Dragon-face stuttered, “Yes, I-I think I should find another job.” Even as she said the words, her hands were busy packing up her desk. Hell, she looked confused by her own actions, but continued tossing everything into an empty Xerox box that had been on the floor next to her desk.
“Good idea,” the stranger answered calmly. “You know you need to quit because you’re a nightmare of a human being. You really don’t want all the ugly publicity surrounding a lawsuit filed against you, do you? It would not only ruin your reputation but that of this office, as well.”
He turned his back on her, took my backpack and then tucked my free arm around his, leaving my other hand available to use my cane. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Kailar. My name is Keion Magnus. My brother, Alyx, has seen your file and he asked if I could pick you up to deliver you to his home for your interview. He’ll be the one actually employing you, but I live on the estate, as well. If he gives you any problems, let me know and I’ll remind him that I’m the older brother!” His voice and eyes were friendly—so different than when he’d addressed Dragon-face.
Dragon-face was still packing up her things as the stranger started to escort me to the door. She called out to him as we left. “Wait! Tell me again what I’m doing here.”
He spun around to face her. “Oh, you’re a stubborn one. Be thankful I’m not making you crawl all the way home on the busy highway instead of just packing up and quitting. You’re leaving this job because you’re totally unsuited to it. Now hurry up and gather your things. Then run along.”
She huffed but didn’t make an argument against his odd threat—as if he could make her do any such thing! Well, maybe he could, because shewasgoing. My mind was screaming for my feet to stop walking but instead, I was allowing him to lead me around like I was an obedient puppy. I couldn’t stop myself. And the strangest feeling was coming over me. For the first time in as long as I could remember—maybe since my father died—I felt safe. It was a nice feeling, but one I knew I shouldn’t get used to. Some voice deep inside me was speaking urgently.
Never relax and become complacent. Don’t forget how treacherous your enemies are. Beware of everyone you meet. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Be careful, child.
God, where had that come from? The voice had sounded almost like…my dad’s.
I shook off the man’s arm and took a step backward from him. Regardless of how bitchy Dragon-face had been about it, the bottom line was that I reallywasunemployable. With my luck, I’d probably end up dying on a street corner—nobody to miss me and my stepmom would have to take care of the cat I’d brought home with me one day when I saw the stray kitten on the side of the road.
We were outside by this time, and he made a gesture with his hand to point toward an impressive black Escalade that resembled the cars the President’s motorcade used.
“Here’s our ride, Kailar. I tried to park as closely as possible. Alyx told me you had some health issues that you needed to overcome.”
The last comment did it. I pulled back on his arm to let him know I needed to stop. “See, that’s just it. I’m not going to just overcome my health issues. I think I’m probably dying, Mr. Magnus. Since I’m honest, I have to admit that regardless of what sort of job your brother has selected for me, I probably wouldn’t be capable of doing it. My strength fades a little more daily. I don’t want to waste your time or your brother’s,” I explained. Then, with a smile, I added, “But I really appreciate the badass way you handled Dragon-face. I don’t know how you managed that, because she’s not a nice person.”
“Dragon-face?” He asked with a frown…that suddenly morphed into a huge smile. “Oh! You mean Miss Collett from the unemployment office. Today was the first face to face encounter with her, but I’m in one-hundred-percent agreement that she is not a good person. Her ignorance, not to mention her rudeness, pissed me off.”
His eyes were the prettiest jade color. Why couldn’t I have met him when I’d been healthy and attractive? A voice coming from deep inside me surprised me then by saying,Keion is not for you. Your soul mate is still waiting.
What the hell was with all these voices suddenly piping up inside me? I guess it had finally happened and my mind was failing now too.
“Now, come along,” Mr. Magnus was saying as he tugged my arm. “Don’t disappoint my brother. He’s been expecting you and can be a bear when he doesn’t get his way.” Like I hadn’t said a word, he opened the passenger door in the Escalade and carefully placed my backpack onto the floor. “Here, let me give you a boost up. These things sit too damn high off the ground if you ask me.”
It was so sweet that he was trying to cover for me being unable to climb into the oversized vehicle but not so sweet that he’d just ignored every other word I’d said. I hated having to admit my disabilities out loud and it looked like he was about to make me do it a second time.
“Did you hear anything I just said?”
“I heard every word of it,” he answered as he literally lifted me up and onto the seat, placed my cane next to me, and closed the door right in my face. I would have panicked if he didn’t come across as so damn friendly. Of course, they said Ted Bundy had appeared friendly to his victims too.
“I don’t mean to be overbearing, but my little brother can really be something when he doesn’t get his way. And he wants to see you.” He grinned and I was struck again by how beautiful he was. “Now please, Kailar. My mother and father spoiled him outrageously, and he’s used to having things done the way he likes. I know it sounds strange but please give it a chance. Alyx really has his heart set on meeting you.”
“He does? But why? I mean, I’ve never even heard of him before. What kind of job could I possibly do for him?”
“He needs an assistant, and he thinks you’d be perfect. He’ll explain everything to you.”
As soon as he climbed into the driver’s seat, I frowned at him. “You realize this is creepy, right? It’s almost like I’m being abducted.”
He laughed as the engine purred to life. “Do you feel as if you’re being abducted?”
“No,” I muttered. “I just don’t want your brother angry or-or disappointed when he sees me. I can’t be what he expected.”
“No,” he answered softly. “You’re perfect. I think you’ll find that you and Alyx need one another. Now, sit back and rest for a bit. It’s about twenty minutes until we get there. May as well make yourself comfortable.”
The ride, as it turned out, was as crazy as the introduction of Keion into my life. Roads which were always crowded, with horns blaring at each other, appeared to be running smoothly. We didn’t get held up by the first red light—they turned green every time we got near them. No jaywalkers. No accidents. Nothing but road perfection. It was weird as hell.
Chapter Three
After traveling into the nearby countryside a few miles outside of Knoxville, we came to a huge, ornate gate that proclaimed the green fields and tree-lined driveway behind it to be Magick Hill. The gate opened on its own as we drove up, but Keion waited for it to open fully before he drove the big car through.
The driveway was cool and shaded and led up a small hill to a gorgeous mansion with white columns and a real antebellum look, though Keion assured me the similarities ended there. The entire interior had been extensively renovated.