Youre looking in the wrong place, he replied with a hint of a smile. Look into my eyes.
And she did. They always did. It never occurred to anyone that looking into his eyes was the last thing they should do. He let his guard down, letting the Aether take him a little bit deeper into its realm. The girls aura poured around him and he seized itnot with his hands, but with that part of him that could bend this strange element to his will. Quickly, he forced the color to change from anger to peacefulness and finally to the tranquil glow of restfulness. His power flowed around her just before her mental defenses slammed shut. Whatever she was, her instincts were fast.
But not fast enough in this case.
She swayed. Staggered a little. One thin, bloody hand grabbed his shoulder. What? What have you done to me?
You need to relax, he told her in a low voice. Im going to help you do that.
She stared at him, eyes wide now, the fear pouring off her like water from a spout. It left a bitter taste in his mouth. Dont take me back. Please! I dont know what hell do to me.
So his suspicions were correct. She had been a victim.
I wont, he promised, all the while gently forcing his own calm into her. Youre safe here. Her defenses faltered, and he slipped inside once more.
She staggered again and seized his other shoulder, as well. He supported much of her weight now, but she wasnt that heavy. Besides, the Aether gave him strength. He watched as her eyes changedpupils shrinking until all that was left was warm gold. Much of the wildness left her features, and as her knees gave out she actually smiled at him.
Thank you, she whispered. And then her eyes rolled back into their sockets.
Griff caught her before she hit the floor. Help me get her back into bed, he commanded.
Sam gave him a glance, brow raised. You cant be serious? That scary little girl needs to go. Now.
No, Griff argued, and he smiled when Emily came forward to help him, just as he knew she would. He placed the girl on the mattress as the little redhead pulled back the sheets and paused just for a moment to study the blood on her face and the dark circles beneath her eyes. As frightening as we may think her, I believe she finds herself even more so.
When Finley woke again, she felt more like herself than she had in some time. She felt rested and not nearly as battered as she ought. More important, she felt safe. The why of it was a mystery, because she rarely felt safe anywhere.
She sat up against the great mound of soft down-filled pillows and glanced around the room. It was a large bedroom, decorated in shades of cinnamon and cream. The bed was so big she could lie sideways on it and still her toes would not dangle over the edge. Beside her on the nightstand was a lamp and a small brass box with buttons on it labeled with titles such as kitchen, butler and maid. If she pressed one of them, would someone come? Or would they be too afraid?
Large windows to her right treated her to a view of the most lush and beautiful garden she had ever seen. Were it not for the dirigible marked Lair France high in the surprisingly blue sky, she might have thought herself in the country, it was so peaceful. She had never experienced true silence in London before. A house like this could only stand in Mayfair.
This was what it felt like to be a lady waking up in the morning. Quiet and snug.
On the desk there was one of the new candlestick-style telephones, its brass gleaming. She could call someone to come get her, but who? Her mother? No. She didnt want to involve her mother or her stepfather in this mess.
On the desk there was one of the new candlestick-style telephones, its brass gleaming. She could call someone to come get her, but who? Her mother? No. She didnt want to involve her mother or her stepfather in this mess.
Above the desk on the wall was a portrait of a lady from Henry VIIIs time, its frame heavy and gold-gilt. Beside it, a silver candlestick lodged in the plaster. Had she done that? Oh, Lord, she had! The events of the previous evening came rushing back at her with sickening violence. She remembered an all-too-familiar feelingthat someone else had taken over her body, leaving her an observer in her own skin. She could remember all the things she said and did, but she couldnt begin to find reason or excuse.
Was she going mad? These spells had been coming upon her more often as of late. Theyd started right around the same time shed become a woman by biological standards. That had been three years ago, but never had she had an experience like these past few. Shed never lost herself so completely.
And yetwhen she was in the midst of madness, it didnt feel like madness at all. It felt right, like that awful part of her was as natural as breathing. But it could not be natural. It was something dark and wrong andevil.
Was there anything that could save her? Anything short of death that could stop it from happening again? Felix had deserved the wallop she gave him, but the young man with the striking blue eyes and the thick red-brown hair, he didnt deserve what she might have done to him when she leaped over the giant one to get to him.
She hadnt wanted to hurt him, not really. Something had drawn her to him, and when she looked up into those amazing eyes, doing him harm had been the last thing on her mind. She had actually wondered what it might be like to kiss him.
