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Dani grimaced. “Well, shit. That’s going to be a pleasant search.”
“I appreciate your help and willingness to do shitty jobs. I’m so glad you’re here. I don’t know how I would do this without you. You’re the best sister in the universe. I’m a close second.”
“You just say that because I agreed to murder-stalk for you,” Dani grumbled, though she grinned.
“Well, yeah. I love you, too. Both things can be true. Speaking of shitty jobs, it’s my turn to visit the UN next, so I have to delegate this next thing. Queens do that, right? I’m toying with the idea of sending the Horsemen. It will give them a chance to prove their loyalty and commitment, and if they turn traitor, I will hunt them down with the rest.”
“Fair enough.” Dani hopped up from the couch. “Move your ass, Your Highness. I need your computer.”
Ash let Dani take control of the desk and pulled a chair up on the other side, then went over the stack of papers waiting for her review. An hour later, Dani jumped up, clapping her hands and whooping with delight.
“Boom, baby! Winchestering is a verb. I am awesome.” Dani gestured at the computer screen. “Looks like you’re going to visit the Spanish countryside. Well, someone is.”
Ash laughed, intrigued by the results of Dani’s search. “I bow before you, Mistress of All Things. What’s going on in Spain?”
Dani sobered. “There has been a string of disappearances in a small area over the past week. We’re talking twenty people, and not a single body has been found.”
“That sounds suspicious. Vampires or not, someone needs to check out what’s going on, and it sounds like it might be our kind of thing. Thanks, Dani. We should shut it down for now. Mom and Dad will be here soon, with your panther.”
Dani didn’t try to hide her excitement. She had only been away from Uuka for a few days, but it felt like ages, and she was eager to see him again. They’d kept things casual so far, but she got tingles every time he touched her.
Dani let her vulnerability show since Ash was her sister and her safe place. “Do you think it’s more than a fling to him?”
Ash nodded. “I do. He looks at you like water in the desert. That can’t just be about sex.”
“We were living with our parents. We haven’t had sex,” Dani lamented.
Ash waggled her eyebrows. “You know, this is a huge palace. We can find you some privacy.”
“Have you had much privacy with your man?”
Ash’s shoulders slumped. “Not enough. It would be easier if we were ever in the damned palace at the same time. Tonight, we will get away. There’s something about his touch. It’s not just sexual, though there’s plenty of desire for that, too. Going too long without being with Luca leaves me feeling…‘empty’ is the best word for it. I don’t know how to explain it.”
“You don’t need to. I get it. I feel pulled to Uuka. None of the obstacles seem to matter to my heart or soul or vagina. Every part of me wants to be with him.”
Ash chuckled. “I hope you and your vagina get what you want. Uuka’s a great guy, and he seems to recognize your amazingness. Plus, shifter stamina is a gift from the gods.”
The sisters dissolved into giggles that made it seem like they were teenagers again. They continued to talk about the men in their lives until an alarm went off on Dani’s phone. “It’s time! Mom and Dad are here, and I promised we’d meet them in the throne room. Let’s go.”
Ash and Dani didn’t stop to talk to anyone as they eagerly dashed through the palace to meet their parents. They wanted to show Brian and Melinda the Therian and vampire worlds, and Ash was eager to see the panthers again. They’d become good friends during her visit at home.
They sat on the steps of the dais at the front of the throne room and eagerly waited for their guests to arrive. Neither expected a portal to form five feet in front of them, glowing with a spectacular gold light unlike any they’d seen.
“What the shiny fuck?” Ash pushed Dani behind her.
Uuka was the first to step through the portal, and while she remained confused, Ash stood down, realizing the portal wasn’t a new threat for them to face. Dani darted around Ash and threw herself into her panther’s arms. The Therian’s wide white smile stood out against his dark skin, and his yellow cat’s eyes gleamed with pleasure as he embraced Dani.
Uuka’s younger sister Chuki was the next through, followed by the other five panthers, Brian, Melinda, and a stunning woman she didn’t recognize but felt she should know. The goddess had cloaked her power and appeared human. Ash watched them, slack-jawed, as the portal closed and everyone looked at her.
“I don’t understand. H-how?” Ash stammered.
Melinda wrapped her daughter in a hug while Brian claimed Dani from Uuka. “Honey, we have big news for you. While you were busy conquering the vampire race, an old friend came to visit.” She drew Maerlin forward. “Ash, Dani,” Melinda continued, “Meet Maerlin.”
Maerlin smiled, allowing the cloak on her magic to fall away and the blinding power blazing within her to shine. Every Therian in the room dropped to their knees, recognizing her as their ancient deity. Ash and Dani just froze. Maerlin blushed and cloaked her powers again. “Oh, not again. Please get up. There’s no need for that.”
Ash laughed and offered a commiserating smile. “Does that kind of creep you out, too?”
The tension broke, and Maerlin nodded, shuddering. “It’s weird and unnecessary. Who wants everyone to bow to them?”
