count that as a good thing. A girl can’t give up her secrets too quickly. A little mystery is a good thing, yes?”
As she drew her tongue along her upper lip, Rook decided that yes, mystery was indeed good.
“So you call the demon Oz?”
“Asatrú is his full name, and he is pleased to meet you,” Rook offered, though Oz made no whisper that he cared about the witch one way or the other. The demon was pouting because she did not have his soul.
“I don’t understand why the vampire would want my necklace. It’s just a wooden heart and of no value to anyone else. I don’t think vamps can detect souls, can they?”
“I’m not aware that they can. He may have claimed it as a sick kind of trophy. Did you get a good look at him?”
“I was frantic and more upset that I’d expelled all my fire magic and was feeling helpless. He was bald, but you already know that.”
“Right. The one you blasted with fire. Good shot.”
“I’ve expert aim, but unfortunately using so much fire magic depletes my stores quickly. And I had been rehearsing earlier.”
“Rehearsing?”
“I’ve a fire act with the Demon Arts Troupe.”
“Interesting. It was a good thing I happened along last night. I need to find that vampire. If he has the necklace with my soul in it—”
“If it is your soul.”
“I think it is.”
“You want to believe it is.”
“Is there anything wrong with wanting to believe?”
“Not at all.”
Her mouth curved so prettily, Rook thought surely, if it had been his heart stolen by her, he’d let her keep it for as long as she wished to wear it around her neck on a leather cord.
“Would you mind taking a look at some mug shots at Order headquarters?”
“I, uh…hmm.” She twisted the teacup around on the saucer.
“If you’re unsure about what you saw…”
“It’s not that. I’m not particularly fond of taking sides within the paranormal community. I let the vamps do their thing, and they tend to leave me alone. If I should dabble in their affairs…”
“You fear reciprocation. What if I could promise you protection?”
She shook her head. “No. I’m sorry. I just…”
“That’s fine.” He didn’t want to push, though he couldn’t understand why she wouldn’t want to catch someone who had harmed her, no matter the breed. If he had been mortal, would she have helped him?
He wouldn’t dwell on it. He had other ways to make the woman talk. And he didn’t really mind what the topic of conversation was, so long as she didn’t walk away from him now, never to be seen again.
“Would you have dinner with me?” he asked. “I find I don’t want you to walk away from me. I’d like to get to know you better.”
“Where would we have dinner?”
“The location hinges on your decision?”
“Of course. If you suggest a seafood restaurant, I’d have to refuse. I’m not much for slimy cuisine.”
“My place,” he said. “I want to cook for you.”
“I’ve never had a man cook for me.” Her eyes brightened as she pushed aside a thick curl from her face. “It’s a date. Right now?”
“Have you other plans?”
That smile would undo him. “Not at all. Do you live close?”
“On the Ile St.-Louis. My car is parked just down the street.”
“I am at your beckon.” She took his proffered hand and followed him down the street.
That had been too easy. Yet disappointment weighed down Rook’s shoulders. He’d been so close to his soul, and now it was gone. Possibly taken by a vampire. He had to get it back.
Because he owed Oz for four centuries of imprisonment.
The buildings on the Ile St.-Louis where Rook lived were old, and Verity knew anyone living here had to be wealthy. She suspected Rook was rich, judging by the stylish suit and Italian leather shoes he wore. She wasn’t into brand names, but she could pin a designer label merely from the way it made the man stand, erect and proud, elegant and tailored. Right with his place in the world and not afraid to take on any challenge.
Of course, that could be the hunter in him, too.
And he smelled like something worth more than a quick spritz from a cheap bottle of cologne. Like burnt peaches and tobacco. The idea of tasting him effervesced in her core and warmed her skin.
Occupied by a truth demon, eh? Yet he couldn’t read the truth in Veritas Von Velde. Interesting. And definitely worth further exploration.
After shedding her sweater and handing it to him to hang, Verity sat at the kitchen table with a goblet of Bordeaux to watch her host work culinary magic. Admittedly, cooking was not in her arsenal of magical or just plain practical household skills. She ate simple whole foods that required little preparation, but that was only because she’d never taken the time to learn to cook. She had always been busy with her magical studies. And when a woman grew up with a grandmother, great-grandmother and mother who always cooked, why bother? So to watch this gorgeous man move about with such ease as he concocted food for her was a dream.
Rook was tall and sleek. Beneath the gray dress shirt flexed steel muscles, and the very sinews of him conformed against the fabric as he reached for vegetables or high on a shelf for cooking oil.
In her imagination Verity glided her palms over his cool skin, mapping his contours and memorizing his hard angles. She bit the corner of her lip to contain a squeal of glee.
His slicked-back dark brown hair touted tufts of gray near his temples and a few sprigs of salty strands mixed here and there throughout. Dark brows commanded her attention to his gaze when he regarded her. While sitting at the café table she’d noticed a tiny scar above his left brow and fancied it from a rapier or even a vampire fang.
The groomed stubble that edged his jaw as if to frame his façade begged her to touch. A small triangle of stubble sat beneath his lower lip, and along with the mustache, it gave him a swashbuckler appeal. She loved facial hair and wanted to feel his mustache tickle her upper lip as he kissed her.
All in all? The man possessed a brutal beauty that she wanted to trace and learn.
Rook’s
