Page 45 of The Searching Songbird

Her hand, slapping him upside the head...

“Where the hell have you been?!” Fire snapped from her eyes as she jerked out of his arms and planted her hands on her hips.

“I had, uh...” Think, damn it. “Business!” He all but spit the word out and winced as her eyes narrowed in response.

“You had business?” she deadpanned. “Just now? In the theater?”

“Yeah, I, uh, ran into a business associate. Quite unexpected, actually. He had a few questions, so we stepped outside. I didn't mean to worry you.”

The fire in her eyes dimmed, giving light to a hint of vulnerability. “I saw you speaking with someone at the balcony... a tall man with dark hair... I thought perhaps he was the baron. Was that the man you were meeting with just now?”

“You saw us?”

Her eyes narrowed in suspicion, and he swallowed a curse. “I mean, I'm surprised, is all, that you could see that well given how low the lighting was, but, regardless, yes. I mean, yes, that was him. It would seem we have some common business here in Flores right now.”

“I see.” Her face settled into an unreadable mask, and she nodded toward the door. “I should be getting back. Mrs. Calloway is expecting me for dinner.”

She turned on her heel and headed out the door, and he quickly fell in step beside her. “I take it you didn't run across the baron, either, then?” he asked, casting sideways glances at her as they all but ran down the steps to the sidewalk.

Her lips flattened into a thin line, and she hesitated a moment before answering.

“I did not.”

“Damn. We'll have to try again tomorrow. Unless you think we should focus on someone else?”

“I'll have Suzu check out his residence tonight after dark. If it's not a match, we'll move on to someone else.”

“Right, of course. I keep forgetting about the whole celestial beast, thing, heh.” He shot her a crooked grin that she promptly ignored as she waved down a passing hackney. He cleared his throat as they waited for it to come to a stop. “I'll come by the tavern first thing tomorrow morning, then, to see where we're at.”

He pulled the carriage door open and offered her a hand up. She finally met his gaze as she accepted his help, giving him a terse nod as she stepped into the hackney. He jumped in after her, and they settled into an awkward silence as the rickety carriage bumped its way over the rough road back to The Siren's Call.

Lily finally broke the silence, just as he was leaving her outside the tavern door. “Would you like to stay for dinner?” His heart jumped at the simple invitation, even as his stomach sank at his inevitable rejection.

“I wish I could, but I'm afraid I have a meeting tonight.”

“With your business associate? Mister...?” She looked up at him expectantly.

“Mr. Jacobs,” he supplied, the lie tasting of vinegar on his tongue, but what was he supposed to say? That he actually had no idea what the man's surname was, but he did whatever he told him to anyway?

“Mr. Jacobs,” she repeated, as if testing the name out. She waved her hand toward the door of the tavern. “Well, I'd best be getting inside.”

“Of course. Good night, Lily.” He dipped his head toward hers, needing the reassuring feel of her lips against his once more, but she turned her face at the last moment, receiving his kiss on her cheek, instead. Without meeting his eyes, she turned and walked the last few steps to the door.

“Good night, Draven.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

He was lying. He had to be. For what possible reason would one be in business with a two-hundred-some-odd demigod who'd been presumed dead to all who knew him?

No. It didn't make sense.

“But it will,” Lily whispered to herself, crossing the floor of her room and pulling back the curtain. She sought out Draven's retreating form as he strode down the street.

What do you think, Suzu? Can you follow him without garnering attention? Blasted spring and its lengthening days. Just a few months ago, it would have been dark already, but now the last rays of sunset still lingered, lighting the world with a soft glow.

“I doubt I could manage it in my current form, no.”

Blast and damn. I need to know who he's meeting and why...