He was the one to pull back, breaking contact on a low, muttered curse. When he glanced up at the mansion, he saw several faces near the glass, Elise's Darkhaven peers staring out at them in open disdain.
Elise saw them too. She followed his gaze up the frozen lawn and gardens, but when she turned back to Tegan, there wasn't so much as a trace of shame in her expression. Only soft regard, and the lingering heat of desire in her eyes.
Let them stare, she said, stroking his jaw before their disapproving audience. I don't care what they think.
You should. That's your world up there on the other side of that glass. She sure as hell couldn't stay out here with him any longer, not when their kiss was still setting fire to his blood. You should go back inside.
She glanced back up toward the golden light spilling out of the ballroom and slowly shook her head. I can't go back in there. I look at them and all I see is a beautiful cage. It makes me want to run before the trap closes on me again.
Tegan was surprised at the frank admission. You weren't happy in the Darkhaven?
It's all I've known. Quentin was all I'd known. His family took me in as a baby and raised me as one of their own soon after I arrived at the Darkhaven. I owe them everything for the life they afforded me.
Tegan grunted. That sounds like gratitude to me. Nothing wrong with it, but what I asked was if you were happy there.
She turned a thoughtful look on him. I was mostly, yes. Especially after Camden came along.
You said you felt caged.
She nodded lightly. I was never very strong, physically. My gift made it difficult for me to leave the Darkhavens for any length of time, and Quentin thought it unwise for me to go anywhere by myself. He only meant to protect me, I'm sure, but at times it was...stifling. Then there were all the Agency obligations and the impossible expectations that came with being a member of the Chase family. It was a fine line that had to be walked at all times--allegiance to the Agency no matter what, know your place and keep it, never dare to speak out of turn. I can't tell you how often I wanted to scream, just to prove to myself that I could. Most days, I still want to.
So, what's stopping you?
She threw him a frown over her shoulder. What?
Go ahead. Scream right now if you want to. I won't stop you.
Elise laughed. She glanced up at the mansion behind them. That would really make their tongues wag, wouldn't it? Can you imagine the tales they'd tell tomorrow about how you terrorized a defenseless civilian female? Your reputation would never recover.
He shrugged. All the more reason to do it, if you ask me.
Elise exhaled a long sigh, her breath steaming the chill air. When she turned back to look at him once more, there was a pleading light glimmering in her wide lavender eyes. I can't go back in there tonight. Will you stay with me out here, Tegan...just for a little while?
Marek's vision burned red with fury as he scanned the flight plan one of his Minions had procured from the Boston airport a few hours before. A private jet had scheduled a last minute evening trip to Berlin last night, carrying two passengers--one of which was certain to be a member of the Order.
Tegan, no doubt, based on the visual description provided by Marek's mole. But the female accompanying him was a mystery. Tegan was the consummate loner, and try as he might, Marek couldn't imagine what would compel the stoic, deadly warrior to tolerate a woman's presence for more than a few necessary minutes.
He hadn't always been like that, however. Marek recalled well the warrior's utter devotion to the female he'd taken as his mate--Jesus, could it be some five hundred years ago? She was pretty, Marek remembered, with dark gypsy looks and a sweet, trusting smile.
Tegan had been devoted to her. It had nearly destroyed him to lose her so savagely.
Pity it didn't take him all the way.
The fact that Tegan was in Berlin now was troubling news. Couple that with the journal Marek lost--a journal that had taken him a long time to find--and he was looking at a f**king disaster in the making. The Order had the journal now, Marek had no doubt.
How long would it take them to put all the pieces in place? He would have to work fast if he meant to stay ahead of them.
Unfortunately for him, it was daytime and unless he wanted to risk a lethal suntan at thirty thousand feet too close to the sun, he'd have to wait until dark before he could get overseas and take control of the situation personally.
Until then, he would have to call out a few Minion eyes and ears in his place.
Chapter Eighteen
Tegan opened the door of the stone-and- timber boathouse that hugged the shoreline of the lake and led Elise inside. She couldn't see well in the dark, but Tegan's hand was firm around hers, his steps sure where she walked gingerly over the wide plank floor in her high heels.
The space for a large boat was empty for the winter, the water partially frozen where it came into the base of the building.
There should be a loft up here, Tegan said, guiding her toward a wooden staircase.
How do you know?
This was the warden's cottage when I was here last. Guess there's not much need for gamekeepers anymore, so Reichen's had it converted to house one of his many toys.
Elise lifted the ends of her skirt and Tegan's oversized leather coat and climbed up the stairs with him. At the top of the steps he opened a door that revealed a wide post-and-beam space above. It was rustic, but welcoming. Moonlight poured in through an A-shaped window that overlooked the lake. Big leather club chairs flanked a sofa positioned for the best views of the water, and set into the eastern wall was a fireplace built out of thick stone.
Knowing Reichen, there's got to be electricity out here, Tegan said from somewhere behind her. A second later, a table lamp went on across the room, activated by his will.