Elemental Assassin 02 - Web of Lies

I even had one? I stared at the first time, I was aware of him as a man, as someone him closer and realized the reason his violet eyes were so of the opposite sex. owen Grayson was decidedly attracbright was because they were glowing—with magic. A tive, with his strong body and chiseled features. But what faint trace, barely noticeable, but I felt it. A cool caress, really set him apart was the fact that he radiated confinot unlike my own Stone magic. Which could only mean dence the way that Mab Monroe did magic. That hint of one thing.
    power, that confidence, made Grayson interesting. And
    “You have an elemental talent for metal.”
    definitely someone worth watching.
    “Guilty as charged, I’m afraid,” owen said. “It’s a Especially since I was still considering killing him. small skill.”
    We walked down the hallway back toward the ballMy eyes narrowed. Because with every word he said, I room. At first, I thought we would go straight there, but was thinking more and more about stabbing owen Grayowen Grayson paused and opened one of the doors that son and taking the chance I could get out of the mansion led outside. We stepped out onto the stone terrace that before someone found his body. But I decided to play it lined this side of the mansion, and Grayson shut the door cool—for now.
    behind us.
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    12/17/09 9:32 PM
    304 JENNIFER ESTEP
    Web of Lies 305
    The night air was cool, especially since my dress was position, and standing would have forgotten all about me still damp from where I’d scrubbed away Jake McAllisby now. ter’s blood. Antique-looking iron street lamps lined the
    “You checked me out? Why?”
    terrace, providing soft, hazy illumination, while wide
    “You saved my sister, you saved Eva,” owen said. “She’s stone steps led down to a garden beyond. Low moans and the most important thing in the world to me. I like to sucking sounds drifted up to us, and several dark shapes settle my debts. I wanted to find some way to repay you. writhed together in various gazebos in the garden. other I wanted to find something you liked, something you couples stood up against trees or used some of the stone wanted or needed, and give it to you. No strings attached.”
    statues for leverage. The party must have livened up a bit,
    “I told you that I don’t want your money.”
    if folks had already come outside to fuck on top of Mab owen waved his hand. “So you’ve said. But then I got Monroe’s prize-winning roses.
    close to you, shook your hand that night in the Pork Pit. owen Grayson meandered down the terrace, with me And I wondered why someone who runs a barbecue resat his side. taurant, even one on the edge of Southtown, would carry
    “I have to confess I was quite surprised when you five silverstone knives on her person. Seemed like overkill strolled into the ballroom tonight,” Grayson began. “I to me.”
    hadn’t expected to see you here, especially not wearing If he only knew. I had to work very hard not to reach that cheap blond wig.”
    for my knife again. So not only could owen Grayson
    “Don’t care for blondes, do you?” I sniped. sense a metal weapon in my hand, he could also tell
    “Sassy brunettes are more my style.” He grinned. exactly how many I had on me. The usual five, at the I didn’t respond.
    moment. Two up my sleeves, two more strapped to my
    “Actually, I have a small confession to make. I’ve been thighs, and one in my purse.
    thinking about you a lot these past few days, Ms. Blanco.
    “You know about my interest in metal,” Grayson conSo much so that I had a friend gather some information tinued. “I also have one in weapons as well. Making them on you.”
    is a sort of hobby of mine. So you can understand my cuSo owen Grayson had someone dig into my past. No riosity about ones as finely crafted as yours. Silverstone’s worries. My cover ID as Gin Blanco was rock solid. It not easy to shape or purchase.”
    had withstood Jonah McAllister’s scrutiny, and I had no
    “The Pork Pit’s in a rough neighborhood,” I deaddoubt it had passed muster with Grayson as well. But I panned. “The knives make me feel secure.”
    didn’t understand his curiosity. Sure, I’d saved his sister, owen laughed. A hint of sarcasm colored his throaty Eva, from being burned to death by Jake McAllister that voice. “I’ll just bet they do. But there was one more thing night at the Pork Pit. But most men of Grayson’s wealth,