Page 15 of Final Shift
I rolled my eyes, squared my shoulders, and clicked the link.
Chapter
Six
Rowan was right. Caelan answered on the third ring.
Once, not too long ago, I thought he was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. His hair was dark, still tousled, longer on the top than the bottom. I used to think his hair was the only thing messy about him and thought him a storm contained in human form.
His eyes were charcoal grey flecked with gold, the color of the smoke from an out-of-control fire or a storm brewing in the clouds.
He looked the same, but I felt nothing.
For the first time, I felt absolutely nothing when he looked at me. A smile threatened to break over my face, an emotion I couldn't afford to show him. Rowan still lay sprawled across the couch, his eyes moving over the text on the pages. I knew he'd have to re-read those pages later, because his eyes were a little too sharp and interested.
“Evie.” Caelan's deep voice rumbled. “I'm surprised to hear from you so soon.”
He sat in his office, the books on the shelves behind him as neat as they ever were. One major change he'd made was theabsence of any plant life. Caelan liked plants and had made a point to bring in dozens whenever he started pursuing me.
The lack of them now was understandable but still saddened me for reasons I couldn't explain.
“Your messenger came with your demands.”
He nodded. “Then I will see you in two days.”
A thread of annoyance trilled through me. Just like him to assume I'd do whatever he wanted.
“I do not agree.”
A flash of surprise and a slight narrowing of his eyes was his only tell of surprise. “Oh?”
“I will be there in three days. Rowan and two members of my court will accompany me.”
A thread of gold ringed his iris. “No.”
Rowan's words crept back into my mind. It took everything I had to keep my face mild and uninterested. “Very well,” I said. “Call me back when you're ready to meet my terms.”
He opened his mouth to speak just as I ended the call.
Rowan's low chuckle sent a thrill down my spine. “Good girl.”
He knew I loved it when he said that to me. “You're not allowed to say such things when you know he's going to call right back.”
Rowan's slow grin made my stomach tighten.
My computer signaled an incoming call. “Dammit, Rowan,” I said through clenched teeth.
His wicked laugh made my lips tug into an answering smile. I hit the answer button.
Caelan's furious face swam into existence.
“Goddammit, Evie. Do not hang up on me again!”
“Rowan and two members of my court will accompany me. They will sweep the room we meet in, and one will remain with me during our meeting. If you do not agree to those terms, we will not meet. We both know you can say whatever you want tosay right now. There's no need for these theatrics or for me to travel to you, other than to soothe your wounded ego.”
Rowan let out a soft laugh. “Good girl,” he whispered for my ears only.
I squirmed in my seat.
