Read Online StrategicSurrender by Elizabeth Lapthorne - Free Book Online Page B

Exchanging sensual kisses,
licking the tender skin of a Strategy witch’s hand? Filling his mouth with the
taste and scent of her?
    Am I losing my mind? he wondered. It wasn’t the first
time in recent weeks he’d entertained such a notion. Hayden was half convinced
he was genuinely losing the plot, going crazy. It had been known to happen to
many a wizard, particularly powerful ones. And to say he’d been under some
strain was the understatement of the century.
    Turning off the faucet, he gripped the edge of the porcelain
basin with both wet hands, Hayden let his head droop down. Even though his face
was wet and cool, he felt heat prickle along his skin. What the hell was it
about Kiera that set him on fire? It was like one look from the sexy witch and
he melted, and simultaneously ignited into flames. It was crazy.
    Crazy.
    “Guess you’re finally managing to walk into the shadows, eh,
Foxworth?”
    Hayden’s head snapped up. He looked into the mirror and felt
his stomach hollow out. He resisted the urge to vomit.
    Ben’s face stared back at him, like some freakish trick from
a B-grade movie.
    “You’re not there,” Hayden insisted, though he could hear
the wobble of fear and indecision in his tone. He shook his head, closed his
eyes briefly and glanced back at the mirror.
    Ben’s face remained there. Grinning at him like he’d seen
his friend do a million times before. Brown hair and eyes, with a twinkle of
cheerful mischief. Hayden felt his heart ache. Despite everything—all the
secrets, all the evil, all the betrayal and power-hungry nonsense—regardless of
all the cool logic in the universe, nothing could prevent the simple fact at
heart Hayden missed his friend and partner.
    “I couldn’t believe you turned down such an opportunity for
power,” Ben continued. His tone was light, curious. It was like they were discussing
a case together, brainstorming after a particularly tricky puzzle had been
handed to them. Hayden felt incredibly disorientated.
    “Even though it would have just been a third of that
manuscript, I can’t believe you turned it down, Hayden. What was up with that?”
    “I’ve seen enough darkness in my time,” Hayden replied,
feeling a form of relief to explain himself to his partner. A part of his mind
realized this was either a hallucination or a trick, but he’d learned enough over
the years to know there was always a reason for everything. If his brain felt
compelled to implement such a bizarre form of self-reflection then there was no
harm in going with it. Obviously he needed to unburden himself. There had been
too many things whirling around in his head today and if this was how he’d get
himself sorted, so be it.
    Besides, there had to be crazier things than talking to the
reflection of his former partner—a power-hungry Assassin turned evil
psychopath—in the mirror.
    Right?
    “I’m at a delicate time,” Hayden said, looking at Ben’s
reflection but focusing his mind internally. Talking about this seemed to make
him feel lighter, more in control. “After discovering you were an insane, power-hungry
mass murderer things took a bit of a bleak turn. I still feel the weight of
stares when I walk down the street. I know people are whispering about me
behind my back, waiting for the other shoe to drop. And the last thing I need
is even a hint that I’m also after dark magics, or prepared to use my power to
force others against their will.”
    “A bit harsh,” Ben said, his reflection appearing almost
wounded. “But fair enough. So you didn’t look at the manuscript and you talked
the two Strategists into burning it. Why can’t you wash your hands of the
matter and get back to your self-imposed hermitage? It’s what you really want,
isn’t it?”
    Hayden paused. Reflection-Ben had a point. What was keeping
him here?
    “I’m curious about the puzzle Morgan’s supplied me with. I
want to see this through. I’m in it now. If I go back to my apartment, close
the