Page 7

O n all the previous jobs, Elle had to find a mark, follow them home, wait until dark, bypass the alarm if there was one, then pick the lock, praying she didn’t get caught.

The unhappy female whose name was Danica had made it too easy the night before by getting sloppy drunk, leaving her purse unattended while she and her friend hit the dance floor.

The two men either didn’t care about the purse, or they didn’t realize it was hanging from the back of the chair.

One went to the bar for drinks, while the other went to the restroom.

Elle used glamour to resemble Danica in case the boyfriend glanced at the table, then she quickly divested the female of her ID and bank card.

Elle left immediately, using the shadows along the sidewalk to hide her as she returned to the hotel.

Instead of waiting until Tuesday, Elle hit the bank as soon as it opened Saturday morning, before Danica had time to cancel her card.

Elle used it at the ATM to be sure it was still active.

The card was, so she proceeded as usual, except this time, she took more than a few dollars from the machine.

With extra cash in hand, she planned on remaining in the Nashville area, free from Grevolus.

After convincing the teller and the manager that yes, she did want large bills instead of a cashier’s check, Elle returned to the hotel and placed the seventy thousand in the room safe.

Having skipped the continental breakfast to get to the bank early, Elle exited the hotel in search of the pancake house recommended by the front desk clerk.

Before she reached her car, her skin prickled, and she took in her surroundings.

The large redhead from the bar was jogging her way from the opposite side of the street.

Elle turned back toward the hotel and took off running.

Instead of going inside, she went around the side of the building and called on the shadows to hide her.

Footsteps pounded close behind, but she didn’t stop.

“Ellie, I just want to talk,” he called out.

Elle didn’t believe him. She ducked behind a car in the back parking lot, peeking around the side when his steps got closer.

The male stopped running and looked around with his eyes narrowed.

He rubbed his stomach as he began walking in her direction.

Elle stepped as quietly as possible to the next vehicle, unsheathing the dagger hidden beneath the sleeve of her jacket.

She didn’t want to fight him if she could help it because he was so much bigger than her.

The next time he stopped, he sniffed the air like an animal, rubbed his stomach again, then he closed the distance between them. Elle continued moving farther away, remaining cloaked in the shadows. Why was he after her?

“Ellie, I promise I only want to talk. I think you’re in trouble, and I can help you.”

Oh, she was in trouble all right, but it was him she needed protection from.

Her body wanted her to go to him, but she listened to her brain instead.

If she made it back inside unscathed, Elle was going to pack her bags and get out of town instead of hanging around.

The male sighed, leaning his head back, staring at the sky.

Was he asking his god or goddess for help?

Or was he giving up? His shoulders slumped, and the big guy turned and walked back the way he came.

Elle waited thirty minutes before heading to the back entrance of the hotel.

She sheathed the dagger so as not to scare anyone.

Looking around, she made sure no one was in the vicinity before dropping the shadows.

Once inside, Elle strode to the elevator.

She pulled the key card out of her purse, tapping it on her leg as the lift ascended to the fourth floor.

As soon as the doors opened, Elle stepped out and rushed toward her room.

She waved the card in front of the reader, and when it clicked to green, she pushed down on the handle.

Her skin prickled again, and she shoved open the door. Before it closed all the way, it was pushed inward, and the male stepped into her room with his hands up in front of him.

“Ellie, I swear on all that’s holy, I’m not here to hurt you.” Bright eyes pleaded with her as much as his words did. Those same eyes roved her face, falling on her ears. There was no way he could see past her glamour. Was there?

Elle took a step back, removing her dagger at the same time. “Get out of my room.”

“My name is Anthony Stone, and I only want to talk to you.”

“About what?” Elle flipped the dagger so the blade was angled in a more tactical hold.

“Actually, I’m here to help you.”

“Help me? I don’t understand. I’m in town on vacation, so I’m not sure—”

“We both know that isn’t true. We have you on video, both at the ATMs and inside the banks.”

“Th-that’s not possible,” Elle stuttered. Anthony’s closeness was messing with her head. Something was different about the man. Something that made Elle want to throw herself at him. “I haven’t been in any banks other than the one I use back home. Like I said, I’m here on vacation.”

