As with all my previous ventures to anger management, I apparated onto the roof of the counselling offices. And, as expected, I vomited violently upon arrival. The hangover, unfortunately, seemed to make the entire business of portal travel even worse than it normally was, and it took me several moments to regain my equilibrium. It occurred to me that every time I arrived, the traces of my previous week’s regurgitations were always conspicuously absent. Whether that was down to the weather, or to some poor minion of the counsellor who was forced to clean up after weak stomached visitors like me, I had no idea. The thought crossed my mind that maybe there were birds scavenging around who pecked away and ate the contents of my stomach, glad for a meal during the slim pickings of the last weeks of winter. That made my stomach roll even more in revulsion so I forced myself to stop worrying about it.

I moved away from the unpleasant puddle, and relaxed my arm, letting the book slide down through my robes and out onto the ground. It would probably be safe to have it in plain sight now; I had no doubt that letting it suddenly appear from under my Initiate’s garb whilst I was in front of the receptionist would cause a raised eyebrow. Better to make it look as if I was supposed to be carrying it with me, I reasoned.

Keeping my fingers crossed tightly that Solus would be there to take possession of the book – and that Corrigan would stay well away – I opened the rooftop door and began my descent. As I passed the photos of previous well to do and happily recovered clients, I realised suddenly that the framed picture that had puzzled me before was of a considerably younger Thomas, staring out from behind the glass with a slightly befuddled expression, as if he was equally surprised and confused to find himself there. He looked very different to the Thomas that I now knew; he had much more hair for a start, and his face held the promise and hope of youth. Well, well, well. Wonders would never cease. So Jeremy Thomas had been to anger management then? He’d obviously refrained from telling me about it for a reason, and I wouldn’t be so crass as to raise it with him. However, some of the things that he’d said to me before were starting to make quite a bit more sense, along with the way that he recognised when the rage was taking me over and making me abandon all reason, and how he could talk me down from it too.

As soon as I entered the counselling offices, it was clear that Solus was thankfully present. He was leaning over the receptionist’s desk, holding her hands in his and smiling at her with the glint of a predator. He kissed the back of her hand with a flourish.

“Sweetheart, I need to talk in private to this young lady here. I don’t suppose you could…?” His voice trailed off as his eyes widened fractionally, beseeching her to leave us in private for a few moments.

“Of course, of course!” The girl almost tripped over herself in her haste to please the Fae.

I watched, eyes narrowed, as she disappeared down the carpeted corridor and into one of the closed rooms. Turning to Solus, I raised my eyebrows at him.

He tsked. “Really, dragonlette. I don’t have to resort to glamouring people to make them want to please me. Most people are happy to do me favours.” He reached over and rubbed my head. I recoiled away at the intimate touch, but he merely smiled. “Your hair is growing back.”

“Hair does that,” I said drily. “And how are you, Solus?”

“Oh just wonderful, dragonlette.”

I scowled at him. “Please don’t call me that.”

“Oh, but it suits you so.” Solus’ face took on a serious expression. “Now tell me, my little fiery one, does this suit me?” He spun around on one foot then faced me again, arms outstretched.

Nonplussed, I stared at him. “What the hell are you on about?”

“The outfit, darling, the outfit! Don’t you think it suits me?”

My eyes travelled up and down the length of his body. Hold on a second…

“That looks familiar.”

He beamed. “I thought you’d appreciate it.”

“Solus, please tell me you didn’t break into the stronghold of the Brethren to steal one of the Lord Alpha’s suits?”

He patted the lapel. There was a tiny gold brooch pinned to it. I leaned closer, realised it was of a panther, and then moved back again, feeling slightly sick.

“As you wish, dragonlette. I didn’t break into the stronghold of the Brethren and I definitely didn’t steal any of his clothes.”

“You’re a fucking idiot, Solus.”

“Well, I think I look rather dapper.”

“It doesn’t fit,” I muttered.

The Fae looked thoughtful for a moment. “Hmm, you’re right. The Lord Brethren does have a rather, well, large body shape, doesn’t he? Too much muscle and brawn methinks.” He waved a hand dismissively. “It’s no problem, however. I shall simply have my tailors adjust the size.”

I shook my head. If the stupid fairy wanted to dice with death by provoking Corrigan then I wasn’t going to get in his way. Then my eyes narrowed slightly as a thought struck me. Solus would never dress this way unless he was hoping for ultimate impact.

