Deathtrap (Crossbreed #3)(41)

“And what did he want in return?”

“Nothing.” I moved past Christian and into the main hall.

“Nobody gives away something for nothing,” he said, following close behind. “How do you know this isn’t a trap? You’re a fine-looking Mage, Raven. A lot of men would like a taste of that.”

I rolled my eyes even though he couldn’t see. “If he wanted some of this, he could have easily gotten it already.”

“I’m not even going to ask what that’s supposed to mean.”

I stopped near the bar and turned to face him. “So, are you up for a little danger? Or would you rather go back to Keystone and babysit the computer while Wyatt’s out buying two sacks of fries?”

His eyes narrowed. “Did you consume one of the specialty drinks? Should I be concerned about your sudden agenda change?”

“This idea is not drink induced. You should know me better than that. So, what’ll it be?” I rocked on my heels, eager for an adventure.

He put his arm around me and led us to the door. “I can’t let you have all the fun, now can I?” Christian came to a halt. “Jaysus. I should have known.”

“What are you talking about?”

He gave me a scathing glance and pointed at a ring of shiny keys sitting on a nearby table.

“If you wanted to get me out of the house, you could have just asked me out on a date.”

“I didn’t swipe Shepherd’s keys as a master plan to get you out of the house. It’s fate. We’re supposed to take his Jeep to search for the Mage.” When I approached the table and held up the keys for a closer inspection, I recognized the house key. Yep. They were Shepherd’s.

Christian swiped the keys from my hand. “Maybe the fates want us to take the car home. Why do I have the feeling I’m going to regret this?”

I smirked. “Is that what Viktor said before he hired you?”

“That’s what your husband is going to say before reciting his vows.”

“That’s what every woman says before they have sex with you.”

Christian swaggered toward the door, swinging the keys around his finger. “That’s what I’m going to say before you serve our dinner tonight.”





Chapter 13





The engine revved as Christian plowed through a patch of ice. He flashed me a wolfish grin. “She handles like an experienced whore. I might have to get me one of these.”

As much as I hated taking Shepherd’s Jeep Wrangler without permission, Christian had insisted we needed a vehicle with traction to maneuver the slick roads. It wasn’t the smaller model but a special edition four-door with a hardtop and extended cab.

He could literally run over Wyatt’s car with this machine.

“What happens when we get there?” I asked.

Christian’s fangs lengthened. “Let me do all the talking.”

I yanked a few loose threads from a hole in my jeans. “Should we tell Viktor what we’re up to?”

“He created teams for a reason. We don’t even know if this Mage is the same man who murdered the poor lass.”

“He ran from me.”

“Maybe he just caught a whiff of your perfume and the desperate look in your eyes.”

As soon as we pulled up to a light, the engine died. Christian turned the key, and it started up only briefly before dying again.

“Oh, for feck’s sake. We’re out of petrol.”

“Are you sure?”

“These new cars have too many gadgets, but I know the sound of an empty tank.”

I sighed and stared at the road ahead. Maybe it was a sign.

“How’s your leg?” he asked.

“Better. We had about fifteen minutes of sunshine this morning. I didn’t want to run downstairs and miss it, so I climbed out a window and healed myself.”

Christian turned a few switches and finally pulled out the keys. “We’re walking from here.” He gave me a scrutinizing look before searching the console and glove compartment. He tossed one of Wyatt’s hats on my lap. “Put your hair in that.”

“Why?”

“You’ve never been to the Bricks?”

I looked around at the empty streets. “Is that a bar?”

“No. It’s a place rife with danger and out of the higher authority’s jurisdiction. Put on the hat and look unassuming.”

“I’m not sure if that’s possible.”

When we got out of the Jeep, Christian locked the doors and patted the hood. “Nice knowing you.”

“No one’s going to steal it without gas,” I pointed out.

He unwrapped a lollipop as we crossed to the sidewalk and stuck it in his mouth. “They’ll strip her down like a two-dollar hooker. There’s nothing we can do about it now.”

“So why am I wearing a hat? Is that the law in Munchkinland?”

“Because you look like a girl.”

I chuckled. “So without a hat on, I don’t? That’s quite a compliment, Mr. Poe.”

He pulled the stick out of his mouth after biting off the candy and tossed it into a trash can. “You have a tough look for a woman. The coat hides your breasts and—”