“With whom? The friends who didn’t show up to the bar last night?”

She knew better than to admit she was alone in a city, especially to someone of his size. “They’re all still in bed in their rooms. I was running out for coffee.”

“Let’s say I believe you aren’t in town alone. Does that mean there’s more than one of you stealing from unsuspecting women?”

Elle’s palms itched, the first indication fireballs were ready to erupt from her hands. She balled her bare fist, willing the sparks to remain hidden. Throwing around magic in the small room wouldn’t do her any favors.

When she didn’t respond, he continued. “How are you able to change your appearance at the drop of a hat? Is it magic? And why use the ATM first? Are you taunting the authorities?”

“You’re full of questions, Mr. Stone.”

“You should call me Tony. I’ve seen some crazy stuff, but what you’re able to do shouldn’t be possible, so yes, I do have a lot of questions.

” Tony crossed his beefy arms over his chest. Like the night before, he only wore a T-shirt, showing off his sexy forearms. No.

Bad Elle. No thinking the stalker was sexy even though she was tempted to—

“I think you’re asking for help or trying to get caught. If that’s so, I can help you.”

How the hell had he figured that out? “Nobody can help me.” The words escaped without thought. Dammit. Maybe he was the one who could use magic.

“I can.” Anthony took a step closer, and with a quickness she couldn’t track, he swiped the weapon from her hand.

Scrambling to get away from him, Elle fell on her ass.

Anthony flipped the dagger around and held it out to her, hilt first. When she didn’t move to get up or take the knife, he squatted, letting it dangle from his fingertips.

His jeans stretched taut over thick thighs, and Elle mentally shook off the longing to get the male naked.

His crooked grin surprised her as he said, “So feisty. I like it. You remind me of someone.” Elle didn’t move, and he continued. “Look, Ellie... Is that even your name, or did you lie to the women in the bar last night?”

Elle saw no reason not to tell him the truth. “It’s Elledan, but I go by Elle.”

“That’s a pretty name. One I’ve never heard before. You aren’t from around here, are you?” Anthony touched his own ear, suggesting he could see through her glamour. That might explain how he found her, but if so, why not stop her before she hit the bank?

“Where I’m from isn’t relevant.” Elle pushed to her feet and held out her hand for the dagger. When he placed the hilt on her palm, she returned it to the sheath and lowered her voice. “Unless you’re here to arrest me, I don’t see the need for further conversation.”

Anthony stood, and Elle had to crane her neck. She was taller than most human females, but Anthony had at least seven inches on her. None of the fae were that tall, and she quite liked that about him.

“I already told you, I’m here to help you.”

“But why? You don’t know me, and I do not deserve your assistance.”

“Because it’s the right thing to do, and I would love to get to know you, Elledan.”

How she wished that were true. “I cannot be helped.”

His startling blue eyes narrowed. “Is someone making you steal all this money?”

“You wouldn’t understand, so please, let me go on my way. I’m on a timeline.”

“If your past thefts are any indication, you have until the new moon, which is Tuesday. And you’d be amazed at what I will or won’t understand. Like how I can see your true nature although you mask it somehow. I’m also different. Not like you, but I’m something other as well.”

Elle shouldn’t be surprised that someone had figured out her timing, but she hoped it would be the police.

She had wanted to be caught but not by a handsome stranger who wouldn’t arrest her.

Elle stared at his bearded face, trying to see the truth of his words.

If he wasn’t lying, he was even more dangerous than she first thought.

Wanting to see his reaction, she admitted, “Unless you are aware of a spell to remove a dark fae’s sigil, then you’re no help to me. ”

“Fae, like a fairy?”

Elle had read much lore since coming to the Earthen realm, and while fae were called fairies and elves here, the likeness of her kind was remarkable.

At some point, humans must have had contact with the fae.

But those books she read were meant to be taken as fiction.

She had also read books about humans who could change into animals – shifters, they were called – and vampires.

Elle wondered what other truths were hidden behind these mythical stories.

She also wondered what Anthony was since he admitted to being other.

“Elle?” Anthony prodded.