Cursed by the Fountain of Youth

Chapter 19

Nick tried his best not to gawk, but he found it impossible. The woman standing before him was stunning, with an ethereal beauty that seemed otherworldly.

"This is Agent Adams," Thomas said.

Nick nodded and shook her hand. Her fingers were like ice, but that wasn't what bothered him. There was something off about her, something he couldn't quite put his finger on.

"I think Adams is our best bet at finding Fae," Thomas said.

The woman looked at Nick briefly with disinterest as he studied her, and then her eyes locked with his. A look of surprised confusion passed over her features, and then a slow smile spread across her face. "Do I unnerve you?" she asked, her voice low and seductive.

"Nope."

Her smile widened. "You're lying." She turned to Thomas. "Jones is right. He's not your ordinary human."

Human?

"So," Nick said, "what are you?"

Her smile faded as she turned back to him, but the amusement remained in her eyes. "That's a rude question."

"You're not offended," Nick said, shaking his head.

Her smile returned, and then she chuckled. "No, I'm not." She didn't say more. Obviously, she didn't want him to know exactly what she was. Nick had the feeling he stood before another supernatural creature.

"Avira will be accompanying us to the fort," Thomas said.

Avira was her first name? It was strange how Thomas used such an informal way to address an agent of his. Was there something going on between him and Avira?

Minutes later, Nick once again approached the fort with Thomas and Avira at his side. The structure towered above them—a dark silhouette against the night sky. The eerie feeling Nick had felt before compounded.

"You okay?" Thomas said. At first Nick thought Thomas was talking to him, having witnessed Nick's distress. But his eyes were on Avira Adams, and it was easy to see why. She looked stricken, haunted. In fact, her whole countenance took on an ethereal glow. Thomas's figure cast a shadow as he stood in her radiance.

"I'm so hungry," she said. She bowed her head and closed her eyes. "So many lost souls."

"Avira, I need you to focus." Thomas lifted her chin. "Look at me. Come on, baby. Look in my eyes."

Well, that answered the question of them being an item.

Her eyes flew open and immediately searched out his. "I've never felt so many."

"I know. I'm sorry. And I'm sorry you must do more. But I need you to talk to them. We are looking for Fae Miller, remember? If she's alive, we need her to stay that way."

If she's alive? Nick's chest tightened as he pushed back the possibility that she might be—

No. He wouldn't even consider it. She was alive.

Avira swallowed and then nodded. "Yes." Her eyes were pleading when she asked, "But after?"

Thomas brushed his hand across her face, lingering at the corners of her eyes and mouth. "Just one."

She smiled with intense relief in her face. "Thank you."

Thomas had a hint of a smile when he leaned forward and kissed her. Oh, yeah, Thomas definitely had personal involvement with this agent. Their kiss intensified within moments, making the situation awkward for Nick. And then Avira tore her mouth from Thomas's as she pushed him back.