Chapters (50)
- Cover
- Roc Books by Jacqueline Carey
- One
- Two
- Three
- Four
- Five
- Six
- Seven
- Eight
- Nine
- Ten
- Eleven
- Twelve
- Thirteen
- Fourteen
- Fifteen
- Sixteen
- Seventeen
- Eighteen
- Nineteen
- Twenty
- Twenty-one
- Twenty-two
- Twenty-three
- Twenty-four
- Twenty-five
- Twenty-six
- Twenty-seven
- Twenty-eight
- Twenty-nine
- Thirty
- Thirty-one
- Thirty-two
- Thirty-three
- Thirty-four
- Thirty-five
- Thirty-six
- Thirty-seven
- Thirty-eight
- Thirty-nine
- Forty
- Forty-one
- Forty-two
- Forty-three
- Forty-four
- Forty-five
- Forty-six
- Forty-seven
- Forty-eight
“How would you feel about it if I did?” Although his gaze was steady, the hint of a smile continued to play over his lips. I couldn’t tell if he was teasing or flirting.
“Honestly? I’m not sure. And this isn’t the best time for me to figure it out. But you probably knew that, too.” I set my water glass on a polished marble coaster. “Look, I really should be going. Thank you again.”
Stefan rose gracefully. “You are welcome. Take the buckler with you. It will help you focus as you begin to practice. Just take care not to become dependent on it.”
“I will.”
As he escorted me to the door, the painted shield in its Plexiglas case caught my eye again. This time I noticed that the case was carefully positioned to avoid direct sunlight, and I suspected it was climate controlled, too.
My only keepsake, he’d said. I snuck a look at Stefan’s face, wondering if I dared risk a question. Judging by his expression, yes, but not a probing one. “Will you tell me its story one day?”
“Perhaps.” Inclining his head, Stefan opened the door for me. “We will see.”
I guessed that would have to do.
Twenty-one
The next morning, I logged on to Facebook to find that Dan Stanton had approved my friend request. I felt awkward sending a message to an alias—what if this Dan Stanton turned out to be another shirtless Australian guy instead of Lee Hastings?—but I went ahead and composed a note saying I was hoping he was Lee and that he might be able to give me some advice on a computer project.
After calling in to the station to confirm there wasn’t any new filing for me, I spent half an hour practicing shield drill.
Okay, twenty minutes. It was harder to maintain focus without an actual opponent.
I checked Facebook again to see if Dan Stanton had replied to my message. He hadn’t, but a few minutes after I’d logged in, a chat bubble with his name on it popped up.
U there Daisy?
This might sound weird, but I’m not a fan of all things instant and chatty. It always feels like there’s too much pressure to reply immediately. But then, I was the one asking the favor, so I didn’t have a lot of choice.
Yes. Lee, is that you?
There was a short lag, then a reply. If you want to talk, meet me at the glug-a-slug in fifteen minutes.