Dead After Dark (Companion #6.5)(99)

“That’s for you,” Rowan said to Trey. “Bring him to the dining room. I’ve prepared an early lunch for four.”

Trey opened the front door to a dark-haired Hispanic guy standing several feet back. Most people wouldn’t realize that the body shielded by a black turtleneck, black nylon jacket, and black cargo pants was close to Trey’s build. The color suited the agent’s dark gaze, wavy black hair, and brooding attitude.

“You Lucien Solis?” Trey asked, not extending his hand. So this is the son of a bitch nobody wanted to work with.

“Yep, but you got the wrong species. My mother wasn’t a female dog.” Trey hadn’t even felt Lucien enter his mind and instinctively went into Lucien’s mind where he heard, Damn, Findley. Wasting my time on this when I should be—

Should be where, Lucien? Trey asked, interrupting.

Silence. Black eyes flashed irritation just before Trey felt an impenetrable wall slam into place between their minds. Impressive and interesting, but not something he had time to investigate right now.

“Just so we’re clear,” Trey said, “I don’t like Findley, either. If you don’t want to be a part of this, then go.”

Lucien shrugged. “I’ll stay . . . for a while.”

“In that case, Rowan has lunch ready. I’ll catch you up while we eat.”

Trey followed the aroma of warm bread and vegetable soup to the dining room where Rowan paused from pouring coffee and did a double take on Lucien who answered her curious glance with a scowl. Wonder what that had been all about. He didn’t care enough to find out right now so he settled down next to Sasha and began reviewing the situation for everyone. By the time they had finished eating, he’d filled in Lucien on what they knew to this point, including Rowan’s illness though she still had not shown signs of madness. Could Sasha be exaggerating?

Lucien hadn’t said a word, which worried Trey. The guy could be a liability.

When Sasha started to stack dishes, Rowan said, “Please sit down. I’ll take care of all this.” She lifted her hands, palms up, and whispered words. The table cleared instantly.

Lucien’s sharp gaze narrowed slightly, but still he said nothing. Rowan’s eyes met his, hers sparkling with delight in the face of his dark mood. Trey caught her utterly feminine assessment of the agent. He’d have to warn both women later in private about being careful around Lucien.

“I’m wondering why Vyan has not tried to breach the house,” Trey said, wanting to move ahead.

“Maybe because I placed a protective spell over the house when I moved in,” Rowan offered.

“If that’s the case, the women should be safe here, but I don’t want to take any chances in case he’s only waiting for an opportune time,” Trey said. “I’m going out scouting tonight. Lucien will watch the house and can reach me if anything comes up.” If Lucien would communicate with him.

“Where are you from, Lucien?” Rowan interjected.

“Spain.” Lucien’s terse answer didn’t invite further conversation.

Trey kept his mind blocked from telepathy and leaned back to study Lucien while Rowan pressed her questions. He wondered if the rumors he’d heard were true, that Findley had been told to put Lucien in the field without a probationary time.

“Where do you call home now?” Rowan asked, clearly unaffected by Lucien’s curt attitude.

“Wherever I sleep for the night.” Lucien crossed his arms in a you’re-wasting-your-time pose.

Sasha spiked an angry glare at Lucien, and Trey almost chuckled out loud. Atta girl. Maybe he should get rid of this guy. Why hadn’t the council, specifically Sen, blocked Lucien’s fieldwork until the coalition had time to assess him?

When this was over, Trey would ask Sen what was up. An immortal who appeared when he deemed an issue worthy of his time, Sen had insinuated himself into an unofficial liaison capacity with the VIPER coalition. He presided over a governing council created of different beings whose job it was to keep an eye on all the supernatural assets and their actions.

Rowan stood, her pink ankle-length dress loose on her. She’d lost weight. “Sasha, you want to help me refill coffees?”

“Sure.” Sasha scooted her chair back.

“What, you’re not going to blink your eyes and refill the cups?” Lucien asked with a sarcastic edge.

Trey checked Rowan to see if she was insulted. If so, he’d have to deal with Lucien’s smart mouth before he kicked him out. Trey was beginning to think the guy had a thing against witches.

Rowan gave Lucien an amused look as she circled the table to the doorway directly behind him. “Not this time.”

Having scooted from the other side, Sasha had just reached the same spot behind Lucien when Rowan’s body went rigid.

“Oh no. Rowan, don’t . . .” Sasha pleaded.

“Sasha, what’s wrong?” Trey was rising from his chair when Rowan literally flew at her sister, grabbing her by the throat and pinning Sasha to the wall. Trey reached them in a lunge and gripped his hands around Rowan’s slender wrists and hands, which had turned into two cast-iron clamps at the moment.

“Don’t . . . hurt . . . her,” Sasha squeaked, face flushed deep red.

“Let her go, Rowan, or I will hurt you!” Trey yelled.