Deceiver's Bond: Book Two of A Clairvoyant's Complicated Life (25 page)

He crossed the family room, right paw leveled at Kieran, steely voice slicing the air. “Sir, you speak out of turn. Lire did not bargain for her life. She sacrificed it to preserve the lives of two people. Three, if you consider my continued existence worthy of saving. Even after witnessing first hand the demon’s bloody methods, she gave herself over to it, knowing well it meant her death and eternal damnation.”

Red halted six feet from the kitchen table and jabbed his left paw toward me. “Alone, this woman, whom you have so callously misjudged, outwitted the demon and nullified their compact. She navigated the Between to find her way back to her earthbound body. There are few, if any, who can claim such feats, and I have never encountered her equal. You would do well to learn the facts before drawing conclusions.”

Red’s fervent words assuaged my anger. There were times, like now, when it was all I could do to keep myself from hugging the stuffing out of the little guy.

Kieran surged from his chair. I waited for his scathing retort, but he stood immobile, silent and studious, staring at me as if he’d just learned I slew dragons for a living.

Finally, he turned to Red. “Mr. Redborn, I see you are in earnest. Please, forgive my indiscretion.” His openly contrite gaze flicked to mine. “Lire, my apologies. It seems I’ve made a number of unfair assumptions, which have only served to earn your continued disregard. However, my concern for your safety is not unfounded. A demon has taken your blood. This puts you in a precarious position. Although I’ve done little to earn your trust, I humbly submit myself to your service.”

I gaped at him, my mouth half-open, trying to get my mind around his startling reversal. “Uh … okay. I, uh, appreciate the gesture and all, but you know, a formal commitment isn’t necessary. I mean … thank you for your apology. I appreciate it. And your concern.”

After a moment of pondering me, expression caught in astonishment, his lips curved into a smile, lighting up his face and displaying a fair number of perfect teeth. Finally, he opened his mouth, threw back his head, and laughed. I couldn’t have been more surprised if he’d walked up and confessed his undying love. The deep rumble of his musical laughter filled the kitchen, vibrating over my skin and making me almost giddy. A smile like his was a sight to see. The laughter was pure icing.

Looking serious, Kieran was unquestionably handsome. Smiling and laughing, he was the most stunning man I’d ever seen.

I couldn’t help grinning and then shaking my head, baffled by this sudden transformation.

“You are so charmingly naive,” he said once his laughter had subsided.

It hit me that he’d been laughing at me, at my reaction to his offer, although, admittedly, his tone hadn’t been unkind. Heat spread across my neck, to my cheeks. Nonplussed, I snapped, “And you’re completely—” I held my breath, searching for an appropriate word, and finally came out with, “
Confounding
. It’s no wonder I sound like a babbling idiot whenever you’re around.” I was tempted to bolt upstairs and call it a day.

“Please, Lire.” He extended his hand as though he might have touched me if I’d been standing closer. “I meant no disrespect. I find your lack of guile refreshing. If I have given offense, again, forgive me.”

I frowned, wondering whether I should be insulted. I didn’t want to say something stupid, so I simply nodded.

Kieran’s eyes shifted to consider the table. “Here. Allow me to help you.” In short order, he cleared the table, placing the remaining glasses and serving pieces on the counter next to the sink.

“What else might I do for you?” he asked.

You mean besides get my boyfriend back?

I shook my head. “Nothing, for now. Thanks for your help. Would you like some coffee? Something more to drink?”

“No, thank you.” He smiled, the subtle upturn at one corner telling me I continued to amuse him.

“Please, make yourself comfortable on the couch. I’ll … join you in a minute.” I needed a moment to compose myself. I could hardly think straight knowing his sharp gaze studied my every move. “And keep at least three feet from Red. I’m sure you’ve noticed that he’s enchanted to keep people from touching him.”

He acknowledged this with a slight nod before coasting into the family room. As I watched him go, I wondered how the hell I was going to get through the rest of the evening—not to mention the next few months—with this prideful, bewildering man in my home.

I did the only thing in the kitchen I could come up with that might restore my calm. I brewed a fresh carafe of coffee. As I focused on the familiar chore, the reassuring sound of Red’s voice soothed my frayed nerves.

