Tess’s lips were warm under Xavier’s, so warm, and as soft as silk spun by moonlight. He followed the proud angle of her cheekbone with his fingertips as he gently caressed her tongue with his, and a snatch of ancient text came to him.

Behold, thou art fair, my love. Behold, thou art fair.

He had to breathe. He had to. It was an instinct older than death. He took in a deep, physically unnecessary breath just to smell the fragrance of her hair, and thought, I am in deep trouble.

A ripple of Power drew his attention. It came from the other room, where Julian had disappeared. A moment later, he heard Julian and Soren talking. Their voices grew closer, and he had just enough time to ease Tess back into her seat before the door opened and the other two men walked in.

As he always did, Xavier had to brace himself for the onslaught of Soren’s presence. Born at the beginning of the world, Soren was one of the ancient ones, a first-generation Djinn, and his Power was so intense, he burned against the mind’s eye. The physical form Soren chose to wear was a tall, strongly built male, with a craggy face, white hair and white eyes that shone like stars.

Beside Xavier, Tess straightened her spine. Her gaze was filled with fascination and wariness.

Soren ignored Tess and nodded to Xavier. His voice was deep and commanding. “Del Torro, I’ve heard what Julian has to say and I’ll be blunt—the Djinn will not go to war against Malphas over this issue. If he murdered the senator’s son, there’s no evidence of it, and if humans have gambled enough to accrue debts they cannot pay, they’ve broken a bargain and aren’t entitled to any protections or rights under Djinn law.” He shrugged. “If someone else can bring him to justice in a court of human law for something he’s done, so be it.”

The Djinn and their blasted bargains. While he wasn’t surprised at anything Soren said, still, anger burned hot and bright. He said, “That would be convenient, wouldn’t it, if others dealt with Malphas without involving the Djinn?”

Soren raised his eyebrows. “Of course.”

Before he could say anything in reply, Tess spoke up.

“Excuse me, Mister Soren,” she said. Her eyes glittered with an expression that Xavier was beginning to find all too familiar. “I understand I’m just an unimportant human, and as such, I don’t really warrant a proper introduction or you speaking directly to me. My name is Tess, by the way.”

Soren’s shining, starred eyes fixed on Tess, while at his side, Julian angled his head to stare at Xavier, who sat back and began to smile.

“Do go on,” Soren said coldly.

Tess picked up the pad of paper, tore off a page and folded it. “Do you have any idea what’s written on this page?”

“No,” said the deadly head of the Elder tribunal. “Is there some reason I should?”

Julian said in Xavier’s head, What is she doing?

I don’t have a clue, said Xavier. But I think it will be interesting to find out.

“I didn’t think so,” Tess replied. “Do you know who else doesn’t know what’s on this page? Malphas. In fact, I’m only sure of one thing in all of this mess—he doesn’t know what I know. I mean it only stands to reason, doesn’t it? Otherwise, he would have stopped me from warning Eathan’s father. He would have caught me before I ran away. And he would have found me by now. You get my drift, don’t you?”

“I believe I do,” said Soren. His craggy face was so expressionless, it looked like the mask it truly was.

“Here’s one other thing I noticed,” she said. The fine bones of her face were etched with tension, but the expression in her eyes was hectic, renegade. “Everyone agrees that Malphas won’t necessarily stick to a bargain, unless he believes it benefits him in some way. But not you. If you make a bargain, you’ll stick to it, won’t you?”

“Absolutely.”

“Would you make a bargain with me, Mister Soren?”

The Djinn cocked his head. “Perhaps.”

Tess asked, “Would you make a bargain with me in front of Malphas?”

FIFTEEN

Tess, no,” Xavier said. “No.”

She didn’t look at him or react. All her attention appeared focused on the Djinn in front of her, while the folded paper shook visibly in her clenched hand.

Soren replied, “I believe I would. Provided the terms are acceptable, of course.”

“Goddammit.” Xavier slipped into Spanish, and a stream of expletives poured out of his mouth.

Julian gave him a strange look. He said, “I’m inclined to agree with her, Xavier. She started this. She can finish it—or at least try to.”

The implication in that was obvious to everyone.

“I’d like to be clear about one thing.” Tess’s voice turned tight. “I didn’t start this.”

Julian’s expression cooled, but he said, “Point taken.”

Soren asked, “Shall I summon Malphas here, or do you prefer some other location?”

Rubbing the back of his neck, Julian replied, “I’d just as soon have this happen here in my quarters, where we can keep it private.”

“Very well.” Soren looked at Tess. “Are you ready?”

“Almost,” Tess said. “I need an envelope.”

“Fine.” Looking exasperated, Julian strode out of the room.

Xavier stood when Tess did, his hands clenched. Ignoring Soren, he said telepathically, Tess, don’t do this.

She shook her head, looking as determined as he’d ever seen her. I have to.

No, you don’t, he growled. Besides, I won’t let you.

She gave him another remarkably beautiful, complex smile. You don’t really have a choice.

He snapped, You haven’t even explained what you intend to do. We haven’t talked over options.

Julian and Soren have made it clear we don’t have any options.

Julian strode back into the room, holding a manila envelope. He handed it to Tess, and she slipped the folded paper inside and sealed it.

Xavier couldn’t stand it. Not caring that Julian and Soren stood nearby and watched, he grabbed her by the shoulders. He demanded, I’m supposed to protect you. Where did that go?

Something happened to me over the last six weeks. Tess laid a hand on his chest. I internalized what you and Raoul have been teaching me, and the conversations in my head really did change. I’m grateful you want to protect me. That means so much to me—much more than you can know. But I’m going to protect myself now. I need to do this, Xavier, and for more than one reason. Malphas needs to know this comes from me.