Page 98 of Arcane Entanglement

Evander blinked, as taken aback by the sudden capitulation as he was by the bold suggestion that immediately followed it.

“I…that’s not necessary. I’m perfectly capable of?—”

“I know you are,” Viggo interrupted. His eyes darkened. “But you don’thaveto do everything alone. Let me help.”

The look on the Brute’s face made Evander’s chest tighten.

He swallowed hard, acutely aware of Rufus and Winterbourne’s presence.

It was the only reason he didn’t close the distance to Viggo and embrace him.

“Alright,” Evander murmured.

Relief brightened Viggo’s gaze.

Winterbourne leaned towards the inspector.

“Is there something going on between those two?” he hissed.

Rufus pursed his lips. “They’re just friends, sir.”

“I forgot to mention.” Viggo frowned. “A name cropped up duringNightshade’s investigations ofNoctis Bloomand those dark mages. Caine Renwick.”

The next morningdawned clear and cold, a rarity in smog-choked London. Viggo took in the sights and sounds around him where he stood on a platform at Charing Cross station.

A vaulted iron and glass ceiling soared overhead, the magical lamps suspended beneath it supplementing the natural light streaming inside the building. Porters scurried about, weaving carts laden with trunks and valises expertly between the milling passengers. The air was thick with the smell of coal smoke and ozone, the latter a byproduct of the enchantments that powered the trains.

His shoulders tensed fractionally as he studied the hulking steam engine a little down the way from where he stood.

The locomotive was a marvel of modern engineering and magic, its brass fittings gleaming in the weak sunlight and the runes etched along its dark body pulsing with arcane energy.

Despite its impressive appearance, Viggo couldn't shake the unease that settled in his gut at the thought of boarding it. This would be his sixth time on a train and he remained as cautious as he’d been during his first journey a few years ago. He was recalling a particularly nasty incident in Strasbourg involving a locomotive when a voice came behind him.

“Everything alright?” Evander asked curiously.

Viggo turned.

The mage and his inspector friend were coming towards him, having collected the first class passes Scotland Yard had booked for their passage to Harpenden from the ticket office.

Viggo was briefly distracted by Evander’s striking face and his alluring physique beneath the uniform he wore.

Damn, he’s a handsome fellow.He couldn’t wait to peel off the mage’s clothes and explore his delectable, naked body.One day. Soon.

He wasn’t the only one staring at Evander. Scores of passengers were shooting covetous looks at the oblivious mage.

“Viggo?” Evander asked, puzzled.

Viggo curbed his feverish imagination.

“I was thinking I don’t trust this beast of a machine.” He indicated the train. “Give me a damn horse any day.”

Amusement sparkled in Evander’s eyes at his crotchety tone.

“I never thought I’d see the great Viggo Stonewall intimidated by a means of transportation.”

“I’m not intimidated,” Viggo grumbled. “I’m cautious. There’s a difference.”

“Of course there is,” Evander chuckled.