Just one day at a time. I could do this.

When I’d fixed my coffee the way I liked it, I joined Kieran and Red in the family room. Kieran glanced at me from the couch before returning his attention to Red’s account of how my father had procured him to be my companion when I was four.

Afterward, I tipped my head toward the kitchen. “I left a mug on the counter if you change your mind. It’s decaf, by the way.” I sipped my coffee by way of explanation before setting it down on a coaster on my end table. “In the mean time …” I unfurled my cloth measuring tape, allowing it to dangle from my fingers. “Come here so I can get your measurements.”

He frowned. “That isn’t necessary.”

“I just assumed you didn’t know your American sizes. Hold on, let me get something to write on.” I trotted back into the kitchen for a Post-It pad and pencil, calling over my shoulder, “I have a friend who works at a terrific clothing store. I’m going to give him a call to see if he’s working tomorrow.”

I returned, seconds later, pad and pencil readied. “All right. What’s your waist and inseam?”

“I don’t know.”

“Then stand up. I’ll need to measure you. It’ll just take a second.”

“You needn’t trouble yourself.” He sat stiffly, hands gripping his thighs.

“It’s no trouble.” I peered at him, trying to figure him out.
Oh, Lord.
Did he think I wanted him to strip to his skivvies? “You don’t need to take off your clothes or anything. Just stand here. I won’t touch you if that’s what you’re worried about.”

He stood. “You misunderstand. I do not wish to be a burden. I have nothing to offer, except my service, which you have so kindly refused.” He held his chin high, mouth open as if to continue speaking, but he stopped himself.

I blinked and lowered my arms, my hands still clutching the pencil and notepad. “I don’t … I mean … I didn’t understand the significance of your offer. Look, I’m just blundering along here.” I took a half-step closer to him. “You’re not a burden. Getting you some clothes, allowing you to stay here, it’s not going to bankrupt me. I’m not hurting for money, so you shouldn’t feel obligated to … to serve me, whatever that means, although, I do appreciate the gesture.”

“It means I give you my protection. I offer this freely as is the custom. There is only obligation if my service is not deemed worthy.”

He gazed down his nose at me, his expression once again a mask. The guy was a complete puzzle—first, he treated me with contempt, then he seemed to barely tolerate me. Now, he wanted to protect me. I just didn’t get it.

I frowned. “I think, maybe, I’ve insulted you and I’m sorry for that, but it’s not your capabilities I question. I’m a lowly human, remember? You made your disregard more than obvious back in Jerome and Peter’s apartment. And now you want to protect me? Why? Why risk your neck on my account? I’m still the same human woman I was when you first showed up. It’s not like I’ve flipped a switch and now I’m as intoxicating as the beauteous Maeve.”

He clenched his jaw before turning and wandering over to the patio doors. “I am not proud of how I’ve treated you.” He glanced at me before again gazing outside. “For the most part, I’ve found human women to be vain, weak-minded, insipid creatures that crave only to bed me at their earliest convenience. This has not predisposed me to enjoy or seek out their company.” He turned to face me. “However, it doesn’t excuse my behavior. For that I apologize.”

A strangled sound came out of my mouth. “Of course they’re going to act that way. How else do expect your targets to behave when you glamour them?” I pressed my hand to my chest. “I would have numbered among the weak-minded too if I hadn’t managed to snap out of it.”

I almost backed up a step but stopped myself. He was in
my
house, damn it. I pushed my shoulders back and planted my feet firmly apart.

His eyes locked angrily on mine. “The spell was Maeve’s doing. Contrary to what you have come to believe, I have never used glamour to coerce women into my bed. I’ll not deny that some practice such tactics, but I do not.

“Perhaps you should consider learning the facts before jumping to uninformed conclusions.”

I stared at him, my mouth set to form words, but nothing to say came to mind. Finally, I stopped trying and collapsed into the nearest chair. I glanced down at my Post-It pad and pencil, as though they’d suddenly appeared in my hands, and had to think why I was holding on to them. I tossed them both onto the coffee table.

Frowning, I shook my head. “I don’t understand. Back in Jerome and Peter’s apartment, you didn’t deny it.”

