“King Colburn,” Malakai greeted. “Howdelightful to see you again.”
Malakai’s singsong voice caused Cole’s clawsto elongate once more. When he rested his hand against thedoorframe and gripped it, his claws pierced the wood.
He kept smiling as he looked past Malakai tothe dozen or so members of the Lord’s guard behind him. They stoodso close together that they blocked his view of the yard andlake.
For all he knew, there could be more guardsout there.
“Why are you here, Malakai?” Cole inquired.“Lexi has made it clear you’renotwelcome here.”
“I’m sure Elexiandra would be more than happyto see me.”
This soon-to-be-dead fucker lived in completedenial or was trying to piss off Cole. Either way, he was ensuringit wouldn’t be an easy death.
“The Lord has sent me for two reasons,”Malakai said.
“And those are?” Cole inquired.
“First, to inquire about the welfare of thelady of the manor,” Malakai said. “He wants to make sure she’sokay.”
“She’s fine,” Cole said.
Malakai made a small tsking noise that causedSahira to edge a little closer. “I see you’re still trying toconvince yourself that she didn’t want it,” Malakai asked. “I feelsorry for you. It must be difficult to be so wrapped around thatwhore’s poisonous little finger.”
Wood bit into Cole’s palm as it splinteredapart beneath his hand and pierced his flesh. No matter how hard hetried, he couldn’t get his fangs to retract again. When his gazedropped to Malakai’s throat, saliva filled his mouth as he picturedtearing out his jugular.
“What is the second reason the Lord sent youhere?” Sahira interjected.
She rested her hand on Cole’s arm. Her touchdidn’t calm as effectively as Lexi’s, but it served as a reminderthat he had to maintain control.
One day, he thought as he heldMalakai’s eyes.One day I’m going to destroy you, and I willbask in your screams.
Malakai’s smile grew as he took in Sahira’shand on Cole’s arm. “Oh, how sweet. Do I sense a little side actionhere?”
“You’re disgusting,” Sahira replied. “And Iwant youoffmy property.”
“It’s time for you to go,” Cole said.
“First,” Malakai said as he held up a finger.“The Lord rules over all the realms andallthe land, and hehas sent me here. I’ll leave after I accomplish his mission, and Ican’t reveal the second reason I’m here until I have proof thefirstis safe.”
Cole knew the Lord had someone in theGloaming reporting to him about what Cole was doing there, and nowhe suspected he had someone watching over them in the human realmtoo.
“Lexi’s not coming anywhere near you,” Coletold him.
“It’s okay,” Lexi said from behind him.
His shoulders hunched forward as the musclesin his back stretched and something popped. His shirt tore as hisfingers dug further into the wood. He restrained himself frompulling the frame free of the wall.
His lips skimmed back when he spotted herstanding in the hall. He didn’t want her anywhere near this bastardand wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing her again.
“I’m right here,” Lexi said.
She took another step closer before stopping.She stood a few feet away from the sunlight to remain out of directcontact with it. If Malakai asked her to come closer, there wouldbe a problem.
When Lexi’s eyes met his, they shone withlove and a plea for him to keep it together. The others remained inhiding, but they would charge out here to go after Malakai ifthings went bad. He had to keep it together to prevent that fromhappening.
“Now, you can go back and tell the Lord I’mexactly where I’m supposed to be,” Lexi said.
“So you are,” Malakai drawled. “How are you,dear Elexiandra?”
