Shadowland (The Immortals #3)(61)
I swivel back and forth in my seat, uncomfortable, squirmy, especially with the way Damen keeps looking at him. “I’m not, but the twins are very much into—”
“Wicca,” Damen says, placing a protective hand on each of their shoulders. “They’re interested in learning more about Wicca, and Ever thought this book might help. Though obviously, it’s far too advanced.”
Jude looks at Damen, slowly taking him in. “Looks like I just got my second and third sign-up for class.”
“There’s another?” I say, quickly, without thinking, glancing briefly at Damen and feeling an inexplicable flush rise to my cheeks.
Jude shrugs. “If she shows. Seemed pretty interested though.”
Honor. I know it without even peering into his mind. Honor’s the first sign-up, and I’ve no doubt she’ll show.
“Class?” Damen asks, hands still on the twins, gaze darting between Jude and me.
“Psychic Development level one.” He shrugs. “With a small emphasis on self-empowerment and magick. I’m thinking we should start soon, maybe even tomorrow. Why wait?”
Romy and Rayne look at each other, eyes blazing with excitement. But Damen shakes his head saying, “No.”
Jude looks at him, face easy, relaxed, not the least bit daunted. “Aw come on, I won’t even charge. I’m new at this anyway, so it’s a good chance for me to try it all out and see what works and what doesn’t. Besides, it’s just a simple introductory course, nothing heavy, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
Their eyes meet, and even though I know the heavy part is pretty much Damen’s number-one concern, it’s clearly not his only concern.
No, this sudden edginess, this uncharacteristic guardedness, has something to do with Jude.
And me.
Jude and me together.
And if I didn’t know better, I’d think he was jealous. But I do know better, and, unfortunately, that sort of behavior is relegated only to me.
The twins plead with him, large brown eyes gazing into his. “Please!” they say, voices high-pitched, intertwining. “We really, really, really want to take this class!”
“It’ll help us with our magick!” Romy nods, smiling as she tugs on his hand.
“And get us out of the house so Ever can’t complain about your lack of privacy anymore!” Rayne adds, managing to insult me even as she aims to convince.
Jude looks at me, brows raised in amusement, but I quickly look away, holding my breath until I hear Damen say, “We’ll get there on our own, you need to be patient.” His words final, leaving no room to negotiate.
Jude nods, shoving his hands deep into his pockets as he gazes between us. “No worries. If you change your mind, or just want to stop by and monitor, feel free. Who knows, maybe you’ll learn something?”
Damen’s eyes narrow ever so slightly, but still it’s enough to persuade me to stand up and say, “So, I’m still on the schedule tomorrow?”
“Bright and early.” Studying me closely as I maneuver around the desk and into the welcoming crook of Damen’s arm. “I won’t be in until later,” he adds, moving for the seat I just vacated and settling in. “So if that girl—” He squints, looking at me.
“Honor.” I nod.
Seeing Damen gape in surprise as Jude laughs and says, “Wow, you really are psychic. Anyway, if she comes in, tell her we’ll start sometime next week.”
twenty-nine
“Your boyfriend seems cool.” Jude looks at me, leaning on the edge of the counter, coffee mug in hand.
“That’s because he is cool.” I nod, thumbing through the appointment book, seeing I’m booked for a two o’clock, followed by a three, a four, and a five—and relieved to see that the names aren’t even slightly familiar.
“So he is—your boyfriend, then?” He takes a quick sip of his drink, eyeing me from over the top of the cup. “I couldn’t be sure. Seems kind of old, you know?”
I slam the book shut and reach for my water, even though I’d really prefer a gulp of immortal juice instead. But ever since Roman showed up I vowed to cut back on my public consumption. “We’re in the same class.” I shrug, returning his gaze. “Which would make us the same age, no?” Hoping to avoid further scrutiny by phrasing it like that.
But Jude continues to stare, gaze deepening when he says, “I don’t know, does it?”
I swallow hard and look away, heart beating overtime as I think, Does he sense something too? Is he onto us?
“Could mean he was held back—for—” He smiles, those sea green eyes sparkling, full of light. “Several decades—at least?”
I lift my shoulders, determined to ignore the insult if that’s what it was. Reminding myself that Jude’s not just my boss—providing a job that gets Sabine off my back—but also the keeper of the Book of Shadows, a tome I desperately need to get to again.
“So, how’d you meet Honor?” I ask, leaning down to tinker with the jewelry display. Rearranging the silver chains with their gemstone pendants, tucking the price tags away. Hoping to appear nonchalant, blasé, as though I’m just filling up the silence and not because I care.
He leaves his cup on the counter and disappears into the back, fiddling with the stereo system until the room fills with the sound of crickets and rain, the same CD he plays every day. “I was hanging a flyer over at this place.” He returns to the counter and points to the name on his cup.