Hunter in Seattle - Supernatural City Book 2

3 Grayson

Grayson and Ztari escorted Ash to a Luxury Highrise condominium building several blocks from the auction house. Gray watched her as they walked. She seemed deep in thought, ignoring their presence as if they didn't exist. Several times she glanced over her shoulder, and he wasn't sure if she was looking at him or for more danger in the shadows.

"You are safe with us." Gray caught her looking around again, the tense line of her shoulders stiff under the light of the streetlamps.

Ash sniffed. As they reached the doors to the lobby, she turned towards them, the bright lights streaming through the doors behind her adding a halo effect to her person. "Thank you for escorting me home. I'll be fine from here."

"I have no doubts, but we need to talk." Crossing his arms, Gray's expression brooked no argument. He saw a war cross behind her eyes, though her face remained neutral.

"Please," Ztari added, and her face softened.

Ash eyed them both, then placed her hand on the door and swung it open. "Fine."

The two men followed her into the building and towards the elevator. Gray tried to keep his eyes forward as he walked past rich paintings and luxurious furniture scattered throughout the area with an expert touch. He noticed the security guard following their path with narrowed eyes.

Ash didn't pay the man any attention, but Gray nudged Ztari with his elbow and nodded to the man. Ztari gazed at the guard, whose eyes turned glassy as he sat back in his chair, staring at the glowing screen in front of him. The guard wouldn't remember them passing through.

"With all the light, at least we know the wraiths won't be able to follow us."

Ash's eyes flicked in his direction, but she said nothing as the elevator doors opened to admit them. Taking a small card out of her pocket, she swiped it over a pad next to the buttons, and the door closed. They rode in silence, floor after floor passing. At some point, Gray had to pop his ears from the pressure of their ascent.

"What floor do you live on?" Gray examined her, again admiring the hue of her eyes and the slight tilt of her soft lips. Blinking to snap himself out of his thoughts, he growled low in his throat.

Ash raised one of her perfectly manicured eyebrows as she glanced at him but said nothing about the sound. He shouldn't have such carnal thoughts about her. She was out of his league.

"The penthouse," Ash finally replied as the elevator stopped and the doors swung open. Yeah, she was way out of his league.

Their party exited the elevator into a long hallway. Vaulted ceilings, two doors, and a large chandelier were the only disruptions in the cream décor. Walking to the door on the left, Ash jangled the keys she carried, pulling one from the others. She unlocked the door and strode casually through, leaving it open for them. Gray and Ztari shared a look as they tried to enter the dwelling.

Again, for the second time that night, an invisible barrier blocked their way. Panic started to cloud Gray's mind, thinking the witch had set a trap in her home, when Ash stuck her head through the door with a confused frown.

"Are you coming inside?" The barrier blocking their way dissipated upon her words, as if inviting them inside unlocked some sort of magic.

Raising both eyebrows as he walked through the door, the first thing he noticed was a sense of welcome and wellbeing. He felt as if he were home after a long trip and could relax; like something had lifted a weight from his shoulders. Glancing at Ztari, he saw his friends face change from its usual stern countenance, to a more relaxed demeanor.

Ash threw her keys into a bowl sitting on a small table next to the door and kicked off the high heels, letting them land where they may. Gray ground his teeth at the casual disregard for her things but said nothing as he looked around the condo.