“Uh, yes. And it’s nice to meet you too.” Probably? The guy was giving off an intense, wild vamp vibe that made me slightly nervous. Though he had a friendly, jokester air too, it was clear he was a bit of a wild one. I didn’t think I’d ever meet more of a bad boy than Dagger. He was definitely what a girl would call smoking hot though, with his high, pale cheekbones, athletic frame, and perfectly styled black hair. Despite his brash behavior, his smile and aura were oddly enchanting.
“Your charming mate’s been talking about you, singing your praises, and I can see why.”
At the word “mate,” I swiveled my head toward Hunter. He usually wasn’t one to share personal details freely.
“Oh, pardon. Are you not mates? I just assumed by the way you spoke about her.”
Hunter’s eyebrows were still raised at the whole finger dipping thing, but now they climbed even higher. “We are.”
“Ah, good. One faux pas avoided.” Grinning, Xander feigned wiping nervous sweat off his brow. “But seriously, I am so sorry to hear about the nasty business going on with those fu—” He paused with his mouth half open. “Despicable Marchand Coven brutes.”
Hunter turned to me. “Xander’s the leader of the biggest coven in New Lincoln and shares a human partner with the Fae prince. He says he won’t deal with Conrad at all. Hardly any of the other covens will.” He looked at Xander. “Isn’t that right?”
He nodded. “Exactly right, big fella. They’re virtually a pariah coven. There are only one or two others in the whole state that’ll have dealings with him. And they’re monsters too.”
“Uh, Xander,” I chimed in, needing to confirm something even though it would probably make me want to leave New Nebraska even more, “would you say, with your knowledge on the covens, is the Marchand one particularly powerful?”
He sucked air through clenched fangs. “I’m afraid so. Arguably the most powerful. He has his tentacles in all sorts of highly profitable corruption. And that type of money buys a lot of muscle, a lot of influence.” His levity melted into an earnest undertone. “If Conrad’s obsession with you runs as deep as your jaguar says, don’t underestimate what he’ll do to get his hands on you. Nothing’s too brazen.” He tipped his chin toward Hunter. “If he’s developed the power of invisibility as you say, I wouldn’t even put it past him to be here—where you are—despite all the security.”
A shiver ran through me.
Perfume and cologne from a thousand people combined to thicken the atmosphere with a scent like overripe bananas. Black-clad strangers were constantly pushing past, brushing my back and arms. I didn’t know how much longer I wanted to stay. Xander was right. For all I knew, Conrad could have been among us at the memorial earlier, invisible, watching me, waiting to pounce.
Ants crawled over my skin, panic closing my throat, and I grasped Hunter’s bicep and tapped it for him to bend his head down. I whispered, “I think I’d like to go. I felt like someone was watching me earlier. Probably just paranoia, but…”
“Of course.” Hunter, his head higher than most of the other mourners, scanned the attendees, scowling as his eyes went yellow. “I’ve learned so-called paranoia’s sometimes what keeps you from a coffin. Grip my arm tight, and don’t let go. We’ll go find the others, tell them it’s time to leave.”
Xander was nodding, seeming to understand my concerns. “I’m sorry if what I said upset you. I—”
“I hope you’re behaving over here.” A woman with thick blondish hair and a warm smile, threaded her arm through Xander’s. She was about my age and cute as a button.
Xander kissed her lips softly. “Always, my orchid, always.”
She raised her eyebrows at him, before turning to me and Hunter. “Nice to meet you both. I’m Cecilia. I hope he’s not been ruffling too many feathers.”
Hunter, still glowering across the crowd and holding me tight beside him, replied without looking. “No, not at all. He’s been very helpful. Was nice meeting you both. Sorry we had to meet on this sad occasion. We’re heading off—”
“Are you… human too?” I asked, feeling silly at the question, but in New Nebraska looks often didn’t tell the full story. Plus, it seemed like she was with Xander and the prince, and if so, that must mean she was in a similar position to me. I needed to get going, but I’d love to be her friend.
She smiled and chuckled. “Yes, boring old human, although I’ve come to suspect there may be a bit of the paranormal way back in my bloodline. Though I suppose in this place, a human lineage is more exotic, right?”
“It’s so nice to meet you, Cecilia. I’m Serenity. We actually have to be going, but could I give you my number? Maybe we can connect?”
Slipping her phone out of her purse, Cecilia took my number and sent me a text. “Just save me under Ceci.”
I waved her goodbye as Hunter, his eyes a striking bright yellow, began striding through the masses with me clinging to his side, the people parting like waves before his imposing size and burning glare.
We found Dagger and Seb talking to Prince Osric and a sweet-looking bearded grizzly—he had the size and look of one, at least. A sporty hunk with a gentle smile stood nearby, half-listening as he scanned the crowd in the direction Hunter and I had come.
The prince’s eyes turned to mine, and I felt myself blushing. A real prince. And here I was, eager to get away from him and this whole royal gathering. I curtseyed sheepishly, having seen it on TV when I was a kid, and blurted, “Your Highness, I’m so sorry for your loss.”
He dipped his head. “Please, call me Osric, and I’m deeply grateful for your kind words.” He looked to Hunter. “You must be Detective Pierce’s twin. It’s nice to meet you. Your brother was very helpful to my partners and I when we found ourselves in a case of self-defense recently.”
“It was nothing,” Dagger said, clutching a large glass beer tankard and showing off a hint of his jaguar tat beneath his suit sleeve. “Everyone was happy you took care of Jack 2. Your local cops were just being cautious. I just smoothed things over and appreciated you answering questions.”
“Well, we were thankful for your help. They started investigating us after the fact, like we did something wrong rescuing anothergirl from his clutches. Maybe their directive came from higher up. But some other law enforcement didn’t see our getting rid of such a monster as clear as you.”
“You’re welcome.” He cleared his throat, like he didn’t know how to handle Osric’s praise. “Anyhow, I was just talking to the prince about my near-death tussle yesterday.” He caught sight of Hunter’s eyes, and his brow furrowed, his own irises shifting color. “About the Fae magical armor and how this tattoo somehow obliterated it,” he finished stiffly.
