“I slept fine.” Derian grinned, her mood
lightening by centuries as it always did whenever she saw Emily. The change was
like stepping into sunlight after emerging from a long walk through a cave
filled with winding tunnels, blind ends, and no sense of direction. She shook
off the disconcerting sensation. “Better than fine. How about you?”
Emily grinned. “I had the most interesting
dreams…”
When her voice trailed off and her brows
lifted, Derian laughed. “You know, there’s really a bad girl hiding under that
very good girl exterior.”
“You mean there’s a sexy librarian
somewhere?”
Derian leaned a shoulder against the wall,
moving out of the way of two attendants pushing a hospital bed carrying a
patient with all the usual equipment toward the ICU. When they’d passed, she
nodded. “I think the shy librarian is just a ruse.”
“Really? And what exactly do you think I’m
hiding?”
“Dark, wild passions, hopefully.”
Huffing, Emily shook her head. “I’m afraid
you would be very disappointed.”
“I don’t think so. But I hope to find out.”
Derian couldn’t help but inject an invitation into her voice. God, when was the
last time just being near a woman made her tremble?
Almost as if Emily realized their flirtations
had crossed the border into seduction, she colored and looked away. “The nurses
told me she’s better.”
Derian accepted Emily’s silent request for a
time-out. “She had a good night. She’s a little bit more alert, but I’m not
entirely certain she’ll remember we’ve been here. They’ve got her pretty doped
up.”
“Probably just as well. Who would want to
remember this part of it?” Her tone was tinged with uncharacteristic bitterness.
“Hey.” Derian slipped her palm around Emily’s
elbow and drew her closer. “How are you doing?”
Emily lightly rested her fingertips on
Derian’s arm, the brief contact electric. “I’m okay. Really.”
“I should let you go in.”
“I know.” Emily sighed. “I don’t want to stay
away from the agency too long, but I needed to see her.”
“I’ll keep you updated during the day.”
“Thanks.”
“How are things going over there?”
“I’m afraid rebellion might be fomenting. No
one feels comfortable or particularly secure without Henrietta or someone else
they trust in charge. And then with all the changes—” She grimaced. “Somehow,
in less than twenty-four hours, Donatella has redirected the entire focus of
the agency, at least in theory. How well everyone is going to accept her
mandates is another question.”
“I talked to Aud about it,” Derian said.
“Oh, Derian.” Emily was grateful, relieved,
but concerned too. She hadn’t wanted to draw Derian into a situation she’d
clearly wanted to avoid. “I’m so sorry all of this has spilled over onto you.”