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I nodded. “And I’m hoping some of you will come with me.”
Dom rolled his eyes. “Do you even have to ask?”
“I will gather a handful of my vampires,” Killian said, as I thought he would.
I nodded my appreciation.
“I can’t go, right?” Tyren asked, looking forlorn.
“Actually, I didn’t have the time to ask you yet, but I wanted you to be my second beta,” I said. His eyes bugged. “And one beta needs to stay behind and take care of the pack.”
“Are you joking?”
“Why would I joke about that?”
A grin spread through his lips. “Cool!”
Cool? That was the answer I got? I chuckled as he and Hugh fist-bumped.
“I can go,” Hamill said.
I shook my head. “I would like you here to help Tyren take care of the pack.” Tyren lost his smile and frowned. “You’re the beta and will be in charge, but Hamill is on the council and has experience. You two will complement each other.”
Tyren nodded, though I knew he wasn’t entirely happy with it. As much as I wanted to prepare him, I couldn’t leave a pack in his hands alone. He would need all the guidance and support he could get.
Lucille sat quietly in a corner, her arms crossed and her mouth turned into a frown.
“Would you like to come with us?”
She gasped, her eyes growing twice their normal size. “Are you serious?”
Her too? “Do I joke around a lot for you all to think I’m joking right now?”
She straightened, her shoulders squared. “Yes! I would love to come with you.”
“All right, then pack and get ready.” I stood from my chair. “We leave tonight.”
* * *
I spent the rest of the day with Raika. I took some books to the clearing, sat under the shade of a tree, and researched while she trained with Thea and Almae, though I didn’t get much done. I was entranced, looking at her being badass. It was fucking sexy.
Thea and Almae conjured several figures to be targets, moving and blinking here and there, and they had different colors. Some even changed colors after the first second, and Raika had to hit them with the right magic.
She turned, twisted, moved her hands with grace and style. With her short shorts, cropped top, boots, and her long hair falling in waves down her back, she looked like a badass goddess.
And she had me wrapped around her finger.
She was killing it.
I left before her practice ended. I needed to take a shower, finish packing, and eat. After I had done all that, I went to the back garden, from where Raika, Thea, and Almae emerged. The witches walked into the castle, while Raika halted before me.
Without a word, I slipped her hand in mine and walked with her to the underground garage. There, two SUVs were being loaded with our bags and with people—Dom, Lucille, Killian, and six of his vampires, including Tao, Louis, and Kalon. Killian had invited Lavinia, but she chose to stay in the castle.
Raika said goodbye to everyone. “Good luck, guys. And please, bring this man back in one piece.”
Dom snorted. “I make no promises.”
Raika hugged Lucille. “I’m happy for you.”
