AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“That’s out of my wheelhouse, Norm, but I’d say call 311 and tell them. They’ll pass it on to the authorities rounding up wildings.”
“Great. Thanks. Say, do you think the eggs are good to eat? Maybe I could start a business.”
“Don’t go there, Norm.” She disconnected from his call and took several more.
“Well, listeners, that’s it. Bear with me while I stretch my radio legs again. In full disclosure, I’m no longer broadcasting from New York. I’m a human mated to a hot djinn guy, living on Scath. But I’ve been in your shoes. I was kidnapped, terrorized, and abused by beings I thought were fictional. I saw violence up close, but I found kindness and love, too. When I needed help, I got it from the very people I thought I should fear. Now I’m here to offer advice to you so you can meander with confidence down the roads of this new world. Stay safe, stay healthy, stay tuned. I’ll be back tomorrow.”
“Hot, huh?” Jarek was perched guy-style in a flipped around chair, his arms folded and resting on the back, his flexed biceps huge. Spectacularly huge, covered with his many battle runes, and exposed by a black muscle shirt. He had been there during her entire broadcast, silent but offering strength.
“I speak the truth.” Lizette ran her tongue across her bottom lip.
****
The Firebrands returned to their duties. Despite the loss of many warriors during the rebellion, a great number remained. And since Aeternals would never be a peaceful lot, they applied tough love.
Rein, when he finally accepted the post of commander, reorganized his Covenkirk command to manage the challenges ahead. Not that Kole had been a slouch in his management. Rather, Rein had a few ideas he wanted to implement.
Archers formed a separate unit, trained and led by Chay. Likewise, Tyr was in charge of a squad of mages. He cataloged their skills and trained them in special groups based on their powers. Since shifters were quite different from other breeds, Thorn worked exclusively with them, coordinating with the other strongholds. Brak headed a new special forces outfit, designed to cross between realms when needed, covertly if necessary. Their tasks were the difficult ones, the deadly ones nobody else could handle. They hit hard and fast.
Galena organized the Scath operations, assigning regular beat-pounding duties along with responses to special calls for help. Miller oversaw patrols on Darque. Let him use his British charm on the gagans and yetis whose constant bickering was a pain-in-the-ass. Sabine and Nico went undercover, gathering intel in the oddest of places. Bars. Back alleys. Hell, coffee shops. Even libraries. Scath and Earth. Rein assigned Denim to teach humans about Aeternal fighting techniques. Matty said the trainees were dragging ass after each session.
He and Ram butted heads often, but Rein had to admit, the satyr had good ideas along with great organizational skills. For a hothead.
Margo continued to handle the household side of the Covenkirk stronghold because he wanted nada to do with that shit. Most of the unmated Firebrands stuck around, opting to live in the barracks. Rein and Brae kept their apartment. It was better for his work, and she traveled by portal to her father’s newspaper office where she checked out paranormal sightings. The younger ones—Brak, Chay, and Tyr—liked living on-site with their mates. Not having to cook along with regular parties fit their lifestyles. Ram moved his family back to his place on the Elysian Isle while Thorn and Fin wandered between Montana and their unit here. The best of both realms.
Right now, Roark kicked back in a chair in front of Kole’s old desk. Rein had kept it, appreciating the scorch marks which gave it character.
“So, how’s my aunt?” asked the vampire-mix hero, happy to stop with the paperwork, of which there was a fuckload.
“Hard to handle.”
“She’d say that’s one of her better qualities.” Rein folded his arms behind his head.
“She only has good qualities. No bad ones.”
“How’s life as a winged assassin?”
Roark took a swill of scotch. “No diff. Bad guys, blood, whining.”
“Not to Freud-it-on-the-couch, but you did a lot of good for the species. For duty. For honor.”
Roark held out his glass for another pour. “You left something out.” When his tumbler was full again, he raised it. “For duty. For honor. For love.”
Rein threw his drink back. “I’m tight with that shit.”
****
The room quieted when Indigo walked in, guilty eyes flipping to her. Then titters and giggles broke out, a book passing like a hot coal from female to female.
Well, this is uncomfortable. What’s up?
“Cut the weirdness, coven kittens.”
Sabine raised a hand. “Not one of the kittens.”
“Me neither,” piped up Galena, who tucked her chin to hide a snicker.
Really?
