"Pierre, you can sleep with whomever you want, really."
"I know. Why do you not ask him?"
"To sleep with me?" she asked.
"Oui."
Because he would agree. She mulled his proposition and forced her thoughts away from it and her gaze to the paper again.
5. Test ability to control skill on new target. There was one person she wanted to know more about.
"Do you know where Claire is?" she asked.
"Oui."
"Let's go."
He led her from the library, across the courtyard, and into the far wing of the mansion she'd not yet explored. It was a barracks for the Guardians, most of whom greeted her with a quiet good day, ikira as she passed. The wing housed an indoor basketball court, indoor pool, a small game room, and a huge theatre room where music blared from some action movie. Claire sat beside another Guardian, watching the movie. Sofia didn't have time to plot how to approach her.
"Claire," Pierre said, stooping to kiss her cheek.
"Bonjour, mon amour," she purred in response.
"Ikira wanted to meet you."
Claire rose, the smile freezing on her face as she faced Sofia. Sofia forced her own smile, noticing how Claire's gaze swept over her as if she were an uninvited insect in her bedroom.
Claire, Darian said again.
I know, Darian! she replied, hoping the man in her head didn't distract her.
"Hello, Claire," she said, extending a hand. "We haven't formally met. I'm …" Claire shook her hand, and the visions that protruded into her thoughts floored her.
Czerno.
"… I'm Sofia," she choked out. "I wanted to welcome you."
"Enchanté, Sofia. It's my pleasure," Claire said. "Pierre will defend you well. Damian couldn't have chosen a better guard."
"Babysitter," Pierre corrected her.
"Exactly," Sofia agreed. "I didn't have a choice."
"If you must be with a man, it's good that he's French," Claire said with a wink at Pierre. "Please excuse me."
Sofia stepped out of her way, trying hard to digest what she'd seen.
Claire and Czerno in bed together.
"Sofi!" Damian's call pulled her from the vision replaying in her head. "C'mon!"
He waved her out of the theatre and led her toward the mansion. She sensed his excitement and trailed, troubled.
"Heya, Dust-man!"
Three men stood in the main foyer, two in the same shade of brown as her bodyguard and a striking man in designer jeans and an expensive sweater. He shook hands with Damian, a small smile on his chiseled features. Dustin was lean and handsome with clear, cool blue eyes and sharp, angular features. His hair was sandy blond, his skin golden. His noble features and cold, aloof air gave her the impression of an ancient Greek prince.