“What was there to deny? You never asked about my own actions. You made assumptions based upon what Maeve had done and the little you learned about our crusade. Daniel asked whether your claims about our efforts to save Earth from the coming invasion were true and I said yes. That is all.”

I tried to recall how things went down, but couldn’t sort out how I might have gotten it so wrong. “I called you a rapist. You could have said something.”

“Yes. I could have.” He folded his arms. “Just as you could have fully informed me about your dealings with the demon.”

I drew my legs toward me, wrapping my arms around them, and plopped my chin on my bent knees. After a moment to think it through, I admitted, “You’re right. Maeve was the one who cast the spell. I assumed you were complicit. I was angry and upset.” I lifted my head and met his gaze. “I’m … sorry.”

“Thank you. I accept your apology.” He sat on my couch, taking the cushion closest to my leather club chair where I was perched. “As to the matter of my service, I offer it because it is right for me to do so. If not for Maeve’s actions, you would not be without the protection of your lover. I am here and you are in need. It is, as you say, the least I can do.”

Realizing a little decorum was in order, I released my legs and straightened in my chair, putting my feet flat on the floor. I smoothed my sweater. “Thank you. Even though it’s not necessary for you to do so, I accept your offer.” I wondered how much he knew about what was going on with Invisius. “You should know, though, I have a number of enemies. I just hope you don’t come to regret it.”

“Do you doubt my ability?”

The sharpness of his voice took me aback. “No.”

He stared at me, body tensed, dark eyes narrowed. “I am not so easily vanquished. Your formidable skills caught me off guard. I underestimated you, a mistake I will not repeat with others.”

I tried not to smile at his ardor.

“That amuses you, does it?”

I shook my head, immediately sobered by his increasing hostility. “Trust me, Kieran. I know I got lucky. I’d much rather have you as an ally than an enemy. Having four
boons
may sound great, but I’m more a danger to myself than anyone else.”

“Something easily remedied with practice,” Red quipped from his nearby chair.

I rolled my eyes.

I stood and pulled my measuring tape out of my right pocket. “Okay, let’s get this done. You can’t go around in public wearing that getup and I have commitments on Thursday that I can’t get out of. If you want to come with me, you’ll need clothes.”

“I see nothing wrong with this
getup
, as you say. I have worn such garments upon previous visits and never heard complaint.”

I snorted. “I’m not surprised.”

He shot me a look of consternation.

I stifled a laugh. “Sorry. It’s just … oh, never mind. Just get over here.” I added, “Please.”

He eyed me warily but rose from the couch to stand in front of me.

I glanced up at his face. At this distance, I had to tilt my head back just to meet his piercing gaze. He towered over me by eight inches, which put my level stare about even with his upper chest.
Holy cow.

I gripped the measuring tape in my sweaty fingers and ignored my impulse to back away until I stood at a safer distance.

Get a grip, scaredy cat. He’s not going to touch you.

I took a breath and considered the measurements Claude would likely need. Where to start?

Closer inspection confirmed my initial guess that his tunic had been sewn from leather, but what I had initially dismissed as a dyed pattern was actually fine tooling. The intricate design covered the entire garment, a subtle layer of exquisitely detailed fallen leaves, each one unique. Not thinking, I brushed the tips of my fingers over their outline, tracing the delicate pattern over the soft surface, as if to verify the illusion. It was a stunning work of art.

Interestingly, I could touch the leather without it invoking my clairvoyance. I wondered whether this was a virtue of every creature from the Otherworld. The notion of a completely psi-free world intrigued me.

Kieran’s light touch on my arm brought me up short.
Good grief.
How long had I been pawing him?

I snatched my hand away, as though the leather had scorched me. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to invade your personal space. It’s just … your shirt … it’s beautiful.” I ducked my shoulders, shrugging. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Lord, I could not stop acting like a dimwit around this guy. I risked a glance into his eyes, but he seemed pleased.

“Thank you.” He smiled. “Your candid praise makes the months spent crafting it worthwhile.”

“You … made this? Yourself?” I looked him up and down. “All of it? You sewed it … and everything?”

“Yes.”

“Wow.” I cleared my throat and tried to sound more intelligent than a ditsy cheerleader eying her star quarterback’s red Corvette. “I’m impressed.”