It had to have been some kind of sorcery. What else could it have been? He had drained all of the fight out of her without lifting a hand. One glance had filled her with such peace and lethargy that all she had wanted to do was curl up and sleep. Which she had.
Had heor any of themdone something to her while she slept? She couldnt tell, as she was still somewhat tender from the tussle with Lord Felix. She didnt want to believe the pretty gentleman capable of such violence, but she had learned the hard way that pretty gentlemen were often the worst of the lot.
But now what? She couldnt stay here forever, and she had no idea if she could trust these people. It was obvious the others didnt want her around. What if they turned her over to the police? Or worse, what if Rich Boy was a friend of Lord Felix?
A knock at the door made her heart jump. The knob turned and the door opened before she could call for whoever it was to enter.
The redheaded girl walked in. Her bright, ropey hair was pinned haphazardly on the back of her head, with thick coils hanging around her pretty face. She wore trousers tucked into high black boots, a white shirt and a tight leather vest. It had become fashionable for young women of independent thought to emulate the masculine fashion, but Finley hadnt the nerve to do it herself. She much preferred the Oriental look that had come over from China. She hadnt the nerve to copy that, either.
The girl glanced at her with large, intense blue eyes as she entered the room. Finleys fingers went to her forehead where shed been injured. The skin there was soft and smooth, not even a lump or slightest scab, even though she remembered tearing at it the night before. In fact, her cheek and lip felt better, as well. But then, shed always been a fast healer.
Youfixed me. She couldnt keep the awe from her voice.
The young womans expression was puzzled as she dipped a cloth in the washbasin on the stand near the dresser. Of course she would be expecting Finley to act as beastly as she had last night. Yes. I did. Im glad you left it alone this time.
Finley smiled, hoping she looked friendly rather than demented. This girl was no threat to her and so that dark part of her was peaceful. Thank you.
Ive brought you breakfast. She gestured to the doorway, where the large young man with longish black hair and rugged features stood holding a tray. Her dark self raised its head, but didnt make a fuss. And I would like to examine you, if thats all right.
So young and a doctor? It was impossible, of course, but that didnt mean the Irish girl didnt have a proper knowledge of medicine. After all, she had healed her wound. Of course. Thank you for breakfast.
Ill clean you up and we can talk while you eat.
Finleys smile was stronger now. She kept her attention focused on the girl while watching her companion from the corner of her eye. Id like that. She felt something of a kinship with this girl. Girls didnt normally like her, and young men tended to like her in ways she didnt want. She didnt understand why because it wasnt as though she was uncommonly beautiful or anything.
The girl didnt look like she was convinced of her sincerity, but she came closer all the same. If you try to hurt me, hell stop you. Understand?
The smile melted from Finleys lips and slipped down her throat to form a hard knot. She nodded, not daring to glance at the grim-looking young man.
She sat still while her companion wiped her forehead and face, trying not to notice how much blood stained the cloth, turning it rusty. She was given another warm, wet length of linen to wash her hands. They were stained, as well.
Finley swallowed. I must apologize for my behavior last night. I was not myself.
No? A high, red brow arched against the girls pale forehead as she took both cloths away. Who were you, then? A Changeling perhaps? She had a beautiful, lyrical Irish accent.
Im not sure, Finley replied with a frown, watching her walk away. Was she teasing her, or did she honestly believe she might be a Faerie trying to pass as human?
The girl dropped the soiled cloths back into the basin, turned and walked to the dresser. She rummaged through a small leather kit and pulled out something that looked like a perfume bottle. Im going to give you another treatment, just to make sure you continue to heal. I promise it wont annoy you like it did last night. You can eat, as well.
Finley blushed, unable to contain a rush of humiliation. Of course. She pushed herself up farther on the pillows to be more accommodating and so she would be able to eat. The movement apparently startled the girl because she jerked back and dropped the bottle. It landed on the floor with a loud thump.
Ah, blast! It went beneath the dresser.
Before the girl could bend down to stick her hand underneath the piece of furniture, the dark-haired young man was there. He set the tray on the bed and then went to the dresser, bending down. How he expected to find the mechanism with those big hands of his, Finley didnt know. But then she realized he had only reached underneath to get a good hold. When he straightened, the large, heavy piece came with him, held between his two hands with ease.