Page 23 of Stroke of Shadows

“Sythe, there you are.” A hand on his shoulder, and Sythe turned to grin at Wyatt.

“Just introducing myself to the pretty lady,” Sythe said with a chuckle. “It’s Sythe, by the way. Sythe Black.”

“I wouldn’t bother, she’s not worth it.” Wyatt’s eyes were hard when they landed on his mysterious girl. “Shouldn’t you be serving drinks or something?”

Mysterious girl lifted her chin, staring unblinking at Wyatt. “Shouldn’t you be resting? Considering you’ve only just been released from hospital?”

“Nah, I’m good as new.” Wyatt patted a hand against his side, covered in a crisp white shirt. Something far more appropriate for the room. “You sure you didn’t send that prick after me?” He laughed, but there was an edge to the question.

Her smile tightened. “Angel said you needed me for something.” She looked so prim and proper, with her head held high and her shoulders back. Her makeup was pristine, with thick eyeliner emphasising those fucking eyes and a red lipstick so deep he ached to smudge it just so she didn’t look so perfect. So beautiful.

She was untouchable, like fucking royalty.

“He’s already approved your help, so you can’t get out of it.” Wyatt’s tone was short. “I’ll get the details to you later.”

“Sure.” Harper swallowed, and Sythe couldn’t help but watch the delicate ripple of her throat. She flicked her gaze to his, but didn’t say anything as she slipped into the crowd.

Sythe struggled to pull his attention away, her hair tied up to reveal the long line of her throat, and the dark marks that dominated the skin of her back.

A fucking flame. That was what she displayed so proudly. The flame of Light.

“Careful,” Wyatt said, his tone turning serious. “She’s family, which means she’s off limits.”

Sythe froze, just a subtle stiffening of his shoulders. Family. Did he just hear that right?

“That’s just Harper, my cousin.”

Fuck the Fates.

Sythe didn’t like surprises. It was the reason he researched everything so thoroughly before going dark. He liked to know everything, even down to the little insignificant details that many overlooked. It made it easier for him to adapt his character, to roll with the situation without tripping over his carefully constructed web of lies.

Mystery girl was a big fucking surprise.

Sythe knew of Harper Beauchamp, but all his research showed her as a young child, and not as the woman who’d fucking clawed her way into his head. She was an anomaly, someone who shunned the limelight despite her famous name. She was mentioned in collaborations with different art galleries, but nothing else. Which made her a fucking ghost he didn’t expect.

“So, are we ready?” he asked, pushing the thoughts to the back of his mind. Right then, they didn’t matter. “Or am I supposed to be some rich pricks entertainment?”

She was a complication he didn’t see coming, but nothing worse than he’d dealt with before. If he stayed away, she wouldn’t become an issue.

“Your mouth’s going to get you killed.” Wyatt shook his head, slapping Sythe on the back with his palm. “Come on, my father wants to meet you.”

Chapter 8

Sythe

Concentrate, Sythe thought, ignoring his beast’s urge to track down his mystery girl. Fur brushed beneath his skin, threatening to release. Enough! he scolded, not used to any resistance from his beast. They were usually in sync. A perfect team when it came to fighting, fucking, and everything in between. Sythe was probably one of the only Guardians who was relieved to have bonded to his beast, but right then, it was like sharing his soul with a disgruntled child.

A bad tempered huff, but the pressure inside Sythe’s mind eased.

Mystery girl was a Beauchamp. The same family who were open followers of the Church of the Light. She was the enemy. End of. There would be no tracking her down, and definitely no finishing what they started at the club.

She followed a faith that wanted to eradicate all Breed.

She couldn’t be trusted.

“You coming?” Wyatt asked, looking over his shoulder with a frown.

Sythe blinked, realising he’d stopped in one of the hallways. “Sorry, man. This house is fucking huge.” Far bigger than it looked outside, even with the surrounding gardens. “I’ll follow.”