Blood Assassin (The Sentinels #2)(16)

Which meant that he wasn’t fooled by the lack of bulging muscles on the dark-haired man currently standing between him and Serra.

Just a glance was enough to reveal the man’s perfect balance as he surveyed Fane for any sign of weakness, and the hand that was inching toward his back where he no doubt had a handgun tucked.

A trained soldier.

Perhaps even a Sentinel, although his powers were too weak to set off Fane’s natural ability to detect high-bloods.

Fane hid his annoyance behind his stoic expression.

He’d managed to slip into the building undetected and using his innate magic, he’d avoided the predictable security system. But once he had caught Serra’s scent in the penthouse office he’d accepted that he wasn’t going to be able to use stealth to enter.

It was going to take a more direct approach.

The man narrowed his dark eyes. “You must be Fane.”

Fane stretched his lips into a humorless smile. “Have we met?”

“Your reputation precedes you.”

Good. Fane was a guardian. He understood that any fight might leave him weakened and unable to protect those in his care. It was always better to avoid physical confrontations.

“Then you know you’re going to have to kill me if you intend to keep me out of that office.”

The threat was delivered in a flat tone. The sort of tone that warned he wasn’t screwing around.

The man foolishly remained between Fane and the door. “How did you get into the building?”

Fane deliberately glanced down at the elaborate tattooing that covered his skin. The ancient symbols not only protected him from magic, but they also prevented psychic attacks and clairvoyants from messing with his mind.

“Spells can’t keep me out,” he said as he pointed out the obvious.

“And the electronic surveillance?”

Fane shrugged. “Technology has its glitches.”

“You can disrupt the signal?” The man scowled, clearly unaware that there were Sentinels capable of scrambling electronic devices. “Damn.”

Fane took a warning step forward. “Stand aside.”

The man spread his legs, his hand behind his back gripping the hidden weapon as he prepared for Fane’s attack.

“I can’t do that.”

“Fine.” Fane shrugged. “Then we do this the painful way.”

Intent on each other, neither glanced at the door as it was pulled open. Not until a man with short dark hair and peculiar bronze eyes stepped into the office, closely followed by Serra.

“I’m disappointed Kaede,” the man drawled, his voice edged with a punishing power that Fane could feel despite the powerful glyphs that were tattooed onto his skin. “This is the second occasion your security has failed us.”

Kaede offered a low bow, his small flinch the only sign he was feeling the effects of the lash of power.

“I take full responsibility.”

“Yes, you will. Your punishment, however, will have to wait.”

Kaede straightened. “What do you want me to do with him?”

The bronze gaze settled on Fane. “A good question.”

Fane studied the stranger, taking careful notice of the witch mark and the peculiar horizontal lines that ran the length of his neck.

The man didn’t feel particularly strong in magic, but there was something . . .

Something dark and dangerous that lurked just below the surface.

Something Fane could sense, even if he couldn’t pin it down.

He shifted so he could keep an eye on both men, allowing only a brief glance at Serra to make sure she wasn’t hurt.

He couldn’t allow his fear that she remained in danger to interfere with his training.

“Give me Serra.”

The man frowned. “Does she belong to you?”

“Belong? Are you a freaking caveman?” Serra growled, typically displaying more courage than sense. “I don’t belong to anyone. Not now, not ever.”

Fane’s attention remained on the elegantly dressed man. He was the more dangerous of the two.

“We’re not bonded,” he said, answering the question.

“If you’re not her guardian, then how did you find her?”

“Because he’s Fane,” Serra retorted, the bite in her tone revealing she was still pissed at him. Obviously rushing to her rescue didn’t earn him any brownie points. “Sentinel extraordinaire.”

“Ah.” The leader waved a hand toward his companion. “Kaede. Do a sweep to make sure he came alone.”

Kaede hesitated. “Bas.”

“I’ll be fine.”

Fane snorted. “I wouldn’t count on it.”

Kaede stepped toward his boss, his expression tight with frustration. “Dammit, Bas. Your arrogance is going to get you killed.” He jerked his head toward Fane. “This isn’t just another Sentinel.”

Bas sent Fane a mocking glance. “You don’t have to explain, Kaede, even I have heard of Fane.”

“Then you know this is no time to screw around,” the servant muttered.

The bronze eyes held an unnerving confidence. “Trust me, Fane is going to behave himself.”

“If you believe that then whatever you heard about me is a lie,” Fane assured him.