Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 43080 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 215(@200wpm)___ 172(@250wpm)___ 144(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43080 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 215(@200wpm)___ 172(@250wpm)___ 144(@300wpm)
Without a word, the two men left. They never even acknowledged either of them outside of that one nod to Bain.
Clive couldn’t stop himself from walking with shaky legs to where the body had been. It was gone, along with all the blood. He cleared his throat. “Well, that’s handy.”
“They never speak. Xavier must have told them you know about us, though, since they didn’t mess with your memories.”
He shot a look to Bain. “That’s what they’d normally do?”
“Ever watch the movie Men in Black?”
Clive nodded.
“They use a spell that does the same thing that little memory eraser did. It’s part of how we stay hidden.”
“Why do you stay hidden? Why not just tell the world about you?”
Bain crossed his arms over his chest. “Because humans aren’t ready.”
“But how do you know that?”
“Because we tried in the past, and wars happened. Maybe someday we’ll all live together in harmony, but now isn’t that time.” He dropped his arms and started picking up Clive’s books and putting them back on the shelf. But not in order. Clive nearly stopped him but halted. He could fix them later. This conversation was too important.
“Tell me about what you are. Is your whole family, um, basilisks?”
Bain paused where he’d knelt to gather a stack of books. “They are. But I don’t know them. My kind release our young around the time we hit puberty. We only keep children until the first shift.”
“Release your young? You mean your family kicked you out when you were, what, twelve?” Hell, at least Clive’s parents had waited until he was fully grown.
“Yes. But basilisk children are rare, so don’t worry. There aren’t a lot of us out roaming the streets as children. And I got lucky. Was found by a preternatural family so I wasn’t on the streets long.”
“I’m so sorry. Do you miss your mother and father?”
“I did at first, but I always knew that’s what would happen. It’s the way of the basilisks.”
“So if you have children, you’ll do that?”
Bain set the stack of books on the shelf. “No, I wouldn’t. I don’t follow the old traditions. But I’m more drawn to men, so I doubt there will be children in my future.”
Clive frowned, surprised by the bodyguard’s words. “I’m a gay man, and I hope for them.”
“You do?”
He nodded. “Very much so. But because I worried I was losing my mind, I didn’t plan to have them. Now though, everything’s changed. I’m not crazy.”
Bain’s smile was kind. “No, Clive, you’re not.”
Clive looked at that massive dent in his refrigerator again. He could have been here alone when that creature had come for him. He would have died. “I need to figure out who’s after me and fast.”
“Because of what they sent after you, I’d say you’re dealing with a preternatural. Did you happen to notice anything different about any of your clients?”
“No, but a lot of people hire me online.” He couldn’t help himself; he walked over to adjust a couple of the books on the shelf. He caught Bain’s grin out of the corner of his eye. That grin wasn’t the feral one that had so turned him on in the grocery store—no, it was one of pure amusement and affection.
Which reminded him of what they’d been doing when the wendigo showed up. He’d been completely lost in that kiss.
He’d been making out with someone who wasn’t human. A snake man.
Shockingly, it didn’t bother him as much as it should have. Because it had been…amazing. Clive had never felt desire like that, and frankly, he wasn’t willing to let it go.
Not yet.
But he needed time to think. To put his mind back in order. Problem was, he still had too many questions. He walked around his couch, inspecting it for blood, and after finding none, he sat. “So.” He brought his legs up and wrapped his arms around them. “Since those men came to remove the body, I take it you aren’t the only, um…”
“Preternatural. That’s what we call ourselves.” Bain moved to sit in the chair he always picked.
“At your company?”
“All of us are.”
“They’re all basilisks?”
This time, the smile was pure kindness. “No. I’m the only one of those. There’s an elf, mages, demons. We even have an ogre.”
Clive raised his eyebrows. “Demons? Like from hell?”
“No. There’s no hell. Demons are just a different species.”
“No hell. So no heaven either?”
“Not that I’m aware of. We believe our souls move on to another realm. Or some believe they just go out like candles. Preternaturals live very long lives.”
“How old are you?”
“Two hundred and twelve.”
“Years?” Clive’s mouth dropped open.
“I’m nowhere near the oldest among my friends and coworkers.”
“And all of you use magic to blend in?”
Bain nodded. “Glamour spells. Xavier, our boss, is a very powerful sorcerer. He’s older than us all but will never admit just how much older.”