Page 10

Ethan’s arms loosened around me as my breathing slowed, happier memories floating like snowflakes amongst the wreckage in my head.

Jordan had appeared back then, drawn by the trouble Hunter and I were stirring.

Rather than dismissing me, she was intrigued – she’d rattled off something about my audacity and keen observations, impressed with my ability to point out ten things I disliked about Hunter in the short few minutes I had known her. Something Hunter had scowled at.

By the end of the encounter, perhaps amused or partially impressed, Jordan offered me a position as her executive assistant. And my new life, with my new family, began.

When I stepped away from Ethan he put a steadying hand on my shoulder, concern carefully concealed under a wry smile. “You good? You scared me a little there.”

“I’m good.” I straightened up, wiping tears from my eyes and smoothing out my coat, and offered a sheepish smile of my own. “Sorry about that.”

“Nothing to be sorry about.” Ethan nudged me with his elbow, before his smile faded. “That man, the guy Eric was talking about – he’s here for you?”

“How did you–”

“I know that look, Maxine.” Ethan’s tone was somber, his eyes heavy. “I’ve seen it before. Micere wasn’t all sunshine and body glitter.”

Of course. I passed a hand over my eyes, composing myself, a half-baked plan forming in my head. “Just, don’t mention this to anyone, all right? Not yet. And warn Dorian away from him – warn everyone. He’s a wolf in sheep's clothing.”

Ethan nodded, eyeing me warily. “What are you going to do?”

I straightened my collar, stealing my nerves despite the shiver of dread that lingered. “I’m going to speak to Jordan.”

My newfound determination held out until I climbed the final stairs to Jordan’s office.

But standing outside her door, scanning the letters stamped in frosted glass, I faltered.

It wasn’t that I didn’t trust Jordan, far from it.

She had taken me in, and had never questioned me about my history, or my family, or why I’d fled from them.

But there was a small, persistent voice in my head that told me to suck it up .

That told me I was overreacting. Growing up, I had everything.

My family was well off and all my needs were met.

I had a roof over my head, money in the bank, and my whole life perfectly planned out without having to lift a finger.

That small, nagging voice told me that I was ungrateful, and that if I told Jordan why I had run, what I had come to New York to avoid, she would think me selfish. She would look at me like I was a petulant child throwing a tantrum and send me back to San Francisco to be wed.

She wouldn’t do that. Of course she wouldn’t do that. But still, that voice persisted. I pushed open the door.

I found Jordan reviewing paperwork, or at least pretending to. Her expression was giddy behind her hair, so she had most likely been chattering to her wife through their mental connection before I’d knocked.

She looked up, her face immediately shifting to one of concern when she saw my expression.

"Jordan, can I talk to you for a minute?" I asked, trying to keep my voice even, despite the turmoil inside.

"Of course.” Jordan motioned me in, her tone immediately businesslike, sensing the urgency. “What's up?"

I closed the door behind me, taking a deep breath before I spoke. "There's something…” I hesitated, knotting the hem of my skirt in my hands. “I think I’m being followed. Well, I think someone might be trying to track me down.”

At Jordan’s raised brow I balked, fixing my face into a blasé expression.

“It's a bit of a personal issue, but it could get messy." I chose my words carefully, shrugging to sell the act of nonchalance.

Jordan's eyes narrowed slightly, her mind already ticking over the implications. "Do you know who it is?"

Yes. “No – I mean…” I hesitated, then shook my head. "I'd rather not get into specifics. But I think they’ve been approaching Leyore nobles to try and root me out. And they’ve got a bit of status."

Jordan was silent for a moment, her usually jovial expression intense and calculating. "All right. For now, I suggest you lay low. If this person is as connected as you imply, then they’ll be probing for information about you through any channels possible."

My heart sank at her words, the reality of my situation setting in. "I'll keep my distance from the coven activities for a while. And I – I may not be able to come into work for some time."

“That’s fine. The paperwork might suffer but we’ll manage.” Jordan’s expression softened around the edges. There was a wisdom behind her eyes now, something she had come into during her time as coven ruler. She was looking more and more like a leader every day.

“Do you –” She chewed her lip, scanning me from head to toe. “Do you want to talk about it?”

“Nope.” I forced a dazzling Maxine smile, swallowing the hitch in my voice. “I’m sure this will blow over in no time. Just a precaution.”

Jordan didn’t look convinced. “I could have Dylan investiga–”

“Really, Jordan. It’s fine!” My words came out a note higher than intended, but that could always be brushed off as standard Maxine enthusiasm. “I’ll be fine.”

"If you say so." Jordan shrugged, but her eyes lingered on my face. I forced my smile wider. Held it firm when she said, "Just, be careful, okay? If you need anything or feel unsafe, you come straight to me."

“Noted. But there’s no need to worry.”

Leaving Jordan's office, the urgency of the situation crashed down on me. Lay low. But where? The thought of going home to an empty apartment twisted my stomach with anxiety. The walls that had once been a sanctuary now felt like a trap. Compromised.

I considered calling Hunter, Dylan, anyone, but… no. I could not explain the situation to them, could not bear the shame of it. And even if they did understand, it was selfish – dragging them into a mess of my own making.

On impulse, I found myself heading toward the marina. The rhythmic sound of water lapping against the docks was soothing, and my heart knew – even if my head didn’t – exactly where I was headed.

Leah had filled me in on her living situation during our crawl through the mall.

A houseboat, and a dinky little engine that could carry it out onto the water.

Away from prying eyes. It was a stupid idea, a dangerous one too if Leah were to be caught in the crossfire.

But he didn’t know about Leah, nobody did. I’d made sure of that.

Arriving at her boat, bobbing gently on the water, I hesitated for a moment.

“Myrtle.” An odd thing, to be greeting a boat, but the house had character. It creaked and groaned like it was alive.

I looked around the harbor before stepping onto the deck and knocking on the fiberglass door. The sound echoed slightly, oddly hollow around the quiet dock.

Leah appeared at a window, red hair escaping her ponytail, surprise evident on her face. "Maxine? What are you doing here?"

"Heeeey," I started, rocking on my heels, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach my eyes. "I was wondering... could I hang out here for a bit?”