Air rushed past my lips, my chest heaving. “I’m not scared.”
His smile was tender. “Anyone would be in your situation.”
My nostrils flared. I tapped my own temple. “Can you tell me why that goddamn mother-fucker targeted me specifically?”
He shook his head slowly.
I sucked in a shaky breath. “All right.” I stared down at the notes, not even seeing the words. “No time like the present, it appears.” A glance to King Collins. “I’ll be back in a while.”
“If you need me, just…” King Collins’s brows pinched. “Hell, I don’t know where the Temple is, but if you need me, and you have a way to contact me spirit-style, do so. I’ll be there for you.”
Quiet words. “Thank you.” I glanced at Brann. “Do you still have my swords?”
His head shook, amber eyes shining in the morning light. “Actually, I handed it over to Elder Merrick. He requested it…and I agreed.”
I blinked slowly at his wording. My eyes flicked to Elder Merrick. And held.
My problems had escalated to an Elder’s special touch. Wonderful.
Endless navy blue eyes held my gaze unflinchingly. He said not a word.
My lips lifted sardonically, the smile of the fucked and jaded. But I did trust this Elder. After all, he had nailed the Walker Leric for me and held him immobile until I could end the bastard. “I’ll be back for them.”
A black brow lifted. “They’ll be waiting like they have been.”
I stared. “Damn, you can speak.”
He eyed me. No expression. Grunted.
“Or maybe not.” My lips twitched as I grabbed my purse off the back of my chair, stuffing the pad of paper and pencil in it. I glanced at Brann and stood to my feet. “I’ll see you later, Herculean.”
“Later, Felon.”
I flashed bright white, opening my Core. The galaxies were my vision, my very being, as I floated into the pureness. I whispered to the stars, “Temple, give me access.”
Abruptly, my boots were firmly planted on white sand, a blue ocean behind me.
Ten male Guardians stood in a row to the left of me, and ten more male Guardians stood in a row to my right. All of them were dressed in white silk from their waists to their knees, platinum polished spears in their hands, the deadly ends made of pure diamond. They stared out at the ocean. The sun was just beginning to set over it, casting a magnificent shine on the white Temple in front of me. It still reminded me of Arabian architecture, except it was enormous…and just a front for anyone entering. I inhaled heavily and jerked at the scent.
I had forgotten the smell of this majestic place.
Jasmine floated on a breeze of its own.
It was pure peace on the air.
The guards tried to ignore me—after seeing I was indeed a spirit that had come by way of the cosmos—but their eyes continued to flick toward me, all of them appraising my attire.
I realized too late my clothes were a bit eye-catching here. I was wearing my black leather pants, layered hot pink and white tank tops, and a trendy short black leather jacket. Plus my purse and hot pink streaked hair. I shrugged off their curiosity and moved toward the closest Guardian. “Do you know where the One is today? Or even possibly how I can request an audience with him?”
He thought about it a moment while ogling my attire more blatantly since I was talking with him. “The One is meeting upper house members’ requests today in the Royal Hall.” He glanced at the setting sun. “If you hurry, you could probably seek him out there.”
I bit my lip, glancing up the steps to the Temple. “I don’t remember how to get there.”
“Just go straight.” He stated evenly, but his lips twitched. “And please, stop back by here before you leave.” His eyes wandered to my clothes again. “Let me know how your conversation went.”
Dry words. “Thank you.”
As I walked up the stairs, he added, “You really should run if you want to catch him.”