Free Flight (Children of the Sidhe) by J.R. Pearse Nelson Page A

pulled up the hood, guarding more against her own nerves than any sort of weather.
     
     
    Abarta faced away from her as s he approached, and for a moment Tessa considered attacking him. If she could finish him here and now, he couldn’t threaten Nathan or Mikhail. He turned as she thought it, and she kicked herself for not acting in the split second she had the chance.
    “ Tessa. So glad you could join me.” His tone said no such thing, and his eyes were icy. “You’ve been rather busy lately. I appreciate you fitting me into your schedule.”
    Tessa smiled. “Not in the least, Abarta. Now, why have you called me here? Didn’t we say I’d call you?”
    “ And yet I know you don’t plan to do so at all. I’ve seen you with him, Tessa, so don’t deny that you’ve taken one of the half-humans as a lover.”
    “ What do you mean you’ve seen me? What, are you skulking around my windows now?”
    “ I see you’ve taken my advice – you don’t deny it.”
    “ What’s important is that you couldn’t kill Nathan anyway. He’s already been delivered safely into my keeping. If he dies now, I’ll never be close enough to the investigation to get more names as they come in.” Sometimes Tessa was surprised at how smoothly lies rolled off her tongue. “You know I have a...let’s call it a reputation issue. I was only recently involved with Bertran, and you know how that turned out. Taking a half-human into my bed makes me look like I’m on the right side.”
    “ And he’s so good looking.”
    Tessa met his gaze at that. Were those his words, or his echo of her words to her brother yesterday? How could he have overheard that? “Yes. I happen to think so myself.”
    Abarta grinned, and Tessa had her answer. Somehow he had overheard her conversation with Mikhail. Did that mean he ’d heard Mikhail’s update on the other half-humans?
    Tessa didn ’t give the slightest physical indication she got the joke. “Why is that funny? I find many men attractive.”
    “ But when was the last time you invited one straight into your bed?”
    “ Bertran, actually. A few weeks ago. It was a long dry spell.” It was Tessa’s turn to grin. It wasn’t a smile of humor, but one of challenge.
    Abarta laughed. “It is good. We Sidhe have appetites. They must be answered.” What was that sparkle in his eye? Suddenly, Abarta grabbed her. Yanking her forward, he took advantage of her surprise and kissed her full on the mouth.
    She shoved him away, hissing in disgust. She swung at him.
    H e dodged her, and wiped his mouth on his sleeve. “You see? It isn’t any man. I know you find me attractive, on some level.” He smiled and she scowled in answer. He turned his back to her, and she clenched her fists in impotent rage. “But the half-human has you in his thrall. It isn’t just sex, or reputation. Is it love ?” He spat the word.
    What did Abarta care about Tessa ’s heart? She refused to ponder his actual question. It was preposterous. She’d only known Nathan for a handful of days.
    “You are arrogant, Trickster. A woman like me could turn you away for any number of reasons. Chiefly, you’re not good enough for me.”
    Tessa’s mind worked as she spoke. She had to focus on the problem at hand. Abarta wasn’t happy she was having an affair with Nathan. Would it be enough for him to end their bargain and cut her out of the loop? Or could she put off their inevitable confrontation for a few more days?
    So it came to the ultimatum.
    “Do you want me to keep working on your assignment? Or not?” Tessa thrust her chin in the air, and stared him down.
    Abarta just watched her for a few moments , no doubt attempting to evaluate her intentions. “If you haven’t provided new information by sunset three days from now, our bargain is off. And Tessa,” he held her gaze, the ice returning to his eyes. “The child’s life will be forfeit.”
    “ That wasn’t part of the deal, Abarta!” Tessa snarled. “You had