Page 35 of Burn of Obsidian

She remained where she was, simply tilting her head back to keep his gaze. “I don’t know If I can get it back.”

He pressed closer, her pulse racing against the side of her throat. He ached to wrap his hand around her, to feel it beat harder against his palm.

“You don’t have a choice, little thief.”

Chapter 14

Thea

Jax gripped the doorframe, his fingers hooked over the edge as he leaned forward. “Your mum’s a force of nature.”

“Try growing up with her,” Thea said, a death grip on her front door. She didn’t want to let him in. No, she wanted to treat herself to a hot shower and then curl up in bed with a book. But his silent threat hung above her like a pendulum, slowly swinging closer.

Reaper yowled, ignoring her entirely to run at Jax’s legs. But he didn’t spare her cat a glance, his expression intense as he waited.

“I’ve already agreed to help,” she said, wanting to shove him away. “You don’t need to come in.”

He tilted his head, cool gaze assessing.

“Do you do that on purpose?” she asked, unable to help herself. “Hide yourself?” He seemed to always tilt to the right, his dark hair brushing across the left half of his face to obscure the majority of his scar.

Jax took a moment to respond. “My face scares people.”

“I think it’s your general size, actually.” She wrinkled her nose. “Seriously, what do you eat to get so large? It’s unnecessary.”

Jax sighed, but there was a glimpse of amusement there. Either that, or she’d drunk more than she’d thought. “Our conversation shouldn’t be made in the hall, where anyone can overhear.”

Thea chewed on her bottom lip, Reaper still screaming at their feet like the attention whore he was. “Do you promise to leave after? No creepily waiting for me on the sofa like last time?”

“Yes.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “Is that a yes to leaving? Or…”

He released his grip on her doorframe, and before she could respond, his hands encircled her waist. He picked her up as she squeaked, putting her to the side so he could gently close the door.

She stood, dumbstruck. He’d moved her like she was a doll.

The audacity of this man.

Reaper meowed until Jax finally bent down to scoop him up. He settled, smugly blinking at her with his yellow eyes.

“He acts like he knows you.” Which was impossible. “He doesn’t usually like anyone, especially men.” She pulled Reaper from his arms, tugging his warm, fluffy body against her breast. His purring immediately stopped, and she’d be more offended if she wasn’t so hyper aware of the man standing in her home.

Jax simply watched her. “Am I making you nervous?”

“No.” She had the sudden urge to brush the hair from his face, to see the part he tries to hide, which was ludicrous.

Jax smirked, just the smallest curve to his lips. It changed his face from simply handsome to striking. “It’s clear you don’t bow to the Fae’s rules.”

Heat burned the top of her ears. He knew she’d lied, which was rule three. “The Fae are full of shit.” She knew of the ridiculous rules she was supposed to follow, but she’d never felt compelled like other Fae she’d met. She blamed having human parents.

One: Names have power. A high Fae would never give you their true name.

Two: Never thank the Fae. They took it as an admission for a debt owed.

Three: Neither high nor low caste Fae could lie, but they were able to twist the truth.

Four: Fae didn’t do anything for free.