Page 67

He was here.

Shitting hell, he was here.

I stared in disbelief at Nuni var Rorik sprawled casually in a booth at the side of the room, his arms resting along the back and a squat tumbler dangling from one hand. He wasn’t in a suit, just a thin grey sweater that moulded perfectly to his muscular torso. The signet ring on his little finger gleamed, the face of the fat watch on his wrist caught the red gem lights in here, and the huge diamond in his ear winked with every tiny movement of his head. He was like a beacon. Like some shiny trinket left on a park bench, and I was the greedy magpie circling overhead, eyeing it up.

He laughed, sharp white teeth flashing, and my stomach clenched up with want. Reluctantly, I tore my gaze away to take in his companion. It was another demiurgus guy with the same blue colouring in his hair and claws, but his build was more slender and his face was a little softer, with a slightly fuller mouth. They looked so similar that they had to be related. The other guy said something else that made var Rorik laugh and sipped his glass of nightberry wine, the rich black liquid leaving a purplish sheen on the inside of the glass.

As though magnetised, my gaze shot back to Nuni. He looked relaxed. As confident as ever. He was practically taking up an entire side of the wide bench with his domineering pose, but he didn’t look smug or cocky as he spoke to his companion. There was an easy familiarity to their interactions. Maybe a brother?

“Found one?” Devi asked hopefully, nudging my arm and snapping me out of my daze as heat flooded my face.

“Oh. No, I…”

I stopped abruptly when var Rorik took a sip of his drink and casually glanced around the bar before his gaze landed on me. He seemed to choke, spluttering out a cough as he pulled the glass away from his mouth and his companion leaned over to smack him on the back with a laugh.

Fuck. Shit. He’d seen me gawping at him from across the bar. I turned away quickly and rubbed my hot face.

“You okay?” Devi was frowning at me.

“No, yeah, I’m fine, I—” I cleared my throat and shoved my hair back, wishing I’d brought a hair tie so I could get it out of my face. “I just need some water.”

She laughed as Tamyn rolled her eyes and gave my shoulder a weak punch. “You had a single beer with dinner and one shot. Lightweight.”

I smiled weakly, trying to catch the eye of the bartender. Tamyn did it for me a few seconds later, leaning over to ask for a water.

“What’s up?” Devi asked me, sipping her gin and tonic.

“Nothing, honestly. Just thirsty.”

“Sure?”

“Yep.” I forced myself to give her a bright smile. I wasn’t going to ruin her birthday by being all weird just because Nuni var Rorik was here. And the bar was so busy, there was no way we’d even end up anywhere near each other. I’d just casually lead the group to the other side of the bar, as far away from him as possible.

Tamyn pressed a glass of water into my hands a few seconds later, so I gave her a grateful smile and took a sip. Then I looked around, aiming for casual, but still studiously avoiding a particular corner.

“It’s so busy in here.” I leaned in to be heard over the loud chatter. “Why don’t we finish these and try out that other bar you mentioned? The one down the street?”

“It’ll be just as busy in there,” Tamyn called back. “I’m sure we’ll be able to find a spot to loiter. Oh, look! Devi, go claim that one by the pillar. That couple’s just moved.”

“On it.” Devi gave a determined nod and set off while Tamyn rounded up the rest of the group.

I watched my sister walk off, my stomach sinking with dread as she slipped between people, heading directly toward var Rorik. She stopped by a wide stone pillar a short distance from the circular bar and gestured me over enthusiastically.

“Come on.” Tamyn patted my shoulder and took off, the rest of the small group following.

Clutching my glass of water, I dragged my feet over, keeping my gaze away from the one person I was keenly aware of in here. Was he watching me? I had no idea, and I refused to look over. When I reached my sister, I carefully positioned myself behind the pillar so he couldn’t see me.

I tried to join in with the conversation. I didn’t know any of my sister’s friends that well aside from Tamyn, but they were a friendly bunch. Plus, they were all tipsy, having gotten through several drinks during dinner while I nursed my one beer. I wasn’t a big drinker, and hangovers only got worse with age.

None of the others seemed to care about that, getting through their drinks quickly as they talked and laughed. When enough glasses were empty, I reached for my small, hardly ever used evening bag and pulled out my card.

“My round.” I grinned at my sister and took her empty glass from her. “Same again?”

“Thanks.” She squeezed my arm before I turned to Tamyn to ask the same.

Once I’d collected everyone’s drink orders, I stepped out from behind the pillar and immediately crashed into someone who was making their way to the bar on the other side.

“Oh, sorr—”