“Solus, is the Lord Alpha coming here? Now?” Absolutely the last thing I needed right now to cap my day off was a confrontation between the two of hem.

Fortunately for me, he shook his head mournfully. “Alas, no. His Lord Furriness had indeed been planning to make an appearance, but appears to have changed his mind at the last minute. Some problem with the vampires, I believe.” He winked at me. “I’m sure there will be other opportunities for us to swap fashion tips, however.”

Good grief, what a thought. I rolled my eyes expressively, deciding against pandering to the Fae’s ego by making a big deal about his idiotic plans. Maybe if I didn’t make an issue of it then he’d abandon his suicidal actions. I changed the subject and thrust out the book towards him. “Here. As promised for services rendered. One sentient Fae book about dragons.”

Solus’ eyes widened greedily and he took it from me, turning it over in his hands and examining the cover. “Well, well, well, this really is an interesting find after all.”

I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. “When you’ve read it, then maybe we can get together. You know to compare notes, swap interpretations, that kind of thing.”

I watched him carefully, but he barely reacted, his attention focused on the book itself. “Sure thing, dragonlette.” He flicked a glance at me and grinned, baring his sharp white teeth as he did so. “Be seeing you.”

Before I could utter anything else, he vanished into thin air, leaving behind nothing other than a wisp of aftershave. I sniffed cautiously, then closed my eyes briefly in dismay. Solus was definitely playing with fire. I had no idea what his endgame was, other than royally pissing off the Lord of all the shifters, but I was pretty sure that he was underestimating Corrigan if he thought he could get away with this kind of frivolous and foolish behavior. But, I shrugged mentally, he was a big boy. As long as I didn’t get caught in the cross-fire then he could do whatever he wanted.

Chapter Twenty One

When I re-emerged after my counselling session with Bryant, who professed cautious optimism at my progress in handling my temper, the receptionist was back in her place behind her desk, giving me a baleful glance that suggested vexation at the fact that my presence had forced Solus away from her side. I gave her a smile of regret, trying to stay friendly. For her part, she at least remained briskly efficient and polite, smiling back, even though it didn’t quite reach her eyes, and telling me that she’d see me again the following week. She had to be wondering who on earth would pitch up to meet me then. First the Lord Alpha, then a Fae. It made my life appear considerably more important and exciting than it really was.

I wandered slowly back up to the roof, in no hurry to journey back through the portal again just yet. I paused for a moment again at Thomas’ photo, wondering just what secrets he really held behind that tough yet calm exterior. I scratched at my scalp, wondering whether his hazing over the shaving of my hair and his initial reaction to me had not just been as a result of my intrusion into his carefully laid out little mage world, but instead hinted at the vestiges of a more complex personality. It made me like him more, rather than less, somehow.

When I opened the door that led out onto the roof, I was assailed by a sudden cold breeze that made me shiver. I pulled the robes around me, trying to prevent the wind from catching them too much and whipping them about, and to give myself some measure of protection against the bite of the chilly weather. The portal shimmered up ahead so I squared my shoulders and headed for it. I should probably get my next vomiting session out of the way.

I was just about to step back through, however, when something touched my shoulder. Without thinking, I reacted straightaway by grabbing it and twisting hard. The unfortunate recipient of my attentions groaned slightly before slipping remarkably easily out of my reach. Blinking, I realised who it was.

“Back already, Solus?” I inquired. My heart was beating fast, and I could feel tendrils of snaky bloodfire worm their way around my veins. This was it. Now I’d know the truth without having to spend the next several years painstakingly translating the Fae tome.

Solus just glared at me, and didn’t speak. Thinking that he was annoyed that I’d tried to attack him, I took a step forward to explain that he shouldn’t just creep up on me without warning but he beat me to it and reached out for me instead. All of a sudden, without any advance theatrics he grabbed hold of my blue robes around the neckline and pulled hard.

My mouth dropped open and I tried to yank myself away. “Solus, what the fuck…?”

He held on, however, ripping the fabric in one swift move, until the robes dangled off my arm, baring my skin to the cold. He stared hard at my shoulder, then looked back up at me.

“I thought things were going rather well between us,” he hissed. “I help you out by summoning nasty beasts from other planes, you give me information and provide amusement and entertainment. And then,” he flicked a fingertip against my bare skin, “I find out you’ve been lying all along.”