The Mage in Black by Jaye Wells Read Free Book Online

you.”
    “What kind of project? Surely he can fit in a few magic—”
    Orpheus cut me off. “I’m afraid that’s impossible.”
    “Why?” I knew I sounded argumentative, but part of the deal I’d cut with Adam before agreeing to come to New York was that he’d teach me magic. I didn’t like the idea that less than an hour into this, they were already reneging on the agreement.
    Orpheus’s jaw went tight; he obviously didn’t like being challenged. “It’s none of your damned bus—”
    “Sir,” Adam said suddenly. “If I may? I’d like to speak with Sabina alone.”
    Orpheus glared at Adam for the interruption but finally relented. “Fine.”
    Adam nodded at me. Frowning, I rose slowly and followed him into the hall. Before the door was even closed, I rounded on him. “What the hell’s going on?”
    Adam sighed. “The mission Orpheus gave me is in North Carolina. That’s why I can’t continue our lessons—I won’t be here.”
    My stomach dipped. “What? Why?”
    He leaned in, as if he wasn’t supposed to be telling me this. “Queen Maeve is dragging her feet on committing to helping the council if we go to war. Orpheus needs me to go to the fae court and find out why.”
    I crossed my arms. “When?”
    “Tonight.”
    “What!” Panic gripped my chest. Even though everyone I’d met so far was nice enough, the thought of being stuck here alone with a bunch of virtual strangers didn’t appeal. “So you’re just dumping me off and leaving me alone with a bunch of strangers?”
    Adam ran a hand through his sandy hair. “Sabina, it’s not like that. Believe me, I’d rather stay, but my first responsibility is to the council.”
    A dark suspicion rose in my mind. “Oh, I get it. Fine. See you around.” I turned to go, but he grabbed my arm.
    “What do you mean you get it?”
    I shrugged. “You’ve been acting on orders this whole time. You were supposed to do whatever it took to get me here. So you promised me things knowing the council never intended to follow through. And now that I’m here, you’re finally off the hook.”
    He glared at me for a moment. Then he threw back his head and laughed. Laughed!
    “Nice. Have a good chuckle. Asshole.” I turned to storm off, but he grabbed my arm and spun me around. I slammed into his chest, and before I could open my mouth to tell him to go to hell, his lips landed on mine.
    Taken totally off guard, it didn’t occur to me to fight unexpected intimacy. His lips were warm and insistent on mine. As the warmth of his lips registered, my brain switched off and my libido took over. I’d kissed Adam before—once. But that had been different. Then, I’d been reeling from the revelation I had a sister I never knew about, and Adam provided a welcome distraction to extreme emotional distress. Luckily the make-out session was interrupted before it could get too out of hand, and I decided it would never happen again. He was a mage, after all, and cross-racial mating was forbidden. I mean, look where it got my parents. But now, as Adam’s tongue caressed mine, it was fairly apparent he hadn’t gotten that memo.
    He cupped my face with his warm palms. Unlike last time, there was no urgent groping or wild need. No, this kiss was almost tender, but no less dangerous for my equilibrium. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and gave myself into the kiss. I was still angry with him for leaving, but I also knew this might be my last chance to touch him for Goddess knew how long.
    Finally, slowly, he pulled back. When I opened my eyes, he was smiling down at me.
    I cleared my throat. “Um.”
    “Now, are you going to stop being an idiot and tell me good-bye?”
    I opened my mouth to protest being called an idiot, but he shook his head. “Don’t start an argument. Not now. We can talk about all the reasons this is a bad idea when I get back, okay?”
    I swallowed. He was so close. I could still taste him on my lips, and his sandalwood and hot-male