Head Above Water (Gemini: A Black Dog #2) by Hailey Edwards Page A

bet she knew more about me than most of my coworkers ever bothered learning.
    “Nice to meet you.” I stared at the point where her hand touched me, and she blushed as she released my elbow. “You two were childhood friends? How sweet that you’ve kept up for so long.”
    Her eyes narrowed slightly as she filtered the words, searching for insult. “Well, you know how first loves are.” She gazed up at him with caked-on adoration. “You never quite get them out of your system.”
    No, actually, I didn’t. I had never let a man get that close to me. I pasted on a smile and let her read agreement in it.
    “It’s early and all, cart before the horse and such,” she continued, “but I wanted to meet you before the selection begins and tell you it’s nothing personal. Cord is a beta, and you don’t understand what that means, but it’s a big deal to us wargs. He needs a strong mate by his side if he’s going to hold his position, and you’re just not it.” She glanced over my shoulder at Graeson. “You know the rules. I’ll have to participate. I don’t have a choice.”
    Had glee not suffused her being, I might have believed her based on the slight rounding of her doe eyes. As it was, the widening of those dark, liquid pools reminded me of a black hole seeking to consume all which thrived around it.
    Admitting my ignorance as to what the selection was or why it mattered one way or another if Imogen participated would only have earned me a pitying glance. I avoided the play in favor of asking Dell about it later, figuring the truth would be easier to pin down with her than Graeson.
    A shrill ring sent my hand diving into my pocket, eager for an excuse to extricate myself from this awkwardness. “Ellis.”
    “Long story short, a drunk elf picked a fight with a dwarf in a holding cell at the marshal’s office.” Thierry’s yawn made my jaw twitch in sympathy. “I drew the short end of the straw, so I’m awake—sort of—earlier than expected. Can you talk?”
    “Hold on a minute.” I muted the call. “I have to take this call. It’s for work.”
    “What do you do?” Imogen pretended interest. “The suit you wore when you arrived on the property screamed secretary .” She batted her lashes at Graeson. “Not that there’s anything wrong with wanting to service a man in a powerful position.”
    I bit the inside of my lip. Service a man ? Really? Why didn’t she strip naked and start humping his leg? It would have been subtler.
    No harm in telling her since the news would make the rounds fast enough. Bessemer knew thanks to his fishing expedition inside Graeson’s skull, and if he knew, then Aisha must know too. I wasn’t sure what degree of access the rest of the pack had to his thoughts and memories, but I was willing to bet Aisha would love nothing more than to share a cup of coffee and gossip with Imogen.
    “I’m an agent with the Earthen Conclave.” The absent weight of my badge reminded me this side trip to Villanow wasn’t sanctioned. “It was nice meeting you, Imogen. I’m sure I’ll see you around.”
    “The Earthen Conclave.” She paled a fraction before smothering the momentary glimpse of panic with a smile as she looped her arm through Graeson’s. “That’s quite progressive of you.” She gave him a squeeze. “Why don’t you run along home and handle your business? I can take care of Graeson for you.”
    I just bet she could.
    Spending the morning on the shade-dappled platform with Graeson had talked me out. I flicked my fingers in a wave at him, not trying to spare him from the cruel fate of small-talking his way out of Imogen’s clutches.
    I set out for home, and Dell trailed at a respectful distance. I liked her, enjoyed her company, but I wondered why, if she was truly a submissive warg, Graeson had seemingly assigned her to my guard detail. It was more than consideration for companionship. I was fast learning he didn’t have those tender leanings. His thought