Mirage by Kristi Cook Read Free Book Online

outdoorsy catalogs, the ones that sold everything from cargo pants to canoes.
    He studied me back, his dark gaze steady. “Yeah, that’s all it takes,” he said at last. “But I really had to work on my focus for a while before I got the hang of it, so don’t give up just yet. The clock helps—that’s why I keep this one in my office.”
    I rose and took a couple of steps toward his desk, reaching out to run one finger along the clock’s smooth, curved frame. “It’s nice,” I said.
    “Thanks. It was my grandma’s, actually. She collected clocks.” He was still studying me strangely, his brows slightly drawn. “So, you and Aidan Gray …” He trailed off expectantly.
    I swallowed hard, not quite sure where this was going. Or how much he knew. “What about us?”
    “I was just wondering if you’re a hundred percent comfortable with the risks.”
    “I don’t know what you mean,” I lied. My heart was pounding in my chest, thumping against my rib cage.
    His expression relaxed a bit. “I’m pretty sure you do.”
    He had me there. I decided to try a different tactic. “He says you’ve been working with him in the lab. Are you a hundred percent comfortable with the risks?”
    He shook his head. “It’s not the same.”
    “It is,” I argued, sliding back into the chair behind me.
    “It’s not, and you know it. Look, I’m fully supportive of Aidan’s work. I want to help him. This is … well, probably the most exciting work I’ve done in a long time. But I think someone here needs to be looking out for you.”
    He obviously had no idea about the Sâbbat thing—and I wanted to keep it that way. “Mrs. Girard is looking out for me,” I offered. He must know that much.
    He stood and came around the desk, leaning against it, just inches away now. I could smell him—soap and aftershave. He smelled … nice. Clean, kind of like the ocean.
    “Obviously I’m screwing this up,” he said, shaking his head. “So let me start over. I’m trying to say that I’ve got your back. That if you ever need to talk to someone—to an adult—about the … situation … I’m here. That’s all.”
    “Just how much do you know about the … situation?” I asked, unable to stanch my curiosity.
    “Not much, beyond the scientific details I’ve managed to put together. I get the feeling that he’s not really at liberty to share.”
    “Not without … consequences.” Oh my God, we were talking in code, like spies or something.
    “Hmm. Interesting.” He folded his arms across his chest, causing the rolled-up sleeves of his shirt to ride up, exposing the bottom of edge of a tattoo—something that looked vaguely like a dagger. Whoa, Dr. Hottie had a tattoo. Now that was interesting.
    “Will you promise me one thing, Violet?” he continued. “Just this one thing, and then we can stop talking about it. For now, at least.”
    “Depends on what you want me to promise,” I said with a shrug. Because some things weren’t negotiable, especially where Aidan was concerned.
    “Just that you’ll come to me if things start seeming dangerous, that’s all. I’m not sure how much help I’ll be, but I’ll do whatever I can.”
    I sucked in my breath, surprised by his offer. “You don’t even know me.”
    “You’re a student here at Winterhaven. A precog, like me. That’s all I need to know.”
    I needed to stall for time, to think this through before I made any promises. “That’s very … generous of you.”
    “Then you’ll promise?”
    I searched my instincts, wanting to make sure that his intentions were on the up-and-up, that he wasn’t trying to manipulate me for some unknown, nefarious reason. Because if there’s one thing I’d learned in the past year, it’s that you just never know.
    My gaze met his unflinching one, and I felt nothing but a surprising kinship. He seemed sincere, I decided. Earnest. Whatever his reasons were for wanting to protect me, they were good ones—ones I could