Page 18 of Awakening Storm

He nodded ever so slightly and considered his lack of ancestry for a moment. Since he was immortal, his line went very far back in time. Yet the mind still plays weird tricks sometimes and makes it seem like yesterday.

Inside his home, after navigating a few hallways and turns, they came to the main living area and the kitchen. The bar was over to the right against the wall. She marched over to it, popped the stopper on a bottle of his best Scotch, and poured herself a glass.

“Okay,” she said. “Start from the beginning. Tell me the story of Dragon Vortex.” She angled the glass to her lips and took a sip.

He couldn’t blame her. He supposed what she’d just witnessed would shake anyone out of their boots. She’d earned a drink.

Her eyes met his over the rim of her glass, held, and then she tipped back her head and downed the rest of the liquor.

Only the moisture in her eyes, gave a hint that the drink burned on the way down. He poured a glass and followed her lead.

Then she collapsed into a nearby club chair of tufted glove leather. She gazed at him from beneath long, lush eyelashes. The look in her eyes was raw, confused, and weary. His gut twisted. No matter what, her world would never be the same again.

* * *

Her head spun at theunbelievable shit that was happening. The tiger had transformed into a man before her eyes, and an odd creature—she didn’t want to call her awomanbecause she seemed incongruously beyond mere mortal—had materialized out of nowhere.

She thought of her Pilate class and friends at home with longing. She remembered Terri’s hug and admonishment to be careful and have fun. Rhianna gave a sad laugh. This was neither.

Aidan—if that was truly his name—poured her another shot of whiskey. The thought that she should be drinking sake instead played through her befuddled mind. Even so, she drank a swig of the amber liquid in her glass. Not the whole thing this time, but enough to savor the warmth of it trickling down.

He chuckled, causing her to lift her head to look at him. “I thought women preferred wine or mint juleps or something,” he said.

She shrugged. “Not this one.”

“So I see.”

“Okay . . .” She blew out a deep breath. “What kind of rabbit hole have I fallen down?”

He frowned.

“You know,Alice In Wonderland? She chased a rabbit down— Oh never mind.” She shook her head , then took another sip and sighed. He had a definite Scottish accent, so maybe he would familiar with classic books. But he did live far from civilization on an island. Had he always lived here?

“I try to keep up with the rest of the world, but—”

“Never mind.” She waved a dismissive hand as the alcohol began to loosen the tight rein she held on her emotions.

He dipped his chin to his chest.

Had she somehow hurt his feelings? A tightness twisted beneath her breastbone at that, but why did it even concern her? She was the one in this bizarre situation.

When he looked up, air rushed out of her lungs. His gaze did something to her. Those hazel eyes with those thick lashes made her want to listen to him, believe him. Even through her anger and anxiety, a warmth nudged her tummy. She tried to shoo the sensation away.

Finally, he spoke. “Prepare yourself,” he warned her. “You’ve stumbled upon something no one knows exists. The tree we entered is called a Divine Tree, or tree of life. I am its immortal Guardian.”

She barked out a laugh without meaning to. It didn’t matter how handsome he was, this was absolutely ridiculous. “Immortal? Like you don’t die? And you guard the tree of life?”

“Oh, I can die. But only under certain circumstances. Otherwise, no.”

She tried to absorb the information, tried not to dismiss it instantly again, but she shook her head. “And you’re telling me you can somehow shift into a tiger, too?”

He nodded. “And an eagle.”

She straightened. He was a double shape-shifter? She squinted at him. “How old are you?” she asked, not totally prepared to hear the answer.

“My body doesn’t age like yours, so it doesn’t really matter. But . . . I was born in 1094 AD.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” She opened her mouth, then closed it. She fought a gasp, trying to pretend she could handle it. “That’s a helluva long time ago.”