my grey life.
I could run away from this. But to what, or whom, was I running?
And Charles. Charles was out there somewhere, alone and afraid and maybe even hurt.
He needed me. He would never leave me to rot in some distant realm.
He would put on his proverbial Indiana Jones hat and set off on an adventure to find me.
And then he’d tell the story on repeat and most likely embellish the details.
The image of him in his favourite chair telling me to explore the world and be happy made me smile, and my heart ached even more.
“I’ll do it,” I blurted out, more than a little surprised at myself. It was unlike me to take on risky ventures, but Charles would be proud. The idea of him grinning at me and asking me to recount my story was enough to strengthen my resolve.
Owen shifted against me. “It’ll be dangerous.”
“I’m not leaving Charles to rot somewhere, Owen. If training and finding the other two stones will help us rescue him, I’ll learn to veil-walk. I’m going to do whatever it takes to find your grandfather. I promise.”
Owen studied me for a long time, his gaze filled with gratitude and concern and something else I couldn’t quite name. Admiration, perhaps. “I’m not holding you to that promise, but I do appreciate it. I’m worried about Granddad.”
“Me, too,” I whispered.
“But if you’re promising to help find my grandfather and taking such a big risk,” Owen continued, “then the least I can do is to officially offer you my services as a bodyguard. I promise to watch your back and protect you with my life, Kira.”
With his life. He said it casually, like he promised it every day, which I guess he did, but for me the promise was immense and underscored the seriousness of our venture. I swallowed hard and prayed no one would need to give their life before all this was over. Especially Owen.
“Let’s hope it never comes to that, but I gratefully accept your offer.” I squeezed his hand.
Surprising me again, Owen placed a soft kiss on my knuckles. A thrill raced through me once more at the feel of his lips on my skin.
Todd regarded us with obvious revulsion. “This is beyond ridiculous. Kira, we need to talk.”
He reached for me but never made contact. Owen’s hand shot out, captured Todd’s arm, then twisted it between their two bodies. Todd made a squawking sound as Owen shoved Todd into a bookcase, his other arm across Todd’s neck.
“Maybe you didn’t hear me the first time, Todd. Kira said to never touch her again. I suggest you listen. For your own sake. Understand?”
Todd nodded, but Owen didn’t loosen his hold.
My jaw dropped. Bodyguard Owen was hot.
“Fine,” Todd gritted out. “Owen can attend the training.”
“That was never in question,” Owen said, finally releasing him. Todd gasped for air.
Sylvia looked like the last of her patience was gone. But she didn’t seem particularly concerned about Todd, which I found both amusing and strange.
“As I said, Kira, we start Tuesday. I’ll text you the time and location.”
She ushered us to the door and shut it in our faces. The last thing we heard was Todd saying the word fiancée to Sylvia.
We were all silent as we got into Owen’s car and he pulled away from the curb.
“Well, that was bizarre, right?” Jace’s hands covered his face. “What is even happening right now?”
He didn’t seem to expect a response, so I stared out my window, trying to process everything, especially the promise I had made.
When I glanced at Owen, his hands were gripping the wheel so tightly that his knuckles were turning white.
“You okay?”
“Fine,” he ground out. “Just irritates the hell out of me when he calls you his fiancée.”
My heart skipped a beat. No mention of portals or wraiths or demons from other realms. Of all the things that could bother him, it was Todd. Owen was angry on my behalf, perhaps even a little jealous, and I bit my lower lip to hide a pleased smile. Maybe it had been more than an act after all.
“A friend wouldn’t be irritated by that,” I said, my heart pounding in my chest. What was I doing?
“A friend wouldn’t,” Owen agreed. A small smile lifted the corner of his mouth, and his hands relaxed.
I should stop. Right now. But I couldn’t help myself. “A bodyguard would stay professional as well,” I added, looking out my window. “I’ve been told it gets messy when emotions are involved.”
“True. It’s strict policy.”
I loved flirting with Owen. It felt risky and safe at the same time.
“A boyfriend would get jealous, though, wouldn’t he?” I turned to Owen, and he looked at me with enough heat to make me melt.
“Oh, just get a room you two,” muttered Jace. I blushed and started to giggle. Owen smiled at his friend in the rearview mirror.
I couldn’t help myself. My giggle became a chuckle, which turned into laughter. Whether the cause was the lack of sleep or the wild night we’d had or all the emotions piling up, I laughed so hard that tears rolled down my cheeks. Owen started chuckling as well, and then Jace joined in.
“Did you see the look…on Todd’s face…when you said Owen satisfies…you in bed better than he ever did?” Jace could barely get the words out.
“Or when Owen pushed him against the wall?” I wiped my eyes.
“Rat bastard,” Owen muttered darkly, which only sent Jace and me into further hysterics.
“Kira, you’re a Veil Walker! What does that even mean?” Jace threw his hands in the air.
“I have no idea!” I admitted, holding my stomach.
“All I know…is that there were no potions. But Sylvia is still a witch!”
We laughed together for a long time—as strangers thrown together on a strange mission, as comrades joining forces to rescue a friend, and as friends who needed to laugh together when the world made little sense.
For the first time in a long time, I didn’t feel so alone.