Page 9

At least it was written in the Elemental language, this time, so none of her human neighbors could read it. That was something, she supposed. These days, Randa took her bright-sides where she could find them.

“Don’t need to ask which house on this street is yours.” Kahn muttered from behind her.

Randa’s lips thinned. For some reason, Kahn, of the Light House was the person who irritated her the most. Whenever she was around him, she had to remind herself that she possessed good breeding, and impeccable manners, and it would be beneath her to punch him in his arrogantly attractive face.

The Light Phases were barbarians. What did she care what barbarians thought of her? What did she care what anyone thought?

As soon as this business with Saxon was taken care of, she’d never have to see another Elemental again. She would be someplace where no one knew her and she could live in peace. The whole human realm was out there, promising anonymity and a fresh start. A real home. All she had to do was pick a spot.

Omaha, Nebraska.

Cairo, Egypt.

She schooled her features into a calm mask and glanced over at her possible employees. The Light Phases wanted to see one of the bouquets for themselves before they agreed to kill the man sending them to her. She was willing to oblige.

“This way, gentlemen.” She headed up the front steps of her small house, ignoring the graffiti. Unlocking the door’s four locks, she gestured for them to go inside. “Please, have a seat in the living room.” She grabbed a fresh can of spray paint from her foyer table, shaking it as casually as possible. “I’ll be right with you.”

They ignored her. Of course they did. Arms crossed over their chests, they stayed on her lawn, studying her vandalized door with varying degrees of curiosity, irritation, and bafflement.

The Light Phases looked ridiculous standing in Mayport Beach. They were too big and fearsome for a small town full of pastel bungalows. Their long golden hair and watchful eyes did not blend into the coastal scenery.

Since she was stuck with them though, she was going to be civil.

Randa was always civil.

“Seems like people in this neighborhood don’t like you very much.” Daven told her in a thoughtful tone. At least she thought it was Daven. He looked a lot like his older brother, so it was hard to be sure.

“No one in any neighborhood likes her.” Kahn corrected. “She burned all her bridges when she sided with Parald.” He glared over at Randa and gestured to the graffiti. “You have to expect people will come after you when your boyfriend commits genocide.”

“Maybe I’m just advertising.” Randa retorted, abandoning civility. It was difficult to stay composed when she was dealing with Kahn’s black eyes following every move she made.

And why the hell did she even notice his eye color?

Kahn sighed like he was being the soul of reason in the face of impossible odds. “If you’re going to live without the protection of your House, you need to take better precautions.” He persisted in an exaggeratedly patient tone.

“I don’t have a House. I provide for my own protection.”

“Well, you’re doing a piss poor job.”

“I’m alive, aren’t I?” She had to fight for each day, but it was better than the alternative. She wasn’t beaten. Wasn’t broken. She was alive and she’d stay that way.

Randa was indestructible.

Julius cleared his throat. Scientifically speaking, he was the handsomest of the men, but somehow she kept forgetting he was even there. Kahn overshadowed everyone else. “Job could find a House that would take you in, Randa. It would be safer. I’m sure…”

“This is where I live.” She interrupted, pointing to the cottage. “It’s small, but it’s mine. I pay the rent, and I live how I please. No one is going to drive me away from it, until I’m ready to go.” Speaking of which, she was totally ready to go. Once she had everything arranged, she was walking away from all the Phases and never looking back. “Now, would you please go inside?”

Randa didn’t like standing outside like this, where everyone could see her. It made her feel exposed. She instinctively scanned up and down the street, looking for anybody who might want to harm her. Which was pretty much every Elemental alive. Gaia, the sooner she got out, the better.

Paris, France.

Ottawa, Canada.

“You want us to find out who wrote this and kill them, too?” Mannus offered, ignoring her prompting. (It was almost definitely Mannus.) “It wouldn’t be hard.”

“If I wanted you to kill everyone who’s ever called me a whore, you’d have steady employment forever.” She glanced pointedly at Kahn. “Then, you’d have to commit suicide.” Since they weren’t going inside without her, she shut the door again. “It’s fine. I’m immune to insults.”

Kahn seemed to take offense at that remark. Lord only knew why. “Is something still an insult if it’s true?”