Shadowland (The Immortals #3)

I slide the drawer open, frantically shoving the book inside as a soft thud of footsteps makes their way down the hall.

Barely getting it closed before Jude sticks his head in and says, “Working late?”

He steps into the room and offers his hand to Damen who hesitates, taking a moment to size him up, before offering his own. Even after releasing Jude’s grip his gaze remains focused, unmoving, his mind far away.

“So, what’s going on here? Is this take-your-family-to-work day?” Jude smiles, though it doesn’t quite reach his eyes.

“No! We were just—” I swallow hard, having no idea what comes next, meeting his deep knowing gaze and quickly looking away.

“We were looking at your Book of Shadows,” Rayne says, arms folded, eyes narrowed. “And we were wondering where you got it?”

Jude nods, lips lifting at the corners when he says, “And you are?”

“Romy and Rayne.” I nod. “They’re my—” I glance at them, wondering how to explain them.

“Nieces,” Damen says, gaze locked on Jude. “They’re staying with me for a while.”

Jude nods, glancing at Damen briefly before returning to me. Moving just shy of the desk as he says, “Well, if anyone could find it, it’s you.”

I swallow hard, glancing at Damen who continues to eye Jude in a way I’ve never seen from him before. Like his entire being is on a full-scale alert—posture stiff, features controlled, eyes narrowing to the deepest, darkest points, all the while taking him in.

“Am I fired?” I ask, laughing a little, but mostly I’m serious.

Jude shakes his head. “Why would I fire my very best psychic? My only psychic!” He smiles. “Funny, that book’s been in the drawer since last summer and yet no one found it ’til now.” He shrugs. “So what’s your interest in it anyway? I thought you weren’t into magick and stuff?”

I swivel back and forth in my seat, uncomfortable, squirmy, especially with the way Damen keeps looking at him. “I’m not, but the twins are very much into—”

“Wicca,” Damen says, placing a protective hand on each of their shoulders. “They’re interested in learning more about Wicca, and Ever thought this book might help. Though obviously, it’s far too advanced.”

Jude looks at Damen, slowly taking him in. “Looks like I just got my second and third sign-up for class.”

“There’s another?” I say, quickly, without thinking, glancing briefly at Damen and feeling an inexplicable flush rise to my cheeks.

Jude shrugs. “If she shows. Seemed pretty interested though.”

Honor. I know it without even peering into his mind. Honor’s the first sign-up, and I’ve no doubt she’ll show.

“Class?” Damen asks, hands still on the twins, gaze darting between Jude and me.

“Psychic Development level one.” He shrugs. “With a small emphasis on self-empowerment and magick. I’m thinking we should start soon, maybe even tomorrow. Why wait?”

Romy and Rayne look at each other, eyes blazing with excitement. But Damen shakes his head saying, “No.”

Jude looks at him, face easy, relaxed, not the least bit daunted. “Aw come on, I won’t even charge. I’m new at this anyway, so it’s a good chance for me to try it all out and see what works and what doesn’t. Besides, it’s just a simple introductory course, nothing heavy, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

Their eyes meet, and even though I know the heavy part is pretty much Damen’s number-one concern, it’s clearly not his only concern.

No, this sudden edginess, this uncharacteristic guardedness, has something to do with Jude.

And me.

Jude and me together.

And if I didn’t know better, I’d think he was jealous. But I do know better, and, unfortunately, that sort of behavior is relegated only to me.

The twins plead with him, large brown eyes gazing into his. “Please!” they say, voices high-pitched, intertwining. “We really, really, really want to take this class!”

“It’ll help us with our magick!” Romy nods, smiling as she tugs on his hand.

“And get us out of the house so Ever can’t complain about your lack of privacy anymore!” Rayne adds, managing to insult me even as she aims to convince.

Jude looks at me, brows raised in amusement, but I quickly look away, holding my breath until I hear Damen say, “We’ll get there on our own, you need to be patient.” His words final, leaving no room to negotiate.

Jude nods, shoving his hands deep into his pockets as he gazes between us. “No worries. If you change your mind, or just want to stop by and monitor, feel free. Who knows, maybe you’ll learn something?”

Damen’s eyes narrow ever so slightly, but still it’s enough to persuade me to stand up and say, “So, I’m still on the schedule tomorrow?”

“Bright and early.” Studying me closely as I maneuver around the desk and into the welcoming crook of Damen’s arm. “I won’t be in until later,” he adds, moving for the seat I just vacated and settling in. “So if that girl—” He squints, looking at me.

“Honor.” I nod.

Seeing Damen gape in surprise as Jude laughs and says, “Wow, you really are psychic. Anyway, if she comes in, tell her we’ll start sometime next week.”