“I’m not sure I follow. What would you like to do?” Because she didn’t intend to stay long, even though his mannerisms fascinated her. Like that thumb tracing her upper arm. Why did he do that? And more importantly, why didn’t she stop him?

“Isn’t that the question of the night,” he murmured, his gaze darkening to a forest green. “Several ideas come to mind.”

“Yes?” she prompted, waiting.

But as his mouth opened, the mood in the club shifted.

She didn’t sense him so much as know Osiris was here. From the reverent gazes shifting throughout the room, she found his entrance point. A set of spiral stairs that led to a platform above. Of course. She hadn’t thought to look there.

“Stay seated,” Sethios demanded beside her. “Do not speak unless I tell you to, and do not mist.”

She bristled at his tone and his commands. Her mouth opened to give him a piece of her mind, but no sound escaped.

What is this sorcery?

No matter. She would deliver her message and be done with all of this. Except she couldn’t stand.

His words trickled through her thoughts as understanding dawned.

He’d compelled her again, just as he had when he forced her responses earlier.

How incredibly rude.

The blonde Ichorian started over with the drinks, but Sethios waved her off. Also rude. Not that she had wanted a drink, but his behavior required modification.

You will regret silencing me.

She displayed that thought with a glower that elicited a chuckle from him. “That look I’ll allow.”

Oh, when this spell wore off, she would kick his ass. Caro might not be the strongest Seraphim in existence, but her strength should outmatch his. Her bloodline of two immortals marked herself as superior to his tainted birthright.

“Sethios,” a cultured voice murmured, drawing her companion’s gaze upward to Osiris. “I thought you were leaving.”

“I thought so too,” Sethios replied.

Caro sighed in relief, happy to finally be in the presence of the one who could help her complete this distasteful mission. Except her mouth refused to cooperate again.

“What has you so distracted?” Osiris mused, his gaze trailing over Caro.

No sign of recognition.

Of course, that was the point. The council sent her because he wouldn’t know her, thus making it easier to deliver her message. Osiris had a tendency of avoiding the Seraphim who visited Earth, but he couldn’t avoid someone with an unknown identity.

Only one problem. She still wasn’t able speak.

Well, hell. This wasn’t going as expected at all.

Sethios drew his fingers up and down her arms, creating a flurry of gooseflesh in their wake. She shouldn’t enjoy that nearly as much as she did, but something about the touch felt right. And she wanted him to do it again.

More sorcery?

“Pretty, isn’t she?” Sethios murmured.

“Indeed,” Osiris replied. “Where did you find her?”

“Wandering in places she doesn’t belong.” Sethios continued that stroking while he spoke, dividing her focus between his words and the bizarre heat he was stirring inside her. She thought it might be anger at his high-handed behavior. Or something else.