Eye of the Tempest by Nicole Peeler Page B

distraction. No more thinking about Graeme.
    “Is Gus all right?” I asked, even as I forced myself to take a deep breath. But I couldn’t stop thinking about what Graeme had said to me.
    Anyan is Anyan. Graeme is Graeme. And a liar , I reminded myself, even as I focused on Nell.
    “He’s hurt. Anyan’s stabilized him, but I think we should get him to Caleb or Dr. Sam,” answered the gnome.
    “Can you apparate us?” I asked, wanting to get right the fuck out of this glen so I could think straight. I felt like I was wearing Graeme residue, and I needed to get away, to where I was only me again.
    “Yes. You both ready?” she asked.
    I nodded and stood, as Anyan moved toward me. I tensed, but didn’t let myself move away.
    It’s Anyan , I told myself, trying to get Graeme out of my head. It’s Anyan. Don’t let that monster get to you .
    So I held still as Anyan walked to my side. I held still as the barghest raised his hand. I didn’t flinch when he took my chin between his fingers.
    “Are you okay?” he asked.
    I forced myself to nod, and I forced myself to say, “I’ll be all right. Just really freaked out.”
    Anyan nodded to me and then nodded to Nell.
    “We’re ready to go.”
    It was only when Nell’s magic surrounded me that I allowed the long, rolling shudder to work its way up and through my body. For every time Anyan touched me, I heard Graeme whispering again.
    Don’t act innocent, slut. I know that’s just how your barghest likes it .

CHAPTER NINE

     
    I think Dr. Sam is stoned,” I whispered to Trill, who nodded gravely.
    “He was with Amy,” she whispered back, and I grimaced. That would explain the red eyes. And the fact that the goblin was wearing only boxer shorts and a few multicolored leis.
    “Is Gus going to be okay?” I asked, from where I sat next to the kelpie. She’d taken Anyan’s overstuffed chair, and I was perched on the arm. Gus was stretched out on Anyan’s sofa as Caleb and Dr. Sam attended to the little stone spirit.
    “He’ll be fine by tomorrow. He got quite a knock to the head, but we got to him before his brain could swell too much,” Caleb’s deep voice rumbled.
    I grimaced as Dr. Sam giggled delightedly and totally inappropriately.
    “Why on earth did they attack Gus?” Anyan asked. He was sitting on his fireplace ledge across the room from me.
    “Who knows?” Nell replied, rocking away in the littler rocker she apparated everywhere with her. “But it was definitely a coordinated attack. Phaedra got my attention and kept Anyan and me busy while her entourage went after Gus.”
    “They weren’t after Gus,” I interrupted. “They were interested in his rock.”
    “His rock?” Anyan asked. “Why on earth would they want Gus’s rock?”
    “Why on earth would they want Gus?” Trill countered, voicing what we were all secretly thinking.
    “A great big fucking Zen garden?” Dr. Sam questioned the universe.
    “Maybe,” I conceded to our stoned doctor’s wisdom. “Or maybe there’s something on or inside that rock we’ve never noticed. I’m betting it is, or it houses, one of the locks. We need to check it out, carefully.”
    Caleb nodded. “Definitely. But how about in the morning? We’re all tired, and it’s not going anywhere. Plus, I left Iris alone.”
    None of us missed the plaintive note in his voice, and Nell smiled at him.
    “Home you go, Caleb. Thank you for your help.”
    Caleb’s magic gathered as he gave Gus one last once-over before saying his good-byes. After which Nell apparated him back to Iris in a burst of magic, tousled-blond hair, and enormous schlong.
    Lucky Iris , my libido sighed, jealously.
    Then I nearly jumped out of my skin as a hand brushed beneath my hair to grip my nape gently. Anyan ( to whom , I reminded myself for about the twentieth time, I need to attach a bell ) tilted my head away from him to reveal the vulnerable shell of my ear, just a little, as he leaned down toward me. My whole body