Shards: Book One of the Anderian Series

Chapter 5: Eavesdropping

Note to self—the next time I think something is a bad idea, agree and change my course of action.

"Excuse me," I whispered, tearing my gaze away from the scar under his left eye.

And from his perfect lips and chiseled jaw and tousled midnight hair and... oh gods, I had to get out of here. His presence in the echo had nearly undone me, but it was nothing compared to the impact he was having on me in real life. It was like being around June when she turned her succubus magic to a ten.

"Yes, let her go, Cian, but girl, remember—stand by the door and await for further instruction," Fynn said.

I spun around seconds from yanking open the door and running and nodded at the Andarien. Cian watched me closely, no doubt confused about why I was doing my damndest to keep my bare skin from brushing against the surface of the door. It had been stupid to come here in an outfit that offered little protection against echoes. Luck and concentration were the only reasons I hadn't had one—that and the fact the crush of bodies the club kept me from touching too many objects, but I was certain everything in this room would contain an echo. And if it was anything like the one in the cottage, I would be out cold.

"What did you two do to her?" Cian demanded. Out of the three, how was he the murderer? A murderer didn't concern himself with chastising others for making someone fearful.

Kohl and Fynn growled in response, and I took the opportunity to slip outside and close the door, wishing I was a normal girl who could collapse against the wall while she pulled herself together. Muffled voices filtered through the crack of the door—apparently, I didn't close it entirely—and I considered my options.

The smartest thing to do would be to run and never come back here. But then what would I tell Laura? 'I found your mother's killer, but the only proof I have is he matches the guy in my visions. Not to mention, he's looking for something, so someone else is going to die.'

"Never let it be said I'm smart," I muttered, inching closer to the door and doing my best to block out the roar of noise from below.

"All I hear is that once again, you failed." That sounded like Kohl. The bite in his voice would stay with me forever.

"You two are welcome to leave your lair of sin and hunt the last Shard."

That was Cian. I squeezed my legs together and bit back a moan. How could that man have a voice like that? Smoke and chocolate and steel that pierced every nerve in my body. Maybe the Andarie were another type of sex demon? It would explain the little interaction in the room earlier, but I suspected June would know if they were her kin or not. Unless the rumors were true, and they didn't originate in this world.

Cian was still talking. "I'm not sure where the confusion came in. I am not and never have worked for you. I answer to the Synod and the Synod alone."

Ice tinkled in a glass. Shit, I hoped the bottle wasn't nearly empty because I had no intention of delivering anything else to them. I'd already been incredibly lucky that Cian seemed preoccupied with my safety; otherwise, he might have stared at my face longer and figured out I was the girl watching him in the echo. This silver mask hid very little.

Fynn hissed, "The Synod are a bunch of fools, and they have no place among our people. Not anymore."

"And what about when we return? Do you forget that is the entire purpose of collecting the Shards?" A sliver of temper rattled through Cian's words. And a threat. "Unless you don't want to return?"

"That's a dangerous accusation."

"One," Kohl said, "I will need more scotch for. Get the girl."

That was my cue. I took the stairs three at a time, hitting the floor with a jarring thud that brought tears to my eyes, but I was lost among the throng before the door to the private suite opened fully. I risked a glance over my shoulder and stumbled when I saw Cian in the doorway, his tall frame back-lit by the blue glow of the suite. A small smile twisted his lips when he found me absent, but within a single heartbeat, he'd swiveled his head in my direction. Every cell in my body was aware of his gaze.