It was on the tip of her tongue to ask why he had to keep his distance since a Dark Lord was supposed to be super powerful and in control at all times. However, she pushed it aside to focus on her original question. "I don't know if I'm staying here for good yet. But if I did, is my only option to become a matchmaker?"
He smiled a beat, but it was gone before she could blink. "Not necessarily, but it is by far the most profitable venture since many vampires and shifters don't want to wait decades—let alone centuries—to find their fated ones. Although even dedicated matchmaker businesses occasionally help with locating lost relatives and sending objects back to prevent a death, provided the person in question isn't one of the established Pillars of Time."
She'd read a little about such people—individuals she couldn't touch, or affect, in any way with her magic. Without them, the timeline would collapse completely, or so the theory went. Time-wielders could supposedly tell who was one or not, although she wasn't yet trained enough to do so. "If I did set up shop as a matchmaker, it would ultimately be under your control, right?"
He shrugged one shoulder. "Yes, but I don't place unfair demands or restrictions on my fae witches or their businesses. I merely want people to give their tithing percentage to help our kind, as well as ensure people don't abuse their magical abilities. We've only established peace between all the paranormals in this country recently, and I don't want to see it devolve into war yet again."
Before she could think better of it, she blurted, "Like the war you had with the vampires?"
He grimaced. "That was mostly because the former Dark Lords were a bunch of conceited arseholes who somehow thought killing the most people made them the strongest, as if this were the Dark Ages. In reality, all it did was cause pain and made the humans extremely unhappy with us. I don't think you've been outside this building yet, have you?" She shook her head and he continued, "Well, they built a twenty-foot wall between the human border and paranormal one in London. One day, I hope to see it destroyed."
Yesenia had been so focused on learning how to use her magic, she hadn't studied recent nineteenth century history as much. She'd have to fix that, if she could find the time. Between her studies, practicing, trying to help Nora, and Leo, well, she didn't have tons of spare time.
Khan stood up from the wall. "You haven't been here long, so don't feel forced to make a decision just yet about your future. However, if you do decide to stay in this time, you'll have to pledge your loyalty to the Fae Witch council and undergo a few more studies. Let me know either way."
She nodded. "I will. Thank you for all your help."
He brushed off her gratitude with a wave of his hand. "I have another meeting to attend. However, do make sure to let me know if the claiming is complete. Once that happens, Yates has no right to keep you here."
She frowned. "He doesn't?"
"I'm not sure what they've told you, but no. I promised he could claim you to stop the oncoming madness. But after that, I'm free to do with you what I will."
She wasn't sure if she liked that. It was basically going from one male who wanted to control her to another. "What if I want to stay?"
He tilted his head. "We'll see." She opened her mouth to ask more, but Khan put up a hand. "We'll meet again before too long, Miss Vale. I must attend the other meeting. If you need anything, just give a note to Rebecca to pass on to me."
With that, Khan exited the room.
Yesenia crossed her arms over her chest and frowned. If, and that was a big if, she did stay in the late nineteenth century and became a matchmaker, she'd ensure every male client had classes on how to treat females. She'd dismiss Khan's attitude since he was a leader and would always be a bit aloof and quasi-dictator-like. However, if she brought any modern female back here, the client in question would need to learn what to expect. The I-have-a-dick-so-I-control-everything attitude wouldn't go over well with females from the future.
Too bad she didn't have a class like that for Leo. No, she was just making it up as she went along. If nothing else, it was a crash course in dealing with nineteenth-century-male egos.
Smiling, she began to think about how she'd break down said egos for her clients. Allowing herself a few minutes to imagine what her life would be and how she might just enjoy it, Yesenia finally pushed aside the wonderings, sat down, and focused on the book in front of her. After all, nothing would happen if she couldn't learn to use her magic fully. And so she went back to studying.