STEFAN TOOK THEM QUICKLY OUT OF THE DOWNTOWN area and straight south for about an hour and a half. Several times Sarafina figured Eric would tire of the novelty of this experience and want to return to his comfortable hotel, but he never seemed to lose his enthusiasm for the hunt.

Apparently, luck had been with Sarafina when she’d approached this man. The only tricky part was that Eric was a non-magickal—a civilian. Sarafina only hoped she could keep him from being exposed to anything that would make his reality shift and his head explode.

Once they got off the highway, following the limo had become much more difficult. Eric handled it with the aplomb of a CIA agent, staying just far enough behind to keep an occasional eye on the rear bumper. It was peculiar to see such a symbol of power and prestige backdropped by rusty trailers and prefab houses.

Deep in the heart of the country, the limo pulled onto a narrow, overgrown lane, an entrance to what appeared to be a large piece of land. It seemed they’d reached their destination. She tapped Eric’s shoulder and asked him to halt the bike at the entrance. He brought it to a stop and dismounted.

“Now what?” Eric turned to her, his blue eyes lit with eagerness.

“I need to take this next part solo.”

He motioned at the small driveway. “You mean go in there all by yourself? That can’t be safe.”

She smiled. “I can take care of myself, but thanks for your concern. And thank you so much for the lift.” She offered her hand to shake. “I can take it from here.”

He took her hand, shook it, but then held on to it. “What’s your name?”

Oh, shit. She understood the look in this guy’s eyes and that the slow drop of his gaze meant he was wondering what she’d look like naked.

She hesitated, but he’d driven her all the way out here. This was no time to be rude. “My name’s Sarafina.”

“Would you agree to have coffee with me sometime, Sarafina? Maybe you can tell me all about your mysterious self.”

“That’s so sweet, Eric, and I think you’re a fabulous guy—”

“But?”

“I’m not in the market to have coffee with anyone right now.”

“I don’t see a ring, but there’s a man, right?” He finally released her hand.

She shrugged. “Maybe.” Sarafina glanced at the driveway. “I have to go, Eric. Thanks again.”

He rolled the bike over to the bushes and hid it in the depths of the greenery. “Oh, no, honey, I’m not leaving you. You go on in there and do what you need to do.” He settled down under an oak tree. “I’ll be here when you get back.”