The Prismaloct piece sent by Barius had to be in this mess somewhere. But there was so much to go through.

I take a deep breath and start pulling more of the boxes from the tables and shelves around me, placing them on the desk. I pile all the cases together and start organizing and sifting through them. I’m three boxes in and taking a large package from the fourth box when I suddenly hear a sound on the other side of the room.

Placing the package in my hand down, I turn toward the noise. I roll my shoulders and expand my magic over my body, feeling my runes flare to life and magic course over my skin.

They enter the room quietly, slowly making their way closer to this side. Light footsteps and slow pacing…they were trying to go undetected.

I look at the table beside me, holding the boxes. I quickly place my hand in, grabbing an old damaged artifact piece.

Always good to have a weapon, just in case.

Placing my fingers gently around the broken piece, I grip it tight in my hand, knowing it would be sharp enough to use.

As the steps ring nearer, a woodsy scent hits my nose. Jace.

I sigh, relaxing my hand and placing the artifact piece back down on the table.

He was still slowly tip-toeing his way over to me, trying to go undetected. A smile spreads across my face. “Jace…you're fooling no one.”

He pops his head around the bookshelf just a few feet from the desk.

A small grin tilts his lips, “I was trying to scare you, but I guess you're too sturdy a woman for that.”

“Sturdy?” My eyes widen, my mouth falling open.

He laughs, a hearty chuckle pouring from his chest, wrinkles forming on the sides of his eyes.

“Your words, remember.” He beams, a small twinkle in his eyes as he makes his way closer to me, his hands up in the air in a playful manner.

“I know I’d want a woman who can handle…anything.” He wiggles his eyebrows, a mischievous smirk forming on his handsome face.

I shake my head, a small smile spreading as I bite my bottom lip to stop a chuckle from escaping them. His eyes dilate with the movement, trailing to my lips before meeting my eyes again, a heat growing in them.

His tongue darts out, wetting his own lips. As my eyes slowly trace it, his stare grows darker toward me. My breathing hitches with the look, a small tremor working its way down my back and to my lower stomach.

Jace was no average-looking guy. It would be a lie to say I wasn’t attracted to him. His strong athletic build, sun-kissed skin, and deep amber eyes could have any woman swoon. Also, adding shifter strength and stamina to that mix, he could have his pick of them.

The heat in his eyes grows, trailing a path down my body, slowly tracing every curve and dip.