Page 94 of Protected in Darkness
“Hello, again,” she said to the Fae, earning a smile in return.
“And this is Asmia, the one who determines the pool colors.”
She was as beautiful as Acadia, though they couldn’t have been more different. While Acadia was small in stature, Asmia was tall, lithe. Acadia’s dark hair was board straight, while Asmia’s long blond tresses hung in soft curls down her back, so silky Penelope wasn’t sure it was real. The only thing they had in common were their otherworldly eyes. A brilliant shade of purple she’d never seen before.
“It’s an honor to meet you,” Asmia said softly.
Not sure what to say to that, Penelope offered a smile.
“This is Taayin. He’s mylieterra,” Obsidian explained.
“Right-hand,” Taayin explained. “Personal assistant. Not to mention, ass kicker extraordinaire.”
He made her laugh with the last part. “Nice to meet you.”
“This is Gryffyth.” Obsidian motioned to the enormous man standing off to the side. “He’s our resident tech guru. Responsible for most of the equipment in the house.”
Blond hair, blue eyes, Gryffyth was what some would call classically handsome. And while he was tall, it was his thick musculature that made him so intimidating, as though he could punch his way through stone with ease.
“And this is Alden.”
“The butler,” Penelope said, the words coming out more as an accusation.
“Guilty.” His blue eyes twinkled with amusement.
“I should’ve grilled you when I had the chance.”
“There’s plenty of time for that,” he said kindly.
A noise outside the room had all heads turning. A second later, one of the doors swung wide, and in walked the two hulking men who’d accompanied them at the motel. Once inside the room, they stepped aside.
“Oliver!” Penelope shot to her feet and raced to her brother, throwing her arms around him.
Before he could hug her back, she jerked back, hissing as an electrical current hit her from all angles. The equivalent of grabbing a live wire, she imagined. Definitely not a comfortable feeling.
Obsidian’s gentle hand came down on her shoulder. “I should’ve warned you,ayreme.The touch of a male will be painful for you.”
She turned to face him, frowned. “Why?”
“Because you’ve mated,” Asmia said softly. “It’s the same for Obsidian and any female who’s not you.”
Well, wasn’t that convenient? And sneaky.
“Someone care to tell me why I’m here?” Oliver spat, drawing all eyes to him.
“It’s for your own safety,” Taayin informed him, his voice soft and steady, though his posture had changed to the defensive.
“Yeah, well, I think I’ll pass,” Oliver shot back. “I don’t know what the hell’s going on, but I’ve got a life to get back to.”
Before Oliver could spin around and march out of the room, Gryffyth blocked his path.
“You might want to rethink that,” the big blond man told Oliver. “And maybe ease up on the attitude while you’re at it. We’re not your enemies.”
Oliver’s eyes blazed with fury. “No? So,what? I should begratefulthat you crazy fucks kidnapped me?”
Obsidian stepped closer, pulling Penelope into him, her back to his front. His arms came around to cross over her chest in a protective gesture that somehow settled her though she wasn’t intimidated by Oliver or his frustration.
In a strange show of solidarity, the men moved so they were between her and her brother, the women holding their ground as well.
