“That never gets old,” he murmured into the skin on my neck.

My hands freed, I wrapped my arms around his shoulders. “Take a break, because then it’s my turn to be on top.”

He kissed my neck. “If it weren’t for the possibility of an intruder showing up to spoil our party, I would say you’ll have a hard time getting on top when you’re tied to the bed, but given the circumstances…”

I smiled in the dim light. My power still throbbed and my sex drive was ready to join the party. With him, I was always ready to go again. “Rain check.”

“I’ll hold you to that.”

I wiggled to get him to move off me, then reached for the side table. I pulled out a black blindfold and dangled it from one finger. “But you can choose who wears this.”

His eyes flashed desire again. “I will. I want to be surprised when you move from teasing to taking my cock deep into your throat.”

“And then you’ll rip it off so you can watch me suck you off?”

A grin pulled at his lips. “You read my mind. And take that necklace off. I don’t want to get cum on it.”

Giddy, quickly moving to close the blinds, I found myself longing for the day we could be carefree and do all this for real, without worry we’d be interrupted.

I hardened my resolve. I’d call that Spirit Walker again, and this time, I’d make him my bitch.

10

Alexis

The next morning, I arrived in the kitchen refreshed and determined. Today was the first day of my new life. My new adult life. I would get a real job, a real office, and a real place in the magical world. I’d been in hiding for far too long.

Bria sat at the island with a breakfast sandwich and a plate of fruit. Daisy and Mordecai were at the kitchen table, eating similar meals. Boman stood near the doorway between the kitchen and dining room wearing the black cargo pants he usually donned for breaking and entering or combat.

I frowned as I glanced at Kieran’s assistant, Red, standing near the window, her fiery hair glowing in a stream of sunlight. Leaning against the counter near the stove was a woman I’d never seen before. She stuck out like a sore thumb. Her makeup was perfect, her hair blown and styled just so, and her feminine clothes accented her slight curves just right.

“Where’s Kieran?” I asked, looking at Red.

“Oh.” The unidentified woman straightened up with a pleased smile. “Alexis, hell—”

“He’s at the office with the rest of the Six and the paper pusher,” Red cut in.

“So then…why are you here?”

“He got word from Demigod Nancy’s office,” Red said. “She will be supplying someone to train you. A level-five Defalcator. Kieran has shifted me to protective duty. He doesn’t completely trust Nancy’s motives.”

“A Defalcator? I’ve never heard of it,” I said, grabbing the one remaining breakfast sandwich from the platter. I’d taken a little longer getting ready this morning. I really wanted to look the part today. I’d wow people, damn it. No more worst-dressed lists for me.

“Of the Hermes line,” Daisy said as though reading from a flash card. “A Defalcator can move objects into the spirit realm for retrieval at another time. These items are typically smaller, but the best of their kind can move something up to the size of a medium-sized dog. They must be inanimate items, however. A Defalcator is no kidnapper. He must touch the items he wishes to transport. Keep his fingers off your possessions. He’ll be a master thief and pickpocket.”

I poured myself some coffee, realizing that Zorn was training me up a little magical almanac. That would be helpful.

“What can someone like that teach me about my magic?” I asked in confusion.

“Damned waste of time,” Bria murmured.

I had to agree with her. I might be able to glean a few lessons from context, but I wouldn’t be breaking down any walls.

“Refusing the tutor might damage Demigod Kieran’s fragile relationship with Demigod Nancy, and—”

“His fragile relationship, yeah.” Bria snorted. “Nothing is going to damage that relationship unless he actually sleeps with her and then ghosts her. A woman scorned and all that. Otherwise, she’ll just keep trying. And if someone else picked out this tutor for her, when or if Kieran refuses the offer, the secret string puller will just come up with something else.”

Red turned from the window, her eyes smoldering with annoyance. Speaking of fragile relationships, I didn’t have high hopes for theirs.

“It’s fine.” I held up my hands, talking around my food so this didn’t escalate. “It’s fine. I’ll see what the tutor has to say, and…” I hadn’t registered the soul until it was right under my nose. A little white cat rubbed against Boman’s leg and mewed softly. He bent down and scooped it up, cradling it in his big arms. “Who let the cat in here?”

Boman scratched its head and then under its chin. It purred softly. “This little fella was hanging around last night. Sounded hungry, so Jack gave him a little tuna. He ate it up and looked for more—didn’t you, little guy, huh? Poor thing was probably brought out here and left for dead.”

“It can’t be feral. Those things never have both their eyes,” Daisy murmured.