Page 112 of Commanding Flame and Shield
“Twenty-two. Plan still intact.”
“Good. Lock it up.”
She smirked, and her shields snapped closed. I threw mine around her as well, buffering her from the undulating energy of the event. The pulse of this thrumming city that seemed to be alive on its own. Immediately those breaths became graceful again, and she turned her eyes to me.
“You’re a blessing for me, I hope you know. These events…with so many people. They were usually my breaking points before. Alec helps, but…thank you…” The long spindles of her power caressed my mind. I opened for her.For focusing on being my shield specifically.
Warmth bled into my chest, my face. I smiled back at her and inclined my head.It’s an honor, Alvara.
A blush colored her cheeks, and then she returned her gaze to the spinning dancers. The reading was set for the last hour of the event, when the crowd would disperse. It would be quick. She would feign the smitten kitten, too intimidated to say hello in the crowd.
As I watched her now…gliding through the throngs of milling guests and laughing reunions…there was nothing self-conscious about her. Towering over the bulk of the crowd, twinkling in that gown, head held tall as she scanned each set of eyes. Each face. There was nothing meek or mild about Alvara. She held a gravity to her, the presence undeniable. Like the moon in its graceful orbit. The crowd ebbed and flowed towards her and away like the sea. Perhaps that was just Alvara, or perhaps she sought to capture him wholly before she devoured his mind. Perhaps she meant to dangle herself out, irresistible and enthralling, so that when she at last deigned to acknowledge him, the man within would lean into her. For a Goddess like her would bow to no one. She was the trap, and the hunter, all at once. My stomach churned. Churned at the very concept of allowing her to bait any man, mark or not.
Mate. Marcus had called her my mate. As insoul mate. As in the woman—the soul, the female—specifically crafted to be my match, my equal. Shit, that insinuated I washerequal. I thought for a moment, of the power that radiated from her…
The chaos of the last few days had swallowed the conversation. Swallowed the fact that the word clanged through my insides…and rang true. Resonated in the deepest part of me. I watched her moon pale face, the glimmer in her eyes as she soaked in the humans simply enjoying themselves. The joy it brought her to watch them be happy.
Mate.
“Tell me about Jason.”
Her eyes flicked to me, brows arching. “What about him?”
“It seems like there’s…history there?” A blunt, bold question.
“Not a requited one, I’m afraid. He’s a good man. But he’s not my man. Never has been.” A blunt, bold answer in return.
“He’s…gifted, like you? I mean, not like you. But he’s gifted?”
Lord have mercy, when the girl smiled it about undid me.
“Yes. They all are. Like you.”Jason reads energy. Beyond what you and I do. Beyond scents and minds, he sees aura in vivid color. As clear as you see me, he sees energy. He sees if souls are connected, deeply or distantly. He sees if they’ve been frayed or darkened.
As if our conversation had summoned him, Jason appeared by her side. “Alvara, you look marvelous, how nice to see you.” He swept her up into the hug of a long-lost friend.
“It’s lovely to see you as well.”
“August, I’ve found twenty-two of our classmates! Have you seen them all?”
“I have indeed.” I accepted his outstretched hand and gave it a formal shake.
“I forgot how…nasty the politics get at these things.” He rumbled a low laugh and sipped his champagne, but his eyes narrowed. Infinitesimally, and for only a flash. It was enough. Alvara turned her head to the side in that feline way she did when her nerves spiked. Sure enough her heart sped up.
I need you to bend your shield to connect the ten of us mind to mind. No further.
I took a grounding breath, and then pushed and pulled and sculpted my shield to accommodate her request. It flexed and buckled around the constant movement of the guests. But it did it. I did it. I gave her a nod.
Jason, what did you see?
Some of them are not possessed at all—not human at all.
Her eyes flicked to him.Glamoured?
Yes. Well glamoured.
I thought I caught a second hierarchy scent in the women’s room. But it was so brief, and nothing since...I didn’t think it lingered.Fae sent the thought to us. Everyone continued milling about, giving no sign that anything was amiss. Jason turned to join our reverie of the dancers and sipped on his drink.
Ahh...so it’s the going to shit plan then? This should be fun.Alec tapped the blade within his sleeve. Alvara snorted and then sighed. I swore I could feel Aren’s amusement in our minds.
